Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam

This DC Showcase short is a tad longer than the rest, it stands at around 25 minutes and is about Billy Batsons rise to become the superhero known as Captain Marvel.

We see Superman jump in and save young Billy from Black Adam, but my biggest complaint is that this is a big story and 25 minutes simply doesn't suffice.

Alike the other showcases this is very well animated, has a great voice cast and is well written. Sadly it all feels rushed and I struggled to get into it.

Well worth a watch for fans of the DC Showcase shorts, but I feel it was a bit underwhelming.

The Good:

Well animated

The Bad:

Story is simply too big for 25 minutes

Things I Learnt From This Movie:

This has actually made me want a live action Shazam movie, but I fear I'll regret saying that

Another entertaining short film that showcases the good relationship and mentorship between Superman and Shazam. The DC Showcases are examples of good stories that ultimately leave you wanting to see more. This, despite hesitating for several more minutes, leaves the feeling of continuing to enjoy the adventures of the characters. Joaquim Dos Santos once again showcased his great quality of work and his affection for the most beloved heroes of the publishing house, gifting us with a beautiful, enjoyable story worthy of fond memories.

"Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam" is a straightforward short film with a well-justified plot from the very beginning, making it a great contribution for fans of the Kryptonian and the Marvelous Boy. A duo that surprises at every turn. Moreover, being a short film with the closest thing to what we could see in live action, but you already know the sad reality.

Animation once again adds great value to the viewer's experience, showcasing excellent work in its color tones, drawing lines, and maintaining its quality. It has little difference from other DC Showcases, but it maintains a decent execution. For reasons of longer duration, perhaps there was a lack of better fluidity in the fights at times, being somewhat frantic and simple for seconds; nonetheless, it does not diminish its rating.

The relationship between Clark Kent and Billy is depicted in a very pleasant way, filled with admiration and respect for his great bravery and pure heart. The alien's teachings on goodwill, justice, memorable actions, and the importance of not succumbing to malice are exceptional.

We have a fast-paced plot due to time constraints, yet every second is worth it. The addition of Black Adam has great merit for Billy's growth as Shazam. The music complements the scenes well.

Good deeds always have their reward, a reflective message that the character Tawky Tawny leaves us, stealing the spotlight with his great kindness and care for Billy Batson. What a character!

6.5/10.

Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam is so far the best and longest entry in the DC Showcase.

OMG! I can't wait to watch this epic fight scenes in live-action. Can't even imagine how it's like when Zachary Levi and Henry Cavill fighting Dwayne Johnson. It's going to be LEGENDARY.

Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010) is a DC animated short film that was fun to watch.

Positives for Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010): This short film gets to the point of the narrative without any filler and it works. I like the voice cast with George Newbern as Superman, Jerry O'Connell as Captain Marvel, Zach Callison as Billy Batson and Arnold Vosloo as Black Adam. I like the short interactions between Superman and Billy Watson before the action gets started. The animation looks amazing and it is very dynamic. The battle between Superman, Captain Marvel and Black Adam is very brutal and awesome. And finally, I liked how Kevin Michael Richardson's character helps our two main character with stopping Black Adam.

Negatives for Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010): This short is one of those "blink and you'll miss it" type of experiences that requires your attention from start to finish and you'll easily get lost with the story if you lose interest in the movie.

Overall, Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010) is a fun DC animated short film that you can kick back and enjoy.

Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam (2010) is the first of four DC Showcase films on a DVD release with the same title. The plot revolves around Superman's initial encounter with a formidable villain whose magic-based power poses a threat due to Superman's vulnerability to magic. To overcome this adversary, Superman joins forces with a new ally, Shazam.

Directed by Joaquim Dos Santos (Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse), the film features the voices of Zach Callison (Steven Universe), James Garner (The Notebook), Jerry O'Connell (Stand By Me), and Arnold Vosloo (The Mummy).

The animation for this film is excellent and highly entertaining. The action scenes are impactful and well-executed, while Shazam's backstory is effectively conveyed. Every Superman vs. Black Adam fight scene is outstanding, leading to a heartwarming and worthwhile conclusion. The only drawback is the desire for this to have been a feature-length film.

In conclusion, Superman/Shazam: The Return of Black Adam is a must-watch for DC comics fans. I'd give it an 8/10 and recommend seeing it at least once.