As an original superhero satire, this might have had some appeal, but for fans of these well-known characters, it lacks sufficient charisma, conceptual cohesion, or fresh commentary on the source material.
While the plot and character arc are simple, fans of the “Shazam!” movie franchise will enjoy this expansion of the first movie, making this a solid gateway into DC graphic novels.
An interesting story with a killer boardwalk setting and strong artwork that’s tailor-made for newcomers. While the characterizations get muddled, it’s still worth a look for collections where graphic novels about magic are popular.
Filled with coming-of-age themes such as first crushes (and kisses), identity building, and fear of failure, this comic deserves a place on every teen graphic novel shelf alongside contemporary classics like Noelle Stevenson’s Nimona.