I loved the first issue of Jeff Smith’s SHAZAM! And the Monster Society of Evil. It was just such a perfect and adorable vision of what that franchise should be: Family friendly, funny, light, adventurous.
The second issue is pretty great, too, with the even-more-adorable introduction of Billy Batson’s long-lost sister, the inevitable Mary Marvel. Seriously, if you don’t think Mary is the cutest thing ever, you may be a robot or something. Possibly a communist.
But the second didn’t wow me quite as much as the first, despite possessing much of the same (if not more) charming and entertaining qualities. And it’s dawning on me why: Smith is really just setting up.
It’s two issues in, and only now do we have the full cast (complete with Talky Tawny, Dr. Sivana, and the as-yet-unseen Mr. Mind), fully comfortable with the basic concepts. And that’s fine, except for the fact that this is all there is: Smith has another two issues in this four-issue mini, then he’s off for parts unknown.
It’s not enough. It would be one thing if this were an ongoing series, or even a 6-to-8 issue series. Or if there was the promise of follow-up series. (Maybe it’s been discussed – I certainly hope so – but it hasn’t been announced.) But Smith seems to be doing his version of the Marvel Family Origin and then abandoning it. And while it would be nice to think DC would follow up on Smiths’ vision, they have few creators with the talent, and even fewer with the inclination. (Maybe Darwyn Cooke could take a break from The Spirit?)
Granted, Captain Marvel doesn’t have the same problems as Batman or Superman, where it seems everyone wants to take a crack at their legendary origins. Captain Marvel isn’t all that well-known – while most people are probably familiar with the basic concept, the actual origin isn’t exactly common knowledge. Perhaps Shazam! needed this injection to get it back on track.
But I can’t help but feel like it’s a bit of a waste, like I wanted something more from Smith. Mostly, I suppose, it’s that I do want more – more great Captain Marvel minis like this one. And it’s possible, though Monster Society of Evil took so long to see print that I doubt we’ll see a sequel any time soon.
Still, it’s a testament to Smith’s talent that the series is only half-done, and yet here I am complaining about it. Comic fans really are a greedy, ungrateful lot, aren’t we?