REVIEWS: Panthers and 'Devils and Wizards, oh my!

Correction to a previous blog: Shazam #2 was drawn by Marco Santucci, not Dale Eaglesham.

The order in which I expected to enjoy this week’s books: Wizard Beach, Shazam, Black Panther, Daredevil

The order in which I actually enjoyed this week’s books: Shazam, Wizard Beach, Daredevil, Black Panther

Black Panther #9

Given how much I enjoyed the previous issue, I was surprised at how let down I was by this one. It seemed to suffer from Bendisitis, as it was light on action and heavy on exposition. The information relayed in twenty pages could have been told in a single page of text and 4-5 pages of art then followed up with something more exciting, which would have made it much less bland.

Aside from a well done pages, Kev Walker's art - which I loved in #8 - seemed flat here. Ultimately, this felt like a sneak preview of a fill-in issue.

Hopefully this was just a misstep in an otherwise entertaining story, but as it is I plan to drop the title once the Intergalactic Empire of Wakanda storyline is complete.

Daredevil #2

I described the first issue as "...an excellent version of well-trodden ground with just enough of a cliff-hanger to keep me interested." After reading #2, I'd like to amend that to "the best version of well-trodden ground combined with an intriguing mystery that has me eager to read the next chapter." Both story and art are awesome!

Daredevil is publicly being accused of a crime he didn't commit. At least he's pretty sure he didn't. Things got a bit foggy there for a bit...

I’m really hoping that a scene coupling an old DD foe with the dialogue, “if it wasn’t [another old DD foe], then who set me up?” is NOT an indication that the foe pictured is the culprit. Not picturing more than one old foe reacting to the news suggests that it is, though. That and I wish the shock ending scene hadn’t been spoiled by previews of issue #3. Can’t wait for #3!

Shazam #3

Alice in Wonderland. The NeverEnding Story. The Chronicles of Narnia. Peter Pan. The Goonies. And now Shazam.

Man, kids do certainly have a knack for finding passageways to fantastic lands, don’t they?

While exploring subway tunnels within the Rock of Eternity, Billy Batson and his foster siblings discover a giant theme park known as the Funlands, which is one of seven realms of the Magiclands. The Funlands are ruled ("hosted") by King Kid, who claims that the siblings are six "champions" of the Funlands and he, if they'd only share the magic word, could and should be the seventh. When they don't share it with him, however...

Also, despite appearing on the cover, Mr. Mind is nowhere to be found. Or maybe he is...

This book is a blast! While it is definitely not the gee-golly-whiz Captain Marvel/Shazam from the Gold and Silver ages, it retains just enough of that to make this a kid-friendly read.

Eaglesham is back on art with this issue, and his work continues to be amazing! There's more on each page than there needs to be (see below) -

I hope his paycheck reflects that!

Wizard Beach #3

All is not as it seems on Wizard Beach.

Someone close to Uncle Salazar has been working as a informant, sharing information about 'Sally' with a small group of Beach residents. The purpose of this is unknown.

Salazar appears to be oblivious to the spying as well as his nephew Hex's ongoing mission to learn magic from him. Or maybe not...

While there isn't a whole lot of story progression in this third installment, a LOT happens in this issue:

Hex meets Wizard Beach's doctor and pharmacist Doctor Doozle.

A young lady named Agnes continues her pursuit of Hex. (Obliviousness seems to run in the family.)

A wand ball tournament begins.

Uncle Sally finally shows Hex a magic trick...

...much to Hex's chagrin.

The wizards say goodbye to one of their own.

And that is just what is in the foreground. There is so much going on and so many jokes hidden in the backgrounds of each page (again, I suspect a strong Sergio Aragonés influence on the creative team) I'm convinced that those calling Wizard Beach a "quick read" are missing out on what makes this book an exceptional value!