Shazam!: Power of Hope (DC, 2023)

Perhaps no classic comic-book character embodies the spirit of youth and optimism as thoroughly as Captain Marvel -- the wish fulfillment of every child who ever dreamed of having super powers and taking flight. In a personal story told from the hero's point of view, both young Billy Batson and his alter ego, Captain Marvel, devote themselves to keeping hope alive by granting the requests of a local hospital's children -- in a sense, making their wishes come true. Powerfully written by Dini, with staggering painted art by Ross that combines traditional comic-book storytelling and the illustrated-text format of storybooks, SHAZAM!: POWER OF HOPE finds our hero taking a direct hand upon meeting a boy who has been injured by domestic violence. Deeply affected by the encounter, our story shows just how human the World's Mightiest Mortal truly is.