Shazam (DC Comics)

Captain Marvel, later known as Shazam () for legal reasons, is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker created the character in 1939. His main villains are Black Adam, Doctor Sivana, and Mister Mind.

 Publication history 
Captain Marvel first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 (cover-dated Feb. 1940), published by Fawcett Comics. 

 Fictional character biography 
He is the alter ego of William Joseph "Billy" Batson, a boy who was chosen by the wizard Shazam, and by speaking the magic word "SHAZAM" (acronym of six "Immortal Gods": Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury), can transform himself into a costumed adult with the powers of the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the will of Atlas, the lightning of Zeus, the speed of Achilles, the charisma of Mercury, and other abilities. 

Based on book sales, the character was the most popular superhero of the 1940s, outselling even Superman. 

 Powers and abilities 
The character had the abilities of flight, super strength, invulnerability and the unique ability of shooting lightning bolts from his chest.

 In other media 
The character has been adapted twice for television by Filmation: as a live-action 1970s series with Jackson Bostwick and John Davey as Captain Marvel and Michael Gray as Billy Batson, and as an animated 1980s series. Zachary Levi played Shazam and Asher Angel played Billy Batson in the 2019 DC Extended Universe movie Shazam! and the 2023 movie Shazam! Fury of the Gods.

References

Category:DC Comics superheroes
Category:DC Comics adapted into movies
Category:Fictional characters introduced in 1939