Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90939 in Books
• Published on: 2000-12-01
• Released on: 2000-12-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 64 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9781563897450
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

Customer Reviews

The perfect way to introduce people to the world of comics.
When people find out that I STILL read comics at the stodgy old age of 30, I'm usually given "The LOOK"....like I must be a case of arrested development or something...(I AM, but that'll be our secret..). This is the kind of book that I talk about when I explain just what it is I enjoy about the Comic Book as an art form. While there is some extremely well done (and beautifully illustrated!) action to be found in The Power Of Hope, the majority of the book is grounded in simple character interaction, as Captain Marvel decides to visit terminally ill children and try to grant their wishes. The dialogue is perfect, and casually answers some nagging questions about the "Big Red Cheese" that I didn't even know I had, such as how did little Billy Batson sign the lease on his apartment? The art is simply beautiful (check out the Gorilla, and the Volcano sequence that opens the book.), and if you can get through this book without being moved to tears, well....you're a lot tougher than me.

The power of a good story
I was completely impressed with the latest installment of Paul Dini and Alex Ross' tabloid size series. In these volumes, they have captured the core spirit of classic characters.

Captain Marvel is a different character than Superman. Superman feels the call of responsibility, that his powers are not his alone but a gift for all mankind. Captain Marvel feels a sense of wonder at his powers, and has fun with them. He is, after all, a kid at heart. This volume truly brings home that point. One of my favorite scenes shows Captain Marvel stifling a yawn as a bank robber brandishes a shotgun. This is a classic scene from the old Fawcetts, and it made me smile. Actually, many of the panels made me smile fondly. Maybe that is why I like Captain Marvel so much.

Naturally, it is impossible to discuss an Alex Ross piece without commenting on the art. It is extraordinary, and completely up to par. Paul Dini's prose adds to the spectacle. While saying nothing new about Captain Marvel, The Power of Hope rephrases what we already know quite eloquently.

The Quintessential Shazam Story
I had my reservations when I read that Paul Dini and Alex Ross wanted to do this story with an emphasis on the innocence of the character. I've always preferred the modern take on the Captain Marvel as opposed to the usual whimsical tone of the golden age comics, but thankfully the talents with this book have struck a wonderful balance. The childlike nature of this character defines him and seperates him from the previous Dini/Ross books, especially with the fact that this character has the benefit of a mentor, Shazam, to guide him and make his life and career considerably less lonely than Superman and Batman's. Hence, there is a feel of comfort and security that cushions the drama of the story, while not undercutting its impact. That is certainly needed considering that the last time Cap was rendered by Ross in a story was in Kingdom Come and his smiling presence was designed to be disturbing admist the apocalyptic tone of that tale. Now, we can see that Captain Marvel as it should usually be, the stuff of optimism and joy while reasonably tempered with just enough drama to give resonance as a story about Cap providing joy to needy children should be. Combine this with Paul Dini's wonderful script and you have a superhero story at its finest.