Shazam #19: Brother vs. Brother

Shazam #19 sees the culmination of Mr. Mind’s activities as Billy Batson struggles to resolve the conflict that he feels responsible for. All parts heart and with tons of action, this issue really demonstrates what has made this series so special, showing the power that Shazam has, not only as a superhero, but also as his own character within the DC universe. With the cards stacked against him, Billy truly comes into his own here, reminding readers that this is just a teenage boy who is working on the scale of these adult heroes.

The issue begins with Mr. Mind tormenting Mary Marvel as he reveals his entire scheme. It then transitions back to Earth where Freddy is fighting with the amber lightning that has made him act out of character. These two plot threads really help highlight the severity and stakes of the storyline, showcasing how powerful Mr. Mind really is, while also making the threat level feel larger than life. A lot changed in this series when Josie Campbell took over writing duties from Mark Waid; however, the sense of scale and focus on the characters never waivered. This arc definitely puts these characters in a new direction, but does so in a way that makes them still feel like the same characters we have been following this whole time.

From a wrap up perspective, it is apparent by the end of the issue that this is going to be a lingering story arc for these characters, as Mr. Mind is not just a one and done kind of villain. Additionally, Billy forms a new relationship that also has connections back to the overall story which really helps tie everything together. That, combined with the resolution to Freddy’s arc, keeps the flow of the book consistent while making sure that every small story beats serves a larger purpose. This kind of long form storytelling is going to make this book read great for years to come.