SHAZAM #2: Who the Hell Are You?

With this second issue, the book is able to set aside some of the necessary exposition from the first issue and find it’s groove. Being set clearly in this Sheridan-verse corner of the DC brings with it the burden of connectivity and accessability but Sheridan and Henry manage to navigate that burden quite well. In particular, Henry’s artwork coupled with Maiolo’s colors really shine in this issue through their construction of such an animated and visually stunning version of Hell. And as with the previous issue, the art truly does continue to dictate the pace of this big, opting for an almost cinematic element of storytelling, fitting since Sheridan’s background is in animation writing.

Sheridan does an excellent job here with banter in particular. The back and forth between Billy and Moreena hits all the right notes to create and instant chemistry, constructing a potential relationship readers can’t help but hope to see further explored. Likewise, the exchanges between Billy and the demon Sulibak feels a bit like a classic Spider-Man fight in the best way possible, to include Sulibak’s inability to stop using gambling puns. My only concern regarding this book is the possibility that it will be hamstrung by the rigidity of a four-issue mini-series, as we’re already halfway through and there seems to be a lot more story yet to happen.