An Interview with Josie Campbell
Words By Josie Campbell, Interview by Dominic Loise
For our readers familiar with the Shazam! movies, where is Billy Batson currently in the DC Comics universe?
Billy Batson is a full hero, and a member of the Justice League. He also lives at home with his foster siblings, some who have recently regained their superpowers (Mary and Freddy) and others who have lost their powers (Darla, Pedro, and Eugene). As well, he is trying to balance his home life with his superhero life—especially as his foster parents are trying to adopt him!
Billy’s powers have also evolved past what we’ve seen in the movies—now he and the Captain (his superpowered persona) have slightly different personalities. This means the two can talk to each other and clash over their ideas on how to save the day—and boy, do they clash!
What is Billy Batson’s relationship with the immortal elders who grant him the power of SHAZAM! (Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury)?
The gods are a gift and a curse! The gods have chosen Billy as their champion—both because Billy is determined and courageous, and because him being a foster kid resonates with them. After all, Zeus himself was a foster (in mythology he was fostered by the nymphs on Mount Ida), and the other gods have had struggles that allow them to relate to Billy’s struggles. The Gods often CAUSE Billy problems, especially when they meddle in mortal affairs, but ultimately, they have Billy’s back and see themselves in him.
How does Billy represent the concept of a parentified child—a child with adult responsibilities?
Billy is the poster child for someone forced to grow up too fast, which is both a theme in my run and a large plot point for my first issues. Because he learned early on adults could not be relied upon, Billy’s taken on way more responsibility than he ever should have.
In my first issues, that is the BIG conflict between him and the grown-up Captain. The Captain begins hiding things from Billy to try and prevent him from getting hurt by the adults in his life and tries to shift that responsibility away from Billy. But while the Captain thinks he’s doing the kind thing, Billy sees it as another adult forcing him to do what THEY want, and not taking Billy’s own wants and desires into account. It’s a big issue between them, and one that will continually pop up in their relationship.
What balance does Billy’s foster family bring over Shazam!’s world of magic and myth? How does their human perspective help Billy in a way the immortal elders don’t?
Billy’s foster family absolutely grounds this world and gives it true stakes—fighting villains is one thing, but when fighting the bad guys forces you into conflict with those you love, and forces you to reflect on what family truly means to you, the stakes become so much higher. His foster family is the beating heart of Billy’s world and gives us an emotional center that colors every part of the comic.
They also support him in a way the Gods and his fellow heroes cannot. They love and support him—as well as call him out when he acts egotistical, or ignores other people’s ideas and wants, balancing his heroics with a teasing but kind family dynamic. His foster family inspires Billy to be a hero, giving him a unique POV on the world no other hero possesses. Billy knows what it’s like to be shuffled around from family to family, your whole life stuffed into a trash bag. That knowledge makes him even more determined to speak up for the helpless, the weak, and the downtrodden, becoming the champion of all who need a voice.
What other projects do you currently have coming out and where can our readers find you online?
Outside of “SHAZAM!,” I also write an original comic through Boom Studios. The comic is called “I Heart Skull-Crusher!” and the first volume is out in trade paperback now! As well, I am the Executive Producer for a new DC animated show called “Starfire!” following the titular character as she explores space with a crew of other new and returning DC superheroines. And you can find me online at @cozyjamble on X and at my website cozyjamble.com.