Gold Nuggets: Billy "Hot Lips" Batson

Although it's been over fifty years since the fabled Golden Age of Comics came to a close, the grit and heroism of those simple tales can still inspire the jaded audience of today.  That's why I'm kicking off a new feature titled Gold Nuggets, offering glimpses of the jaw-dropping courage and no-nonsense moxie (and occasional stupidity) of the Greatest Generation of comic book characters.

Our inagural Gold Nugget comes from Fawcett's Captain Marvel Adventures #1 (1941).  In a story titled "Captain Marvel vs. Z" (by the team of Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, no less), Billy Batson is captured by Dr. Sivana and his super-powered minion "Z", who then leave him bound and gagged in Sivana's burning hideout.

With the gag preventing Billy from yelling "SHAZAM", he's done for, right?

WRONG!

Billy uses his quick wits (and freakish
flexibility) to burn the gag off of his face!

If that doesn't gain Billy Batson an instant induction into
the Testosterone Hall of Fame, I don't know what will.

Comments

[Bully]

That is by far the most hilariously wonderful and appropriate name for what looks to be an incredibly fun feature!

Love your blog--it's not only impeccably and beautifully designed, it's a hoot to read.

[Mark Engblom]

Hey, thanks, Bully!

Yeah, the Golden Age is full of over-the-top moments, as the practitioners of this relatively new art form were still figuring out the right balance between real life identification and rail-jumping nuttiness. At it's core, it's this "go for broke" spirit that I love the most about Golden Age Comics, despite the typically crude artwork and wonky plots.

Oh, and for those of you reading this, be sure to check out Bully's Comics Outta Be Fun. It's a consistently good read and a real inspiration (and reminder) that it's all about the fun.