Into the Wildlands
SHAZAM! #4 MAY 2019 BY GEOFF JOHNS, DALE EAGLESHAM, MARCO SANTUCCI AND MIKE ATIYEH
SYNOPSIS + REVIEW
We are introduced to Tawny in the Wildlands, who seems to be in trouble for not following the laws of nature (and not eating his friends).
Freddy and Darla are captured and jailed, awaiting their trial (but they will most likely be thrown to the tigers). They quickly realize they cannot convert into their super-powered alter egos.
Meanwhile, in the Funlands, King Kids explains to Billy, what happens to all the kids when they turn eighteen. They maintain the funlands.
Billy and Mary end up there (as they are considered adults).
Meanwhile in the gamelands, Eugene and Pedro try to find a way of escaping, but they will need to beat the Gamemaster.
In the Earthlands, the Vasquez are still talking to the police and Billy Batson’s “father” about the vanished kids.
Back at the Rock of Eternity, Black Adam is the only hope to rescue them from the Magiclands.
I have read two origin stories thus far, that pretty much put an end to Black Adam right away. This has to later be altered to allow the character to return. After the Shazam! origin in the pages of Justice League, Black Adam was brought back to life in the pages of Forever Evil, and has been around since then (playing a small part in Dark Knights: Metal, and a very important part in Doomsday Clock). But what’s the deal with him now?
Well, Black Adam is still a champion... a twisted one... but he is a champion. So he is not entirely evil... but he is a known murderer... so... take that with a pinch of salt. His addition to this story (that already has Mr. Mind around), puts Mr. Mind for a future story.
I found this issue too decompressed compare to the previous ones. Very little happened to this characters, the issue was a sequence of revelations about the newfound lands. And introducing Tawny in a more coherent way.
I think these concepts needed a bit of decompression to sink in (that never stopped Kirby, though), but not this much.
It’s a less than perfect issue for me, the art, though, is great as usual.
I give the issue a score of 8
