Art by: Cian Tormey, Emanuela Lupacchino
Colors by: Jordie Bellaire
Letters by: Pat Brosseau
Cover art by: Guillem March
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: March 28, 2023
Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods #2 takes the fight to the throne of Mt Olympus when Shazam teams up with Yara Flor to stop the invasion by the gods.
Is It Good?
Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods #2 is a rock-solid Shazam issue guest-starring Yara Flor, aka Wonder Girl. The issue doesn't appear to have anything to do with Lazarus Planet, which is a continuation of the gods' war on humanity from the Wonder Woman series, so the title may be confusing, even if the story isn't.
When last we left the war in progress, Wonder Woman was tricked by Hera into putting the Amazons before humanity, leaving the Wonder friends on Earth to battle the ancient gods and monsters attacking Earth. Now, Billy Batson (with his Shazam powers restored) fights off giants and monsters when he receives a vision that he must find a woman in Washington D.C. to lead him to Mt. Olympus and stop the war at its source.
Again, it's a rock-solid issue. G. Willow Wilson peppers in plenty of superhero action, the dialog is (with one exception I'll get to in a minute) strong, the pacing is excellent, and the cliffhanger is dire. If you've been hankering to get back to a classic Shazam story with big action and big stakes, this is it.
Regarding the dialog, every character (Yara Flor, Mary Marvel, the mysterious hooded stranger) talks down to Shazam, as if he's an inexperienced, brainless, muscle head who doesn't know what he's doing. Hasn't Shazam been around for decades? Hasn't Shazam served on the Justice League at least a few times? Hasn't Shazam saved the world more than once? Why is Yara Flor talking down to Shazam as if he's some wet-behind-the-ears newbie showing up for the first time? Isn't Yara Flor the new kid in town who has yet to prove herself on the global stage?
Yes, sure, Wilson is playing up the immature aspects of Billy Batson, but here, it's overplayed, and the dialog feels out of place.
Tormey and Lupacchino's art is fantastic. in this issue. The figure work is strong, crisp, and clean. The action sequences are powerful, and Bellaire's coloring is perfect. Between this issue and Dan Mora's work on World's Finest, DC is getting its groove back with art that holds your attention.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Bits and Pieces:
Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods #2, despite having nothing to do with Lazarus Planet, is a rock-solid Shazam issue in the middle of a Wonder Woman arc. The art is fantastic, and G. Willow Wilson's writing is stellar, but the dialog hits wrong in a few spots when newer characters treat Shazam like the new kid on the block.
7.5/10
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