Episode 9 of the Superman Confidential podcast takes a look at recent news on Superman plus takes a look at the Superman: Shazam!: First Thunder comic book mini-series from 2005-2006.

Zack Snyder’s original Justice League plans for Superman

  • Original plans vs. plans after BvS
  • Didn’t shoot everything –
  • Knightmare sequence chronologically took place in distant future after Darkseid killed Lois Lane in the Batcave and Superman “succumbed to the anti-life equation”
  • Lois Lane was “the key” to Superman. “Every heart has one”

DC Universe to expand comics library

  • Only available in the U.S.
  • More than 20,000 comics

Season 1 of Krypton to be available for streaming on DC Universe beginning April 5

  • Article said season 2 would air on Syfy in the summer

The legend of Captain Marvel being the most popular hero in the 1940s

  • Captain Marvel Adventures – “Largest circulation of any comic magazine”
  • “After all, what other comic came out biweekly, issuing a new edition every other Friday?” in 1946
  • Superman was every-other month, Action Comics was monthly

Other Superman/Shazam recommendations:

  • Shazam! #15 (1974) – “Captain Marvel meets…Lex Luthor”
  • The Power of Shazam! #46 (1998) – “Absolute Power”

Superman/Shazam: First Thunder

  • 4-issue mini-series dated from November 2005 to February 2006
  • Written by Judd Winick, pencils and colors by Joshua Middleton, letters by Nick Napolitano, edited by Mike Carlin
  • Re-telling of the first meeting of Superman and Captain Marvel

#1 – “A Face in the Crowd”        

  • Set after Superman and Batman have emerged, before Wonder Woman, Flash, and Green Lantern have appeared; Captain Marvel’s appearance
  • Fawcett City – Billy is living in the subway
  • Billy’s friend Scott
  • Dr. Thaddeus Sivana is introduced as a businessman
  • Sivana wants to team-up with Luthor to take down their flying demons
  • Issue ends with Superman offering to help Captain Marvel

#2 – “Odd Couples”

  • Sivana and Lex Luthor exchange “pleasantries” at LexCorp
  • Marvel is very excited to meet Superman
  • They decide to team up
  • Cap doesn’t realize how powerful Superman is “I never get winded”
  • They have a chat about their powers – Superman shares a lot of info

#3 – “Titans”        

  • Action-heavy issue
  • Marvel takes on Lord Sabbac, Superman fights Eclipso
  • Superman tells Cap he’s glad he is guarding the gates of magic
  • Billy’s “home” is attacked

#4 – “Men and Boys! Gods and Thunder”        

  • At the Daily Planet – Lois thinks Clark bought the story from someone in Fawcett City
  • Sivana sends a team after Billy, gets Scott
  • Marvel “interrogates” one of the shooters
  • Cap goes after Sivana, but cools down
  • Lois finds out, Superman goes to find Cap on Mount Everest
  • Marvel feels guilty, calls Scott his best friend
  • Cap reveals he is actually a boy named Billy Batson
  • Superman gives The Wizard a lecture on giving a boy superpowers
  • The Wizard says Billy is worthy, but could use “guidance”
  • Clark finds Billy in an abandoned building, reveals his identity

Twitter feedback from @behindthecapes“Great show! I would take all things you suggested as far as animation and live action. I do agree that Superman deserves the blockbuster treatment and would be my preference as well. However, our live action shows would be very similar. (1/2) (2/2) I would like something of a blend of Lois and Clark and the family dynamic in the Tomasi/Gleason run. I want to see Clark and Lois on the beat, and Superman (& Jon) intervening when required. You could use lesser known villains and fill out the world of Metropolis.”

  • Smallville: Rebirth

Next Up: Crisis on Infinite Earths

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