Shazam Production Journal; Monster Societies and secret codes
Not long ago, I described the 4 issue mini-series I’m working on as “Shazam: Year One”, but that’s misleading. Shazam: Monster Society of Evil isn’t really a “Year One” project as much as it’s a remake of a nearly legendary comic book serial from the early 1940’s. "Captain Marvel and the Monster Society of Evil" ran in monthly installments from 1943 to 1945 in Captain Marvel Adventures #22 – #46.
It was the first really long story in comic books, and it was full of cliff hangers and secret messages that could be read only if you had a Secret Decoder Ring. At the heart of the Monster Society are the monsters, of course, and my favorites from the original serial were the alligator people.
In the original, they were crocodile men, but because I love Albert from POGO, I made them alligator men.
Here's a couple panels from MSoE #1.
Yes, I know I misspelled savior in the first panel. I'll fix it!
The drawing here are amazing!
Comment by Torgeir — December 8, 2006 @ 6:52 pm
Looks good. Plus you didn’t spell saviour wrong. I believe that is the british spelling of the word.
Comment by Mike — December 8, 2006 @ 7:13 pm
Looks terrific Jeff! As always, I am in awe of your abilities.
And Mike is correct. I would leave the spelling of “saviour” as it is.
Comment by Wes Alexander — December 8, 2006 @ 10:16 pm
(sigh) Feeling good now.
Comment by Will Pardlow — December 8, 2006 @ 11:49 pm
Your work is wonderfull! 0_0
Very compliments Jeff!
Comment by RX — December 9, 2006 @ 3:51 am
Awesome stuff Jeff, I really can’t wait for this. I would love to see more images like the one of you inking, that kind of thing is really cool to see!
Comment by Kevin Richter — December 9, 2006 @ 8:27 am
As a collector of Golden Age Captain Marvel books, I really like what I see! I am extremely excited to see what you’ve done, as well as what else you can do with the king of Red Pajamas! Awesome!
Comment by Ivanko — December 9, 2006 @ 10:39 am
This looks fantastic! This is *so* on my pull list.
The only question I’ve got: where’s the bottom of Captain Marvel’s cape in the last panel? Shouldn’t it be in the empty space between his torso and the alligator man in his left hand?
Comment by Geoffrey Long — December 9, 2006 @ 10:58 am
Hi Jeff–
Looks great! Anytime for want to do that interview — let me know.
Best,
Walt
Comment by Walt Grogan — December 9, 2006 @ 2:44 pm
So nice to see you at work, and such lovely work.
Comment by Paulhd — December 9, 2006 @ 6:15 pm
Jeff, thanks so much for these preview pieces, as well as allowing us glimpses into the process. I look forward to as many of these as you care to share with us (in other words, MORE, please)!
Comment by John Berry — December 9, 2006 @ 9:09 pm
Wow, I compair Bone to crack all the time. Mainly, I start in it, I can’t stop. I’m an upcoming artist and I look for you books for inspiration all the time. These new comic looks amazing, when does it come out?
Josh
Comment by Josh Greathouse — December 10, 2006 @ 3:29 am
Wonderful artwork Jeff…We fans of Captain Marvel look forward to buying this wonderful comic book. It makes Trials of Shazam look completely Shabby. I hope this outsells ToS by a bunch. You should do that interview with Walt Grogan, he is a very nice man. Would you ever consider, doing an ongoing series? I hope so.
Comment by rob crawford — December 10, 2006 @ 1:18 pm
To quote an old Kate Bush song: Wow, wow, wow, unbelievable! Those are some amazingly beautiful panels, Jeff!
Comment by Cynthia Finnegan — December 10, 2006 @ 3:51 pm
Saviour is not spelled wrong!
Comment by George — December 11, 2006 @ 4:52 pm
I’ve been madly in love with both you and the Captain for a very long time, and when I first found out you were doing this book I was estatic. I can’t wait.
Comment by Qwil man — December 12, 2006 @ 2:23 am
Beautiful stuff. Reminds me a lot of Carl Barks ‘ best stuff, which is high praise indeed. Looking forward to this!
Comment by Al Schroeder — December 12, 2006 @ 11:46 am
Yeah, I’ve always known “saviour” to have more of a religious connotation than just “savior,” so it works here. I’d leave it, too.
- Bill
Comment by Bill Nolan — December 12, 2006 @ 2:13 pm
Here in Canada we also spell savior “saviour” – it’s the whole “ou” instead of “o” thing – but I guess if you’re standardizing for the US as the primary market, you should use the “savior” spelling. Thanks for posting the sneak peek! Totally, totally love it.
Comment by Brandon — December 12, 2006 @ 4:12 pm
That’s pretty slick!
Comment by Sylar — December 13, 2006 @ 4:26 pm
Jeff,
What kind of brush are you inking with there? The bristles look shorter than most. Could be the angle of the shot?
I’m really curious.
Comment by Kiel West — December 15, 2006 @ 12:20 pm
i have been watching this project since your concept art and just to tell you i will be picking up both issues of this in duplicates the art is amazing
Comment by Jesse — December 15, 2006 @ 10:20 pm
I have been looking foward to this book since I first heard about it. I am not really to familiar with SHAZAM but I think I will enjoy the characters as done by Jeff.
Comment by Jeff C — December 17, 2006 @ 9:15 pm
All these comments are very encouraging. I'm not the best superhero artist around by a long shot, but there are elements of Captain Marvel that remind me of the old Fleicher brothers Superman cartoons, and I kind of went for that. Glad you're liking that approach!
Comment by Jeff — December 18, 2006 @ 12:18 pm
Oh, and the brush I use to ink with is a series 7 Winsor & Newton sable hair, size: 1.
Comment by Jeff — December 18, 2006 @ 12:21 pm
As someone who really misses the Billy Batson version of Captain Marvel, I’m really glad you’ll be working on the original Captain Marvel. Your work is *very* reminiscent of C.C. Beck’s style on the Captain, and I’m sure you’ll capture the same spirit of wonder and magic that Captain Marvel ought to have.
Naturally, I’m hoping a Jeff Smith Captain Marvel will reinvigorate the character in the public eye and put an end to some displeasing developments for that have happened lately, but I’m also pleased as punch to know that Captain Marvel will have a new adventure!
Comment by Ibrahim Ng — December 21, 2006 @ 2:13 am
I thank you in advance for what is my most anticipated comic read of 2007. Captain Marvel has been my favourite hero since I was a child in the ’70s, and at no time since have I been happier about the prospect of a Captain Marvel story. Thank God you are able to provide Cap fans with what they are longing for (the respectful treatment of a comic book icon). If, after having finished this project you are willing to pursue further Cap work, please encourage DC to give you a free hand with an All-Star Captain Marvel series. Once again, thank you for your efforts.
Comment by Troy — December 21, 2006 @ 11:30 am
I love your work1 I plan to get the new Shazam book because it looks so great! best wishes for the holidays:)
Comment by Paulino — December 22, 2006 @ 12:12 am
Hello from France
Shazam Family is my favorite concept ever, I believe in you as much as in Mark Millar, alan Moore or Grant Morrison
Bone is great, we have it in libraries everywhere
thanks
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