Shazam! The 1981 cartoon series perfectly nails the tone and feel of the original comic book series. But, after this 12-episode run the character will be forgotten until the 2019 film of the same name.

Picture this: it’s 1981, and you’re a kid flipping through channels on a Saturday morning. Suddenly, you come across “Shazam!” – an animated series about a nerdy kid who turns into a muscle-bound superhero by shouting a magic word. It’s like “Freaky Friday” meets “Superman,” and it’s totally ridiculous in the best possible way.

The show’s animation is straight out of the ’70s, with bright colors and minimal movement. But who cares about that when you’ve got a hero named Captain Marvel who’s powered by the gods of Greek mythology? And let’s not forget his mentor, an ancient wizard named Shazam, who looks like he just stepped out of a Renaissance fair.

Sure, the first half of each episode is just boring ol’ Billy Batson going about his mundane life. But once he transforms into Captain Marvel, it’s all action, baby! Villains get punched, damsels get saved, and the power of teamwork prevails. It’s cheesy as hell, but it’s also kind of endearing.

“Shazam!” only lasted one season, but it left an indelible mark on the superhero landscape. Its influence can be seen in everything from “Batman: The Animated Series” to “The Avengers.” So, if you’re ever feeling nostalgic for a simpler time when heroes wore spandex and magic words ruled the day, give “Shazam!” a watch. Just be prepared for a lot of “holy moly’s” and “jeepers creepers.”

PETER A DELUCA AKAPD

AKAPAD is a versatile thinker known across Philadelphia, Europe, and even in the vast Multiverse as The Electic One. By day, he excels as an IT Mastermind, assisting individuals, both big and small, with a wide range of simple and complex solutions. In contrast, he is also a talented illustrator, a passionate comic book enthusiast, a creative content creator, and an active live streamer. Additionally, his podcast, “AKAPAD The Film Buff Podcast,” boasts an impressive catalog of over 500 episodes available on nearly every major platform.