Shazam
Creation & Design
Shazam was created during the Golden Age of Comics and was originally published by Fawcett Comics. The character was designed to appeal to children, featuring a young boy who could transform into a powerful superhero.Early Years
Shazam quickly became one of the most popular superheroes of the 1940s, rivaling Superman in sales and popularity. His adventures often involved battling villains and protecting the innocent.Character Development
Over the years, Shazam has evolved from a simple children's hero to a complex character with rich backstories and relationships, often exploring themes of family, responsibility, and the balance between childhood and adulthood.Cultural Reception
Shazam has been well-received by audiences, praised for his unique premise and the blend of humor and heroism in his stories.Character Details
Real Name:
Billy Batson
Aliases:
Captain Marvel, The Big Red Cheese
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Justice League, Marvel Family
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Speed, Flight, Magic
Equipment:
Magic lightning bolt, Shazam's powers
Weight:
100lbs
Height:
5' 3"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
black
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12-page black and white Ashcan, a way to establish copyright by printing small-quantities and distributing to show proof of intellectual property ownership
1st appearance of Captain Thunder (Billy Batson), renamed Captain Marvel to avoid more copyright issues from Fiction House's character Captain Terry Thunder
Fawcett couldn't use the title Flash Comics due to All-American Comics (DC) already having secured the rights
8 copies were printed in 1940 but prior to 1986, collectors were unaware of its existence
High value is from a 2008 sale of a 9.4 graded copy
12-page black and white Ashcan, a way to establish copyright by printing small-quantities and distributing to show proof of intellectual property ownership
1st appearance of Captain Thunder (Billy Batson), renamed Captain Marvel to avoid more copyright issues from Fiction House's character Captain Terry Thunder
Fawcett couldn't use the title Flash Comics due to All-American Comics (DC) already having secured the rights
8 copies were printed in 1940 but prior to 1986, collectors were unaware of its existence
High value is from a 2008 sale of a 9.4 graded copy
Thrill Comics #1
Fawcett
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
12-page black and white Ashcan, a way to establish copyright by printing small-quantities and distributing to show proof of intellectual property ownership
1st appearance of Captain Thunder (Billy Batson), renamed Captain Marvel to avoid more copyright issues from Fiction House's character Captain Terry Thunder
Fawcett was forced to select the name Whiz Comics after Better Publications acquired the title Thrilling Comics
3 copies were printed in 1940 but prior to 1986, collectors were unaware of its existence
High value is from a 2008 sale of a 9.0 graded copy
12-page black and white Ashcan, a way to establish copyright by printing small-quantities and distributing to show proof of intellectual property ownership
1st appearance of Captain Thunder (Billy Batson), renamed Captain Marvel to avoid more copyright issues from Fiction House's character Captain Terry Thunder
Fawcett was forced to select the name Whiz Comics after Better Publications acquired the title Thrilling Comics
3 copies were printed in 1940 but prior to 1986, collectors were unaware of its existence
High value is from a 2008 sale of a 9.0 graded copy
Whiz Comics #1
Fawcett
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam
1st appearance of the Wizard Shazam
1st appearance of Dr. Sivana, a scientific genius and the archenemy of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher
1st team appearance of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, later renamed the Seven Deadly Sins
While not a precise swipe of Action Comics #1 artwork, this cover and other aspects of Captain Marvel led to DC (formerly National) filing a lawsuit against Fawcett for Captain Marvel too closely resembling Superman
Premiere issue of the series though the copyright notes read issue #2
There exists a scarce Ashcan edition of this issue
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam
1st appearance of the Wizard Shazam
1st appearance of Dr. Sivana, a scientific genius and the archenemy of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher
1st team appearance of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, later renamed the Seven Deadly Sins
While not a precise swipe of Action Comics #1 artwork, this cover and other aspects of Captain Marvel led to DC (formerly National) filing a lawsuit against Fawcett for Captain Marvel too closely resembling Superman
Premiere issue of the series though the copyright notes read issue #2
There exists a scarce Ashcan edition of this issue
Whiz Comics #2
Fawcett
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
2nd appearance of Captain Marvel, later becomes Shazam
2nd appearance of Dr. Sivana
2nd appearance of Spy Smasher
This is the second issue of the series although the copyright notes indicate this is issue #3
2nd appearance of Captain Marvel, later becomes Shazam
2nd appearance of Dr. Sivana
2nd appearance of Spy Smasher
This is the second issue of the series although the copyright notes indicate this is issue #3
Whiz Comics #3
Fawcett
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
3rd appearance of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Beautia, the daughter of Dr. Sivana
Cover correctly reads issue #3, interior notes read #4
3rd appearance of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Beautia, the daughter of Dr. Sivana
Cover correctly reads issue #3, interior notes read #4
Whiz Comics #4
Fawcett
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
4th appearance of Captain Marvel (Shazam)
4th appearance of Dr. Sivana
2nd appearance of Beautia
4th appearance of Captain Marvel (Shazam)
4th appearance of Dr. Sivana
2nd appearance of Beautia
Whiz Comics #5
Fawcett
•
1940
•
Vol. 1
Debut of Captain Marvel costume with full buttons on chest flap - interior splash page only
Debut of Captain Marvel costume with full buttons on chest flap - interior splash page only
Whiz Comics #15
Fawcett
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Dr. Sivana
1st appearance of Magnificus Sivana, the son of Dr. Sivana
Revealed that Beautia is the daughter of Dr. Sivana
Origin of Dr. Sivana
1st appearance of Magnificus Sivana, the son of Dr. Sivana
Revealed that Beautia is the daughter of Dr. Sivana
Captain Marvel Adventures #1
Fawcett
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
Premiere issue of Captain Marvel's first ongoing series
Captain Marvel's costume was inspired by military officer-uniforms that had similar attributes to the ornate half-cape affixed by braided rope at the neck and slung over the shoulder
Premiere issue of Captain Marvel's first ongoing series
Captain Marvel's costume was inspired by military officer-uniforms that had similar attributes to the ornate half-cape affixed by braided rope at the neck and slung over the shoulder
Captain Marvel Adventures #3
Fawcett
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
Cover art by C.C. Beck with lightning bolt printed metallic silver
Cover art by C.C. Beck with lightning bolt printed metallic silver
Whiz Comics #21
Fawcett
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of the Lieutenant Marvels: Tall Marvel, Fat Marvel and Hill Marvel
1st team appearance of the Lieutenant Marvels: Tall Marvel, Fat Marvel and Hill Marvel
America's Greatest Comics #1
Fawcett
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
First cover to feature Fawcett's major superheroes all together: Captain Marvel, Bulletman, Minute Man, Mr. Scarlet, Spy Smasher
First cover to feature Fawcett's major superheroes all together: Captain Marvel, Bulletman, Minute Man, Mr. Scarlet, Spy Smasher
Whiz Comics #25
Fawcett
•
1941
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel Jr., Freddy Freeman, a boy who Billy Bastion shared his power with in order to save his life
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel Jr., Freddy Freeman, a boy who Billy Bastion shared his power with in order to save his life
Captain Marvel Adventures #12
Fawcett
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
Captain Marvel joins the army
Captain Marvel Adventures #17
Fawcett
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
The Sivanas coin the nickname "Big Red Cheese" as an insult to Captain Marvel and the name stuck for decades thereafter
The Sivanas coin the nickname "Big Red Cheese" as an insult to Captain Marvel and the name stuck for decades thereafter
X-Mas Comics #2
Fawcett
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
Cover art featuring Shazam and other Fawcett characters
Captain Marvel Adventures #18
Fawcett
•
1942
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Mary Marvel
1st appearance of the Marvel Family together in one issue: Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr.
1st appearance and origin of Mary Marvel
1st appearance of the Marvel Family together in one issue: Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr.
Hit Comics #28
Quality
•
1943
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Solomon, an adaptation of the biblical figure who also provided the 'S' in Shazam, and when spoken, lent his wisdom to the hero
1st appearance of Solomon, an adaptation of the biblical figure who also provided the 'S' in Shazam, and when spoken, lent his wisdom to the hero
Captain Marvel Adventures #26
Fawcett
•
1943
•
Vol. 1
1st full appearance of Mr. Mind, revealed to be a tiny, alien worm
In issue Captain Marvel Adventures #22 - #25, Mr. Mind’s presence is in dialogue alone
1st full appearance of Mr. Mind, revealed to be a tiny, alien worm
In issue Captain Marvel Adventures #22 - #25, Mr. Mind’s presence is in dialogue alone
Wow Comics #18
Fawcett
•
1943
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Uncle Marvel, a member of the early Marvel family who didn't actually have powers
1st appearance of Uncle Marvel, a member of the early Marvel family who didn't actually have powers
Spy Smasher #8
Fawcett
•
1943
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Atlas, a titan from Greek mythology condemned to carry the world on his shoulders
The 'A' in Shazam represents Atlas who provides stamina to the hero when the magic word is spoken
1st appearance of Atlas, a titan from Greek mythology condemned to carry the world on his shoulders
The 'A' in Shazam represents Atlas who provides stamina to the hero when the magic word is spoken
Marvel Family #1
Fawcett
•
1945
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance and origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who was first granted powers by the wizard Shazam though it corrupted him
Origin of The Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel and Uncle Marvel
1st appearance and origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who was first granted powers by the wizard Shazam though it corrupted him
Origin of The Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel and Uncle Marvel
Captain Marvel Adventures
Fawcett
•
1947
•
Vol. 1
Promotional comic packaged with Wheaties cereal
Captain Marvel Adventures #80
Fawcett
•
1948
•
Vol. 1
Origin of Captain Marvel retold
Captain Marvel Adventures #100
Fawcett
•
1949
•
Vol. 1
Milestone issue #100
Captain Marvel Adventures #138
Fawcett
•
1952
•
Vol. 1
Classic cover art by C.C. Beck featuring Shazam
Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane #42
DC
•
1963
•
Vol. 1
Unofficial appearance of Captain Marvel in DC Comics in the story 'Monkey's Paw'
The artist on this issue Kurt Schaffenberger was previously the artist on Captain Marvel (later Shazam) but lost his job after DC, National at the time, successfully sued Fawcett for copyright infringement which eventually led to the publisher to go bankrupt
Unofficial appearance of Captain Marvel in DC Comics in the story 'Monkey's Paw'
The artist on this issue Kurt Schaffenberger was previously the artist on Captain Marvel (later Shazam) but lost his job after DC, National at the time, successfully sued Fawcett for copyright infringement which eventually led to the publisher to go bankrupt
Shazam #1
DC
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
DC begins publishing Shazam after licensing the Captain Marvel character from Fawcett who they had successfully sued 20 years earlier for copyright infringement due to the character's similarities to Superman
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel since the Golden Age
1st appearance of Doctor Sivana and family since the Golden Age
Origin of Captain Marvel retold
DC begins publishing Shazam after licensing the Captain Marvel character from Fawcett who they had successfully sued 20 years earlier for copyright infringement due to the character's similarities to Superman
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel since the Golden Age
1st appearance of Doctor Sivana and family since the Golden Age
Origin of Captain Marvel retold
Superman #276
DC
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
1st modern appearance of Captain Thunder, an alternate timeline version of Captain Marvel who made very few appearances
Reference to the Fawcett Ashcan version of Captain Thunder
1st modern appearance of Captain Thunder, an alternate timeline version of Captain Marvel who made very few appearances
Reference to the Fawcett Ashcan version of Captain Thunder
Shazam #15
DC
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
First crossover of a DC character, Lex Luthor, in a Shazam story
Prior to this issue, Shazam was written in a separate universe than other DC characters
First crossover of a DC character, Lex Luthor, in a Shazam story
Prior to this issue, Shazam was written in a separate universe than other DC characters
Justice League of America #135
DC
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of Shazam's Squadron of Justice: Bulletman, Bulletgirl, Spy Smasher, Mr. Scarlet, Pinky, Ibis
1st team appearance of Shazam's Squadron of Justice: Bulletman, Bulletgirl, Spy Smasher, Mr. Scarlet, Pinky, Ibis
Justice League of America #137
DC
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
Cover art implies Superman and Captain Marvel battle but they do not
Cover art implies Superman and Captain Marvel battle but they do not
All-New Collectors' Edition #58
DC
•
1978
•
Vol. 1
First battle of Superman vs Shazam
First meeting and battle of Superman vs Black Adam - Black Adam disguised as Shazam
First battle of Superman vs Shazam
First meeting and battle of Superman vs Black Adam - Black Adam disguised as Shazam
DC Comics Presents #49
DC
•
1982
•
Vol. 1
Team-up of Superman and Shazam vs Black Adam
Variant second printing cover art by Alex Ross featuring Shazam
Justice League #7
DC
•
2012
•
Vol. 2
New origin of Shazam told as back-up stories over the course of 13-issues, beginning here
New origin of Black Adam
DC officially renames Captain Marvel, Shazam
1st team appearance of A.R.G.U.S., a government agency
New origin of Shazam told as back-up stories over the course of 13-issues, beginning here
New origin of Black Adam
DC officially renames Captain Marvel, Shazam
1st team appearance of A.R.G.U.S., a government agency
Justice League #21
DC
•
2013
•
Vol. 2
1st team appearance of the modern Marvel Family, now known as the Shazam Family, in costume
1st team appearance of the modern Marvel Family, now known as the Shazam Family, in costume
Infinity Countdown Prime #1
Marvel
•
2018
•
Vol. 1
Cameo appearance of Shazam from DC, partially seen
Given away at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2019 to promote the Shazam movie
Given away at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2019 to promote the Shazam movie
Batman Superman #1
DC
•
2019
•
Vol. 2
1st cameo appearance of The Shazam Who Laughs, the Dark Multiverse version of Shazam
1st cameo appearance of The Shazam Who Laughs, the Dark Multiverse version of Shazam
Batman Superman #2
DC
•
2019
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of the Superman Who Laughs
1st full appearance of the Shazam Who Laughs
1st appearance of the Superman Who Laughs
1st full appearance of the Shazam Who Laughs
Variant cover art by Steve Lieber
Cover art inspired by an etching titled ‘The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones’ by Gustave Dore
Variant cover art by Steve Lieber
Cover art inspired by an etching titled ‘The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones’ by Gustave Dore
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