Comic Coverage

Comics Behind the Comics: Green Lantern's Oath

Remember the solemn oath Green Lantern
recites each time he recharges his power ring? 

"In brightest day,
In blackest night,
No evil shall escape my sight.
Let those who worship evil's might,
Beware my power,
Green Lantern's Light!"

Well, as with all timeless verse, Green Lantern's oath didn't
come together right away. In this inaugural installment
of Comics Behind the Comics, we'll take a look at...

Green Lantern © DC Comics

Don't forget to take a shot at the Great Superman Beat-Down Contest!
You've got until 6:00 pm CST to send in your guesses! The person with
the most correct guesses will win a Superman: Doomsday DVD!

Comics Behind the Comics: SHAZAM-The Art of the Deal

One of my favorite comic book concepts has always been Captain Marvel and the power of SHAZAM. A clever synthesis of modern and ancient mythology, the story of Captain Marvel began in Whiz Comics #2 (1940) as orphan Billy Batson was drawn to a mysterious underground chamber. He was met by SHAZAM, a wizard who could channel the power of ancient heroes...all of whom were inscribed as a handy acronym on a nearby wall. Speaking the wizard's name, Billy was magically transformed into the superhero Captain Marvel, who also possessed the abilities of Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury.

As cool as the concept will always be, that acronym of gods, heroes, and a Hebrew king continues to fascinate me. I love the child-like simplicity of its assumption that mythic figures would freely share their power with mortals...but my adult cynicism often kicks in and suggests another story behind the wizard's consolidation of godly power. In other words, it's...

SHAZAM: The Art of the Deal!
(click on the panels for a larger view)

SHAZAM  ©DC Comics

Comics Behind the Comics: It's Clobberin' Time!

Of all the renowned superhero catch phrases, one of the biggies belongs to Ben Grimm, a.k.a. The Thing of the Fantastic Four. First shouted out as he charged into battle way back in Fantastic Four #22 (1964), "It's Clobberin' Time" has been Ben's tried and true war cry ever since.

However, did "It's Clobberin' Time" just kinda happen...or did Ben Grimm try (and reject) a number of different phrases before landing on that famous phrase?

* from Hanna-Barbera's wretched "Fred and Barney Meet the Thing"