DCU Comic Book Reviews

THE TRIALS OF SHAZAM! #6

Hard Time

April 2007

Written by Judd Winick

Pencils by Howard Porter

Inks by Howard Porter

Cover by Howard Porter

Synopsis

After successfully completing his second trial, Freddy is beginning to realize that magic is beginning to bend to his will.  Elsewhere, the Council of Merlin is upset that Freddy continues to succeed.  The leader demands better results from Sabina.  Meanwhile, Freddy is ready for his next test, which begins by meeting Hercules in prison.  It seems Hercules was fighting Medusa who was disguised as the Yakuza mafia.  In the fight, four mortals lost their lives.  Hercules then tells Freddy that his trial is to get him out of jail.  As Freddy leaves, Sabina visits Hercules with an offer:  she will get him out of jail if he gives her some of his power.  Hercules declines, but she takes it from her.  Hercules then decides to give Freddy his remaining powers.  Freddy calls down the power of Shazam and gets ready to face Hercules-strong Sabina.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

SHAZAM = Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, Mercury

I really do like this mini-series and I think in large part it has to do with the way Winick has hidden the various Gods within everyday life.  From a soldier to a tattoo artist and now to an convicted criminal, Winick’s portrayal of the Gods is grounded in life as we know but still contains the mystical, magical elements needed when you consider Captain Marvel’s powers and the Rock of Eternity.  In our world, there are forces of magic battling for control, but they are hidden from our sight by the mundane world we see around us. 

In terms of the story, Hercules' imprisonment is presented somewhat logically as part of the changing rules of magic, even if the rules themselves are still murky to me as the reader.  While I am not all that certain all of the rules have been set forth by Winick (or by the fine folks at DC), I do get the sense that Winick has at least thought about it a little bit.  I just wish he would explain it a little better other than to repeat ad nauseam that the rules of magic have changed.  In what way?  I like how Hercules has a rank regarding his abilities, but beyond that, Winick doesn’t specify beyond that.  Now, I’m not looking for a Dungeons and Dragons type rule book and I am not sure it is necessary to go into more detail in this issue or this series, but I would hope that whatever “rules” Winick has conjured for this series is being bandied around DC editorial so that, say, Shadowpact uses magic, the rules are consistent with what Winick is writing.