John D. Min 2008-03-18

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

Ever since I was a child in the 70s, I have loved Captain Marvel/Shazam, but he has always been in the shadow of the Big S! A meeting of these two have always been like two world champion Superbowl teams meeting in a head to head battle. Though past issues have always wanted to see the two guys battle, it is better to see the two equally admire and aid each other. This reintroduction of their first meeting is a little on the light side for literary merit, but overall is excellent in execution and artistic action. I do not want to go into too much detail of the storyline, but if you like Shazam at all, this is a great read, less so for Superman fans since he is more of the secondary act in this tale. Shazam material is hard to come by, there isn't as much out there, and I've read them all, this one is my personal favorite to date. Thanks.
John Dae

Blue Tyson 2007-09-03

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

This is yet another try at telling the story of when Superman and Captain Marvel met, because pre-Crisis these guys lived on their own separate worlds in separate universes. An excuse to make a pretty team up and have some crazy evil scientist types as bad guys, in Luthor and Sivana, and to highlight Captain Marvel's strength vs magic, and Superman's experience in giving him a hand.

Malevoces 2007-07-05

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:

I am surprised at the tepid ratings from some of the other reviewers. I really enjoyed this story and the art grew on me as well. The story was best when exploring the characters of Superman, Billy Batson and Sivana. In particular Sivana is well realized. He actually comes across as an old amoral narcissist, proud of his accomplishments and mildly irritated that he runs the 4th largest conglomerate in the world and Lex Luthor has the 3rd. He is seriously and realistically portrayed.

I also liked the way the nature of magic and "people of magic" are used to highlight the clearly immoral nature of using a 10 year old boy to further even the most laudable goal. Superman is appalled and confronts Shazam very directly. Unfortunately this will likely be underutilized as a story element, and Superman rather blithely accepts blandishments from the old sorcerer and moves on. I consider this the only real flaw in the story.

The action is utterly incidental. The threats, like most threats to Superman and to a lesser degree Captain Marvel are hardly worth mentioning. Combat is a story device to get the two together and let them compare...um...notes.

I would heartily recommend the book.

Frederick Meekins 2006-10-19

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

Two of comicdom's most legendary characters are none other than Superman and Captain Marvel, more popularly known as Shazam.

To the unfamiliar, at first glance the two heroes seem almost indistinguishable from one another with Captain Marvel wearing the spiffier costume while Superman possesses the more iconic insignia.

Superman/Shazam: First Thunder chronicles a contemporary interpretation of the first meeting between the World's Mightiest Mortal and the Man of Steel.

And though not the best-drawn story featuring these characters that have both been around since the early days of comic books, this graphic novel provides a bit of insight into the differences between the two.

For example, from a dialogue between these foremost costumed adventurers, the reader learns that while Superman might have superior senses, Captain Marvel is more immune to the effects of magic.

It is doubtful Superman/Shazam will be remembered as a graphic novel classic. However, fans will nevertheless get a kick out of seeing these legends team up.

by Frederick Meekins

William James Taylor IV 2006-09-10

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

A simple but nicely told retcon of how Superman first met Captain Marvel, fighting big ugly monsters, cultists, giant robots, etc.

I may get flamed for this, but it's better than the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Clash", in which Superman uncharacteristically acted like a callous d***weed towards Cap for an honest mistake; the overall ep was basically just an excuse to have Superman and Captain Marvel duke out, which has been a popular feature in the comics.

"First Thunder" is not exactly a Hugo Award winner, but it's briskly paced and worth a look for seeing Supes befriend Marvel, watching them chit-chat back and forth about their powers, where they've been, what they can do, all that good stuff. There's some poignant moments thrown in with the humor and violence as well, with Superman making a passionate speech against the Wizard who gave little Billy Batson his powers in the first place about how a little kid shouldn't have to carry the weight of being a superhero, with the last few panels alluding that Superman will become a mentor to Captain Marvel.

All in all, a nice little diversion.