The definitive issue-by-issue collecting guide and trade reading order for Shazam – Billy Batson & Mary Marvel as the Captain Marvel of DC Comics – comic books in omnibus, hardcover, and trade paperback collections. Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated May 2024 with titles scheduled for release through July 2024.
The Curious Comics History of DC’s Captain Marvel, AKA Shazam!
Captain Marvel and his family once were the top-selling comic heroes of the early 1940s, later became a DC copyright grab living on his own Earth, and later still has been incorporated into DC’s main universe three times over.
This guide uses the modern convention of referring to the character interchangably as Captain Marvel and Shazam.
Captain Marvel was a Fawcett Comics character, created by Bill Parker C. C. Beck, though he would largely be written by Otto Binder starting in 1942. Orphan Billy Batson was recruited by the Wizard Shazam and given the power of six “immortal elders” whenever he uttered the acronym standing for Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury
Always whimsical and often beautiful, these Golden Age comics mixed the standard blend of one-off capers and support for World War 2 with oddball flights of fancy. They soon introduced Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr., as well as other recognizable characters like Black Adam and Tawny. The comes were even more wholesome and aimed at readers of all ages than the sometimes grim fantasies of comics like Captain America or Batman.
DC Comics interfered early on, suing Fawcett in 1941 to claim that Shazam was an infringement on their copyright on the similar-looking Superman. The case dragged on for over a decade and never reached a decisive conclusion. In short, the character of Captain Marvel wasn’t an infringement, but some elements of stories might have been. That situation lead the now-beleaguered Fawcett to settle out of court with DC, agreeing to never publish another Captain Marvel comics. They shuttered their comics line in 1953.
(This had the ripple effect of causing British publisher L. Miller and Son to abandon their Captain Marvel reprints and create their own nearly-infringing character, Marvelman – who would be the focus of his own decades of legal wrangling that would lead to him being renamed Miracleman and his rights eventually being sold to Marvel.)
During the early Bronze Age explosion of superhero popularity across all media, DC decided to bring back Captain Marvel, as licensed from Fawcett (who could not publish him themselves due to their settlement). Of course, now Marvel Comics was another big player in the industry, and they had launched their own Captain Marvel to snag the trademark in 1967. As a result, DC’s 1973 Captain Marvel relaunch and every subsequent relaunch was titled, “Shazam” – after Captain Marvel’s transformative word.
This version of Captain Marvel existed on Earth-S from 1973 to 1986 with his complete Fawcett Comics history intact, sometimes interacting with the World War 2 era heroes of Earth-Two.
That changed in 1985-1986 with Crisis on Infinite Earths, which wiped away all of DC’s many accumulated alternate earths in favor of a single unified continuity. In this new continuity, heavy hitters Superman and Wonder Woman were not founding members of the Justice League. Instead, the naive and optimistic Captain Marvel was recruited to serve alongside the likes of Guy Gardner and Doctor Fate.
However, his membership was short-lived, as he didn’t want to make the transition to serving internationally with the team in 1987 (since it might make it hard to keep up his civillian identity as Billy Batson). Billy’s problem with the International league was also DC’s problem: it was hard to focus on the life of a teenager in an ensemble book about adult superheroes.
After his Post-Crisis DC debut, Captain Marvel received a pair of slightly conflicting origin stories – one in 1987 and a second in 1994. Both established him as an orphaned only child in Fawcett City gifted powers by the Wizard Shazam, but the 1994 version hinted at another orphan with connections to the wizard. This was the new version of Mary Marvel, who writer Jerry Ordway would introduce in his series The Power of Shazam in 1995. The series had surprising staying power for a 50-year-old brand in the X-TREME 1990s, lasting 47 issues and far into the comic industry downturn at the end of the decade. The series hewed closely to the Marvel Family’s Fawcett Comics roots, focusing on their lives as children as much as their lives as heroes.
After the 90s, Captain Marvel’s comic history grows murkier. Writer Geoff Johns co-opted the character to join his Golden Age revival title Justice Society of America, though in Post-Crisis comics Captain Marvel no longer has a connection to the Golden Age. While this kept Captain Marvel in the spotlight for another decade, it also made his story intertwined with the increasingly grim DC Universe – leading to some truly off-putting developments for him and his family.
Rather than take the opportunity to correct this in New 52, DC and Geoff Johns doubled down on a new Shazam origin (in back-ups in Justice League (2011)) that focused on a more adult and less whimsical take on his “kid playing adult” heroism. This landed him in the line-up of Justice League for the latter half of New 52. DC Rebirth continued the grounded take on Billy’s tough life as an orphan and how the power of Shazam extended to all of his foster siblings, taking things farther by infecting him with Joker-fueled evil for the grim “Year of the Villain” storytline.
Along the way, that early whimsical magic of Shazam has been entirely lost. He transformed from an even more optimistic infringement on Superman to a kid goofing off in a cruel adult world. The point of his stories stopped being bright-eyed wonder and became about Billy’s continued loss of innocence in the adult world of superheroes.
In 2023, Shazam finally escaped from the reverberations of Geoff John’s two decade grip on his continuity to launch under the pen of Mark Waid, an author known for injecting youthful properties with a renewed sense of joy.
- Where to Start Reading
- Fawcett-Era Captain Marvel Comics (1940-1953)
- WHIZ Comics (1940) #2-144 (Feb 1940- Jun 1943)
- Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #1-150 (Spring 1941 – Nov 1952)
- America’s Greatest Comics (1941) #1-8 (Nov 1941 – June 1943)
- Master Comics (1940) #21-133 (Dec 1941 – Apr 1953)
- Captain Marvel, Jr. (1942) #1-119 (Nov 1942 – Jun 1953)
- Wow Comics (1940) #9-57 (Dec 1942 – Jun 1947)
- Mary Marvel (1945) #1-28 (Dec 1945 – Sep 1948)
- The Marvel Family (1945) #1-89 (Dec 1945 – Jan 1954)
- Captain Marvel Storybook (1946) #1-4 (Summer 1946 – 1949)
- Shazam of Earth-S (1973-1985)
- Shazam! (1973) #1-35 (Feb 1973 – June 1978)
- All-New Collectors’ Edition (1978) #C-58 – Superman vs. Shazam! (May 1978)
- World’s Finest Comics (1941) #253-270 & 272-282 (Nov 1978 – Aug 1982)
- DC Comics Presents (1978) #33-34, 49, & Annual 3 (Jun – Jul 1981, Sep 1982, & Sep 1984)
- in Adventure Comics (1938) #491-492 (Sept – Oct 1982)
- in All-Star Squadron (1981) & Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985)
- Post-Crisis Shazam (1986-2011)
- in the 80s & 90s
- Shazam!: The New Beginning (1987) #1-4
- The Power of SHAZAM (1994) OGN
- Debut in Legends (1986) #1-6
- in Justice League (1987) #1-6 & Justice League International (1987) #7
- in Action Comics Weekly (1938) #623-626
- in War of the Gods (1991)
- Superman’s Pal in Triangle-Era Superman & Zero Hour
- The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #1-47, Annual 1, & One Million (Mar 1995 – Mar 1999)
- in JLA (1997) “Crisis Times Five”
- Day of Judgment (1999) #1-5 (Nov 1999)
- Shazam! Power of Hope (2000) OGN
- in the JSA and the 00s
- in the 80s & 90s
- Post-Flashpoint Shazam
- New 52 (2011 – 2016)
- DC Rebirth (2016 – present)
- DC Universe Rebirth (2016) #1
- Shazam! (2019) #1-15 (Dec 2018 – Sep 2020)
- in Year of the Villain (2019)
- Shazam!: Lightning Strikes (2020) #1-2 (Jul 2020)
- Infinite Frontier
- Shazam! (2021) #1-4 by Tim Sheridan (Jul – Oct 2021)
- The New Champion of Shazam! (2022) #1-4 by Josie Campbell & Evan Shaner
- Lazarus Planet (2023) [various] (Jan 2023 – April 2023)
- Dawn of DC
- Shazam! (2023) #1-(TBA) by Mark Waid, Dan Mora, Josie Campbell, & Emanuela Lupacchino (May 2023 – ongoing)
- Non-Continuity Shazam! Comics
- Including:
- Superman/Shazam: First Thunder (2005) #1-4
- Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil (2007) #1-4
- Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! (2008) #1-21 & Mind Over Matter OGN
- Shazam! Thundercrack
- Including:
Patreons make this page possible! Every month, Patrons of Crushing Krisis help to fund its hosting, helper applications, video production, and more! Every dollar contributed by Patrons goes directly to helping sustain and grow this site.
Join the Crushing On Crushing Krisis mailing list for a notice whenever this page is updated with new collections – plus, a not-more-than-weekly ping about new comics content.
Where to Start Reading Shazam!
There are two perfect places to start reading Shazam, each with some added material you can include in your read if you want a glimpse of the wider DC Universe.
If you want to read Shazam from his origin in current continuity (which is closely mirrored in his movies), you want to start from his origin in Justice League (2011). You won’t actually be reading Justice League stories. Shazam’s revitalized origin tale was told in a series of back-up stories and one-shot fill-in issues over the course of a year of Justice League.
You can either continue in him joining the League and serving as a member through 2016 in the reading order, or skip straight to his first solo series in Shazam! (2019) #1-15 and follow the reading order from there.
If you are less concerned with current continuity and want a long, satisfying story, you should read Shazam’s post-Crisis origin story and his long-running solo series, both by Jerry Ordway and both titled “The Power of SHAZAM!” There are actually several years of appearances that fit between that origin and the start of his series, so if you want to read all of them you can start from the beginning of the Post-Crisis reading order. However, if you want a story concentrated on Billy Batson and Mary Marvel and their lives as both children and adults, stick with Ordway’s series.
I’d love to recommend that everyone begin reading Shazam with his delightful Golden Age comics! Unfortunately, DC has never collected them comprehensively in any format.
Fawcett-Era Captain Marvel Comics
A note on collections of Fawcett-Era Shazam: Due to the many intricacies of copyright rules on comic books as publications, it is possible for companies other than DC to publish collected editions of Golden Age Fawcett material.
I have researched some of the most common of those collections for this guide and I have decided against including them for two reasons.
First, the collections have widely varying print quality. They assembled by independence comic publishers from comic book scans that people have painstakingly made for preservationist purposes, but some of those scans were of low-condition books and many of them were not made at print resolution.
Second, the collections are effectively unverifiable. Many are sold only via Amazon’s Print-on-Demand service, so while they do have ISBNs they were never “in print” and cannot be purchased elsewhere on the internet. They do not have solicits, interior page samples, or digital copies. Often their front covers and book descriptions don’t even mention their issue ranges. I pride myself on only sharing the most-accurate information on Crushing Comics, which I verify personally.
That all said: buying one of these collections can be a fun way to have a physical copy of Golden Age material! You can search Amazon for “Ultimate Captain Marvel” to see some examples. Understand that buying one of those books nets you the same result as downloading a scan of one of these out-of-print, tenuously-copyrighted comics.
Click to expand a list of Fawcett-Era comic series featuring Captain Marvel and Captain Marvel FamilyShazam of DC’s Earth-S (1973 – 1986)
DC licensed Captain Marvel and other Fawcett characters for a 1970s revival in the first series title “Shazam.” These stories were told on Earth-S, a world where Captain Marvel and his family were the only heroes. Later, in the early 80s, DC would purchase the characters outright and incorporate them more tightly into DC continuity – only to erase Earth-S in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Shazam! (1973) #1-35 (Feb 1973 – June 1978)
in a 2018 hardcover reprint series…
#1-18: Shazam! The World’s Mightiest Mortal Vol. 1 (2019 hardcover, ISBN 978-1401288396 / digital)
Collects only the cover of issue #8, an all-reprint issue.
#19-20 & 25-35: Shazam! The World’s Mightiest Mortal Vol. 2 (2020 hardcover, ISBN 978-1779501172 / digital)
Collects Shazam! (1973) #19-20 & 25-35, covers from #21-24 (all-reprint issues) as well as the “vs Superman” story from All-New Collectors’ Edition (1978) #C-58.
in a single black-and-white Showcase volume…
#1-33: Showcase Presents: Shazam! Vol. 1 (2006 b&w paperback, ISBN 978-1401210892)
Collects Shazam! (1973) #1-33. I’m unclear on if it only collects covers from the reprint issues, or all of the reprints within.
as previously collected…
#1 & 14: Shazam!: The Greatest Stories Ever Told (2008 paperback, ISBN 978-1401216740)
Collects Adventures in the DC Universe (1997) #15, Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #1 (AKA 2), 137, & 148, DC Comics Presents (1978) Annual 3, L.E.G.I.O.N. (1989) #31, The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #33, Shazam! (1973) #1 & 14, Superman (1939) #276, WHIZ Comics (1940) #2 (and maybe also The Marvel Family (1945) #21 & 85?)
#1 & 29: Shazam!: A Celebration of 75 Years (2015 hardcover, ISBN 978-1401255381 / digital)
Collects Action Comics (1938) #768, Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #18, 38-39, 137-138, Captain Marvel Jr. (1942) #12, DC Comics Presents (1978) #49, JSA (1999) #48, Justice League (2011) #21, L.E.G.I.O.N. (1989) #31, Shazam! (1973) #1 & 29, Shazam!: The Monster Society of Evil (2007) #2, Superman (1939) #276, The Marvel Family (1945) #1, The Power of SHAZAM! (1994) #1-2 & 33, Whiz Comics (1940) #2 & 21, and World’s Finest Comics (1941) #275
#1, 9, 19, & 25-26: SHAZAM! From The 40’s To The 70’s (1977 hardcover, ISBN 978-0517531273)
Collects material from Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #18, 22, 34, 46, 59, 79, 82, 100, 125, & 130; Captain Marvel, Jr. (1942) #12, 17, 18, & 119; Marvel Family (1945) #1-2, 10, & 86; Mary Marvel (1945) #8 & 25; Shazam! (1973) #1, 9, 19, & 25-26, and WHIZ Comics (1940) #2, 15, & 25
#9: DC Goes Ape (2008 paperback, ISBN 978-1401219352)
#10: reprinted in Adventure Comics (1938) #498
In this period in December 1976 in Justice League of America (1960) #137 and in April 1978 in Amazing World of DC Comics (1974) #17.
Issues #1-8, 12-17, and 21-24 of this title also reprinted past material, as did several issues of Limited Collectors’ Edition (1973). Click to expand the list of reprinted material
All-New Collectors’ Edition (1978) #C-58 – Superman vs. Shazam! (May 1978)
Shazam! The World’s Mightiest Mortal Vol. 2 (2020 hardcover, ISBN 978-1779501172 / digital)
Collects Shazam! (1973) #19-20 & 25-35, covers from #21-24, and All-New Collectors’ Edition #C-58.
Superman vs. Shazam (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1779509093 / digital)
Collects Superman #216, The Power of Shazam! #46, Kingdom Come #4, DC Comics Presents #33-34, 49, & Annual 3, and All-New Collectors’ Edition (1978) #C-58.
World’s Finest Comics (1941) #253-270 & 272-282 (Nov 1978 – Aug 1982)
#253-270 & 272-282: Shazam! The World’s Mightiest Mortal Vol. 3 (2021 hardcover, ISBN 978-1779509468 / digital)
Material from World’s Finest Comics (1941) #253-270 and 272-282, and Adventure Comics (1938) #491-492
After this period in August 1980 in The Super Friends (1976) #35
DC Comics Presents (1978) #33-34, 49, & Annual 3 (Jun – Jul 1981, Sep 1982, & Sep 1984)
Annual 3 is a cross-universe team-up between Superman and Shazam.
#33-34, 49, & Annual 3: Superman vs. Shazam (2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1779509093 / digital)
Collects Superman #216, The Power of Shazam! #46, Kingdom Come #4, DC Comics Presents #33-34, 49, & Annual 3, and All-New Collectors’ Edition (1978) #C-58.
Shazam in Adventure Comics (1938) #491-492 (Sept – Oct 1982)
#491-492: Shazam! The World’s Mightiest Mortal Vol. 3 (2021 hardcover, ISBN 978-1779509468 / digital)
Material from World’s Finest Comics (1941) #253-270 and 272-282, and Adventure Comics (1938) #491-492
Then, issue #495 reprints Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #141, #498 reprints Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #138, #499 reprints Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #79 & 143, and #502 reprints Captain Marvel Adventures (1941) #143
Also in this period, in September 1982 DC Comics Presents (1978) #49. Later, in April 1984: Action Comics (1938) #554.
Shazam in All-Star Squadron (1981) & Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985)
All-Star Squadron (1981) #36-37: See Guide to Justice Society of America (JSA). Hitler kidnaps Billy from the comic book reality of Earth-S to be his ubermensch. This is recapped in brief in All-Star Squadron (1981) #38.
In Justice League of America (1960) #232, one of the final Pre-Crisis “Multiple Earths” stories has our heroes briefly glimpse Earth-S on a trip through the multiverse.
All-Star Squadron (1981) #51-52: See Guide to Justice Society of America (JSA). This story of the All-Star Squadron fighting the Monster Society echoes one of Captain Marvel’s most-classic Golden Age stories. A handful of the Squadron briefly cross over to Earth-S. In #53, Mr. Mind flees Earth-Two and winds up on Earth-S, on which we see a non-continuity image of Shazam for emphasis.
Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985) #6-7 & 10-12: See Guide to DC Events – Crisis on Infinite Earths. Shazam and the Marvel family are present for the merge multiple Earths in issue #6, where he faces off against Supergirl and the Titans (thinking they mean to destroy his Earth). Luckily, he knows the All-Star Squadron from their recent meet-ups, which leads to an alliance in issue #7. He is one of many heroes fighting enemy forces on a page of issue #10, briefly on a merged Earth full of all possible heroes in #11, and briefly in the final battle in issue #12.
DC Challenge (1985) #5-7 & 9-12: See Guide to DC Universe Events – DC Challenge. This pre-Crisis event maxi-series features a version of Billy Batson who is explicitly based on another Earth (and who has his button-eyed Golden Age appearance), who in issue #5 follows Doctor Fate from the Rock of Eternity to Rann while Earth continuities are mixed up. He is briefly in #6 and cameos in a montage panel in #7, 9, & 11-12, with a few scenes of #10.
Secret Origins (1986) #3: This is explicitly a pre-Crisis origin with Billy Batson based in Fawcett city on an Earth without other heroes.
After Crisis, Last Days of the Justice Society Special (1986) Special shows Captain Marvel in a montage of former allies of the team. Action Comics (1938) #583 is an “imaginary Superman story” that is also technically Superman’s final pre-Crisis story. Billy makes a blink-and-you-miss-it Shazam cameo despite not existing in the main Earth continuity of Pre-Crisis Superman. (It can’t be post-Crisis, because he is working beside Wonder Woman, who isn’t part of the heroic community at the beginning of post-Crisis continuity.)
Also in this period, the continuity-lite Super Powers (1986) #1-4
This Earth-S Captain Marvel was later revived for The Multiversity: Guidebook (2015) #1 and Convergence Shazam (2015) #1-2
Post-Crisis Shazam Reading Order
Shazam!: The New Beginning (1987) #1-4
Though this mini-series was released after Legends, it is the new Post-Crisis origin of a 15-year-old Billy Batson starting from the death of his parents – which makes it the first Captain Marvel story in this continuity (which includes his first clash with Black Adam).
#1-4: Shazam: A New Beginning 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (2017 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1401274849 / digital)
Collects Shazam!: The New Beginning (1987) #1-4 and the Captain Marvel stories from Action Comics [Weekly] (1938) #623-626.
The Power of SHAZAM (1994) OGN
This 1994 Jerry Ordway origin redux skips over the death of Billy’s parents and his home life, but alters some elements of his first meeting with the Wizard Shazam. It does not change any of the subsequent adventures, but it does set up the introduction of Mary Marvel – conspicuously missing from DC Continuity from 1987 to 1994.
OGN (1994 paperback, ISBN 978-1563891533)
OGN: The Power of SHAZAM! Book 1: In the Beginning (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1401299415 / digital)
Collects Superman & Batman Magazine (1993) #4, The Power of SHAZAM! (1994) OGN & The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #1-12. Underworld Unleashed occurs during issue #10.
Shazam’s DC Universe Debut in Legends (1986) #1-6
This event series was created as a showcase of Post-Crisis continuity. In the opening scenes, Darkseid and Desaas refer to “legends” of Earth who have interfered with Darkseid’s plans in the past – Martian Manhunter, Flash, Shazam, Batman, Hal Jordan as Green Lantern, and Superman. (Later in this story, we see that it is Wally who is the current Flash.)
In the first issue, Billy forsakes his heroic identity after thinking he’s harmed someone in battle. In the final scenes, returned to the field of battle he is present for the debut of Post-Crisis Wonder Woman in the heroic community and the formation of the new Justice League!
#1-6: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Legends. Billy appears only in flashback in #3 and cameos in #4 before returning to the action in #5-6.
Also in this period: In The Fury of Firestorm (1982) #58-59, we see a glimpse of Darkseid’s plans for Legends that shows a non-continuity image of the Captain. History of the DC Universe (1986) #2 briefly refers to the events of Legends and the formation of the Justice League, and the final scenes of #6 are recapped in Wonder Woman (1987) #8.
Justice League (1987) #1-6 & Justice League International (1987) #7
Captain Marvel is one of the core of the new Justice League and part of the action in every issue. He hero-worships Batman and his friendly demeanor continually comes into conflict with the nard-nosed Guy Gardner (who refers to him as “Captain Whitebread”). This comes to a head with an internal struggle over his relative inexperience in issue #6, which leads him to turn down an invite as the League goes international in issue #7.
Justice League (1987) #1-6 & Justice League International (1987) #7: See Guide to Justice League.
Adventures of Superman (1987) #442: See Guide to Superman (Post-Crisis, 1987 – Present). Billy is one of many heroes to come the aid of Superman in battling a power-devouring entity (and, seemingly, one of the few heroes who can stand up to it). Martian Manhunter reflects on their time in the League, which places this after he departs.
In The Fury of Firestorm (1982) #63, the Captain appears in the corner of brief reaction panel from the League (maybe mid-tussle in issue #1?), and in reprinted Justice League material in Batman and Other DC Classics (1989) #1. A pin-up in Action Comics (1938) #600 seems to represent this entire period. Adventures of Superman (1987) shows him in a non-continuity montage of the many super-powered beings on Earth. Later, in the “Year One” event in Justice League America (1989) Annual 9, we see a story from Captain’s period on the team, but he only cameos briefly.
Shazam in Action Comics Weekly (1938) #623-626
Bill deals with the very adult ramifications of his powers and fights present-day Nazis in his first Post-Crisis solo feature in Action Comics brief run as a non-Superman anthology title.
#623-626: Shazam: A New Beginning 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition (2017 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1401274849 / digital)
Collects Shazam!: The New Beginning (1987) #1-4 and the Captain Marvel stories from Action Comics [Weekly] (1938) #623-626.
Also in this period: Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #50 contains a story tributing Shazam’s creator with a winking cameo reference. In Books of Magic (1990) #4, the Captain is one of many heroes in the background of the story fighting a magical war.
Shazam in War of the Gods (1991)
Zeus pulls Billy Batson into this intra-pantheon conflict as his champion to battle Wonder Woman in issue #1 (and in flashback in Wonder Woman #59). The cataclysmic battle briefly blips him across the universe where he fights Lobo in L.E.G.I.O.N (which we also glimpse in Captain Atom #57). This leads to a cameo of an inert Billy in issue #3, and a significant origin recap from the Wizard Shazam in issue #4 before the Captain re-enters the climactic fray. He cameos in the background of Wonder Woman #63, reminder her he remains an ally (by way of apology).
War of the Gods (1991) #1 & 3-4: See Guide to DC Universe Events – War of the Gods.
In War of the Gods (1991) #1, L.E.G.I.O.N. (1989) #31, Wonder Woman (1987) #59, Captain Atom (1987) #57, War of the Gods (1991) #3, War of the Gods (1991) #4, Wonder Woman (1987) #62
Superman’s Pal Shazam in Triangle-Era Superman & Zero Hour in 1992-1994
Panic in the Sky: See Guide to Superman (Post-Crisis, 1987 – Present). The Captain appears in chapters 2-6 of “Panic In the Sky,” a signature Braniac story. He skips the first chapter in Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #9, then is in Superman (1987) #65, Adventures of Superman (1987) #488, Action Comics (1938) #675, Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #10, and Superman (1987) #66, plus he cameos wordlessly in two issues of epilogue in Adventures of Superman (1987) #489 and . He is one of many heroes who answers (with his typical optimism) Superman’s call to turn back an invasion in Superman #65 and is a part of the action throughout, though it is not plot significant for him.
Eclipso: The Darkness Within: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Eclipso: The Darkness Within. In Action Comics (1938) Annual 4, the Captain is the sole hero with the strength to combat a rampaging Superman, in a nice bit of action.
The Death & Return of Superman: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Death of Superman. All of these appearances are only slightly more than cameos. The Captain is on the cover of Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #20, but not the interior. We briefly see him arrive at a post-funeral meeting of heroes in Superman (1987) #76. Later, in Action Comics (1938) #690 he is a voice of reason in a group of heroes assembling to oppose Eradicator. And, briefly in Action Comics (1938) #692 briefly commenting on behalf of the Justice League Taskforce (for some reason) in the wake of tragedy. He is on the cover the final episode in Superman (1987) #83, but only in the deep, deep background of a few panels in the interior.
Also in this period: in Supergirl (1994) #1, a panel of flashback to “Panic in the Sky.” in Adventures of Superman (1987) #494, a speculative flash forward to oppose a Superman who decides to rule the world. In The Superman Gallery (1993) #1, a pin-up issue. In Spawn (1992) #10, his family arm as an unsanctioned cameo in a hall of captive cross-company heroes. Also, a pin-up in the at-times raunchy Amazing Heroes Swimsuit Special (1990) #3. Finally, shortly after Zero Hour in Guy Gardner: Warrior (1994) #29 as one of scores of heroes at a party.
Zero Hour (1994): See Guide to DC Universe Events – Zero Hero. The Captain arrives in issue #3 to support Superman in his call for all heroes and then wordlessly in issue #2 in one panel of a group of heroes returning from a mission. He is shown on the timeline at the end of #0, confirming his new origin remains intact (alongside Wonder Woman’s).
The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #1-47, Annual 1, & One Million (Mar 1995 – Mar 1999)
Superman auteur Jerry Ordway launches Shazam’s first main-continuity DC ongoing with artists Peter Krause and Mike Manley. Because Billy has to stay in his hero form for the majority of his DC appearances, the prior eight years offered scant glimpses of his life as a child. This series focuses entirely on his dual-role as teenage orphan and adult hero. It also introduces other members of the Marvel Family, beginning in #3-4 with Mary Marvel, and then Freddy AKA Captain Marvel Jr. in #6-7.
Before the start of his series, in Adventures of Superman (1987) #522 contributing to the clean-up of Metropolis alongside Superman. Sometime in his first few issues, he is one of many heroes to receive a Justice League Communicator in a panel of Justice League America (1989) #100. [DC Universe Infinite]
#1-12: The Power of SHAZAM! Book 1: In the Beginning (2020 paperback, ISBN 978-1401299415 / digital)
Collects Superman & Batman Magazine (1993) #4, The Power of SHAZAM! (1994) OGN & The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #1-12. Underworld Unleashed occurs during issue #10.
Superman (1987) #102: An adorable full-issue team-up on Mother’s Day that occurs after Billy gets his radio show back on the air, after issue #4 and concurrent to issue #5 (per a note in that issue).
Underworld Unleashed (1995): See Guide to DC Universe Events – Underworld Unleashed. The Captain appears in an issue-long team-up in The Flash (1987) #107 sometime before his own issue #9, then from his issue #9 is directly in a crowd of heroes in Underworld Unleashed (1995) #2, and prominently as part of the resolution of Underworld Unleashed (1995) #3. His own issue #10 occurs concurrently (in which he does not make a continuity appearance). He then returns in issue #1.
Green Lantern (1990) #72: See Guide to Kyle Rayner, Green Lantern & Ion. This single-issue team up happens between issues #12-13.
Superman: The Man of Tomorrow (1995) #4: A full-issue team-up that likely also fits in the break between #12-13. Action Comics (1938) #720 has a panel of flashback to this issue.
Legends of the Dead Earth: An out-of-continuity annual event. See Guide to DC Universe Events – Legends of the Dead Earth. Captain Marvel appears in Justice League America (1989) Annual 10 and The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) Annual 1. His annual released between issues #14-15.
#13-23 & Annual 1: The Power of Shazam! Book 2: The Worm Turns (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1779521743 / digital)
Collects The Power of Shazam! (1995) #13-23 & Annual 1, “Playing with Fire” from Showcase ’96, Superboy Plus #1, Supergirl Plus (1997) #1, and Superman: The Man of Tomorrow (1996) #4,
Also in this period: Likely before Final Night, in Justice League: A Midsummer’s Nightmare (1996) #2-3 shows Captain Marvel as one of many heroes incidentally affected by the Justice League’s mission. After Final Night, as one of many heroes covering for a powerless Superman in Superman: The Wedding Album (1996) #1 (and in flashback to this period in a brief back-up story cameo in Superman: Secret Files (1998) #1).
Final Night (1996): See Guide to DC Universe Events – Final Night. This fits on either side of issue #20, which is a tie-in to this event. All three Marvels first appear in crowd of heroes in Final Night (1996) #1 (and from another angle on the same meeting in single panel cameos in Legion of Super-Heroes (1989) #86 and The Flash (1987) #119). Then they are in issue #20. Then, Captain cameos on his own in #4 and while attending the funeral in Green Lantern (1990) #81.
Supergirl Plus (1997) #1: A full-issue Mary Marvel team-up, likely between #22-23.
#24-31: Not collected
Also in this period, in Flash/Green Lantern: Faster Friends (1997) #2 in the background fighting an alien invasion somewhere around issue #24. Similarly in JLA Secret Files (1997) #1.
Genesis (1997): See Guide to DC Universe Events – Genesis. The Captain appears in all four issues of this event mini-series. After issue #1, his issue #31 is a tie-in.
Captain Marvel’s full Genesis reading order is The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #31 (though some scenes in Genesis #1 come first), Genesis (1997) #1, Starman (1994) #3, Genesis (1997) #2, Superman (1987) #128, Adventures of Superman (1987) #551, Jack Kirby’s Fourth World (1997) #8, Genesis (1997) #3, Genesis (1997) #4, Superboy & The Ravers (1996) #14, Wonder Woman (1987) #126
#32-34: Not collected, except #33 in Shazam!: The Greatest Stories Ever Told (2008 paperback, ISBN 978-1401216740)
#34-36 in “Lightning and Stars”: A crossover through Starman (1994) #39, The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #35, Starman (1994) #40, The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #36. This is collected along with Starman’s series.
#37: Not collected
GirlFrenzy: Starman: The Mist (1998) #1: Stars Mary Marvel, likely between #37-38.
Wonder Woman: Donna Troy (1998) #1 features the Captain as part of a battle alongside Wonder Woman, likely also between #37-38. Then, sometime after Lightning and Stars, in Lobo (1993) #50 as part of a large crowd of heroes trying to wrangle Lobo.
#38-41: Not collected. “The Monster Society of Evil”
JLA: World Without Grown-Ups (1998) #1-2: See Guide to Justice League. This has some interesting points to make about whether or not Bill is actually an adult while he is Shazam. This occurs either prior to #42 or after #44
Likely prior to #42 in Green Lantern (1990) #101
#42-47: Not collected. Because of Shazam’s status in this story, any stories in the same period must happen or before or after this run – not during.
#1,000,000 AKA 1 Million: See Guide to DC Universe Events – One Million for collection information. This issue served as an act-break between #43-44.
Adventure Comics 80-Page Giant (1998) #1: A story where Billy glimpses an alternate timeline can easy be read either before #42 or after the end of his series. [I think it’s easier to read it afterwards.]
In JLA/Titans (1998) #1, Captain Junior is one of the many young heroes kidnapped, and we very briefly see Billy and Mary reacting and joining the search.
DCU Heroes Secret Files (1999) #1: The Captain anchors the A-Story and also appears in a Wildcat/Captain Marvel team-up story later in the issue.
Also non-continuity appearances in The Lobo Gallery: Portraits of a Bastich (1995) #1, in a fantasy sequence in Showcase ’96 (1996) #10, DC Versus Marvel/Marvel Versus DC (1996) #1-4, Sergio Aragones Destroys DC (1996) #1, Wonder Woman Gallery (1996), DC/Marvel: All Access (1996) #1, in Lex Luthor’s fantasy of ruling the world in Superman (1987) #120, JLA Gallery (1997), Genesis (1997) Preview, as a background gag at a wedding in Savage Dragon (1993) #41. In Wonder Woman Secret Files (1998) #1 as a recap of War of the Gods. In JLA in Crisis Secret Files (1998) #1 in back-up profile pages and event summaries. In Legion of Super-Heroes (1989) #110 in a summary of Billy’s superhero origin by a future Captain Marvel. Legends of the DC Universe 3-D Gallery (1998) #1.
Shazam continues in JLA (1997) Crisis Times Five
JLA (1997) #28-31: “Crisis Times Five” -See Guide to Justice League. In #28, Captain Marvel receive an ominous warning from the Wizard that leads him into the fray in the subsequent issues.
Oracle looks at a TINY file photo of the Captain on her computer in #27. He’s seen in flashback in Young Justice 80-Page Giant (1999) #1. In flashback to Crisis inThe Flash (1987) #150
Day of Judgment (1999) #1-5 (Nov 1999)
Day of Judgment (1999) #1-5: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Day of Judgment. Billy and Mary are pulled into this event via the closing panels of Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. (1999) #3 on a field trip to Blue Valley, where they are with Stargirl in Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. (1999) #4 and during the event. Captain Marvel is a major player throughout the event.
After Day of Judgment, in Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. (1999) #8, scores of heroes respond to a problem in Blue Valley in a double-page spread. In Secret Files & Origins Guide to the DC Universe 2000 (2000) #1, Billy and Mary are two of the heroes glimpsed in tour of DC heroes. Captain Marvel is one of many heroes responding to a global threat in cameos in JLA (1997) #39 & 41
In Sins of Youth, Captain Marvel is one of many adult heroes to cameo to confront Young Justice in Young Justice: Sins of Youth (2000) #1-2, Sins of Youth: JLA Jr. (2000) #1, and Sins of Youth Secret Files (2000) #1. Shortly after, he cameos in Young Justice (1998) #20. Later, in Supermen of America (2000) #5 Captain Marvel is one of scores of defeated heroes.
The Flash (1987) #162: See Guide to Flash. This is both a team-up and a race!
Action Comics (1938) #768: A Superman team-up with the entire Marvel family.
Then, in Green Lantern: Circle of Fire (2000) #1 Oracle observes Captain Marvel in action on a screen. In Titans Secret Files (1999) #2, we see the Marvel Family on a screen and in a continuity-lite college apartment party.
Shazam! Power of Hope (2000) OGN by Paul Dini & Alex Ross
A continuity-lite classic story written by Paul Dini with art by Alex Ross about Captain Marvel doing good deeds for some children in his city.
Power of Hope (2000 paperback, ISBN 978-1563897450 / 2023 hardcover, ISBN 78-1779521484 / digital)
This is routinely recollected with a Dini/Ross collection called The World’s Greatest Super-Heroes (hardcover / paperback / absolute / 2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1779527660, digital / 2024 Absolute slipcased oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1779526311)
Shazam in JSA (1999)
Orion (2000) #12-13: In the middle of a reporting gig, Billy leaps through a sudden portal to Apokolips, where he briefly explores in issue #12 and assists Orion in issue #12.
In JLA: Act of God (2000) #2-3, as Billy Batson unable to transform due to the events of the story.
#26-27: See Guide to Justice Society of America (JSA). These issues have Captain Marvel confronting new member Black Adam.
In JLA: Incarnations (2001) #4 in a montage of recounted action and #7 as one of many heroes in action around the world.
Our Worlds at War: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Our Worlds at War. Captain Marvel appears in Wonder Woman: Our Worlds at War (2001) #1 in flashback to meeting Diana in Legends and then cameos in Superman: The Man of Steel (1991) #117 and Action Comics (1938) #782 to support Superman and react to the action.
After Our Worlds at War: In Impulse (1995) #78 as one of many heroes at Impulse’s bedside. In JLA (1997) #58, barely visible in a pile of defeated heroes. Possibly also after Last Laugh, in Supergirl (1996) #65 as one of many heroes summoned by Supergirl to a protest.
Joker: Last Laugh: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Joker: Last Laugh. In Wonder Woman (1987) #175, as one of many background heroes and later reacting to Diana’s fight with Superman.
#33: See Guide to Justice Society of America (JSA)
#34-37: “Stealing Thunder” – See Guide to Justice Society of America (JSA)
After Stealing Thunder: JLA (1997) #69, JLA: Secret Origins (2002) OGN SC, JLA/JSA: Virtue and Vice (2002) OGN, JLA/JSA Secret Files and Origins (2003) #1
#41-47, 50-52, 54, 57 (& Hawkman (2002) #23-25), & 59: See Guide to Justice Society of America (JSA)
JLA (1997) #112-113: See Guide to Justice League. A team-up between the two teams. (We glimpse a panel of the aftermath of this story in Wonder Woman (1987) #210)
Also in this period: Wonder Woman (1987) #188, Action Comics (1938) #802 & 804, Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day (2003) #3, Formerly Known as the Justice League (2003) #1, JLA-Z (2003) #1-2, JLA: Liberty and Justice (2003) OGN, Doctor Fate (2003) #3, Superman/Batman (2003) #4, Adventures of Superman (1987) #623, Birds of Prey (1999) #62, The Flash (1987) #205, Justice League of America: Another Nail (2004) #3, Identity Crisis (2004) #1 & 5, Superman/Batman (2003) #13, Firestorm (2004) #6, Birds of Prey (1999) #79
During this period, non-continuity appearances in In JLA Secret Files (1997) #3, a reflection on the original Post-Crisis Justice League. In JLA: Act of God (2000) #2-3, as Billy Batson unable to transform. In cameo in Nightwing (1996) #52 in a non-continuity dream. In Hourman (1999) #24 in a montage of Dr. Fate’s visions. In Starman (1994) #75, a flashback montage of Starman’s many team-ups, JLA: Go.s and Monsters (2001) #1, and Avengers/JLA (2003) #3-4.
Day of Vengeance (2005) and Infinite Crisis (2005)
Countdown to Infinite Crisis (2005) #1:See Guide to DC Universe Events – Infinite Crisis
Lightning Strikes Twice: in Action Comics (1938) #826, Adventures of Superman (1987) #639, Superman (1987) #216
Day of Vengeance (2005) #1-6: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Infinite Crisis
JSA (1999) #73-75: “Black Vengeance” occurs between Day of Vengeance #1-2. See Guide to Justice Society of America (JSA)
JSA (1999) #77-78 & 80: See Guide to Justice Society of America (JSA)
Infinite Crisis Countdown (2006) OGN SC: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Infinite Crisis. Captain Marvel appears in Infinite Crisis (2005) #1-2 & 7, Day of Vengeance (2005) Infinite Crisis Special, Infinite Crisis Secret Files 2006 (2006) #1:
Also in this period in JLA: Classified (2005) #3, 5, 8-9, Action Comics (1938) #829, and Justice (2005) #1 & 5-10, JLA (1997) #120, Gotham Central (2003) #37, Plastic Man (2004) #19-20, Bizarro World (2005) OGN, Firestorm (2004) #22, Seven Soldiers: Mister Miracle (2005) #4
Shazam in 52 (2006) & 52 – World War III (2007)
This period overlaps the next series, Trials of Shazam
#5-6, 10, 12, 16, 43, 45, 50 and 52 – World War III (2007) #1-2 & 4: See Guide to DC Universe Events – 52. World War III occurs entirely during issue #50
Also in this period: DCU: Brave New World (2006) #1, Superman (1939) #653, Justice League of America (2006) #0
The Trials of Shazam (2006) #1-12
#1-12: The Trials of Shazam: The Complete Series (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1401292294 / digital)
#1-6: Vol. 1 (2007 paperback, ISBN 978-1401213312 / digital)
#7-12: Vol. 2 (2008 paperback, ISBN 978-1401218294 / digital)
Also in this period: Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters (2006) #2, Wonder Woman (2006) #3, and Teen Titans (2003) Annual 1, The Helmet of Fate: Detective Chimp (2007) #1, Blue Beetle (2006) #13, Justice League of America (2006) #7
Shazam in Countdown (2007)
#45, 44, 43, 20: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Countdown
Also in this period: Amazons Attack (2007) #3, Black Adam: The Dark Age (2007) #1-2 & 4-5, Booster Gold (2007) #1, Countdown to Mystery (2007) #1, JLA: Classified (2005) #44-45
Also in this period, out of continuity in: Mortal Kombat Vs. DC Universe ”Beginnings” (2008) #1
Blackest Night: The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #48
The Power of SHAZAM! (1995) #48: See Guide to DC Universe Events – Blackest Night
Between Countdown and Blackest Night in Supergirl and the Legion of Super-Heroes (2006) #36, Booster Gold (2007) #6, Death of the New Gods (2007) #5, Superman (1939) #674, DC Universe (2008) #0, Reign in Hell (2008) #2, Justice Society of America (2007) #24, DCU Halloween Special ’09 (2009) #1, Booster Gold (2007) #26, Justice League: Cry for Justice (2009) #5, DC Holiday Special ’09 (2010) #1
Between Blackest Night and Flashpoint in JSA All-Stars (2010) #4, Justice Society of America (2007) #39, Zatanna (2010) #1, Brightest Day: The Atom Special (2010) #1, DCU: Legacies (2010) #5-6 & 8-10, Green Lantern Corps (2006) #54
Shazam! (2011) #1
The now-powerless Billy Batson and Mary Marvel are offered a literal deal with the devil to regain their powers. The story continues to Titans (2008) #32-33.
#1: Titans: Family Reunion (2011 paperback, ISBN 978-1401232931)
Also collects Titans (2008) #28-32 (and maybe also #33). See Guide to Teen Titans for more information.
Flashpoint: See DC Universe Events – Flashpoint. In FCBD 2011 Green Lantern Flashpoint Special Edition (2011) #1, Flashpoint (2011) #4 and Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost (2011) #3
Also in this period: Starman/Congorilla (2011) #1, Justice League of America (2006) #54
Also in this period, DC Universe Online: Legends (2011) #12-13, 23, 25-26
Post-Flashpoint Shazam Reading Order (2011 – Present)
The Return of Shazam in Justice League (2011)
The first arc of this relaunched, post-Flashpoint Justice League was set 5 years before the present day of New 52 and established the founding membership of the League in this new continuity. It did not include Captain Marvel, as it did Post-Crisis.
Then, starting in issue #7-11, Geoff Johns and Gary Frank began a reboot of Captain Marvel’s origin in back-up stories to each issue, which continued to the full story in issue #0 (released after #12) then back to back-ups in #14-16 & 18-20 before resolving in another full-issue story in #21.
Shazam!
(2014 paperback, 978-1401246990 / digital / ISBN 2019 “Origins” paperback, ISBN 978-1401287894 / digital / 2020 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1779506849 / digital)
Collects Shazam material from Justice League (2011) #7-11 (2nd stories), 0, 14-16 (2nd stories), 18-2o (2nd stories), & 21. Also, see Guide to Justice League.
Trinity War: See Guide to Justice League. In Justice League (2011) #19-21, then Justice League (2011) #22, Justice League of America (2013) #6, Justice League Dark (2011) #22, Constantine (2013) #5, then out of action until a return in Trinity of Sin: Pandora (2013) #3, Justice League Dark (2011) #23, Justice League (2011) #23
Shazam meets the heroic world in Forever Evil (2013)
Justice League of America (2013) #7.4: See Guide to Justice League. A “Villain Month” issue focused on Black Adam, who had debuted in Shazam’s Justice League back-ups.
Forever Evil: See Guide to DC Universe – New 52 Era. Forever Evil (2013) #3 implies that Captain Marvel is one of many heroes stuck outside of reality, which is how Martian Manhunter and Star-Girl encounter him in issue Justice League of America (2013) #8-11. He returns to reality alongside the other heroes in a brief flash in Forever Evil (2013) #7 and an epilogue in Justice League (2011) #30.
Shazam joins the Justice League (2014-2016)
In the wake of Forever Evil, the League adopts Captain Marvel into their membership.
Justice League (2011) #31-39: See Guide to Justice League.
Also in this period: Batman and Robin (2011) #33-34 & 39-40, Superman/Wonder Woman (2013) Annual 1, Green Lantern (2011) #39
Convergence: See Guide to DC Universe – New 52 Era. In Divergence FCBD (2015) #1, Convergence Crime Syndicate (2015) #2, and Convergence: Shazam! (2015) #1-2 (though this is explicitly an earlier Earth-S version of the Marvel Family)
Justice League (2011) #41-50: See Guide to Justice League. Part of Darkseid War. Captain Marvel does not appear in a prologue in issue #40, but also appears in Justice League: Darkseid War: Flash (2016) #1 and Justice League: Darkseid War: Shazam (2016) #1:
Future’s End: See Guide to DC Universe – New 52 Era. Out-of-continuity future stories in The New 52: Futures End (2014) #22, 42, & 45 and Superman: Futures End (2014) #1
Also during this period: Cyborg (2015) #3, 6, & 8-10, Detective Comics (2011) #45-46, Justice League of America (2015) #5, Action Comics (2011) #49, Superman (2011) #50
DC Universe Rebirth (2016 -2018)
DC Universe: Rebirth (2016) #1: See Guide to DC Universe – Rebirth Era. Captain Marvel appears in two brief, wordless flashback panels – one to the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths, the other to the end of the Superman books in New 52.
The Hellblazer: Rebirth (2016) #1: See Guide to John Constantine, Hellblazer. Captain Marvel accompanies Wonder Woman in her pursuit of Constantine (which connects to Justice League Dark), although he is adamant that Constantine shouldn’t be recruited (due to their run-in during Trinity War).
In Wonder Woman (2016) #33, a flashback to Darkseid War. In cameo at the end of Aquaman/Justice League: Drowned Earth Special (2019) #1 looking at Aquaman’s monument. On one of Amanda Waller’s screens in Suicide Squad (2016) #23.
Out of continuity in Justice League/Power Rangers (2017) #3, Aquaman/Jabberjaw Special (2018) #1, The Death of Superman (2018) #9-12
Shazam! (2019) #1-15 (Dec 2018 – Sep 2020)
#1-11 & 13-14: Shazam and The Seven Magic Lands (2020 hardcover, ISBN 978-1779504593 / 2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1779521453 / digital)
I have confirmed this issue range in a digital copy.
#12 & 15: This pair of Jeff Loveness issues have not been collected [Ed. Note: which is a shame, as for me they were the two best issues of Captain Marvel comics since Flashpoint.]
Shazam in Year of the Villain
Justice League (2018) #30-31: “Justice/Doom War” – see Guide to Justice League. He is also briefly in #25 and 34.
Year of the Villain & Infected: Captain Marvel is one of the major players in this story arc, and appears in DC’s Year of the Villain Special (2019) #1, Justice League (2018) #36-37, Harley Quinn (2016) #67, Supergirl (2016) #36, Batman / Superman #1 (2019) #1-2 & 4-6, The Infected: King Shazam! (2019), The Infected: The Commissioner (2019), and Year of the Villain: Black Adam (2019), Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen (2019) #1-4
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Captain Marvel appears in Dark Nights: Death Metal (2020) #1, 4, & 7 and Dark Nights: Death Metal – Legends of the Dark Knights (2020) #1,
Also in 2018: Action Comics (2016) #1000
in 2019: Doomsday Clock (2018) #9 & 11, Supergirl (2016) Annual 2, Superman (2018) #9 & 17, Superman: Up In The Sky (2019) #6
in 2020: Superman (2018) #19, Superman: Heroes (2020) #1
Also in this period, older stories reprinted in The Flash Giant (2019) #1-6, Superman Giant (2018) #4, 13, & 15, Wonder Woman Giant (2019) #3, Swamp Thing Giant (2020) #1, Crisis on Infinite Earths Giant (2020) #2
Not in continuity in this period: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest (2018) #2, The Other History of the DC Universe (2020) #3, Scooby-Doo Team-Up #16, Batman / Fortnite: Foundation (2021) #1
Shazam!: Lightning Strikes (2020) #1-2 (Jul 2020)
A digital series.
#1-2: Not collected
Infinite Frontier:
Shazam! (2021) #1-4 by Tim Sheridan (Jul – Oct 2021)
#1-4: To Hell and Back (2022 paperback, ISBN 978-1779515148 / digital)
Also collects Future State: Shazam! (2021) #1-2
Also in 2021: Teen Titans Academy (2021) #1-4, Yearbook, 10-11, & 15, The Flash (2016) #771, Blue and Gold (2021) #4, Wonder Woman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular (2021) #1, DC Festival of Heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration (2021) #1, Generations: Shattered (2021) #1, Infinite Frontier (2021) #0-1, Superman: Red and Blue (2021) #3
The New Champion of Shazam! (2022) #1-4 by Josie Campbell & Evan Shaner (Aug 2022 – Jan 2023)
This relaunch features Mary Marvel in the title role rather than Billy.
#1-4 (2023 hardcover, ISBN 978-1779517265 /2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1779524980 / digital)
Also collects “The Price of Eternity” from Lazarus Planet: We Once Were Gods (2023) #1, also by Campbell.
Also in 2022: Aquaman & The Flash: Voidsong (2022) #3, Batman / Superman: World’s Finest (2022) #2-3, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths (2022) FCBD, #1 & 7, DC’s Grifter Got Run Over by a Reindeer (2022) #1, The Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Special (2022) #1, Strange Love Adventures (2022) #1, Superman: Kal-El Returns Special (2022) #1
Lazarus Planet (various) (Jan 2023 – April 2023)
This DC Universe Event includes a major component affecting Shazam and the rock of eternity in Lazarus Planet: We Once Were Gods (2023) #1 and Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods (2023) #1-4.
Lazarus Planet (2023 hardcover, ISBN 978-1779523334 / paperback TBA / digital)
Collects Lazarus Planet: Alpha (2023) #1, Lazarus Planet: Assault on Krypton (2023) #1, Lazarus Planet: We Once Were Gods (2023) #1 (all stories!), Lazarus Planet: Legends Reborn (2023) #1, Lazarus Planet: Next Evolution (2023) #1, Lazarus Planet: Dark Fate (2023) #1, and Lazarus Planet: Omega (2023) #1
Lazarus Planet Revenge of the Gods (2023 hardcover, ISBN 978-1779524089 / paperback TBA / digital)
Collects Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods (2023) #1-4, Wonder Woman (2016 / 1942) #797-798, and material from Lazarus Planet: We Once Were Gods (2023) #1 (“Song of the Dead” and “The Price of Eternity”).
Dawn of DC:
Shazam! (2023) #1-(TBA) by Mark Waid, Dan Mora, Josie Campbell, & Emanuela Lupacchino (May 2023 – ongoing)
Billy Batson returns to the starring role as Captain Marvel as written by Mark Waid with Dan Mora on art. Waid writes through issue #10 before Josie Cambell takes over.
#1-6: Vol. 1: Thunderstruck (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1779525116 / digital)
#7-(TBA): Collection solicit TBA
Non-Continuity Shazam! Comics
Superman/Shazam: First Thunder (2005) #1-4 (2006 paperback, ISBN 978-1401209230 / 2018 oversize “Deluxe Edition” hardcover, ISBN 978-1401285371 / digital)
This story of Captain Marvel’s first team-up with Superman contradicts the continuity of the DC Universe at the time.
Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil (2007) #1-4 (2019 paperback, ISBN 978-1401293079 / 2023 hardcover, ISBN 978-1779521552 / digital)
This book by Jeff Smith, creator of Bone, is a loose retelling of the original Golden Age saga of the same name. It is not set in DC Universe continuity. Issue #2 also in Shazam!: A Celebration of 75 Years (2015 hardcover, ISBN 978-1401255381 / digital)
Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! (2008) #1-12 (2020 digest-size paperback, ISBN 978-1779501165 / digital)
An all-ages series set in its own continuity.
Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! (2008) #13-21: Not collected
Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam! Mind Over Matter OGN (2011 paperback, ISBN 978-1401229931 / digital)
A continuation of the all-ages series.
Shazam! Thundercrack (2023 paperback, ISBN 978-1779505026 / digital)
This story is set in the continuity of the film series.
Didn’t find what you were looking for?
Check Amazon for DC’s newest Shazam titles.