At my house, we love the show Teen Titans Go. My two kiddos love the wacky antics and my wife and I get a kick out of the jokes every now and then. Yes, there is an occasional comment about Robin's backside that I'd rather my daughter not pick up on, but for the most part, it is good old fashion slapstick cartoon fun.
This review is something I've been wanting to do for some time. I think as parents we want to share what we love with our kids, but not all comics are something that are super kid friendly. I don't know if I want my soon to be 6 year old, unpacking the complexities of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Court of Owls Batman run. Instead, I want them sink their teeth into comics they can enjoy and ones we can read at bedtime together. So, here we go... here's a book your kids can read! Titans, Go! I picked this book for a few reasons. One, we love TTG, it contains 6 independent issues that each have a couple are easy to take on in one sitting, and if you have Comixology Unlimited, its a free read! Here is a quick rundown of the stories in this volume:
We have this digitally, but you can pick it up wherever you pick up graphic novels. We like digital, because we load it on the kids' iPad for them to enjoy when they want. While, its up to you to decide what is good for you and your family to read, this book is rated 9+. My 6 yr old and I read this together before bed. Check it out for yourself, but this trade is definitely a comic book your kids can read! -CBD
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I got a chance to see Shazam! at one of the early Fandango screenings last night. Let me just say that I cannot wait to see this again April 5th.
If you follow Comic Book Dads at all, you know we are DC homers just a bit. So, of course I had high hopes for this movie and it did not disappoint. Now, on with the SPOILER FREE review! Holey Moley Great news about the marketing for this movie is that the trailers gave away nothing. The origin was just a portion of what this movie delivered. The character development throughout is what really made this movie. I think a movie succeeds when you care about about the characters involved and Sandberg accomplishes that. The first act was all origin and set up. They did a great job of making Sivana truly wicked. For a villain that not even most DC fans know about, he will now be etched into one of the best movie baddies to come out recently. When Billy gets his powers and all the antics that ensue with him and Freddy, those are the moments of true wish fulfillment that makes this movie so fun. What kid doesn't want to be a superhero? Shazam and Freddy even deliver some conflict that enriched the story. The rest of the foster family is the nice cherry on top. There were some laugh out loud moments that the family was brought. The third act was a big surprise. There was genuine heart ache for Billy. The final battle had some great twists that if you were a casual comic or DC fan, you would not see coming. My wife (who doesn't read comic) said the twist was her favorite part. There were some great Easter eggs. This movie is very much connected to the rest of the DCEU. Another thing that made this movie great, much like Aquaman, it used the source material. I love this. I think too often comic book movies don't use the great story lines that are already there ready for the big screen. If you want to read up on some Shazam to get ready for the movie, I highly recommend you check out Geoff John's New 52 Shazam. Finally, I will caution... there are some moments that are pretty scary if you have little ones. So, I would think about seeing it first if you have kiddos under 8 or 9. Get your tickets. Go see it. It is fun, full of heart, and a fresh take on superhero movies. 4.5 stars. -CBD I have always been a huge fan of Shazam. I mean, its the ultimate hero... a kid, with one magic word, becomes a superhero.. who doesn't want that?! I know there has been some confusion about the Big Red Cheese in the past and he has sort of fallen off as a B list hero. So, I am so excited we finally have (hope to be) ongoing series for him in advance of his big screen debut! I can't believe we are getting a live action Shazam!
I will be doing a special movie review post of Shazam once I get to see it. The last one we did was Wonder Woman. Now... on to the review! Its All Fun and Games The continuity of this series picks up right after the end of the New 52 Shazam story by Geoff Johns that was at the end of a few issues of Justice League. So, Billy has shared his powers with his foster family and they are all aware of who Billy is and where and what the Rock of Eternity is. I still am on the fence of about all of his family having powers too. The purist in me says "The Wizard chose Billy, not his whole family," but I do like the message of family and how he has to rely on others to accomplish goals. The kids have discovered the Funlands, which is one of many magical lands that a train in the Rock of Eternity could take them. It basically Disney World on steroids. Apparently , its a refuge for kids from all the lands to escape to. It is a place run by the Kid King. From the word 'go' there just seemed something a little off about him. He is treating the Shazamily to a meal of all the treats and candy they could dream of. During their meal he says he wants the family to tell them the magic word so he can be a part of the family and help protect his world. Of course, Mary is not having any of it. As she gets the family up to leave, the Kid King sicks his little clown goons on them and dumps Mary, Freddy, and Darla down some dark shafts. Billy, Pedro, and Eugene are able to call on their powers and a fight breaks out in the Funlands. Lots of great shots and sequences in this little stretch of the book. Ultimately, everyone gets separated... Pedro and Eugene end up in a very Tron looking place, the Gamelands. Darla and Freddy and up in the Wildlands, being apprehended by a police officer with a cat head. At the end of the issue, we don't know for sure where Billy and Mary ended up. I am really enjoying this series. However, it is one that I actually wish was bi-weekly. There are lots of interesting plot lines going on. Dr. Sivana has teamed up with Mr. Mind, the kids are lost in the Magic Lands, and a man claiming to be Billy's dad has knocked on the door at his foster house. Being a monthly book makes it hard. Especially when the entire issue, this time, was spent just on one story line. Oh, and as usual... the cover is very misleading! If you love Shazam and just some good old fashioned comic book fun, pick up this series. Its a fun ride! -CBD |