Shazam #6 // Review
Sudden appearances and surprises lie at every corner and set the stage of this chapter. Geoff Johns and artists Dale Eaglesham, Marco Santucci, and Scott Kolins continue their trek together through the Magiclands as the family still finds themselves split apart from one another. Each new issue allows the opportunity to build upon each of these characters as well as the mythos at large. Johns and company continually work excellently as a team to create one of the very few pure and joyous comics on the stands currently.
As Billy and Mary finally break their restraints within the Funlands, the duo makes their way back to the Rock of Eternity. Simultaneously Black Adam, Mister Mind and Dr. Sivana are amidst battle within the Rock while Billy and Mary are struck by their magic are trust out of the Magiclands. As they are sent back home, Billy comes face to face with his father. Eugene and Pedro still find themselves trapped within the Gamelands when they are saved by a completely unexpected ally. Before closing out this chapter, Mary decides to reveal a secret that will change their family’s dynamic forever.
The trio of pencillers continues to add a visually appealing transition between each realm and great use of multiple artists on one book as a means to produce it on schedule. Although the Wildlands doesn’t make an appearance this time around Santucci is gifted the task of taking on the fight between Black Adam and Sivana in glorious fashion. The legendary Scott Kolins still remains within the Gamelands himself and adds an electric aesthetic perfect for the motif of the realm. Dale Eaglesham is awarded the bookends of this issue dealing within the Funlands and Billy and Mary’s escape back home. His depiction of Mary Marvel is second to none, creating yet another beautiful splash page of the heroine to close out this exciting issue. Colorist Mike Atiyeh continues to drench the pages in that high saturated gloss and giving the series a clean finish pop.
With the ensemble cast of heroes and villains, Geoff Johns stretches out his story through multiple issues and flesh out each member of the family. Giving the care to these characters with their own personalities and quirks to set them apart from one another allows for the whole to be greater than just the sum of its parts. Johns is at home with comics, and his love continues to shine bright. As he brings the family closer to form after his New 52 iteration, fans reciprocated affinity for these characters are absolutely undeniable.
With multiple plot threads revealed and much more to come as the family embarks upon the rest of the Magiclands, The Marvel family will have their hands full of exciting and entertaining stories for readers to join alongside them for. Although the movie hype for the Big Red Cheese has come to a trickle, the affinity garnered by this heartwarming comic continues to grow with each new chapter.
