Thursday, December 20, 2012

The Avengers Vs. Captain Marvel



Well, it seems that at long last DC has given up on the Captain Marvel name, and the original hero to go by that moniker is now called Shazam.  I understand the reason for the change, but still think that Captain Thunder would have been a better choice for a new name.  Shazam is a great transformation word and even a fitting name for the old wizard, but it still doesn't seem right to me for the main hero.  So when Mary Batson gets her powers will we be calling her She-Zam now?

11 comments:

Drew said...

As a follow up I'd like to see a lightning off between Shazam and Thor...,maybe with Black Lightning throw in for good measure

Ross said...

They met in issue #120.

Unknown said...

This is the crossover that I have waited decades for

pblfsda said...

The Big Red Cheese has always had name conflict problems, literally since before he was born. When his first appearance was still in the planning stages (in late 1939) Fawcett was planning to introduce him in a new title they were going to call "Flash Comics" but DC/National introduced a series with the same title starring a new character also named Flash. If Fawcett had fought over the title and won they'd just be advertising their competitor's character. Their "Flash Comics" became "Whiz Comics" at the last minute.

Nowadays DC owns the character, but has to consider inadvertently promoting an entire other publisher, not just one of their titles or characters. Marvel, curiously, has never had qualms about The Avengers conflicting with the British TV show. The 1999 movie is playing on cable while Marvel is trying to sell their own on DVD. I haven't heard anything about a cease-and-desist in either direction. Does anyone know if they made any noise over the Gold Key comic in the 1960's?

Anonymous said...

Who is the green superheroe in purple?

Ross said...

That's Drax the Destroyer.

Isaac said...

Marvel's movie was known by the title 'Avengers Assemble" in the UK, so fans wouldn't be drawn in thinking it was another Hollywood attempt at Steed and Peel. No need for the Brits to start a lawsuit, as their characters are well known on that side of the pond. In the late 60's the Avengers comic even alluded to it in an issue. Wow, this is a good cover. For a minute I thought it was all Perez.

Klezmer Orchestra said...

DC's Captain Marvel was never in the military, so why was he ever given the title "Captain"? Mar-Vell is that other guy's alien name. Also, that name is very pre-1950s corny. Who is a "captain" of anything anymore? Much better to go with Shazam, its exotic, its alien, it makes more sense. Freddie and Mary should be given appropriate new names as well. Frankly, I only care of Black Adam. HE should be given his own book, and the others should just be co-stars!

DeepSeaDawson said...

Hey, Ross. Not sure if you see new comments added to older posts like this one. But, I (after looking to see if you ever did a Marvel's hi-tech Wizard and DC's Golden Age magical Wizard team-up) just came across this gem of a cover for the first time. Great job. I almost had think for a second if it had been a real cover, it looks so seamless.

Ross said...

Thank, DeepSea!

Anonymous said...

@KO: the character of Billy Batson (and his pseudo-military alter-ego) go back to the late 1930's/early 1940's! So, yes, the corny-ness predates the post-Golden Age implosion resulting from anti-comic book conservatives like Dr. Worthless...oops! I meant "Wertham." Frankly, though, even the worst aspects of that corny-ness are undeniably preferable to the allegedly best aspects of modern grim-and-gritty-ness. At least as far as I'm permanently concerned.

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