The Trials of Shazam, Volume 1

Trials of Shazam! #1-6

by Judd Winick, Howard Porter (Illustrator)

Freddy Freeman seeks to prove to the gods that he is worthy to be the protector and wield the power of Shazam!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Dc Comics, Superheroes, Fiction, Fantasy

160 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2007

About the author

Judd Winick is an American cartoonist, comic book writer, screenwriter, and former reality television personality known for his diverse contributions to storytelling across multiple media. He first entered the public eye in 1994 as a cast member on The Real World: San Francisco, where he formed a close friendship with AIDS educator Pedro Zamora, an experience that deeply influenced his later work. Winick memorialized their bond in Pedro and Me, a critically acclaimed autobiographical graphic novel that earned several literary awards and became a staple in school curricula.

Winick's career in comics took off with The Adventures of Barry Ween, Boy Genius and continued with major runs at DC Comics, including Green Lantern, Green Arrow, and Batman. His stories often explored socially relevant themes, such as HIV, homophobia, and identity. He was recognized for introducing gay characters and tackling difficult subjects with empathy and clarity. His work on Batman notably included resurrecting the character Jason Todd as the Red Hood, a storyline later adapted into the animated film Batman: Under the Red Hood, for which Winick wrote the screenplay.

Beyond comics, he created The Life and Times of Juniper Lee for Cartoon Network and served as head writer for Hulu's The Awesomes. In 2015, he launched the Hilo series, an all-ages sci-fi adventure inspired by his own children. The bestselling series has been widely praised and is expected to reach its eleventh volume in 2025.

Winick lives in San Francisco with his wife, Pam Ling, also a Real World alum, and their two children. He continues to create heartfelt and imaginative stories for audiences of all ages.

Reviews

[Jokoloyo]

One interesting value of this limited series is the art. The story itself is standard, with one easily guessed surprise at the end.

Shazam the wizard had died, and Marvel family power is diminishing. There is a new trial to rejuvenate the power of Marvel family. That's the premise.

[John Yelverton]

Spectacular artwork, but the starts and stops keep this book from being great.

[Daniel Sepúlveda]

Puntaje: 3.6 Estrellas.

No conozco mucho del personaje de Shazam, a duras penas conozco su orígen (De los Nuevos 52) y lo poco que leí en Superman/Shazam El primer trueno.

En este caso, nuestro personaje no es Shazam como tal sino Freddy Freeman, más conocido como Capitán Marvel Jr, quien despues de la Crisis infinita pierde sus poderes y debe cumplir ciertas pruebas impuestas por diferentes dioses para recuperarlos.

La historia como tal estuvo entretenida, sin embargo, los personajes no son mucho de mi interés. Sigo con mi misión de leer los eventos importantes de la cronología de DC Comics. Pronto leeré la segunda parte!

[Jamys Reyes]

Happy #Shazam #thetrailofshazam the trail to test of being #worthy to will the power of the gods #myth #greekgods #magic #power #solomon #zeus #achilles #mercury #atlas
Freddy Freeman is put to the test to prove if he is to wheel the power of Shazam. a war zone in battle of #good #evil #supernatural #corrupt #greed #dc #dccomics #comics #comic #series #art #book #bookstagram #bookworm#nerd #bookcover #captainmarvel #justiceleague
The foundation of making one realize to prove they are worth to carry the powers of all.

[Brian]

Howard Porter has the ability to convey the art style of the 1940's and the Current model...
Judd Winick is an Writer that puts the work into every character that he writes... he Know who Billy Batson and Freddie and Mary are.... he even is able to work in Uncle Dudly and the Tiger...
If you are looking for a fun story..... something that makes you want to see the Next Issue....
pick this one up and enjoy~!

[Nabil Hussain]

Thrillin' and Chillin'!!!!!

This graphic novel is superb and thoroughly dazzling. It is wonderful to behold and featured an original story which was appealing to read. The artwork was fine - not the best I have come across but sufficient for this super hero caper. I can't wait to read Trials of Shazam Vol 2.

[Paxton Holley]

Surprisingly the art is not great Interesting twist on the Capt Marvel story, but the art is so bad I can't get over it.

[Yosef Shapiro]

A reworking of the whole Marvel Family universe.

[Nikki]

Read through my DC Universe Membership...I liked it!

[H. Givens]

CN: Ableism and racism against people from the generic "Middle East" they visit.

[Oscar Torrado]

Por lo que he leído este cómic de Shazam nace después de los eventos de "Crisis Infinitas" (cómic que obviamente no he leído) y que viene siendo como una reinvención del personaje del Capitán Marvel, quizá para alguien, como yo, que buscaba una forma de acercarse a este personaje esta entrega no es del todo satisfactoria, ya que no se centra del todo en el personaje principal sino en cómo, después de los eventos de la serie antes mencionada, el capitán Marvel debe alejarse de la tierra para proteger el mundo de la magia dejando a nuestro planeta indefenso y sin un protector. Por tal razón, le pasa la batuta a Freddy, uno de sus aliados que después de la crisis ha perdido todo el poder, quien debe cumplir con unas pruebas para demostrar que es el indicado para hacerse con el poder de Shazam.

Aún falta el volumen 2, a ver como termina todo esto...

[Etienne]

A gratifying take on Captain Marvel, though one with a more serious, less innocent tone than fans of the Big Red Cheese may be used to.

Gaiman's influence is strongly felt: the phrase "the Book of Magic has been rewritten" is uttered a bit too frequently, and indeed after a while it starts to feel like rewriting Gaiman is precisely what Winick is attempting. Freddie Freeman isn't a terribly convincing understudy to Timothy Hunter, and the "gods of magic" from whom he must curry favours would have benefitted from more astute editorial oversight (the concept flies in the face of canon).

All of that being said: there are worse people to imitate than Neil Gaiman. Howard Porter is in fine form, and "The Trials" is worth picking up for sheer gee-whiz action.

[Sean]

I have little to no history with the character of Captain Marvel and less of Freddy Freeman, Captain Marvel Jr. With that being said I was looking forward to reading this because I have liked the creators in the past. Here Judd Winick pens a interesting tale involving gods that give a very new school approach. I really enjoyed his take on the mythos. Howard Porter's art here is very different from his JLA days. He inks his own lines and the coloring is also very different than the norm. I like the sketchy quality but the coloring is off putting at times. Although I didn't know these characters going in, I feel I do know them now and look forward to the series conclusion.

[Matej]

The first volume of The Trials of Shazam chronicles the first half of the trials that Captain Marvel Jr has to complete in order to become the new Captain Marvel (without the Jr part).
The story has a pretty good pace, and a few good twists and turns even though they are a bit predictable and have been done a few times before. This volume contains 6 single issues but they do not make a complete story arc, so the book feels incomplete and without any conclusion.
The art looks great, mainly because of the great coloring which makes the book feel more realistic despite it's magical theme.
All in all, a great looking book with only a half of the story.

[Brad]

Judd Winick takes the whole "Magic is broken" element from Identity Crisis and 52 and runs with it. The old Captain Marvel Jr. starts on the path to become the new "Shazam" by meeting with each of the gods in his name and being tested. It's a nice reworking of the Shazam concept and Winick's versions of Solomon and Achilles are pretty interesting.
Howard Porter's been drawing for D.C. for a while, but this may be his best work as an artist.

[Anthony]

After reading Winick's "Superman/Shazam: First Thunder," Trials of Shazam looked really crappy. I'm not sure what it was. I understand that Winick was trying to re-invent the mythology. But I didn't care for this one.

[Warren]

Follow up to the Marvel Family storyline Post 52 (Part 1 of 2)

[Mike]

I'm on a mad Shazam kick. This definitely did not disappoint.

[J]

Not one of my favorites. Had potential, just felt it missed the mark. Seemed that it could have been drawn and colored better. Wasn't terrible, just could have been better

[J.R.]

Mostly good start to this story. We'll see how it ends up.

[Little Timmy]

Great story of the passing of the gods powers and gifts to the next mortal to win them. Very good art and plot. Recommended

[Jamil]

just crap.