Summary
Warning: contains spoilers forShazam#13!
After 73 years, a classicShazamvillain has returned, more terrifying than ever, to threaten the entire DC Universe. While most creators and fans fixate on Sivana or Mister Mind,Shazam’s rogue’s gallery actually runs deep. It is full of blood-curdling villains, some of which have vast potential. InShazam#13,one of the character’s most despicable foes returns–and finally fulfills his evil promise.
Shazam#13 is written by Josie Campbell and drawn by Mike Norton. The Shazam Family is dealing with an outbreak of hideous monsters on the Philadelphia subway. The monsters manage to overrun a train, and Freddy Freeman, in his civilian identity, tries to stop them. As the subway barrels down the tracks, a mysterious young person appears in front of it. They open a dimensional portal, and Freddy and the subway go through it, tumbling into a dark realm.
The truth is then revealed:the monsters are under the control of a far more evil-looking King Kull.
King Kull is a Shazam Villain Whose Time Has Come
King Kull may not have the name recognition of Black Adam or Doctor Sivana, but he is still one of Shazam’s most powerful foes. First appearing in 1951’sCaptain Marvel Adventures#125, Kull was a caveman from Earth’s prehistoric era, and the leader of the SubMen. Kulltangled with Shazam and his alliesduring the character’s heyday at Fawcett. Kull would also appear in DC’sShazamrevival of the 1970s, but the character’s appearances sinceCrisis on Infinite Earthshave been limited. Kull most notably returned during Geoff Johns’ post-Rebirth Shazamtitle.
Furthermore, Kull’s initial appearances were filtered through the whimsical lens that was a hallmark of Shazam’s Golden Age adventures. While this did little to cheapen his evil nature, it did make him appear less threatening.
King Kull, not to be confused with the Robert E Howard character of the same name, has now returned to threaten not only Shazam, but the entire DC Universe. Like many classic Shazam villains, Kull has his roots in comics’ Golden Age. Furthermore, Kull’s initial appearances were filtered through the whimsical lens that was a hallmark of Shazam’s Golden Age adventures. While this did little to cheapen his evil nature, it did make him appear less threatening. Kull’s new look, as seen inShazam#13, dispels any notion he is a “goofy villain.” In fact, he looks downright terrifying.
Some, Such as Sabbac, Have Unlocked Their Potential
Kull’s revival as a genuine threat to the DC Universe could signal a rebirth for Shazma’s entire rogue’s gallery. Shazam has some truly great villains, but many have gone underutilized in favor of heavy-hitters like Black Adam or Mister Mind. Some of Shazam’s villains, such as Sabbac, have received upgrades over the years, ones that unleash their full potential. Campbell and Norton worked similar magic on King Kull, making him a villain truly worthy ofShazam.
