Superman and Shazam help?

[Random Axe]

These two guys are my all-time favs, and I'm looking at picking up back issues, new or vintage with both in it. I've already got several, but was looking for more. Just curious if there's any out there I've missed. There has to be.

Okay, now I'm also wanting to pick up a new SUperman title, probably Action COmics. I haven't followed continuity for nearly a decade, so I'm looking at a jumping on point or just a really cool story arc. I know Johns wrote some, but I was wondering what are the best?

And for the record, I know Judd Winnick is generally despised in the comics world, and I can live with that. However, I absolutely adore the First THunder story. CAll me a fan boy or call me stupid, but I dig the hell out of it. I've finally for the trade on it's way. I've heard nothing but bad stuff about the Trials, so I'll avoid that. Billy Batson is SHazam, not Freeman, though he could become a cool character on his own if they come up with a real name. I'm sorry, but Junior means only one person...Griffey.

Scott

[thunderbolt]

^^^ Get Grant Morrison's All Star Supes run. I believe it is partially available in hardback. Also try Byrne's Man of Steel and his Superman and Action Comics. For Cap, The Power of Shazam GN from Jerry Ordway and his comic series were the last really good ones. Jeff Smith's recent one was dissapointing.

[The Toyroom]

I agree with T-bolt on Ordway's Power of Shazam....the last time the character was really handled well IMO. I have a decent portion of the run but I've been thinking about completing it latley.

As for Geoff Johns on Supes, he started his run on "Action Comics" with #844 I believe with Richard Donner and Adam Kubert on the "Phantom Zone" arc. Pretty good but it lost some impact due to delays and scheduling. But the trade (if there is one) should read fine.

Next he and Donner were joined by Eric Powell on a Bizarro arc. Didn't care for this one as much. Still better than the more recent standard Superman fare though.

I think he really started to hit his stride though when he became the sole writer on "Action" (what purpose did Donner serve actually, other than providing some plot points?) and Gary Frank started the art on "Action" #858. The first arc is "Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes" and is available in TPB. A nice look at the Legion that most of us grew up with and their relationship with Supes.

Johns started fleshing out the supporting cast at this time, reintroducing Cat Grant and Steve Lombard. Clark/Superman is really channeling that Christopher Reeve vibe, both the way he's written and through Gary Frank's artwork.

Currently, Brainiac is back and is terrorizing the pages of "Action Comics"...great read so far!

In comparision, the recent "Superman" issues by James Robinson suck IMO. "James! What happened?! I had high expectations after Starman!"

[aquatroy]

I have to second the All Star Superman suggestion. It's one of the best comics I've ever read. Morrison's run just ended (I think it wraps up the title, too). I'm sure DC has plans to hard cover the entire run.
As for Captain Marvel (dude, Shazam is the wizard) other then picking up reprinted Fawcett material, I would strongly recommend Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam. It's a bit wordy and, at times, tries to hard to be cute, but it's heart is in the right place and is an extreamly loving representation of Captain Marvel.

[DC_Guy]

I agree that Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam is a great book. Not only is it one of the most all-around fun books DC puts out, but after they got rid of the real Captain Marvel in Trials of Shazam, it's the only place to read about the character as he should be. I keep hoping they'll undo the whole Freddy-Freeman-as-Shazam thing, but until then, back issues of the Ordway book and the new Billy Batson series are great places to find great stories of the Big Red Cheese.

As for Superman, I don't think you can go wrong with anything Geoff Johns has done on the book since taking it over. I also highly recommend Superman For All Seasons, a wonderful collection of the mini-series by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. It's one of the best Superman stories ever done, in my opinion.

[thunderbolt]

DC is supposed to reprint CC Beck's original Monster Society saga finally.

[DC_Guy]

Oh man, that would be cool. The only parts of that story that I ever read were the first and final installments, which were reprinted in the great Crown Books hardcover Shazam! From the 40s to the 70s, back in the day.