Captain Marvel’s greatest artist was born 111 years ago…
The late, great C.C. Beck — the original Captain Marvel’s first artist — is easily one of comics’ best known illustrators, born 111 years ago on June 8, 1910.
This year, our 13 COVERS birthday salute focuses on the Big Red Cheese’s revival in DC’s 1970s Shazam! title.
Now, Beck famously disliked this take on Captain Marvel but I have to admit a certain affinity for it given it’s how I was introduced to the World’s Mightiest Mortal when I was Young Dan. (I also got a kick out of the fact that he was my Dad’s favorite superhero.)
Anyway, Beck left the series before he could do 13 COVERS, so I’ve added a couple splash pages for kicks.
Shazam!
Superman by Nick Cardy and Murphy Anderson
Photo by Jack Adler
Issue #9
Photo by Adler
Issue #1
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MORE
— 13 COVERS: A C.C. BECK Birthday Celebration — 2020 Edition: WHIZ COMICS. Click here.
— 13 COVERS: A C.C. BECK Birthday Celebration — 2019 Edition. CAPTAIN MARVEL ADVENTURES. Click here.
June 8, 2021
I have every issue of Shazam and Captain Marvel (the REAL one) was one of my favorite characters in the early to mid 70s. I loved the reprints of the Golden Age too in the 100 pagers and would find old Whiz Comics and The Marvel Family issues at comic book conventions. Not cheap!! Loved C.C. Beck’s simple style – it really appealed to me.
June 8, 2021
Happy birthday to the late Mr. Beck!
June 9, 2021
It’s a shame what they’ve done with this character, now.
June 9, 2021
Love this SuperHero have many of his comics. Unfortunately I wish DC didn’t make him Goofy smh.
June 9, 2021
C-27 was actually an recreation of an earlier CMA/WHIZ cover…In fact, Beck was renowned for his IDENTICAL recreations of ANY artists works – he did loads of cover recreation commissions till he died recreating other artists covers with 100% accuracy.
August 4, 2022
Beck may not have liked this take, but I prefer it to what came after it.
September 23, 2022
I loved these! It all made my Jnr./Sr. High days a lot better!