DC Comics has released a 5 page preview of Jeff Smith's SHAZAM: THE MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL. Check it out right here!




Jeff Smith is also blogging on SHAZAM: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL over at Boneville.com with some exclusive SHAZAM art. Head on over and tell him the Marvel Family Web sent you.

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Judd Winick and Howard Porter's 12 issue TRIALS OF SHAZAM! mini-series starts this August. Here's the solicitation...


DC has released several preview images for the book and you can see them here...




Judd and Howard have also done several interviews in the press and the following lists several of the highlights from those interviews (which can be read in full by clicking on the links following the list).

• FANBOY RADIO #297 - JUDD WINICK LIVE - Fanboy Radio (16-APR-2006)
  http://media.libsyn.com/media/fanboyradio/fbr_297.mp3
• JUDD WINICK AND THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM! - Newsarama (16-May-2006)
  http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71004&highlight=Trials+Shazam
• HOWARD PORTER: A NEW HERO, A NEW STYLE - Newsarama (30-May-2006)
  http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/TrialsShazam/HowardPorter.html
• THE EMERGENCE OF FREDDY FREEMAN - Wizard Universe (7-June-2006)
  http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/000428628.cfm

DC announced plans to release two Marvel Family-oriented collections this fall! Coming to you in September 2006 is the first volume of THE SHAZAM! FAMILY ARCHIVES. November brings SHOWCASE PRESENTS SHAZAM! Volume 1.

Here's the rundown from DC...

SEPTEMBER

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SHAZAM FAMILY ARCHIVES VOL. 1 HC
Writer: Unknown
Artists: Mac Raboy, Al Carreno, Marc Swayze; original cover artists: Mac Raboy and C.C. Beck
Collects stories from MASTER COMICS #23-32, CAPTAIN MARVEL JR. #1 and CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES #18
$49.99, 228 pages

NOVEMBER

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SHOWCASE PRESENTS: SHAZAM VOL. 1 TP
Writers: Dennis O'Neil, E. Nelson Bridwell and Elliot S. Maggin Artists: C.C. Beck, Kurt Schaffenberger, Bob Oksner, Dave Cockrum, Alan Weiss, Dick Giordano, Don Newton, Tenny Henson, Bob Wiacek, Vince Colletta, Tex Blaisdell, Bob Smith and Joe Rubinstein
Collects stories from SHAZAM #1-24, 26-35
$16.99, 560 pages

Note: I did the cover mockups. As soon as DC releases images of the real covers I'll have them here. It'll be interesting to see how close I came.

Pages 46 and 47 of INFINITE CRISIS #7 (released May 3, 2006) features a cornocopia of DC's heroes. It also reveals what can only be presumed to be the Marvel Family of 52 and the OYL title TRIALS OF SHAZAM!

This risky move by DC features a hooded Captain Marvel in a redesigned white uniform, a possibly promoted Captain Marvel, Jr.also in a redesigned uniform (lifting Captain Marvel's traditional red and gold color scheme and abandoning his own traditional blue) and a slightly redesigned Mary Marvel. Rumors are also swirling that one of the characters will be renamed Shazam.

The risk is the alienation of old-time Captain Marvel fans (some of whom have been none too happy with DC's treatment of the Big Red Cheese of late) as well newer fans who have given DC some leeway in the treatment of their hero.

It remains to be seen if writer Judd Winick can turn the tide and lure in new in readers without shedding the old ones. Winick has asked that Captain Marvel fans give the new series a chance. While it's too early to tell what this new series will bring, one thing is for certain as Winick himself mentioned in an online interview, The Big Red Cheese has left the building at DC.

Fawcett Fan Supreme, Cynthia Finnegan, has launched two new places for Fawcett fans to get together and chat and learn about the original Captain Marvel and the other great Fawcett Heroes!

I've been remiss in promoting The World's Mightiest Mortals -- a Yahoo Group that describes itself as such … THE place to discuss the Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr., the other great heroes of Fawcett Comics, and Kid Eternity! (Okay, so he wasn't originally a Fawcett character. But he was Freddy's kid brother Christopher at one point in time.:))

You can join the World's Mightiest Mortals at the following address… http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WorldsMightiestMortals/

Cynthia's newest venture is The Fawcett Universe Website a site ... devoted to Fawcett's most famous heroes, the Marvel Family, but to all the heroes that came from that hallowed publisher, including Bulletman & Bulletgirl, Ibis the Invincible, Spy Smasher, Minute Man & Mr. Scarlet! Plus some of the heroes from Quality Comics, such as Kid Eternity, Plastic Man and Uncle Sam! You can reach the Fawcett Universe at http://www.fawcettuniverse.ahplace.com/home.html

Cynthia's sites are squarely focused on the Fawcett versions of the characters. There are other boards that talk about all versions of the characters that you can join as well:

Shazam-L: The one, the only, the original Captain Marvel Discussion list continues over at Yahoo Groups! - http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Shazam-L/

The Marvels of Shazam!: Like Fawcett? Like DC? Like anything in-between -- then this is the group for you! -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Marvels_Of_Shazam/

Captain Marvel Culture: Zorikh Lequidre's Yahoo club that supports his upcoming book Captain Marvel Culture! -- http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CaptainMarvelCulture/

DC Comics Official Message Boards: Talk about DC's Cap right here! -- http://dcboards.warnerbros.com/web/forum.jspa?forumID=29209029

Peter Segal to Direct Shazam!
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
April 12, 2006

Peter Segal (The Longest Yard, 50 First Dates) has come aboard to direct Shazam! -- an adaptation of a DC Comics' comic book series featuring Captain Marvel -- for New Line Cinema. The Hollywood Reporter says Segal also will produce along with Michael Ewing via their Callahan Filmworks.

The comic series focused on young Billy Batson, who becomes the superhero known as Captain Marvel when he utters the magic word "Shazam!" The name is an acronym for six gods and heroes of the ancient world as well as their attributes: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Aries, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury.

Writers on the long-gestating project include William Goldman and Bryan Goluboff.

Here are some of the movie sites that have been reporting on it....

• Coming Soon
• SuperHeroHype

Newsarama posted a six page preview of June's BRAVE NEW WORLD $1 comic. Each feature received a one page preview with Cap's page presented here. THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM! is to debut in July and is written by Judd Winick and draw by Howard Porter. To see the other previewed pages, read the Newsarama article

WIZARD #175 contained a blurb about some of the new costumes sported by The Atom, Captain Marvel and The Freedom Fighters -- all characters previewed in June's BRAVE NEW WORLD. The WIZARD issue contained a small drawing of an updated Captain Marvel costume by THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM! artist Howard Porter -- which can be seen here. WIZARD #175 is available at your local comics retailer or at better book stores.

DC Comics released their solicitaions for June 2006 yesterday. The big book seems to be BRAVE NEW WORLD ... DC's $1 entry point to six new series — one of which is the previously reported TRIALS OF SHAZAM!.

The news sites all received the same solicitations and cover images and Cap was promiently displayed in the center of the cover alongside the Martian Manhunter. DC Comics also released the cover image on its own website but it was slightly different than the one released to the news site. DC's updated version featured a slightly altered image of the Atom and shockingly, for Cap at least, a lightning bolt-shaped white streak in his hair! It may be time for Cap to visit his local pharamacist and ask for a bottle of Grecian Formula! As long as his pharmacist isn't Dr. Sivana.

At any rate here's DC's solicitation for BRAVE NEW WORLD. As always, if you're interested in purchasing this issue, reserve a copy with your local comics retailer. And at a buck, how can you go wrong?

DCU: BRAVE NEW WORLD
Written and illustrated by various
Cover by Ariel Olivetti

In 2005, DC set the stage for INFINITE CRISIS with the unbelievable $1.00 special COUNTDOWN TO INFINITE CRISIS. Now, DC presents an equally crucial 80-page one-shot specially priced at just $1.00, giving fans the opportunity to sample six new projects set to debut in July and August! BRAVE NEW WORLD includes original stories that act as a preview for the following books:

1. MARTIAN MANHUNTER
   by A.J. Lieberman (Harley Quinn, Gotham Knights), with art by Al Barrionuevo & Bit (Gotham Knights)
2. OMAC
   by Bruce Jones (Year One: Batman/Scarecrow, Nightwing, THE Warlord) with art by Renato Guedes (Adventures of Superman)
3. UNCLE SAM AND THE FREEDOM FIGHTERS
   by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti (Jonah Hex, Hawkman) with art by Daniel Acuña (Outsiders, JLA covers)
4. THE CREEPER
   by Steve Niles (BATMAN: GOTHAM COUNTY LINE) with art by Justiniano & Walden Wong ( Day of Vengeance)
5. THE ALL-NEW ATOM
   by Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Villains United) with art by John Byrne (BLOOD OF THE DEMON) & Trevor Scott (THE AUTHORITY)
6. THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM!
   by Judd Winick (Batman, Green Arrow) with art by Howard Porter (JLA).

Don't miss the chance to get in on the ground floor of these six exciting new series! Plus, witness the shocking return of a character you never thought you'd see again!
On sale June 28 • 80 pg, FC, $1.00 US Edited by Matt Idelson

Newsarama had the following to say about recent acouncments concerning Captain Marvel...

In June, DC thematically wraps up what began almost a year ago in Countdown to Infinite Crisis. Like then, the publisher will be doing it with an 80-page one-shot with multiple creators involved, and carrying a $1 cover price. However, while Countdown took the DCU and focused it towards one major story (Infinite Crisis), June’s Brave New World will take that single point focus and turn it outward, into the DCU, as it introduces six new series: The All-New Atom, Creeper, Martian Manhunter, OMAC, The Trials of Shazam!, and Uncle Sam & The Freedom Fighters.

THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM! (July) – Written by Judd Winick; Art by Howard Porter
Didio said “Under penalty of death, I have to keep this story a secret, but I can say that Judd has really been able to find a voice for the character, and a direction and tone. This story plays into magic and how it works in the DC Universe, with Captain Marvel being a focal point of all that is magical in the DCU.”
THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM! is a 12 issue mini-series to start in July.

DC had a strong showing at the New York Comic Convention and the following bullet points were taken from several of the panels held at the con:

• Some things they can’t talk about? Justice League of America. Changes in the Martian Manhunter, Billy Batson not being around much anymore, the new Flash, the new Blue Beetle’s impact on the DC Universe, and Hawkgirl replacing Hawkman and that event’s impact on the DC Universe.
• Geoff Johns showed a scene with Captain Marvel and Black Adam from 52 and said there will be tons of Marvel Family stuff in the series.
• Q: Will Black Adam be the main villain in 52? “Maybe”.

Check out the following links over at Newsarama for the complete stories...

• Dan Didio on Brave New World & Six New Titles
• NYCC: DCU - Better Than Ever Panel
• NYCC: DC's Crisis Counseling - 52 Pick-up Panel

HeroClix is set to release their latest collection of DC Super-Heroes role-playing miniatures, titled DC HEROCLIX: COLLATERAL DAMAGE, next week.

What's special about this series is the addition of Mary Marvel. Mary will be featured, in her white costume, with the standard assortment of 3 playing pieces: Rookie (079), Experienced (080), and Veteran (081).

Mary is also featured in her red costume as Captain Marvel (215) which will be a unique piece and certainly much harder to get.

Uncle Dudley (B005) gets into the act as well but but not as a figure. Rather Dudley exists as a bystander token. HeroClix figures come in randomly assorted packages and retail for $7.99.

Captain Marvel has guested on JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED in the highly-regarded episode "CLASH." Now two other Fawcett super-stars the heroic Spy Smasher and the villainous Captain Nazi are about to make their debut.

In a flashback to the 1940s Spy Smasher meets Captain Nazi. The brief segment is in black and white and with stirring music evokes the movie serials of the time.

The episode has already run in Canada and will show up soon in the US! Check your local listings and the JLU Cartoon Network website so you don't miss this thrilling episode of JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED!

And a big tip of the MFW hat goes to Julian over at the Shazam Historama

For quite some time I've contemplated starting a bulletin/newsgroup right here on the ol' Marvel Family Web. But every time I think I should do it, I'm reminded that there are not one but two great groups out there for dedicated Marvel Family and Fawcett Publications fans: SHAZAM-L and The MARVELS of SHAZAM!

So if you want to get started trading stories and posting messages about The Big Red Cheese both of these groups are where you need to be! As "Marvelous" Mark Luebker, list-owner of Shazam-L, puts it...

"If you're not members of both groups... you're missing half the fun!"

To join SHAZAM-L, visit...
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shazam-l/

and to gain entry to The MARVELS of SHAZAM head on over to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marvels_of_shazam/

Tell 'em that the Marvel Family Web sent you!

SHAZAM! DELUXE STATUE
Designed by Jerry Ordway
Sculpted by Ruben Procopio

Fan-favorite artist Jerry Ordway (THE POWER OF SHAZAM!, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN) designs a classic statue displaying the transformation of young Billy Batson into the World's Mightiest Mortal! The Shazam! Deluxe Statue includes a "light-up" lightning bolt, and at the touch of a button thunder will sound! This deluxe hand-painted, cold-cast porcelain statue includes a Certificate of Authenticity and measures approximately 16.5" high x 7.5" wide x 7.5 " deep. Packaged in a black gift box with gold foil stamping.
Advance-solicited; on sale June 28 o Statue o $295.00 US

And here are two of Jerry's designs for the statue! Who could ask for more?

Holy Moley, this feature has been a long time in coming! Both Kelly Delcambre and Marvel Family fan Tom Crawford have been trying to get me to show off Kelly and Kelly's girlfriend Miriam's marvelous costumes. As you can see, they are spot on and wonderful. Check out a whole bunch more right here!

Marvel Family Webber Dan Collins reports that Norm Prescott, producer of the SHAZAM! and ISIS TV shows, passed away on July 2, 2005.

Mark Evanier, noted comics writer, gives a brief summary of Norm's prestigious output on his NewsFromME blog site.

Artist Josh Middleton released six grand pages of the upcoming SHAZAM!/SUPERMAN: FIRST THUNDER mini-series on his message board (the first issue will go on sale September 7, 2005... that means now would be a good time to preorder it via your local comics retailer) and the fine folks at NEWSARAMA picked up on it!

DC followed up with their own preview WITH lettering!. Check out DC's SHAZAM/SUPERMAN: FIRST THUNDER preview! (You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader) You can also see the pages without lettering by clicking the images below!

It's finally happening and with a show date... to boot. The episode you've all been waiting for... “Clash”, featuring the knockdown dragout battle between The World's Mightiest Mortal and The Man of Steel, will air Saturday, June 11, 2005 at 9PM Eastern (check your local listings) on Cartoon Network! TV's Jerry O'Connell (Crossing Jordan, Sliders) stars as Captain Marvel with Shane Haboucha as Billy Batson!

Special thanks to Marvel Family Webbers Dan Collins, K.J. Kolka, Jose Blanco and, of course, the fine folks at Comics Continuum and TV Tome!

Check it out Marvel Family Fans! NANCY creators Guy and Brad Gilchrist paid homage to our favoite gal, Mary Marvel this past Sunday! In the strip Nancy imagines herself as "ICE CREAM GIRL." Nancy's alter-ego is clearly a riff off Mary Marvel even down to her lightning bolt transformation and the Sivana like villain she clobbers. You can check out the entire strip at the Comics.com web site!

Sufferin' Sappho! TVShowsOnDVD.com is reporting that an episode of of the classic 1974 Saturday morning SHAZAM! TV show will be included in the WONDER WOMAN: The Complete Third Season DVD Box Set! You can read about it on the TVShowsOnDVD site. This sounds good for SHAZAM! fans who have been waiting for the series to be released on DVD and hopefully this is good news for the movie as well.

Thanks to the many Marvel Family Fans who passed along this information including the amazing Dan Collins, Paul Bisson and Paul George! Thanks guys for keeping me on my toes!

Note: I can't guarantee that the SHAZAM episode will really be included in the WONDER WOMAN: Complete Season 3 DVD box set (I'm only passing along what TVShowsOnDVD has reported -- go and check their site and decide for yourself). So read that as order at your own risk! That, said... if you're interested in preordering you can do it right here! Season Three is the DVD set in the blue box! I've also included links to the other two seasons.

From Stately Ross Manor come these great character designs for Alex Ross's upcoming JUSTICE maxi-series. Alex will be joined by writer Jim Krueger and artist Dougie Braitwaite (whose pencils Ross will paint over). According to Alex's own site, JUSTICE will debut in July 2005! Check out the Alex Ross Art site for more great pieces from this new series!

Great Caesar's Ghost! It's finally happening! According to WIZARD MAGAZINE #162 (Apr 2005), the rumors of Captain Marvel making an appearance on Cartoon Network's JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED are rock solid! Captain Marvel will appear in an episode titled The Clash! written by J.M. DeMatteis (JUSTICE LEAGUE, FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE,JUSTICE LEAGUE: CLASSIFIED) and Dwayne McDuffie. DeMatteis promises a great battle sequence with Captain Marvel knocking Superman ..."twenty miles across the city with one punch!" Although I haven't been able to confirm it, the episode is rumored to air April 30th, 2005! Keep checking the Cartoon Network schedule for more details!

Holy Moley! The Marvel Family Shockwave continues at DC! Black Adam joins with other evildoers in the DC Universe for the 6 issue mini-series VILLAINS UNITED! Shazam joins Captain Marvel in DAY OF VENGEANCE! Mary Marvel continues in JLA: CLASSIFIED! Paul Dini and Alex Ross's over-sized tributes to the icons of the DC Universe are collected in WORLD'S GREATEST SUPER-HEROES as a beautiful slip-cased hardcover! And it doesn't stop there as Captain Marvel returns to the pages of the JSA! Mr. Mind shouldn't have to exert his mind control on you to pick up these great titles!

But where to start? Just like last month, that's easy -- preorder every issue you plan on purchasing. Your local comics retailer will love you for it and so will DC! And who does preordering benefit the most? You and other Marvel Family fans, that's who! In this day and age, with so many titles to order each month, your local comics retailer has only so much money to spend. If you wait until the issues come out, you may miss 'em but more importantly so may a non-Marvel Family fan. Let's get 'em onboard by leaving a few extra copies on the stand and expand our own extended Marvel Family! It's a plan worthy of Dr. Sivana! Preordering also sends a clear signal to DC Comics that you want more Cap!

So to help you out, I've put together a preorder form (as I expect not everyone picks up PREVIEWS). It's a "small" PDF (892 kb) that you can download and print. The form serves two purposes: it makes it easy for you to check off what you want AND lets your retailer know you like the Marvel Family! You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to print it out but Acrobat is free of charge and you can download it from Adobe's website!

So what is coming out? Glad you asked! Here's DC's Marvel Family-oriented solicitations for May 2005!

JSA #73
Written by Geoff Johns; Art by Don Kramer & Keith Champayne; Cover by Alex Ross
Tying into DAY OF VENGEANCE, the sequel to last year's bestselling "Black Reign" begins here with Part 1 of the 3-part "Black Vengeance!" Free from the soul of Hal Jordan and evil of Parallax, the Spectre journeys to deliver vengeance across the globe - and it begins in the homeland of Black Adam. Captain Marvel returns to the JSA as the team ventures once again into enemy territory to face one of the most powerful forces in the DCU!
On sale May 11 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

JLA: CLASSIFIED #7
Written by Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis; Art and Cover by Kevin Maguire & Joe Rubenstein
Part 4 of the 6-part "I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League!" It's a rescue mission to Hell to save Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, and the Elongated Man from the Eternal Damnation of slinging burgers to monsters, demons, and zombies! But it's not all fun and games for the Super Buddies, as they'll soon see.
On sale May 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

DAY OF VENGEANCE #2 of 6
Written by Bill Willingham; Art by Justiniano & Walden Wong; Cover by Walt Simonson
Spinning out of the events of March's DC COUNTDOWN, a reality-bending 6-issue miniseries from writer Bill Willingham (ROBIN, FABLES) and artists Justiniano & Walden Wong (THE HUMAN RACE)! The uneasy alliance known as the Shadowpact has formed to protect the world from another unholy partnership: the Spectre and the new Eclipso, who wage a fearsome campaign to wipe out all magic!
On sale May 18 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

THE OMAC PROJECT #2 of 6
Written by Greg Rucka; Art by Jesus Saiz; Cover by Ladronn
The gripping miniseries spinning out of DC COUNTDOWN continues! When the JLA discovers the existence of the powerful, hero-monitoring Brother Eye satellite, battle lines are drawn between Batman and Superman! And Checkmate operative Sasha Bordeaux struggles with a secret act of treason - just as her agency commands the OMAC Project to kill!
On sale May 25 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

VILLAINS UNITED #1 of 6
Written by Greg Rucka; Art by Dale Eaglesham & Wade von Grawbadger; Cover by J.G. Jones
Spinning directly from the pages of DC COUNTDOWN, the villains of the DCU are now organized and deadlier than ever as superstar talents Gail Simone (BIRDS OF PREY), artists Dale Eaglesham & Wade von Grawbadger (H-E-R-O) and cover artist J.G. Jones (WONDER WOMAN) expose the new face of evil! But within the ranks of the world's vilest villains something perhaps even more wicked is brewing, and only the mysterious being code-named Mockingbird has all the answers.
On sale May 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

WORLD'S GREATEST SUPER-HEROES SLIP-CASED HARDCOVER
Written by Paul Dini; Art & Cover by Alex Ross
You can't afford to miss this massive slipcased hardcover you've been waiting for, featuring the stunning art of the Eisner Award-winning team of the incomparable Alex Ross & writer Paul Dini! Between 1998 and 2003, Paul Dini, the Emmy Award-winning producer of Batman Beyond and The New Batman/Superman Adventures, joined forces with superstar illustrator Alex Ross to create six oversized tabloid editions of stories featuring the World's Greatest Super-Heroes: SUPERMAN: PEACE ON EARTH, BATMAN: WAR ON CRIME, SHAZAM!: POWER OF HOPE, WONDER WOMAN: SPIRIT OF TRUTH, JLA: SECRET ORIGINS, and JLA: LIBERTY & JUSTICE. These classic works for all ages feature the iconic DC characters in a unique storytelling format that combines aspects of both comics and picture books. Also included are several pages of promotional art, preliminary art and thumbnails, art done for DC Direct product, model-to-finished-painting comparisons, reflections by the book's creators, and much more! This landmark volume also features an introduction by noted book designer and author Chip Kidd, a new painted cover by Alex Ross, and an 8-page foldout of the JLA: LIBERTY & JUSTICE poster featuring every member of the JLA by Ross.
On sale July 6 • 396 pg, FC, $49.95 US

Holy Moley! April 2005 is electrified with the entire Marvel Family! DC Comics has released its solicitations (see below) for the SUPERMAN/SHAZAM: LIGHTING STRIKES 3-parter running through the Superman titles BUT that's not all! Mary Marvel continues in JLA: CLASSIFIED #6 and Captain Marvel, Jr. pops up in TEEN TITANS #23! It's enough to make you want to become the rightful ruler of the universe!

But where to start? That's easy -- preorder every issue you plan on purchasing. Your local comics retailer will love you for it and so will DC! And who does preordering benefit the most? You and other Marvel Family fans, that's who! In this day and age, with so many titles to order each month, your local comics retailer has only so much money to spend. If you wait until the issues come out, you may miss 'em but more importantly so may a non-Marvel Family fan. Let's get 'em onboard by leaving a few extra copies on the stand and expand our own extended Marvel Family! It's a plan worthy of Dr. Sivana! Preordering also sends a clear signal to DC Comics that you want more Cap!

So to help you out, I've put together a preorder form (as I expect not everyone picks up PREVIEWS). It's a "small" PDF (892 kb) that you can download and print. The form serves two purposes: it makes it easy for you to check off what you want AND lets your retailer know you like the Marvel Family! You'll need Adobe Acrobat Reader to print it out but Acrobat is free of charge and you can download it from Adobe's website!

So what is coming out? Glad you asked! Here's DC's Marvel Family-oriented solicitations for April 2005!

ACTION COMICS #826
Written by Judd Winick Art and cover by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund
Get ready for a spectacular 3-part story that brings together the Man of Steel and Captain Marvel! "Lightning Strikes," which runs through the core Superman titles in April, is written by award-winner Judd Winick (BATMAN, OUTSIDERS, GREEN ARROW) and features art by Ian Churchill (SUPERMAN/BATMAN #19, The Coven) & Norm Rapmund! In Part 1, the wizard Shazam makes Captain Marvel aware of a great evil awakened in Metropolis and seeking Superman. On its path to the Man of Steel, it drives the citizens of Metropolis to insanity. How can Superman stop the madness? Will he need the help of Captain Marvel and the power of Shazam?
On sale April 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #639
Written by Judd Winick Art and cover by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund Part 2 of the 3-part "Lightning Strikes" bringing together Superman and Captain Marvel by the team of Winick, Churchill & Rapmund! Superman confronts the evil force plaguing Metropolis. What will Superman do when some of those closest to him turn against him?
On sale April 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

SUPERMAN #216
Written by Judd Winick Art and cover by Ian Churchill & Norm Rapmund
The thrilling conclusion of the 3-part "Lightning Strikes!" The final confrontation among heroes! The great evil turns Superman against Captain Marvel. Can any force on Earth stop this?
On sale April 27 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

JLA CLASSIFIED #6
Written by Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis Art and cover by Kevin Maguire & Josef Rubinstein
Part 3 of the 6-part "I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League!" Booster Gold has accidentally banished half of the "Super Buddies" to Hell for all eternity, and now it's time for them to learn their fate - from none other than The Demon!
On sale April 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

TEEN TITANS #23
Written by Geoff Johns Art and cover by Mike McKone & Marlo Alquiza
The 3-part IDENTITY CRISIS follow-up tale "Lights Out" concludes as a legion of Teen Titans engage in a final battle with Doctor Light! But Cyborg's contingency plan may fall apart before it's even put together, and the new Speedy learns firsthand what it means to be a Titan when she discovers Doctor Light's secret!
On sale April 20 • 32 pg, FC, $2.50 US

SUPERMAN/BATMAN SERIES 1: PUBLIC ENEMIES: SHAZAM! ACTION FIGURE
Based on the art of Ed McGuinness! The World's Mightiest Mortal, SHAZAM! joins a group of heroes to confront Superman and Batman! This figure features multiple points of articulation and includes a Superman/Batman logo base. Packaged in a 4-color deluxe blister.
Advance-solicited; on sale August 17 • Action Figure • 6.75" H • PI

The original Shazam email list is back -- and heh, heh, heh -- you can thank Marvelous Mark Luebker for it! I was a member of this list back in the mid-1990s when the Internet was young and folks had CompuServe accounts. Ouch, my bones are creaking! So walk, don't run and get over to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shazam-l/join to sign up for the grand-daddy of all email lists and join in the homecoming.

And don't forget about many of the other email lists that are out there! Check out the Links page for more details!

Sal Abbinanti, Alex Ross's art agent and also his real-life model for Captain Marvel, is the creator and penciler of a brand-new comic... ATOMIKA! ATOMIKA is coming this March from Mercury Comics and Speakeasy Comics. The Marvel Family Web sat down with Abbinanti to talk about the series. You can read the interview right here!

Because ATOMIKA is a new comic and buried in the pages of PREVIEWS your comics retailer might not order any copies of this brand-new comic! So be sure to advance order to ensure you get a hold of one... and remember the cover of ATOMIKA #1 is by the redoubtable Alex Ross!

Sal Abbinanti, Alex Ross's art agent and also his real-life model for Captain Marvel, passed this great piece of art over to the Marvel Family Web. Alex, along with Jim Krueger and Dougie Braitwaite, will be working on a 12-part bimonthly series titles JUSTICE for DC Comics. Braithwaite will provide the pencils which Ross will paint over. JUSTICE features the Ross version of the JLA but don't be surprised to see Captain Marvel pop up in the series!

Sal's got his own comic book coming out in 2005! It's called ATOMIKA and you can find out more about it over at Mercury Comics!

Wizard Magazine has broken the news on a big upcoming project featuring Captain Marvel and has also revealed more detail on some news I boke earlier in the summer! Here it is...

• Captain Marvel meets Superman starting in SUPERMAN #216 the first post-Jim Lee and Brian Azzarello issue. This three-part storyline continues into ACTION COMICS and ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN! Judd Winick is writing the 3-part story and Ian Churchill is providing the art. All three issues are due April 2005![This is the unscheduled Superman/Cap story that Eddie Berganza told me about at Wizard World - Chicago!]
• SUPERMAN/CAPTAIN MARVEL: FIRST THUNDER follows in summer 2005 as Judd Winick tells of the first meeting between Cap and Superman. This is a prequel to the three-part story mentioned above. Josh Middleton of NYX fame is providing the art and colors for this 4 issue mini-series! [A little birdy told me about Josh Middleton at Wizard World - Chicago, but I was sworn to secrecy!]
• Jeff Smith's SHAZAM!: MONSTER OF SOCIETY OF EVIL is still set for 2005 and it looks like it may close off the year after FIRST THUNDER plays out. Smith is writing, penciling, inking, coloring, and lettering himself. No wonder it's taken so long! But based on the Wizard report it looks to be well worth the wait!
• Geoff Johns also mentioned at Wizard World that Captain Marvel will pop back in to pay a visit to the JSA in issue 72!

I've basically summarized the news from WIZARD #158. Go out and pick up a copy and turn to page 20. It has a great shot of Cap and Superman by Josh Middleton [which I've trimmed quite a bit here]!

Make sure to preorder these books when they are solicited in the Diamond PREVIEWS catalog. This will send a message to DC that Captain Marvel fans are serious about seeing their favorite character in all new adventures!

In a related story in WIZARD #158, Grant Morrison revealed his sketches for the main characters in his upcoming 30-part mega-series SEVEN SOLDIERS. One character, the Bulleteer looks suspiciously like the former Fawcett character Bulletgirl and grants admits that he is updating some of lesser-known characters in DC's stock. The new Bulleteer is not Susan Barr or her daughter Deanna Barr who was the character Windshear in Jerry Ordway's POWER OF SHAZAM! run. For more infor, check out WIZARD #158 on slae now.

Martin L. Greim, famed editor of The Comic Crusader and the creator of Thunder Bunny, has photographed his Marvel Family collection to share with readers of the Marvel Family Web. To see more of Martin's collection, see the feature story...

How is this related to the Captain Marvel? Fritz the Nite Owl is undoubtably the real-life unofficial member of the Marvel Family. A life-long fan of the Big Red Cheese, Fritz has appeared several times in Jerry Ordway's POWER OF SHAZAM! series. Fritz has had an illustrative career including an incredible stint hosting his own Nite Owl Theatre. So give, Fritz a listen on Sunday nights by surfing out to www.wjza.com for the Nite Owl's straight ahead jazz. To learn more about Fritz, check out the unoffical Fritz the Nite Owl page!

What a pleasure it was to meet Jackson Bostwick (the original TV Captain Marvel) at Wizard World - Chicago. Jackson was a featured guest in the media area of the convention along with Lou Ferrigno... TV's Incredible Hulk, Gil Gerard and Erin Gray from Buck Rogers, Beetlejuice's very own Otho Glenn Shadix and various Star Wars, Battlestar Gallactica and Buffy stars.

Jackson was promoting his upcoming book... Myth, Magic and a Mortal, selling autographed photos and toys and just having a grand time. Word has it that the back cover of the book may be provided by a very well-known comic book painter.

You can catch up with Jackson and purchase photos and memorabilia at his site http://www.jacksonbostwick.com. Tell him the Marvel Family Web sent you!

Michael Gray, "Billy Batson" on the 1970s SHAZAM! TV show, has launched his own site and is selling autographed photos. Michael thanks his fans, gives an update on his first TV series, The Little People, and displays the photos he has for sale.

Check it out at http://www.michaelgray.org

Sadly, there was very little official SHAZAM! news at Wizard World - Chicago. Fortunately, there was some unofficial news.

• Superman editor Eddie Berganza mentioned that Superman will meet Captain Marvel in an as yet unscheduled story.
• Dan DiDio, DC Vice-President of Editorial, confirmed that there are plans for Captain Marvel beyond the Jeff Smith mini-series.
• Patty Jeres, DC Director of Sales and Marketing Communications, told me that it is still too early to make any announcements about Captain Marvel but that 2005 is the year to look to ... and it's going to be good!
• Geoff Johns confirmed that Captain Marvel will be revisiting the JSA and that the wait won't be too long.
• Alex Ross confirmed that Captain Marvel would be in his upcoming JUSTICE LEAGUE book. During the ALEX [Ross] and JIM [Lee] SHOW panel, a beautiful Captain Marvel pin-up was displayed. The pin-up was drawn by Dougie Braithwaite with paints by Alex.

Bill Black, Golden-Age reprinter, is in need of high-quality scans of pages 3 and 4 Master #13 (the Origin of Bulletgirl story). If you can get Bill scans of those pages, he will surely appreciate it. Contact Bill at acshop@accomics.com

Jen Contino of the Comicon Pulse has a marvelous interview with Jeff Smith. Jeff talks about the end of Bone and on his upcoming Shazam!: Monster Society of Evil mini-series. Check out the interview right here!

Hampster Press has released a marvelous new book detailing the life of Captain Marvel's most prolific author, Otto Binder. Words of Wonder: The Life and Times of Otto Binder written by noted comics fandom authority Bill Schelly is a powerful biography of one of the leading writers in comics. Your local comics retailer may have a copy of this wonderful book in stock or you can order it directly from Hampster Press! Don't forget to tell 'em that the Marvel Family Web sent you.

Geoff Johns has written a tour-de-force 6 issue series crossing over between DC Comics' JSA and HAWKMAN titles. The series, subtitled Black Reign features the Marvel Family's classic villain Black Adam re-configured into a dark anti-hero. The six issue series also features Captain Marvel in a supporting role as a member of the Justice Society of America. It's a great read with a modern take on the Big Red Cheese and one of his premeire villains.

Thomas Ward has a nice review of the recently released Captain Marvel DVD over at the COMICON.COM/PULSE site. Check it out here!

Les Tremayne, best known to Captain Marvel fans as "Mentor" on the 1975 SHAZAM! TV show, passed away Friday, December 19, 2003. Mr. Tremayne was 90 years old. Tremayne had a long and distinguished career in radio, movies and television and was voted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 1995. You can read a short bio of Tremayne at the Radio Hall of Fame site.

Just in time for the holidays, here are three holiday star ornaments from Fawcett's collaboration with Reed and Associates. Click on each star to get an actual-size image of Captain Marvel, Hoppy the Marvel Bunny and Sherlock the Monk. Happy Holidays from the Marvel Family Web!

Holy Moley! Check out DC Comics' Holiday Card for 2003! It's getting you psyched for Jeff Smith's SHAZAM!: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL isn't it? In the meantime enjoy this JPEG that was passed my way.

The movie news stories always seem to drop when I don't have time to update the page. Anyway the big news (if you missed it) is a rumor concerning the new writers of the SHAZAM! movie. While New Line has not officially announced new writers, several entertainmement sites have broken the news that the writing team of Joel Cohen & Alec Sokolow (of TOY STORY fame) may be up for the job. IGN FilmForce speculates that New Line may want a light-hearted SHAZAM! movie and IGN speculates even more by wondering if the film will be tongue-in-cheek or a comedy.

I generally try to do very little editorializing on this site because I figure most people are more interested in reading about Captain Marvel and his family of characters than listen to my opinions. But quite frankly, I felt heartened by this rumor and by the amount of attention this film has received over the last few weeks. It means that New Line is committed to SHAZAM! particularly if they are throwing dollars at it by bringing on new script writers. I'm also not concerned that the SHAZAM! film may be light-hearted. Being witty and full of fun (which Bill Parker, C.C. Beck, and Otto Binder brought to the character) is quite a bit different than being "tongue-in-cheek" or a "comedy."

Best, Walt Grogan

Marvel Family Webber Dan Collins passed along this info from the Unofficial Shazam! Appreciation Page...

Shazam! has been added to the January schedule. As in October, 2002, it will air at 1.30am late night Fridays and Saturdays (or, if you prefer, early Saturdays and Sundays) as part of their "Kitschen" lineup.

Visit the Unofficial Shazam! Appreciation Page for more info!

Although not speaking in an official capacity for New Line, movie producer Michael Uslan revealed a few tidbits about the upcoming SHAZAM! film.
Michael was also kind enough enough to answer a few questions about his background with Captain Marvel.

SuperHeroHype reported last week that fan-favorite BATMAN: DEAD End director Sandy Collora had read William Goldman's SHAZAM! script and loved it. Sandy said he'd love to direct it. You can read about it right here!

It's been a long time coming, but Adventures of Captain Marvel finally makes it to DVD video just in time for holiday gift-giving. All 12 exciting episodes are included in the package. Hitting the streets with an attractive $14.95 retail price, it can be had at Deep Discount DVD for the amazingly low price of $7.97 with free shipping! Check it out at Deep Discount DVD

Here are a couple of tidbits from around the Marvel Family Universe!

• Shazam! Movie screenwriter William Goldman says he's finished the script for the movie. He claims that he doesn't know if his script will be used. You can read more about it at SuperHeroHype.
• Shazam! Archives #4 is rumored to be on sale in April 2004! Who's the rumor-monger? None other than Fawcett Collectors of America editor P.C. Hamerlinck who also wrote the foreword for the volume!
• January is shaping up to be another big month for the Marvel Family at DC! Black Adam's Black Reign storyline kicks off in JSA and crosses over into Hawkman! Here's the line-up for January!
  • JSA #56
    Written by Geoff Johns; art by Don Kramer and Keith Champagne; painted cover by John Watson.
    
    Part 1 of "Black Reign," the 6-part crossover with Hawkman, shipping weekly through February. It has been too long since the people of Kahndaq, the birthplace of Black Adam, have tasted freedom and justice. That's all about to end, though, as Black Adam leads Atom Smasher, Northwynd, Brainwave, and others behind enemy lines. But how far will they go to achieve their ends?
    32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Jan. 7.
  • HAWKMAN #23
    Written by Geoff Johns; art by Rags Morales and Michael Bair; painted cover by John Watson.
    
    The weekly 6-part "Black Reign" continues here. The JSA have taken some time off, spending the weekend in St. Roch for Mardi Gras. But not everyone is enjoying the trip, especially Hourman. And what starts off as a social gathering ends with bloodshed as Hawkman hits the scene. The Winged Warriors actions will shock everyone! Continued next month in JSA #57.
    32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Jan. 14.
  • JSA #57
    Written by Geoff Johns; art by Don Kramer and Keith Champagne; painted cover by John Watson.
    
    Part 3 of "Black Reign," the 6-part crossover with Hawkman. The JSA prepare for war, but not everyone is thrilled with the decisions being made and the orders being given. As they venture into Kahndaq looking to save their friends from Black Adam's influence, first blood is drawn as the battle for the sons and daughters of the JSA begins.
    32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Jan. 21.
  • HAWKMAN #24
    Written by Geoff Johns; art by Rags Morales and Michael Bair; painted cover by John Watson.
    
    Part 4 of the 6-part "Black Reign" crossover with JSA! Scattered throughout the country of Kahndaq, in a land as deadly as Black Adam and his team of allies, the JSA plan to make their last stand. The Winged Warriors have secret allies already behind the towering walls of his Palace, but Black Adam has a one of his own laced within the ranks of the JSA. Plus, Hourman is on the brink of a breakdown, and little can keep him from going over the edge.
    32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Jan. 28.

Be sure to pre-order with your comics retailer... this is going to be big!

Here's another sketch from WizardWorld. This time Geoff Johns, the hardest working writer in comics, shows off his drawing skill by tackling the “Big Red Cheese”. Geoff writes JSA and there's always a choice Captain Marvel bit in the book.

• At the DC Universe panel, Judd Winick revealed that the Outsiders would be battling an obscure Captain Marvel villain in an upcoming arc. I asked Judd who that Marvel Family villain might be and he responded... Sabbac, whom he also referred to as a second-rate Ibac. Winick also revealed that he is a big Marvel Family fan.
• Captain Marvel is covered featured, along with Hawkman, in Superman/Batman #4.
• Scott Kolins, formerly of The Flash did the Captain Marvel/Billy Batson piece in the upcoming JLA-Z #1.
• Although the Jeff Smith Shazam: Monster Society of Evil hasn't been scheduled yet, several DC editors have seen some of the layouts for the book and say they look gorgeous and that the book will be worth the wait!
• Geoff Johns revealed that Captain Marvel and Stargirl will be spending more time with one another much to Green Lantern's chagrin.

All I have to say is... The Marvel Family is ever so slowly weaving its way into the DC Universe.

The Sketch of the Week is back and will be posted on the new Sketches page every Sunday! First up is a beautiful sketch of Captain and Marvel by super-artist and all-around nice guy... Gene Ha. Gene donated his services to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and ACTOR at WizardWorld in Chicago.

Jeff Smith, artist on the 2004 Shazam: Monster Society of Evil mini-series donated a beautiful piece to support the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. It was auctioned off by the CBLDF at Wizard World Chicago. You can see a larger shot of it here! If you haven't become a member of the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund... well, what are you waiting for?

DC Comics unveiled the Captain Marvel figure in its upcoming First Appearances line. It looks great with a cloth cape! It won't ship until June 2004, however. Check it out here!

Also on display was the upcoming Kingdom Come Captain Marvel figure. Check it out here as well!

New Shazam:MSOE image released at San Diego!

Jen Contino of Comicon's Pulse reported that she caught up with Jeff Smith at San Diego's Comicon International where Smith revealed a little more about his 2004 mini-series SHAZAM: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL...

"Writing scary stuff is also a specialty, readers unfamiliar with Bone probably think my comics are cartoony, but those who read it know Bone can be funny, but also rough, violent, and frightening. I think that balance is an important part of story-telling, so while the Captain himself will be good and honest... like all true heroes, the villains he will face will be terrifying and cruel."

Comic Book Resources reporter Arune Singh reported that Grant Morrison (newly exclusive to DC Comics) has, among other ideas, a concept for Captain Marvel, Junior. Morrison reportedly calls him “The Blue Guy”

September 2003 is a colossal month for the good Captain and his family with September 3 ranking as one of the biggest days ever for Shazam! products! Here's the rundown and don't forget to preorder 'em from your local comics retailer...

JLA /AVENGERS #1 (of 4)
Written by KURT BUSIEK • Wraparound cover & art by GEORGE PÉREZ
THE WAIT IS OVER! The most eagerly anticipated comic book crossover of all time has finally arrived, with alternating Prestige Format issues by Marvel & DC Comics! What cataclysmic threat could endanger two universes - and dwarf the combined power of both Earth's Mightiest Heroes and the World's Greatest Super-Heroes? The world finally learns the answer in September 2003!
48 PGS./PRESTIGE FORMAT/MARVEL PG...$5.95 -- in stores on Sept. 3, 2003
UPC: 5960605369-00111
• THE EVENT 20 YEARS IN THE MAKING!
• WITH APPEARANCES BY EVERY AVENGER & JLA MEMBER … EVER!
• PREVIEWED IN THIS MONTH's WIZARD #143!

FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE #3
Written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis; art and cover by Kevin Maguire and Joe Rubinstein In stores September 3. The heroes formerly known as the Justice League have no time to get down to business when JSA villainess Roulette captures the former Leaguers to prepare them for a fight to the death (and in Booster Gold's case, maybe that's not such a bad idea)!
FC, 32 pg. (3 of 6) $2.50


HAWKMAN #19
Written by Geoff Johns; art Scott Eaton and Ray Kryssing; painted cover by John Watson
In stores September 3. Guest-starring Black Adam in a story that lays the groundwork for next year's crossover between JSA and HAWKMAN! During an archaeological dig within the country of Kahndaq, Black Adam comes to his former ally, Hawkman, to bring a halt to the excavation. But why is the dig so important to Black Adam? And who will help him keep Hawkman from unlocking the secret within?
FC, 32 pg. $2.50

JLA-Z #1 (of 3)
Written by Mike McAvennie; art by Jim Lee, Scott McDaniel, Scott Kolins, Rob Haynes, Patrick Gleason, Dan Jurgens, Jeff Parker, Pascual Ferry, Tom Nguyen, Peter Pachoumis, Scott Williams, Christian Alamy, and various; cover by Phil Jimenez In stores September 3. A handbook to DC's greatest super-team featuring artwork by some of the biggest names in comics, timed to coincide with the debut of JLA/AVENGERS! Featuring the first of a triptych of covers by Phil Jimenez (originally featured in Wizard magazine), this stunning issue includes villains and heroes from Amazo to Green Arrow, and features artwork by BATMAN's Jim Lee, SUPERMAN's Scott McDaniel and indie comics superstars including Jeff Parker (The Interman).
FC, 32 pg. (1 of 3) $2.50 -- in stores on Sept. 3.

JSA #52
Written by Geoff Johns; art by Don Kramer and Keith Champagne; cover by Carlos Pacheco and Jésus Meriño. In stores September 10. New penciller Don Kramer (DR. FATE) debuts! It's a brand-new day for the Justice Society of America…a new beginning after the events of the earth-shattering "Princes of Darkness" storyline. Friends join, others leave, and the seeds are sown for the next exciting year of the JSA. Plus, a look into the future plans of Black Adam and how they will eventually change the JSA forever! FC, 32 pg. $2.50 -- in stores on Sept. 10.

JLA/JSA: VIRTUE AND VICE SC
Written by David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns; art and cover by Carlos Pacheco and Jesús Meriño In stores September 17. A softcover edition of 2002's thrilling, critically acclaimed hardcover! What starts as a friendly get-together between the JLA and JSA degenerates into a destructive melee…and from the ashes emerges a villainous uber-team made up of select members from each group. What's made these former heroes of virtue turn into agents of vice? And who can possibly stop them once they get really mad? For more information, see the feature article.
FC, 96 pg. Softcover $17.95 -- in stores on Sept. 17.

United Airlines catches the summer movie super-hero craze with its own entertainment preview magazine! Writer Liz Seymour covers the current crop of super-hero movies but also flashes back to the 1940s with the Adventures of Captain Marvel serial. Seymour's article, while brief, is none-the-less very positive and she even mentions the in-the-works Shazam! movie. I'll be happy when I see it pop up on the Internet Movie Database! If you're flying the friendly skies in the next 10 days, pick up a copy!

Maxim for Men reached out to comic fans everywhere in its June 2003 issue. In an article titled "The 25 Lamest Super-Heroes Ever," writer John Devore pulls together a list of some of the most popular heroes ever and tries to humorously deconstruct them in an article that falls flat. Rather than actually seeking out 25 useless heroes, Devore instead rails on some of the more popular superhero icons such as Superman Wonder Woman and the Flash. Even Captain Marvel makes the list at number 23.

Here's the list...
25. She-Ra
24. Daredevil
23. Captain Marvel
22. The Flash
21. Invisible Woman
20. Moon Knight
19. Puck
18. Hourman
17. Man-Thing
16. Black Lightning
15. Wonder Woman
14. She-Hulk
13. Firestorm
12. Thor
11. Green Arrow
10. Superman
9. Captain Planet
8. Apache Chief
7. Dr. Henry Pym
6. Banshee
5. Dazzler
4. Matter-Eater Lad
3. Dr. Strange
2. Aquaman
1. Robin

With just one magic word, Billy Batson becomes the World's Mightiest Mortal — Shazam! Dr. Sivana is a brilliant evil genius whose every waking hour is dedicated to the conquest of mankind...and the destruction of his arch-foe! Both figures feature articulation, measure approximately 3 1/4" tall and are packaged together in a 4-color blister pack, which includes backdrop art, story card, a plastic stand and a death ray gun for Sivana.
$9.95 - In stores December 17, 2003.

Marvel Family friend, Sal Abbinanti (Alex Ross's art agent and model for Ross's version of Captain Marvel), is super-cool and sent along these photos of the Kingdom Come Shazam action figure prototype! Don't forget to reserve on with your favorite comics retailer!

And don't forget to check out AlexRossArt for the most up-to-date Alex Ross news!

I'm late out of the gate reporting this news (it really hurts to be out of town when a story like this breaks). Variety and The Hollywood Reporter announced that William Goldman of THE PRINCESS BRIDE, MARATHON MAN, and (in current release) DREAMCATCHER fame has been tapped to write SHAZAM: THE MOVIE! Goldman claims to be long-time fan of the character and this is his first time adapting a comic-book character to the screen.

In related news, COMICS2FILM.COM, is reporting that SHAZAM! may also become an animated series. Unfortunately, it appears the producers of the new series may be taking the low road by creating the series as "a doofy comedy."

VH1 premieres the superhero edition of WHERE ARE THEY NOW? on Monday, March 24, 2003! Check out what's been happening with the stars of the 70s SHAZAM! TV Show!

• Jackson Bostwick/ Captain Marvel: He flew onto TV screens in 1974 as superhero Captain Marvel. But Jackson Bostwick has traded in the red tights for a fluorescent orange vest – he’s an avid trophy hunter in the Alabama woods.
• Michael Gray/ Billy Batson: Screaming the word Shazam! turned good-hearted teen Billy Batson into superhero Captain Marvel. These days, Billy’s real-life alter ego, Michael Gray owns a Beverly Hills floral shop where he even delivers to America’s favorite foul-mouthed family, the Osbournes.
• Joanna Cameron/ Isis: In the ‘70’s, a magical amulet turned this mild-mannered archaeologist into the Egyptian goddess and foxy super heroine, Isis. Today, Joanna Cameron stays close to nature as an avid golfer and exercise enthusiast.

The following is the VH1 schedule for WHERE ARE THEY NOW?: SUPERHEROES.

Day	Date	Time (Eastern/Central)
Monday	March 24, 2003	1/12c PM
Monday	March 24, 2003	10/9c PM
Tuesday	March 25, 2003	12/11c AM
Tuesday	March 25, 2003	11/10c AM
Tuesday	March 25, 2003	9/8c PM
Wednesday	March 26, 2003	7/6c PM
Friday	March 28, 2003	12/11c PM
Friday	March 28, 2003	10/9c PM
Sunday	March 30, 2003	1/12c AM
Sunday	March 30, 2003	12/11c PM

The KINGDOM COME action figure excitement continues with wave two! In a world thrown into chaos by warring super-humans, Earth's greatest heroes are made to choose sides. For Shazam!, the choice is evil! Shazam is approximately 6.87" tall, features 7 points of articulation and is packaged in a 4-color window box. Don't delay reserve your happy, not evil, Captain Marvel figure with your local comics retailer!

Steve Coulson is an original art fan focusing on the DC Universe. One of his recent purchases is a Captain Marvel sketch by Jeff Smith. Jeff will be writing and drawing Captain Marvel in DC Comics' SHAZAM!: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL in 2004! Steve has graciously allowed us to display the image here but you should check out the Steve Coulson Website for more wonderful pieces of original art from his collection.

The hardest working man in comics gives the Marvel Family Web an exclusive interview! Do Geoff and David really like Captain Marvel? What's the story with Black Adam? All this and more ...

Both Marvel Family fan Dan Collins and FCA editor P.C. Hamerlinck have reported that Jackson Bostwick and Joanna Cameron will be featured on VH1's Where Are They Now? series in March, 2003. Check the VH1 listings in March for show times!

Beck and Schaffenberger: Sons of Thunder is a split-biography paperback (with a foreword by Ken Bald) on the careers and lives of two of comics' greatest and endearing artists, C.C. Beck and Kurt Schaffenberger! Both men are known for their seminal work on the character Captain Marvel, and this up-close and personal retrospective journey takes us from their childhood years to the Golden Age of comics and beyond! Co-written by FCA (Fawcett Collectors of America) editor P.C. Hamerlinck and Mark Voger, this book is profusely illustrated with previously unpublished artwork by both artists, including pre-comic book work, art from Captain Marvel, Lois Lane, and more, plus hundreds of rare photographs! “Boom!” echos the far-reaching thunder from the works of Beck and Schaffenberger — their artwork's impact forever clamoring attention with resounding tones! If you're a fan of either of these Golden and Silver Age greats, this is a book you can't miss!

TwoMorrows Publishing, Softcover, 9"x11", 160 pages, b&w ... $15.95

Be sure to get a copy — preorder now from your local comic shop!

Jeff Smith, the upcoming writer/artist of SHAZAM!: MONSTER SOCIETY OF EVIL! donated this fabulous sketch of DC's three biggest icons (Superman, Captain Marvel, and Batman) to ACTOR: A Committment To Our Roots. ACTOR is the first-ever federally chartered not-for-profit corporation dedicated strictly to helping comic book creators in need.

This piece will be auctioned off March 1, 2003 at the ORLANDO MEGACON. If you are unable to attend you can submit a proxy bid. Visit the ACTOR site to lean more about this wonderful piece.

Shawn Harris has graced us with another of his fine wallpapers. This time — Captain Marvel Jr. Check it out in the Wallpapers section of the Downloads page.

With talk of a new SHAZAM! film being negotiated between New Line and DC Comics, Rage Studios has provided a photo-manipulation of Patrick Warburton as the “Big Red Cheese.” Are there still any nay-sayers out there?.

Variety is reporting that New Line Cinema is in final negotiations with DC Comics to acquire the feature film rights to the World's Mightiest Mortal. Several of the popular Internet News sites have reported the story and you can link to them right here:

• SHAZAM! at Pulse
• SHAZAM! at Newsarama
• SHAZAM! at ComicsContinuum
• SHAZAM! at Comics-To-Film!
• SHAZAM! at Ain't It Cool News (Note: This link goes to a site that may contain adult content)
• SHAZAM! At ICv2
• SHAZAM! at IGN
• SHAZAM! at Movies.COM
• SHAZAM! at JoBlo.Com
• SHAZAM! at Cinema Confidential
• SHAZAM! at Dynamic Forces News
• SHAZAM! at MovieHole
• SHAZAM! at Empire Movies

Oh, the agony! No, not that Jeff Smith is doing a four-issue prestige format mini-series -- rather that I couldn't tell you until now. I had to sit on this info for a month! Newsarama is reporting that DC officially announced a new Shazam! series from acclaimed write/artist Jeff Smith! I couldn't be happier. For more information, check out the Newsarama site!

I knew it was going to be a good day for Cap fans -- and apparently so did the Chicago Sun-Times! It's always a treat to see my favorite word -- and even moreso with the good news that Cap will be written and drawn by Jeff Smith!

The Big Red Cheese takes center stage with a wealth of shirts. The new Shazam! Logo T-Shirt features the magic words boldly screenprinted in red and black on a yellow 100% cotton shirt. The new Shazam! I T-Shirt pictures Capt. Marvel, Mr. Mind and Dr. Sivana screenprinted in color on a white 100% cotton shirt. Captain Marvel takes center stage with the new Shazam! II T-Shirt. Features the Mightiest Mortal scren printed in color on a black 100% cotton shirt.

Shirts are $17.95 for S-XL and $20.95 for XXL.— Be sure to preorder these shirts from you local comics retailer!

Hourman sees a horrible future - an attack on the Tyler Company, his father's business, which may be the catalyst to the unravelling of time itself. The JSA assembles to take on Black Barax, a villain once fought by the original JSA, as he arrives in the present ready to wreak havoc. Plus, Captain Marvel and Black Adam have a "heart-to-heart" that takes an unexpected turn.

32 pages, $2.50, in stores on Oct. 16. Be sure to preorder this title from you local comics retailer!

The adventures of Captain Marvel really start hitting their stride in this third Archive volume, featuring an introduction by movie producer Michael Uslan and reprinting America's Greatest Comics #1, Captain Marvel Adventures #2 & 3, and Whiz Comics #21-24 (1941). Captain Marvel faces his most nefarious foe Dr. Sivana in three adventures. Plus, the very first appearance of the Three Lieutenant Marvels, the introduction of Whitey Murphy (from the movie serial) and much, much more.

216 pages, $49.95, in stores on Oct. 30. — Be sure to preorder this volume from you local comics retailer!

The small heroes are back and ready for big action with an exciting new line of fugures in 2003! The new lineup features: Guardian of the Universe, Guy Gardner, Black Canary, Silver-Age Green Arrow, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Golden-Age Flash, Hourman, Mirror Master, Professor Zoom, Captain Marvel, Dr. Sivana, Phantom Girl, Ultra Boy, Kid Flash, Aqualad, Silver-Age Supergirl, Brainiac, Superman, Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Bizarro, Wonder Girl, and Speedy. The figures come in two-sets and retail for $9.95 US. First to be released are the Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Professor Zoom and Mirror Master, & Superman and Clark Kent two-sets. Watch this space for the release of the Cap/Sivana two-set.

At the very end of the DC Universe: Racing into the Future, a fan asked the following question…"Two words. Captain. Marvel."* To which DC Comics Director of Sales and Marketing, Patty Jeres, replied "Yes." Ms. Jeres went on further to say that she didn't want to reveal more until Comicon International, so that the writer could be there. Mark Waid followed that up with the obvious retort that it couldn't be any of the writers on the panel which included Waid and Geoff Johns. Comicon International runs July 31-August 4.

* Why didn't I ask about Captain Marvel, you may be asking? Because I promised to keep the secret of who's doing the book until it's announced at San Diego.

JSA artist Leonard Kirk drew a beautiful Captain Marvel sketch for me at Wizard World 2002. I think you'll agree that it is a lovely sketch!

Leonard claims it's easy to draw all the JSA characters now that he doesn't have to look up reference for the costumes!

Newsarama at Comicon.com is reporting that DC plans to release a Shazam Family Annual this summer!

This July, DC Comics will be offering the Shazam! Family Annual #1 (1953). After debuting in 1940 and before becoming a staple of the DCU years later, Captain Marvel’s Fawcett comic book adventures ended in 1953. And DC is imagining a world where one last Captain Marvel publication was released before his hiatus, a 1953 Annual reprinting his greatest stories … a “lost” issue that never saw print...until now.

Shazam! Family Annual #1 (1953) ($5.95) is an ‘80-Page Giant’ reprinting stories from Captain Marvel Adventures #18, Captain Marvel, Jr. #12, and The Marvel Family #1 & #10. Written by Otto Binder, with art by C.C. Beck, Mac Raboy, Pete Costanza, Jack Binder, and Bud Thompson, the volume contains four adventures of the Marvel Family, including the debut of Mary Marvel, the Marvel Family’s first confrontation with Black Adam, along with battles with Captain Nazi and the Sivana Family. The cover is the fabulous cover painting of Captain Marvel Adventures #18 by C.C. Beck!

Note: It's really important to place an order for this book with your local comics retailer. By preordering this book, DC Comics can judge the interest in Captain Marvel and not only offer us more books of this nature but also put Captain Marvel on the fast track to getting his own series again!

A reliable source reports that DC Comics is preparing volumes 3 and 4 of the popular Shazam! Archive series. As to what the contents will include, only time will tell!

Comicbook Resources.com is reporting that the Justice League creative staff of Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire will reassemble what's left of the original team and with Captain Marvel tied up over in JLA, Mary Marvel will take his place.

The new series will be six issues in length but has not yet been scheduled. You can learn more about the plans over at ComicBookResources.com.

SUPERMAN: THE MAN OF STEEL #117
Written by Mark Schultz; art and cover by Doug Mahnke and Tom Nguyen. In stores August 15.
Guest-starring the Captain Marvels, the Atom and Wonder Woman. It is perhaps the darkest hour of the War as heroes have fallen and allies have turned against one another. And there is more death to come. Is it any wonder that Superman has fallen into despair? Unable to tell friend from foe, he's about to shed all his humanity to end the war once and for all!
FC, 32 pg. $2.25

JSA #27
Written by Geoff Johns; art by Rags Morales and Michael Bair; cover by Morales In stores August 15.
Captain Marvel visits the JSA to deal with Black Adam, and the big confrontation that's been brewing finally erupts! Plus, Dr. Mid-Nite and Mr. Terrific discover a startling revelation about the health of one of their teammates, and a new Chairman is elected under less-than-friendly circumstances.
FC, 32 pg. $2.50

The first of many wallpapers is now available at Fawcett City Hardware...check it out!

The DC Direct message board over at the DC Comics web site is reporting that DC announced plans to produce Shazam/Black Adam action figures in the DC Direct publishing plans for 2001-2002. No word on when the action figures will be released or if the Shazam figure is the old wizard or the modern Captain Marvel.

AlexRossAuction hosted a gallery showing of the original art from SHAZAM!: POWER OF HOPE at The Society for Arts. The showing was in anticipation of the online auction of the art on March 5, 2001. More...

AlexRossAuction.com will be auctioning the original art from the graphic novel SHAZAM!: Power of Hope to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The auction will begin March 5th and proceed throughout the month. The pages will be sold in sequence. Approximately 10 to 12 paintings per week will be up for bidding through this online auction. 

In order to bid you must be a registered member at Alex Ross Auction.com

Shazammer Josh Mayfield alerted the MFW that the February 8 episode of The Drew Carey Show contained an actor in a Captain Marvel suit. Josh says...

“I came into watching Drew a bit late tonight, but as I turned it on I saw a guy in a perfect Captain Marvel outfit. Drew's in a coma so I assume it was a dream sequence, but I missed the whole segment so I dont know for sure, just wanted to let you know.”

Thanks for the tip Josh! Now we'll have to catch it in reruns!

Alex Ross appeared at a suburban Chicago Warner Bros. Store signing on November 9 with his two compatriots... Bob Riley (webmaster of AlexRossArt) and Sam Abbinanti (art agent for AlexRossArt as well as Ross' model for Captain Marvel). Check out the Power of Hope for earlier pictures.

A special DC Comic was given away with a two gallon milk purchase over the summer. ADVENTURES WITH THE DC SUPER HEROES featured a one-page Marvel Family pin-up featuring the cast's favorite milk recipes.

Next Planet Over is reporting that several DC Direct action figures have been delayed. The NPO site quotes DC's vice-president of direct-sales, Bob Wayne as saying that the reason for the delay was quality and timeliness. The affected figures include the Captain Marvel/Billy Batson 2-pack now due November 1. The Kid Flash and Starfire figures are delayed until August 30 and the Tom Strong figure is delayed until September 6.

AlexRossArt.Com put up its own first look at Alex and Paul Dini's Shazam: Power of Hope. Jump on over there and check it out!

Wizard #107 features a two-page First Look at Alex Ross and Paul Dini's Shazam: Power of Hope Treasury-sized comic. There are two great shots of Cap featured in the article. Ross comments that this book will feature Cap helping make kids wishes come true and have lots of Cap "...doing colorful things in sunlight, lifting buses and stopping volcanoes...This is full of phenomenal splash images of Captain Marvel doing exciting, cool stuff."

The Official Alex Ross web site is reporting the Power of Hope Shazam! Special will be out in November and that DC will include Captain Marvel in its series of Alex Ross posters. Check out the Ross Report at AlexRossArt.Com.
Thanks to GL Vee and FCA Publisher P.C. Hamerlinck for giving me the heads up!

It's in and I have one! Alex Ross' newest edition to his line of collector plates is none other than the World's Mightiest Mortal and the plate is available only at your local Warner Bros. store. The plate retails for $35.00. Remember your grandmother's collector plates and how you said you'd never collect those things. I bet, like me, you're eating your words now. Make sure you visit the gallery section of your Warner Bros. store to order one. And check out the upcoming Plastic Man plate while you're there.

The Comics Buyer's Guide reports that Frank Miller will return to Batman to write and draw Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again. With that announce comes the news that Captain Marvel will appear in the series as well. While it's not known what role Cap will play, it will be a treat to see Miller's rendition. Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again is not scheduled and will probably appear sometime in 2001.

Check out the new ad for DC Direct's Captain Marvel/Billy Batson figures. They do look a little better than they did in Previews. At any rate, look for them, boxed together, in a special collectors edition this September.

Sal Abbinanti, Alex Ross's model for Captain Marvel in the upcoming “Power of Hope” treasury-edition painted novel said he started posing for Alex in March. Sal's an accomplished artist who also posed as Captain Marvel for Ross's Kingdom Come.

You can more info on Sal and check out his artwork at the ComicBookPros website.

From DC Coming Comics in the March 2000 Previews...

THE FLASH #162
Written by BRIAN AUGUSTYN and MARK WAID; Art by PAUL PELLETIER and DOUG HAZLEWOOD; Cover by STEVE LIGHTLE
In stores May 31. Felix Faust (also seen in this month's SILVER AGE) returns, but the Flash isn't going to face him alone...not with Captain Marvel on hand! Faust makes his comeback at a broadcaster's convention, where his master plan runs into a trio of detractors: Linda Park, Flash Wally West and some kid named Billy Batson.

FC, 32 pg.   .......................$1.99

The Captain Marvel Beanie is now on sale at Warner Bros. stores in malls across America. The plush toy retails for $7.00 US. Get one, two, or three while they're hot!

The boys at Raving Toy Maniac (a really cool site by the way) have a great shot of Captain Marvel from the upcoming Hasbro line of DC Super Hero action figures. Head over there right now and check Cap out as well as the other new DC toys coming your way. You won't be disappointed.

Mania is reporting at its buzz site that Kenner plans to do a new line of 7" DC Heroes action figures.

"This series will focus on DC Superheroes in their various stages, such as Batman Year One, Knightfall Batman, Superman Red & Blue, Shazam and more."

Check it out, under the title New Star Wars Toys Unveiled... shhh, at Mania's Daily Buzz for Tuesday, February 9, 1999

Captain Marvel, the Rodney Dangerfield of DC Comics, finally gets his own Secret Files page at the DC web site. Check it out at http://www.dcomics.com/sf/indexpos.htm

Beginning with issue #60, FCA will merge with Roy Thomas' Alter Ego magazine(vol.3, #1), which becomes its own zine this spring-spinning off from Comic Book Artist Magazine. Roy & P.C. are happy to collaborate on what will be a great package of informative articles, interviews & rare artwork re. our favorite comics from the past & their talented creators. The FCA logo will be included on all AE covers & will have its own seperate section within AE totally dedicated to the wonderful world of Fawcett comics.. FCA#60 will feature stories on Otto Binder, the Brazilian Golden Age team-up of Capt. Marvel & The Human Torch, Marc Swayze's outstanding column, & more! P.C. is excited he'll be reaching a wider audience now with the widely distributed AE giving the great, creative people who produced Fawcett comics the credit they deserve, ....as well as the benefits of having it professionally printed (ie; no more Kinko's trips!). FCA's merge with AE will also help the promotion of the upcoming FCA/Fawcett trade paperback book by P.C.-published later this year!

As you may have already heard, The Power of Shazam! will be canceled with issue #47. Sadly, not enough Shazammers supported the book... but please don't abandon the title because of this! Not many titles make it to their 24th issue...let alone their 48th (don't forget the 1M issue)! Send DC Comics a strong message of your support for Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family by continuing to purchase The Power of Shazam! through its final issue! Although this won't affect the title's cancellation status, DC needs to know that there is enough fan support for another try with The Big Red Cheese! If you've dropped or haven't bought The Power of Shazam!, please give it a shot! I've seen a photocopy of the last issue and it is beautiful. Jerry's inks his own pencils and the result is stunning!

Don't Miss JLA #28 Guest-starring Captain Marvel. In comic shops...February 24, 1999!

Beau Yarbrough, of The Comic Wire, let loose this tidbit heard at the JLA panel at Comicon International... "Former Justice Leaguers the Atom, Captain Marvel, and Animal Man, whom Grant Morrison put back on the map with an acclaimed DC/Vertigo series earlier in the 1990s, will all be stopping by. Captain Marvel, who hasn't been part of the Justice League in almost a decade, will appear in the books in four months."

Check out the entire story by reading Beau's report on JLA 1999.

Wizard Magazine recently published George Perez's pencils to the Crisis on Infinite Earths Hardcover's cover. The Marvel Family is featured prominently on the cover.

DC Reprint Editor Bob Kahan revealed, on the DC Archives message board of DC Online, that a second volume of Shazam! Archives will be released sometime during 1999. Presumably the second volume will continue to reprint stories from the early issues of Whiz Comics. Shazam! Archives #1, which was just re-released in a second printing, featured first appearance, as Captain Thunder, in Thrill and Flash ashcans as well as the Captain Marvel stories from the first fifteen issues of Whiz Comics.

It's official! Thunder, the Captain Marvel of the POS Death Earth Annual from a few years back, makes her return in The Power of Shazam! #44 and then in Legion of Super-Heroes #110. This has been a long awaited reappearance so make sure that you pick up both parts. Find out more in the October Coming Comics.

A radically different Captain Marvel appears in ElseWorlds Finest: Batgirl and Supergirl #1. Captain Marvel looks like an amalgam of himself and the super-hero Steel. Be sure to catch this Elseworlds title when it hits the stands!

An important buy for you Marvel Family completists out there: The Marvel Family appear in a pin-up by Pete Krause and Klaus Janson in...3-D! Check the October Coming Comics!

Wow! Jerry turns up the heat during the Black Adam storyline by guest-starring the JLA! Wait'll you see Jerry's Plastic Man!

You have to hand it to Jerry Ordway! He delivers. Fans have been clamoring for more old-time Fawcett heroes in Power of Shazam! -- well, Mr. Scarlet shows up in #44. If you haven't picked up an issue of The Power of Shazam! before and you're a fan of the old Fawcett heroes -- nows the time. Oh yeah, be sure to catch the previous issus, #43, for the first appearance of the new Bulletgirl!

DC has released a new Power of Shazam! house ad to coincide with Jerry Ordway's taking over of the pencilling duties on The Power of Shazam! title. Dick Giordano will continue as inker.

Captain Marvel appears in a single panel in Green Lantern #101 during a flashback to the Zero Hour mini-series.

Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel, Jr. (CM3 for new fans) and Billy Batson all appear in JLA:World without Grownups #1.

Mike Carlin announced during his bi-weekly Power of Shazam chat on AOL that CeCe Beck would be returning to the pages of Power of Shazam! Well, actually, she'll be making her first appearance in the monthly title. Thunder, as CeCe is known, first appeared in The Power of Shazam! Annual #1 and has also appeared in a poster insert in Legionnaires #50 as well as in The Legion of Super-Heroes Secret Files and Origins #1.

Mike also revealed that Thunder would appear in one of the Legion titles shortly after her appearance in POS.

Mike Carlin, Power of Shazam! Editor, revealed in his bi-weekly Power of Shazam! Chat that Captain Marvel nemesis Black Adam would return in issue 45 of The Power of Shazam! title!

Scratchbuilder's Toolbox over at Mania's site shows how to build your own Captain Marvel action figure. Check it out!

Both Mr. Mind and Doctor Sivana make brief cameo appearances in the JLA 80-Page Giant Annual released to comic shops on Wednesday. Don't blink or you'll miss 'em. Interestingly enough, Sivana was depicted in his dentist outfit from his Fawcett comics days.

Westfield Comics interviewed Jerry Ordway and learned some of his plans for the Marvel Family. Check out the whole Power of Shazam! interview at http://www.westfield.com/wow/int_024.html.

Mike Carlin, Executive Editor of DC Comics and Editor of The Power of Shazam!, reports that Chain Lightning will face off against the Marvel Family in Jerry Ordway's first story as penciller!

This first story arc features a redistribution of power and future stories will more closely focus on the Power of Shazam and what it means.

Check out the cover to The Power of Shazam! #42.

Jerry Ordway adds to his Power of Shazam! duties as he takes over as regular penciller starting with issue #42. That issue also signals a change by sporting a new cover logo. Want to see it unencumbered? You've come to the right place!

Fawcett Collectors of America publisher Paul Hamerlinck has unwrapped the cover for the upcoming FCA #59. The issues cover is a portrait of Captain Marvel by fan favorite Alex Ross! Check out Paul's FCA site for a preview of this spectacular cover.

If you haven't tried FCA and you're a serious Captain Marvel fan, give it a try. Two bucks gets you a back issue photocopy while you're waiting for issue 59 to ship.

Diamond will solicit Alex Ross' Kingdom Come Superman statue this month. What makes it noteworthy, beyond the fact that it's a very cool looking statue, is that the promo piece mentioned that Mr. Ross is also sculpting a companion piece featuring Captain Marvel for release in 1999!

Check out the cover to THE POWER OF SHAZAM! #42.

Captain Marvel stars in Adventures in the DC Universe #15. Cap's magic lightning gets mixed up and Billy gets Cap's powers while Cap becomes powerless.

Captain Marvel, Junior (or CM3 as the folks at DC prefer to call him) has been popping up in the Superman titles due to his affiliation with the Teen Titans. Check out the recent Millenium Giants story line the ran through the Superman line of comics as well as an issue of Aquaman, Challengers of the Unknown, Supergirl, and Teen Titans.

Several Internet sites have reported that Jerry Ordway will continue on The Power of Shazam! after his debut with issue #42. The gods have smiled on us!

DC Comics revealed to the Marvel Family Web that indeed a new artist has been lined up for the Power of Shazam! but that it's still too early to release the artist's name. The MFW will let you know as soon as we find out.

As reported in the DC Comics Online Newsletter for January 30, DC Comics will release another set of one-shot comics under the banner "Girl Frenzy" week. "Girl Frenzy" week, set for April 29, is similar to "New Year's Evil," "Tangent," and "Amalgam" weeks as it will replace all the DC titles to ship that week.

The big news is that two of the titles will promiently feature Marvel Family members. Here are the summaries for the issues that feature Marvel Family members.

STARMAN: THE MIST #1
Written by James Robinson, with art by John Lucas and Richard Case
Starman's deadliest villainess takes center stage in a one-shot that pits her against Mary Marvel from THE POWER OF SHAZAM! To save her child, the Mist must work for the insidious Green Lantern foe, the Black Hand. But when Mary Marvel tries to get involved, will even the powers of the gods save Mary from the wrath of the Mist?

WONDER WOMAN: DONNA TROY #1
Written by Phil Jimenez; art by Jimenez and John Stokes
Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel guest-star in a tale set soon after Donna Troy first learned of the death of her ex-husband and child, the former Wonder Girl turns to an unexpected source in her attempt to cope with her loss, seeking solace in a church where she asks questions that may have no answers. As she recalls another time when she was threatened with loss, she finds that those memories may provide the answers she seeks, setting the stage for the next chapter in Donna's super-heroic career, beginning soon in the pages of WONDER WOMAN.

Pete Krause, penciller of The Power of Shazam, revealed some sad news on his monthly Power of Shazam! chat last night. Pete will leave The Power of Shazam after completing issue #41. Pete said that it was time to move on and that the decision is purely his own. He said that no decision has been made on who would pick up the pencilling chores of POS. Jerry Ordway will continue as the writer and cover painter.

The Marvel Family Web wishes Pete much success in his future endeavours.

The Marvel Family Web has debuted a brand new Shazam! Toys Page about toys featuring Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family. Check it out and if you have photos of other Shazam! Toys, please send 'em along for inclusion on this page!

Captain Marvel will guest-star in Superman: Distant Fires due out later this month. Superman: Distant Fires is the latest in the line of DC's Elseworlds imprint. Elseworld's is by Howard Chaykin, Gil Kane and Kevin Nowlan. Keep an eye out for it at your local comics shop!

Pete Krause, penciller of The Power of Shazam!, notes that beginning with The Power of Shazam! #38 the comic will be printed with full bleeds. In other words the art can take up the entire page.

Pete Krause, penciller of The Power of Shazam!, reports, via America Online, that the Monster Society of Evil will return in a three part story beginning in The Power of Shazam! #38.

Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family have recently appeared in various DC Comics titles.

Captain Marvel has a one panel appearance in Superman: Secret Files #1. Cap has also recently appeared in Wonder Woman #126, also in one panel.

Shazam has joined the cast of Jack Kirby's Fourth World and cameos in issue #10.

Mary Marvel appears in a dream sequence in Superboy #44.

Toymania is reporting that Warner Brothers is in producing a Jack Kirby's Fourth World cartoon. Following JKFW, WB plans a Shazam! cartoon followed by cartoons featuring other DC Universe heroes.

I would put this in the Take It with a Grain of Salt Department. Let's hope it happens.

Okay, this is old news -- but if you haven't heard (or read Previews), Cap, Jr. is joining the Titans. I want to thank each an every one of you who sent an e-mail to DC requesting Cap, Jr. for membership! It worked!

Teen Titans is published monthly by DC Comics. Check the bottom of this page for information on how to locate your nearest comic book retailer.

Comic Shop News is reporting that Captain Marvel will get his own pewter statue in the next wave of Comic Book Champion releases.

Check out the Coming Comics page for several cool offerings in January. AC Comics is soliciting another issue of their fine Golden-Age Men of Mystery book. This issue features the Fawcett hero Mr. Scarlet. And don't forget to check out the AC website at http://members.aol.com/gareprints/reprints.htm.

Meanwhile ACG is reprinting the Magicman series from the mid-1960's. What's interesting about Magicman is that it sports a Kirby and Sinnott cover and also features the artwort of Pete (Captain Marvel) Costanza.

Mark Wann has a great site for folks who want to get caught up on DC Comics' Power of Shazam! title. You can check it out at http://www.ozemail.com.au/~scunge/shazam/

Mark has recently put up two images which are really cool. One is a collage he created of the different incarnations of the Marvel Family and the other is a cover to a fanzine featuring all the characters with Marvel in their name. Check them out in Mark's Shazam! Gallery.

James Robinson, writer of Starman, and Jerry Ordway, writer of The Power of Shazam!, will combine their talents for a three part Starman/The Power of Shazam! cross-over! The crossover should happen in late summer and will begin in Starman move to The Power of Shazam! and then back to Starman again. Art will most likely be by the respective art teams on each book. Although the storyline hasn't been revealed, it is rumored that the cross-over will feature many of the old Fawcett heroes!

The Power of Shazam! artist Pete Krause revealed today that inker Mike Manley will leave The Power of Shazam! series around issue #26 or #27. Mr. Manley will move on to a staff position at Warner Animation. Manley had been doing work on the storyboards for the Superman animated series. It's unclear if he will continue in that role. Krause expressed regret at Manley's departure particularly noting that he will "...miss the long phone conversations we have had." Good luck, Mike!

Replacing Manley on The Power of Shazam! is legendary inker Dick Giordano. Mr. Giordano will both pencil and ink issue #28 featuring Mary Marvel.

Several Shazam! Surfers have written to me asking where they can purchase the Shazam! and Isis videos from the mid 1970s. Well, after an exhaustive search (I looked in the Comics Buyer's Guide), I found a couple of mail order outfits that claim to have them. Since I've never ordered from any of these individuals I can't vouch for the quality of these copies. Caveat Emptor! So, in other words, you're on your own.

Dr. Sivana returns in The Power of Shazam! # 25 and 26! Sivana's been manipulating time and space and it all comes to a head in this issue!

The Power of Shazam! #24 will feature the return of Spy Smasher in a story set in the 1950s. The story will also feature Billy's dad, C.C. Batson.

Captain Marvel appears in several of the Kingdom Come Extra Trading Cards released today! Don't miss 'em!

Sharp-eyed Marvel Web Surfer Max McConnell brought it to my attention that Cap is on the cover of Justice League America Annual #10 -- due this week! Good going, Max!

Well, it's been about 10 weeks since the Cover of the Week has been weekly. Well, no more! It's up to date and should remain so for the foreseeable future. Check it out!

Supergirl Plus from DC Comics will team Supergirl and Mary Marvel -- While Superboy Plus will team the Boy of Steel with the World's Mightiest Boy, Captain Marvel, Jr.

Billy Batson makes a one-panel appearance in Justice League: Midsummer's Nightmare.

Mr. Atom returns in The Power of Shazam! #23!

Captain Marvel, Jr. is prominently featured on the cover of DC Comics' Teen Titans #5. Teen Titans is the new series from creator Dan Jurgens.

Captain Marvel appears in the first issue of DC/Marvel: All Access. It's too early to tell what role he'll play in the series, if any. Keep an eye out for it.

Gil Kane and Joe Staton share pencilling duties on The Power of Shazam! #19. Gil will handle the first half of the issue while Joe will pick up the latter half.

Jerry Ordway has confirmed that Batman will complete the hat trick of guest-stars in The Power of Shazam! Since Batman is one of Jerry's favorite characters the cover of issue #22 should be magnificent! Check The Power of Shazam Gallery, regularly for new editions.

The Man of Steel and The World's Mightiest Mortal meet once again. This time to participate in DC's latest cross-over -- The Final Night.

Sergio Aragones draws a verrrrrrrry small Captain Marvel on the splash page of Sergio Aragones Massacres Marvel now on sale. Hopefully, we'll see more of Cap by Sergio when Sergio Aragones Destroys DC is released.

Want to see what Alex Ross' Captain Marvel looks like? I bet you do!

Keith Howell, a regular Marvel Family Web visitor, recommended the Marvel Family Web Page on national radio Wednesday. Barry Farber, a national conservative voice on Talk Radio was discussing how things have changed since 1940 and mentioned his favorite childhood hero, Captain Marvel. Keith called in and got two segments talking and reminiscing about the Big Red Cheese! As they wrapped up Keith recommended to Farber and the rest of the country to check out the Marvel Family Web Page on the Net. Farber was practically giddy and was planning to check it out immediately.
Contributed by Keith Howell

The Power of Shazam! won a Parents' Choice Award for 1995. Awards are given by the Parents' Choice Foundation, a nonprofit group that calls itself a consumer guide to children's books, video, toys, audio, computer programs, television, magazines, and rock and roll since 1978.
Contributed by Jerry Ordway

Well, here, here! Just like a good Warner Bros.' cartoon The Power of Shazam! plays well to both children and adults!

Captain Marvel makes a one panel appearance in Impulse #14! Cap is seen in a group scene flashback to Underworld Unleashed.

Plastic Man has been bumped to issue 21 of The Power of Shazam! Why? Because issue #20 will deal with something affecting the entire DC Universe! Boy, does that sound intriguing!

DC reports that well over 1000 requests have been received for the Mr. Mind Venusian Decoder Card. And you can order one by.....ah, you'll just have to buy a copy of The Power of Shazam! #s 13 or 14 to find out how.

Have you noticed the lack of coverage The Power of Shazam! gets in Wizard and Overstreet Fan? Me, too! Oh sure, both ran articles when The Power of Shazam! was first released and every once in a while POS makes it into a Pick Hit. Yet there hasn't been a follow-up article in either mag. What's needed is for both mags to be let in on a little secret -- that there's plenty of us Cap, Mary and Junior fans out here! So, I have a simple request: write a short, polite note to both Wizard and Overstreet Fan asking that they run a feature article on The Power of Shazam! Let their mailbags runneth over! Here are the addresses:

Magic Words c/o Wizard: The Guide to Comics 151 Wells Ave. Congers, NY 10920
Email: WizardTGTC@AOL.Com
Fan Mail c/o Gemstone Publishing 1966 Greenspring Dr., Suite 405 Timonium, MD 21093
Email: FanMail1@AOL.Com Email: FanMag@jagunet.com
If you do end up writing to Wizard and Overstreet, drop me a line, I'd like to know! In fact, I'll keep a counter right here so you can see how we're doing!

Wizard: 2 Overstreet Fan: 1

Wonder Woman will make a guest appearance in The Power of Shazam! #15 on sale April 3rd. Did you catch Plastic Man in Superman #110? Well, if not, don't fret. Plas will make a guest appearance in The Power of Shazam! #20.

My local comics retailer, once again, told me that Shazam! (Captain Marvel) and Black Adam are to be part of Kenner's Total Justice Action Figure line. Sweetening the pot, he claimed to have seen the action figures for both Dr. Sivana and Mr. Mind in Detroit over the last weekend. Without any other substantiation for either of these claims, this news item goes into the I'll believe it when I see it department.

Well, maybe the rumor mill was too hard at work! Although Kenner Toys will release a new line of DC Super-Hero action figures sometime in the August/September time frame, Captain Marvel may not be in the first assortment. As of this writing, I have been unable to confirm all of the characters in the first wave. At any rate, the new series of figures is currently titled Total Justice and will be added to the Batman line. The first assortment will include: Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, Darkseid, Robin and Batman. A Superman figure may be in this assortment as well. Toy Companies often change what's in their shipping schedule, so who knows maybe Cap will make it in. I'll keep you updated! I apologize for any erroneous information! My comics retailer passed what now seems to be inaccurate information onto me. Ah, but you can blame me for getting excited, who wouldn't want a Captain Marvel action figure?

Well, I certainly missed this one. Thanks to P.C. Hamerlinck for bringing to my attention that Captain Marvel made a one panel cameo appearance in Mister Miracle #1. It certainly makes sense as both Cap and Mr. Miracle were former members of the Justice League. By the way, P.C. is the publisher of a great fanzine called the Fawcett Collectors of America. The current issue, #54 (P.C.'s first) contains an interview with Jackson Bostwick, the Captain Marvel of the '70s Shazam! TV show as well as an interview with C.C. Beck, the co-creator and father of Captain Marvel.

The Marvel Family FAQ is coming along and the alpha version should be released in a week or two. However, I want to be sure that I haven't left out any important questions. So, if you have any questions or you want to see any specific information included in the FAQ, email me at the address found at the bottom of the page. If I use your question and you're the first one to submit it, I'll include your name in the FAQ credits! When e-mailing, please include the word FAQ in the subject title.

The long awaited Mr. Mind's Venusian Decoder Card hit mail boxes today. The decoder card allows you to translate Mr. Mind's thoughts in issue #13 of DC's The Power of Shazam! Upcoming issues of The Power of Shazam! will also require the decoder card to figure out what Mr. Mind is saying! To get a Mr. Mind Decoder Card pick up either The Power of Shazam! #13 or #14, on sale at your local comics retailer, for details. Sure, I could tell you how to do it here but I'd rather you buy the comic!

The Amalgamated Captain Marvel also appears on several cards in the Amalgam trading card set released 28-Feb-1996. Do you wanna see 'em?

The Amalgamated Captain Marvel makes an appearance in JLX#1. When Billy Mar-vell shouts the alien word "Kree!" he's super-scientifically transformed into Captain Marvel!

Mary Marvel Girl makes a brief appearance in Amalgam's X-Patrol!

Fleer/SkyBox's Outburst: FirePower trading card set features Captain Marvel and Black Adam. Check them out in Oracle's Database!

Jerry Ordway will write and Mike Manley will provide the art for The Power of Shazam! Annual #1!

Recent issues of DC Comics have been running an ad for Kingdom Come featuring Captain Marvel. The tag line reads, "And When He Cried, Seven Thunders Uttered Their Voices." Who is the seventh voice? Any guesses? Email me and I'll post them here.