Superman & Shazam first meet (sort of) | Superman 276 | 1974
Artists: Curt Swan (Penciller) , Elliott Maggin (Penciller) , Bob Oksner (Inker)
11 Comments - 239 Views - 13 Likes
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Fake Out Cover
This time, for real.
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DescriptionSuperman 276 | Page 17 | 1976Some refer to Superman #276 as the first meeting between Superman and (the original) Captain Marvel. After DC acquired the character’s rights from Fawcett in 1972, they soon began publishing a new Shazam! comic with Golden Age artist C.C. Beck on pencils. But fans wanted to see the Big Red Cheese face off against Superman. You’d think editor Julius Schwartz, the architect of the multiverse, would find a way to make that happen. Apparently, though, editorial felt that integrating the lighthearted, whimsical tone of the Shazam! comic with the modern Superman would be too much of a stretch for their new property. So instead, they threw fans a bone with a copycat character called Captain Thunder, who gains powers similar to Captain Marvel’s when young Willie Fawcett says the word “Thunder.” So 70s DC. Reading up on this, it seems many fans felt deceived by the Nick Cardy's awesome cover thinking they were getting a true Superman/Captain Marvel crossover, only to bring the book home and find out the Big Red Cheese was just a head fake. Worse, when Willie transforms into Captain Thunder, he’s been magically manipulated to fight for the bad guys. The real meeting between Superman and Captain Marvel wouldn’t happen until a few years later, in the 1976 Justice League of America / Justice Society crossover event, which introduced DC readers to Earth-S. Still, very happy to add this wonderful work by Swan and a bit of DC quirkiness to the collection. Links below to the backstory. Screenrant: DC Wouldn't Let Superman Fight Shazam For The Weirdest Reason https://screenrant.com/dc-first-shazam-captain-thunder-superman-fight/ CBR: 50 Years Ago, Superman First Fought Captain Marvel...Well, Almost https://www.cbr.com/superman-captain-marvel-captain-thunder-fight/ Social/Sharing |
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Comments on this Artwork
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Newell T aka Stingray 
Member Since 2017
1 - Posted on 8/2/2025
I didn't read the words, they get in the way of the art. Are Superman and the other guy dancing?
Tom McDonald
Member Since 2019
2 - Posted on 8/2/2025
Ron B wrote:
Great backstory, congrats
Thanks for reading it!
Marcus Wai
Member Since 2005
1 - Posted on 8/3/2025
Sham Zam! Still a pretty desirable comic and artwork with this stand in! We would have settled for an imaginary story then just to settle schoolyard bragging rights.
Rom 2814
Member Since 2021
1 - Posted on 8/3/2025
Very cool and great story - I wasn't aware of this at all, but definitely remember the JLA/JSA cross-over and Earth-S. (I miss those fun stories!)
Kavi H
Member Since 2018
1 - Posted on 8/3/2025
*hehe. hehe. hehe* - he said Rub His Buckle...fun page! who needs Shazam anyway. I'm sure James Gunn already has an epic arc planned for Captain Thunder!
Chris Snorek
Member Since 2009
Posted on 8/5/2025
It was worth reading just to get an idea of where DC felt like their power levels were at. They were of course wrong but I digress...
Brian Norton
Member Since 2006
Posted on 8/10/2025
still pretty cool. I remember seeing adds for that issue and thinking the same thing.
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