Review: Shazam #11

Once again, this issue by the new creative team, reads like a 2000s Disney Channel sit-com. The plot deals with The Vasquezes trying to legally adopt the Flashpoint kids, and during the social worker's interview with the kids, a bunch of Man-Bat like creatures attack.  The kids go through hi-jinx to make sure the social worker remains ignorant of the battle. 

For some reason, Mary looks like Daphne from Scooby Doo in this issue. One of the more interesting aspects is that Billy and the Captain are becoming even more separated to the point Billy has no memory of what happens when he is the Captain.  The backstory from the 2017 movie is made canon, where Billy was abandoned by his mom, and now the adoption is put on hold because Billy's mom returns and wants him back. Why the adoptions of the other kids have to be put on hold also isn't explained.  

It is really becoming a chore to get through this series.  This issue earns another C-.

Review: The Three Stooges Centennial

American Mythology is back with another Three Stooges one-shot.  This one features a lead story written by Three Stooges podcaster, and employee of C3 Entertainment, Andy Pagana, and features Curly Howard's real life grandson Brad "Curly G" Server.  For those who don't know, Andy and Brad do a live stream podcast on YouTube titled "StoogeTalk Live", among several other projects. The story is a kind of behind the scenes look at the podcast. They are trying to figure out what to do for this comic book, and as they spitball ideas, it turns into a Three Stooges Greatest Hits type of thing. I would guess this happened for real, and Andy just transcribed it and embellished it a bit, and turned that in for the script. Brendon and Brian Fraim turn in their usual fantastic artwork and also of note is this story marks Joe Besser's very first appearance in the American Mythology series, and probably his first appearance in any Three Stooges comic.

The second story is written by SA Check, with art again by the Fraims, and is a lot more plot heavy, dealing with Larry being mistaken for a pianist who is receiving a lifetime achievement award. And you can just imagine what happens at the banquet ceremony.

The third story is a classic reprint by Norman Mauer and features Shemp as the third Stooge, and there are three text pieces (remember when all comics had them?) including one by Saxon Sitka, the son of long time Stooge supporting player Emil Sitka.  This issue earns an A.