Shazam (wizard)

Shazam
Rendition of the Jebediah incarnation of the Wizard. Art by Alex Ross
Publication information
Publisher	Fawcett Comics (1942-1953) DC Comics (1972-present)
First appearance	Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940)
Created by	C. C. Beck Bill Parker
In-story information
Alter ego	Mamaragan Jebediah of Canaan
Species	God (current) New God (previous continuity) Homo Magi (previous continuity)
Team affiliations	Marvel/Shazam Family Squadron of Justice The Quintessence Council of Immortals Lords of Order Council of Eternity
Notable aliases	The Wizard Shazam Wizard of Shazam Golden Age version: The Champion Jebediah O'Keenan Vlarem Modern version: The Great Wizard He-Who-Sleeps
Abilities	Immortality Vast mastery of magic, occultism, and spell-casting. Living Lightning spell; a spell that can magically bestow superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes and stamina alongside other powers originating from divine entities.

Shazam (/ʃəˈzæm/), also known as The Wizard or Wizard Shazam, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Fawcett Comics and DC Comics, first appearing in Whiz Comics #2 (February, 1940) created by C. C, Beck and Bill Parker. While being originally known as Shazam, this character later shared the name with Captain Marvel following the renaming of the character in 2012.

In his original depictions, Shazam, originally known as Shazamo, is an ancient hero and the guardian of the Rock of Eternity. He was a powerful wizard of Egyptian and Canaanite origin, later revealed to be named Jebediah. During his childhood, he was bestowed with the powers of Canaanite gods and referred to as "The Champion". In his later years, he sought a successor and initially chose Black Adam from Kahndaq. However, he regretted this decision when Black Adam betrayed him. Ultimately, Shazam selected Billy Batson as his chosen successor and guided him to become the central ally of the Marvel Family.^[1] After New 52 and subsequent storylines, a revised modern version of the Wizard is introduced. Initially depicted as a sorcerer from Kahndaq who attained godhood, his origin is later retconned to portray him as Mamaragan, a deity inspired by Australian Aboriginal mythology, specifically the Kunwinjku culture.^[2] The Wizard, also known as Shazam, lead the Council of Eternity, which governs magical matters, safeguards the Rock of Eternity, and protects the world from evil. Unfortunately, the Council is slain by Black Adam, whom Mamaragan had previously chosen as his champion and successor. As the sole survivor, Mamaragan continues his duties as the guardian and seeks a new successor in Billy Batson, with the goal of establishing the spiritual successors of the Council, known as the Shazam Family.

The character of the Wizard Shazam has made appearances in various DC comics series and adaptations in different media. Notably, Djimon Hounsou portrayed him in the DC Extended Universe films Shazam! (2019), Black Adam (2022), and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).

Publication history

Created in the 1940s by Bill Parker and C. C. Beck for Fawcett Comics, he is an ancient wizard (Whiz Comics #2 gives his age as 3,000 years) who gives young Billy Batson the power to transform into Captain Marvel. Despite the new comic's popularity and theatrical success, Captain Marvel was similar enough to Superman that a court ruled against Fawcett in 1952. Two decades after gaining the rights to Captain Marvel, DC Comics began publishing new stories under the title Shazam!. This became a problem for DC's lawyers, as the company had abandoned any rights to the Captain Marvel name, and it was now owned by rival Marvel Comics.

In 2012, DC officially changed Captain Marvel's name to "Shazam", to resolve trademark conflicts with the Marvel Comics character of the same name.^[3] Both the wizard and his champion shared the name "Shazam" in the comic book stories published from then until June 2013,^[4] but the Wizard later revealed that "Shazam" is an adopted name, and that his original name is Mamaragan.^[2]

Fictional character biography

Jebediah of Caanan (Golden Age version)

Fawcett Comics history

Originally, the wizard's name was Shazamo, the last letter standing for the hero of magic Oggar. However, Oggar became corrupt and tried to take power from Shazamo. The wizard defeated Oggar and cursed him to live in the world of mortals. He was given cloven hooves as a sign of his inner evil, and could cast each magic spell only once. Shazamo then dropped the last letter of his name.^[5]

Shazam informs Billy that he is an ancient Egyptian wizard who has been using his powers for many centuries to fight the forces of evil, but that he is now old and not long for this world. He therefore passes along part of his power to Billy, who shouts his name– "SHAZAM!"– to transform into Captain Marvel/Shazam. He also then explains to Billy that his name: is an acronym for six ancient heroes. Each letter empowers him with certain attributes:

S The wisdom of Solomon;

H The strength of Hercules;

A The stamina of Atlas;

Z The power of Zeus;

A The courage of Achilles;

M The speed of Mercury.

Although Shazam is killed, as prophesied, by a giant granite block falling on him, Billy/Captain Marvel/Shazam can summon the ghost of Shazam for guidance by lighting a special brazier in Shazam's lair (the Rock of Eternity). More superheroes soon joined the superhero Shazam in carrying on the legacy of the wizard Shazam, including Shazam Family members Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr. Shazam tells that once, 5,000 years before, he gave powers to Black Adam, but Black Adam was killed while turning back to his regular self. He died due to his advanced age. +In the Marvel Family series, he was shown in some early issues carving the Marvel Family adventures into the Rock of Eternity.

Post-Crisis origin and early history.

In a story written by E. Nelson Bridwell for World's Finest Comics #262 (cover date April/May 1980), his gave him a backstory in which he was a young shepherd who becomes the Champion, one of the world's first superheroes in ancient Canaan, over 5,000 years ago. By speaking the magic word "VLAREM!" (an anagram of "Marvel"). This background is later explored further in the Power of Shazam! series, in which detailed during his tenure as a Champion, At one point, the Champion is seduced by a demoness disguised as a beautiful woman, and the two of them conceive two half-demon offspring, Blaze and Satanus, much to the displeasure of the gods. The Champion later creates the Rock of Eternity from two large rock formations – one from Heaven and one from Hell – to hold the Three Faces of Evil, a dragon-like demon whose mother is the same demoness as the one who bore his children, captive. Shazam also later trapped demons of the Seven Deadly Sins in statues of themselves and imprisoned them at the Rock of Eternity.

Many centuries later, the Champion, now going by the name of "Shazam", feels the need to pass along his powers to a successor. He selects the pharaoh's son Teth-Adam to receive the power to become the superpowered Mighty Adam by speaking the word "SHAZAM!" However, Blaze interferes with this succession and Adam is given powers from the Egyptian deities instead. As her mother did, Shazam's daughter Blaze takes on the form of a beautiful woman and seduces Adam, convincing him to kill the pharaoh and take over the kingdom. An angry Shazam draws Mighty-Adam's powers out of him and into a large jeweled scarab, thereby killing Adam as he ages to death. Shazam then seals his remains and the amulet in a tomb. A wicked reincarnation of Teth-Adam named Theo Adam would steal the scarab many centuries later and use the power of Shazam to become Black Adam. Shazam was upset by this and did not consider passing on his powers for millennia. The wizard resurfaces as an aide on the 1940 Malcolm Expedition, one of many archaeological expeditions into the tombs and pyramids of ancient Egypt. The sarcophagi of Ibis the Invincible and his mate Princess Taia are uncovered and brought to the United States. Shazam follows the sarcophagi. Once they are on display at the Fawcett City Museum, Shazam uses ancient spells to resurrect Ibis. Ibis then joins Bulletman, Spy Smasher, Minute-Man, and others to fight evil during the World War II era. In 1955, a thug knocks a weakened Shazam across the head with a crowbar and causes him to lose his memory. A clueless Shazam wanders around Fawcett for the next forty years until C.C. Batson, a young man Shazam had met on the Malcolm Expedition, recognizes the old man and brings him to the museum to restore his memory. Shazam feels that he has truly found his successor in the upstanding Batson, but before he can act on this, a possessed Theo Adam murders Batson and his wife Marilyn for the magic amulet. He therefore decides to enlist C.C. Batson's young son, Billy, as the successor to his power.

Day of Vengeance

In Superman (vol. 2) #216, Shazam calls upon the Spectre to free Superman from being controlled by the demon Eclipso. This action breaks a covenant between Eclipso and the Spectre and sets Eclipso permanently at odds with the wizard. Possessing the body of Jean Loring, the Atom's ex-wife, Eclipso corrupts the confused Spectre into joining forces with her, and begins a war against all magic-powered beings in the DC Universe.

Because of his previous action, Shazam is one of the duo's primary targets. In the Day of Vengeance mini-series, Shazam enlists Captain Marvel to keep the Spectre at bay while the wizard gathers all of his power to battle him. With the assistance of the newly formed Shadowpact, a band of magic-based heroes, Captain Marvel fights the Spectre nearly to a standstill, but the Spectre escapes and makes his way to the Rock of Eternity to confront Shazam directly. While Shazam is preparing for his bout with the Spectre, he is confronted by Mordru who has just escaped the Rock of Eternity. Mordru and the wizard fight for a short time while the Spectre begins to approach, despite being delayed by fighting Captain Marvel. More concerned with escaping and staying out of the Spectre's way, Mordru leaves a slightly wounded and tired Shazam to fight the Spectre, who is already more powerful than him at full power.^[6] The Spectre overpowers the wizard, absorbs his magics, and kills him. As a result, the Rock of Eternity disintegrates above Gotham City into "a billion pieces" and explodes, freeing the Seven Deadly Sins along with many other demons and sending a depowered Billy Batson falling into the city.^[7]

In Infinite Crisis #1, Billy finds he is still able to transform into the Captain before he strikes the ground by saying the wizard's name as usual. It is also revealed that the entire affair was orchestrated by Alexander Luthor Jr. and the Psycho-Pirate to reduce magic to its raw form, the death of Shazam turning his name into a tether for the rest of the raw magic that Alexander could harness to power his tower by acquiring one of Shazam's champions, eventually forcibly 'enlisting' Black Adam for that purpose after failing to capture any of the other Marvels.

In Day of Vengeance: Infinite Crisis Special, the Shadowpact teams up with the majority of the DC Universe's surviving magical characters to rebuild the Rock of Eternity and reseal the Seven Deadly Sins. The final piece of the reconstruction, revealed by Zatanna, is that a new wizard has to be appointed to guard the Rock. Billy, as the only real candidate, is chosen to succeed Shazam as the Rock's new caretaker.

In the comic series 52, Captain Marvel is revealed to be currently headquartered at the Rock of Eternity, acting in Shazam's stead. He has already imprisoned the Sins again, although he claims they cause trouble at the full moon.

Mamaragan (Modern Age version)

The Wizard, as seen in Justice League (vol. 2) #0 (November 2012). Art by Gary Frank.

While not part of the first wave of DC's The New 52 2011 line wide relaunch, it was announced at New York Comic Con on October 15, 2011, that Billy Batson would be featured in a backup story, "The Curse of Shazam!" beginning in Justice League (vol. 2) #7 in March 2012.^[8] It was confirmed by Geoff Johns, DC Comics' chief creative officer and the author of the story, that Billy Batson's alter ego would be called "Shazam" rather than "Captain Marvel" from now on.^[9] In DC's, 2012 Free Comic Book Day offering called The New 52 FCBD Special #1, it was revealed that seven wizards representing seven different mythologies occupied the Rock of Eternity at the dawn of time in The New 52.^[10] They harnessed the power of magic to cast out a "Trinity of Sin", which acted as a precursor to the 2013 Trinity War crossover event.^[11] A younger version of the Wizard is part of this group of wizards.

Origin & earlier history

Originally, the Wizard is instead depicted as a powerful wizard named "Shazam" native of the Middle Eastern kingdom of Kahndaq. He would escape the kingdom before its brutal history commenced and later became a member of the Council of Eternity, presiding over the Council as the leader.^[12] Later, his history was retconned with a different origin, revealing himself to be the Aboriginal (Kunwinjku) deity, Mamaragan, whose songlines led him to a seat on the Council of Eternity, where he adopted the title "Wizard" and later Shazam.^[13]

As a member of the Council, one first actions was to punish and sentence the Earth's greatest transgressors. So they summoned Phantom Stranger, Pandora, and Question to the Rock of Eternity and evoked the different punishments on them. At some point in the Council of Wizards' history, most of the council members were killed by Black Adam except for the Wizard.

Shazam! (2013)

Many years later, the Wizard appeared before Pandora. He is very weak and tells her that he has just given his power to a new champion of magic who will take his seat on the now destroyed council. The Wizard says that he has come to tell Pandora that he and the council were wrong for punishing her. He says that the other two members of the Trinity deserved their punishment but she was just a curious girl and he asks for her forgiveness. He then tells her that she can no longer open the box and that what had been released could not be put back. But there was still power within the box and it would take the strongest of heart or the darkest to open it. Then the vision disappears before Pandora can find out who that person might be.^[14]

When Doctor Sivana opens Black Adam's tomb and frees Black Adam, the Wizard begins abducting people one by one via magic and bringing them to the Rock of Eternity to assess them for the job of inheriting his powers only to dismiss each of them for not being pure of heart.^[15] The Wizard then summons Billy to the Rock of Eternity as his last candidate, but upon meeting him sees how rotten a child he is and dismisses him as well until Billy argues that perfectly good people "really don't exist" and that the Wizard may never find what he is looking for. Agreeing with Billy and aware that he is dying, the Wizard sees that Billy has the potential to be good and passes on his powers to the boy by asking him to speak the magic word "Shazam" with "good intentions" as merely saying the word has no effect. After saying the magic word, Billy is struck by a bolt of lightning which transforms him into Shazam, a super-powered being possessing super-strength and flight. The Wizard then passes away and transports Shazam back to Earth.^[14]

Justice League: Darkseid War - Power of the Gods

After Darkseid's death, Billy Batson found his powers disrupted, forcing the formerly deceased Wizard to return to life and hastily brokering deals with other new entities. This later puts him in conflict with Zonzsu, who is revealed to be Darkseid's father Yuga Khan, as he sought a god whose acronym started with the letter "Z" per the "SHAZAM" acronym. The Old God attempts to steal the Wizard's power but is stopped by Billy Batson using the new powers he gained from the newly associated gods that patron his power and his knowledge of how the Magic of Shazam works. The Wizard then reveals that the final god who empowers him is none other than himself, Mamaragan, who explains his origin and state the two will now be closer to one another than ever, even If he comes to regret it. The two then set off to a new adventure, with Billy empowered by a new set of gods.^[13]

DC Rebirth

In the DC Rebirth relaunch, Mamaragan appears as a key member of The Immortals, a group founded by Hawkman and Hawkgirl to study the Dark Multiverse. In the present, they are headquartered in Antarctica. They advised Lady Blackhawk/Kendra Saunders to use the brain of Anti-Monitor to destroy the Dark Multiverse. His knife is taken by Batman and then Talia al Ghul in preparation against Barbatos.^[16]

Shazam! and the Seven Magiclands (2019-2020)

Mamaragan later appears in the Gamelands part of the Magiclands where he picks up Pedro and Eugene. He teleports them to the Wozenderlands where he saves the White Rabbit from the winged monkeys that work for the Wicked Witches of the North, South, East, and West. Then he asks the White Rabbit where Alice is. As the White Rabbit comes along with them to meet up with Alice and Dorothy Gale, Mamaragan explains that all will be explained shortly. But right now, the trees are listening. While roasting apples and cucumbers at their campfire with the White Rabbit learning about Pedro and Eugene's experiences in the Funlands and the Gamelands, Mamaragan explains that the disruption in the transformation is on Billy's part as the seventh's champion needs to be found.^[17]

Mamaragan later teleports Billy, Mary, and C.C. away from Black Adam and the Seven Deadly Sins and brings them to the Wozenderlands. He then teleports the rest of Billy's foster family after Billy and Mary fought off the Cheshire Cat. After explaining that he needed Billy to believe that he passed away after their first meeting, Mamaragan explains that the error in the power-sharing spell is because of the conflict of his foster family and the return of C.C. where it can be remedied by sharing it with those that he deems family. Billy was able to remedy this by declaring that he'll share his powers with anyone he considers family. After the Shazam Family defeated King Kid, Billy brings Mamaragan the dinner that Tawky Tawny made. When asked about King Kid, Mamaragan states that King Kid has been returned to the Funlands where the adults will decide how to deal with him. He sends Billy on his way so that he can uncover the latest disturbance in the Magiclands. After seeing what he has to do later that night, Mamaragan strikes down C.C. as he states that he can't have him interfering.^[17]

Billy investigates what happened and asks Mamaragan why he struck down his father. Mamaragan claims that C.C. is corrupting the magic which will interfere in stopping the upcoming threat while claiming that he chose poorly with Billy like he did with Black Adam. The rest of the Marvel Family join in the fight and suspect that he is not the real Mamaragan. As C.C. regains consciousness, he informs Victor, Rosa, and Tawky about a vision he had about the Magic War where Mamaragan slaughtered creatures throughout the lands and sealed them off from one another. Billy and C.C. use their powers to send Mamaragan back to the Rock of Eternity just as Black Adam arrives. Shazam figures out that Mamaragan attacked C.C. because he is the actual host of Mister Mind and not Doctor Sivana as they have freed the Monster Society of Evil. When Mamaragan witnesses the spell that Doctor Sivana cast to bring the Book of Champions out of the Rock of Eternity, Mamaragan comments that he made a big mistake. Mamaragan watches the fight between Shazam and Mister Mind from the Rock of Eternity. Following the defeat of Mister Mind and Superboy-Prime, Mamaragan has left the Rock of Eternity. From an unknown location, Mamaragan states that he is proud of Billy and that he would eventually lead Black Adam to a full redemption.^[17]

Infinite Frontier

During the Infinite Frontier event, the Wizard appears alongside other members shorltly after the defeat of the Batman Who Laughs at the hands of Wonder Woman, who was chosen to ascend and was offered a position as a member of the Quintessence. Wonder Woman was wary the request, as she was informed of a grave threat appearing as a consequence of restoring the multiverse from the Batman Who Laugh's damage to it. The Quintessence claims they sensed no kind of threat but Wonder Woman nevertheless kindly rejected it to experience the new direction of the Multiverse herself. However, despite their claims, the group was later seemingly killed by an empowered Darkseid.^[18]

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths (2022)

Later, it was revealed that the Quintessence was under the control of the Great Darkness (namely Pariah's manipulation of a fraction of its power), eventually leading to the seemingly death of the core members of the Justice League. At the end of the event, after Pariah's defeat and restoration of the Justice League members, the Quintessence, including the Wizard, was revived by the Spectre.

Black Adam (2022)

The Wizard would later make appearance in the Black Adam limited ongoing series in various flashbacks taking place thousands of years prior to the current present day, expanding on Black Adam's history as Mamaragan's champion, Mighty Adam. Unlike previous accounts, several details were changed, including the method of how Black Adam came to be sealed away from the world.

The series establishes that at some point after Black Adam killing his nephew, Aman, Mamaragan remained suspicious about the death of his true chosen champion but could not act on them, as Mighty Adam deliberately lied and hid the truth from him. After Adam's eventual turn on the Council, he killed off the Council saved Mamaragan, keeping him in stasis via a potion to preserve his magic, believing his death would also rid of him the Powers of Shazam. Despite Adam's attempt at concealing his actions to the larger ancient world and serving the Pharaohs of Egypt, Adam began resenting being a servant for kings and during Teti's reign, he eventually took power by killing the pharaoh for his callousness of his subjects upon the suggestion of Mereruka, Teti's vizier who also knew of Adam's act of killing Aman despite having taken place centuries before Mereruka's birth. Shortly after being pharaoh under the name "Userkare", Mereruka turns on Adam by employing Ibac and attempts to force him to relinquish his title. However, Adam prevails but Ibac escapes and later frees Mamaragan from stasis, unbeknownst to Adam and Mereruka (who underestimated his intelligence). He confronts his former champion on Aman's fate and declares him evil, using his magic to banish him from Earth.

Powers and abilities

General abilities

Living Lightning

All iterations of the Wizard Shazam character possess a direct connection to the distinctive magical power referred to as the Living Lightning, which is a unique form of magic within the DC Universe. This magical energy, often resembling a lightning bolt, can be utilized for a variety of purposes and possesses typical magical properties and powers that can be harnessed to create spells. The Rock of Eternity is considered a conduit for the Living Lightning.^[19] The Living Lightning is widely recognized as a potent and formidable manifestation of magical energy. It possesses the remarkable ability to resist the influence of the Great Darkness, making it one of the few powers capable of doing so. Additionally, the Living Lightning exhibits the capacity to penetrate robust barriers, including those found within the Tower of Fate.^[20] These abilities are intrinsically tied to the Wizard, with the death of the Wizard would result in the and disruption and/or cessation of these powers for any chosen empowered champion lest he has chosen a new heir to bear the power.^[7]

Powers of Shazam!

Chiefly, the Living Lightning grants certain individuals what is sometimes referred to as the Powers of Shazam. This particular manifestation of the Living Lightning is described as the concentrated essence of six divine entities, bestowing power upon a chosen individual known as a Champion of Magic or Keeper of Magic. As the creator of this power, the Wizard Shazam possesses the ability to imbue selected individuals with attributes from these six divine entities. Each entity's name, whether original or adopted, corresponds to a letter within the name SHAZAM and must be willingly or forcibly brokered by the Wizard (as exemplified by Yuga Khan).^[21] Initially, stories depicted the Wizard as capable of bestowing or retracting the powers of the Living Lightning at will.^[22][1] In more recent narratives, it has been portrayed that the Living Lightning can be passed on to chosen successors, as seen with individuals like Billy Batson and Black Adam. However, once the powers have been bestowed upon a recipient, the Wizard is unable to forcibly revoke them.^[17] This condition persisted until the Lazarus Planet event, which altered the nature of magic itself and enabled the Wizard to develop a spell capable of revoking the powers once again.^[23]

Golden Age

Magical powers

The original depiction of Shazam from Fawcett Comics portrayed him as a divine being with godly powers. He had previously led the gods who collectively formed the name "Shazam" (originally Shazamo).^[5] However, in the 20th century, his powers gradually diminished. He attributed his powers to a magical mantle that not only shielded him from harm but also granted him additional abilities. When the mantle was removed, he lost his powers and reverted to his natural form as an elderly man. The mantle's protective properties specifically safeguarded the wearer from evil harm, as observed when it failed to shield Sivana from Captain Marvel's attacks.^[24] In other storylines, Shazam is depicted as comparatively weaker, as he can be captured even while wearing the mantle. Additionally, it has been shown that lighting the brazier can summon him regardless of his physical location, even if he is not present at the Rock of Eternity.^[25]

In DC Comics' depiction of the Wizard Shazam, he is portrayed as a tremendously skilled and powerful wizard who possesses a vast array of magical abilities. His mastery of magic reaches a godly level, allowing him to wield immense mystical powers.^[26] At his peak, the character was powerful enough to battle formidable entities such as the Spectre.^[27] However, in a diminished state, Jebediah is limited to conjuring mystical bolts and providing guidance and advice to members of the Marvel Family, a group of superheroes associated with Shazam.^[26]

Powers of Vlarem!

The Golden Age version of the Wizard Shazam (then known as "The Champion") was known to possess powers similar to the Powers of Shazam. By uttering the word "Vlarem" (an anagram of "Marvel"), he could tap into the powers granted by the Canaanite gods. These powers are believed to function in a similar manner to the Powers of Shazam.

Modern Shazam

Magical powers

The Mamaragan iteration of the Wizard Shazam, as described by Black Adam, is regarded as a legendary sorcerer and storm god of considerable power. His abilities are said to transcend the conventional notions of space-time, allowing for the simultaneous existence of different versions of him across the multiverse as one entity. Within the Seven Magiclands, he is widely recognized as one of the most formidable wizards in their history and held the distinction of being the most powerful member of the past Council of Eternity.^[17][29]

Mamaragan possesses extensive sorcerous and divine powers, demonstrated through a range of abilities such as astral projection, limited levels of omniscience, lightning projection, spell-casting, sealing, time manipulation, and manipulation of his Living Lightning.^[17][29] While not frequently highlighted, the character demonstrates notable physical prowess befitting a god, allowing him to endure attacks from demi-god level beings (such as the Shazam Family) and god-level entities (such as Yuga Khan) and hold his ground in physical encounters.^[17][30]

Other abilities

As a divine entity originating from Kunwinjku culture, the character has been known to undertake the practice of performing songlines.^[31] Additionally, the character possesses expertise in crafting a diverse array of mystical weaponry.

Equipment and resources

Mamaragan uses various artifacts and equipment such as:

• Staff of the Living Lightinng: Mamaragan possesses a mystical staff that acts as a focal point for his powers, although he is not reliant upon it. Contrary to its name, as pointed out by Billy Batson, the staff does not actually contain the Wizard's power that grants the Power of Shazam.^[30]
• The Wizard's Dagger: Mamaragan crafted a magical dagger that contains a portion of his magical power. Over time, the dagger has been in the possession of various individuals, including Batman and Ra's al Ghul, but it has since been reclaimed by the Wizard. The power of the dagger grants him the capability to defeat powerful gods, as exemplified by his use of it to fulfill Hera's request to slay Zeus.^[32]
• Seven Spells of Shazam: This artifact has been attributed to the version of Shazam associated with Mamaragan, although its physical appearance has not been depicted. In certain media, it is mentioned that the knowledge of the artifact's spells is exclusive to the Wizard and the Rock of Eternity. The possession of this knowledge poses a potential threat to those who wield derivative power from the Wizard.

Other versions

Portion of a panel from The Trials of Shazam #2 (November 2006) featuring Marvel. Art by Howard Porter.

Marvel (Billy Batson)

Main page: Religion:Captain Marvel (DC Comics)

After the events of Infinite Crisis, Billy assumes the role of the wizard Shazam, now known as Marvel, while Freddy Freeman, without powers, attempts to prove himself worthy of the Shazam powers and becomes the new Captain Marvel. Mary loses her powers and falls into a coma but later accepts power from Black Adam. In this new incarnation, Shazam resembles the original Captain Marvel, with only having long, white hair.

During the Trials of Shazam!, Sabina gains some Powers of Shazam with the help of the Council of Merlin. She kills Atlas, leading Freddy and Marvel to temporarily shoulder Atlas's burden. Freddy convinces Apollo to take on Atlas's burden, but Apollo shares his powers with Freddy and Sabina out of bitterness. Sabina and the Council of Merlin plot to assault New York City to disrupt the magical balance. The Justice League intervenes, and Freddy battles Sabina. Freddy sacrifices himself and is deemed the most worthy by Zeus, who grants him the full power of Shazam. Sabina is killed, and the demons disappear.

Later, Black Adam, Isis, and the corrupted Mary Marvel take control of the Rock of Eternity. Billy and Mary's father recruits Jay Garrick to retrieve Shazam's spirit from the Rock of Finality. Shazam is restored, removes powers from Isis and the Marvels, and turns Black Adam and Adrianna to stone. Shazam cuts off Billy and Mary's access to his power, returns Stargirl to Earth, and mentions dealing with Freddy before closing the Rock of Eternity.^[33][34]

Kingdom Come

In the Kingdom Come reality, Shazam is a member of the Quintessence and has been displeased that Billy Batson has been corrupted by Lex Luthor's influence.^[35]

Flashpoint

In the Flashpoint timeline, the power of the six Elders is divided up between six children who say Shazam together to transform into Captain Thunder, similar to the Lieutenant Marvels. They claim to have gotten on the subway car to Shazam's lair.

In other media

Television

• Shazam appears in The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam!, voiced by Alan Oppenheimer.
• Shazam appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "The Power of Shazam!", voiced by Jim Piddock.
• Shazam (referred to as "The Wizard") appears in the Justice League Action episode "Classic Rock", voiced by Carl Reiner.^[36] This version is shown to still be alive. He is banished from the Rock of Eternity and stripped of his powers by Black Adam, but eventually returns with Batman's help, defeating Adam and sending him to the edge of the galaxy.
• Shazam appears in the Teen Titans Go! episode "Little Elvis", voiced by John DiMaggio.

Film

Animated

• Shazam appears in the short film Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam, voiced by James Garner.^[37][38] This version is regretful for giving Black Adam his powers, and as such imprisoned himself in a cave after empowering Billy Batson.
• Shazam appears in Lego DC Super Hero Girls: Super-Villain High, voiced by Khary Payton.
• Shazam is featured in the LEGO films Lego DC Batman: Family Matters and n Lego DC: Shazam!: Magic and Monsters, voiced by Ralph Garman.

Live-action

• Shazam appears in the film serial Adventures of Captain Marvel, portrayed by Nigel De Brulier.
• Shazam appears in films set in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU), portrayed by Djimon Hounsou. Originally, Ron Cephas Jones was intended to play the character, but had to step down due to scheduling conflicts.^[39]
  • The character is introduced in the 2019 film Shazam!. This version considered Doctor Sivana to be his successor, but rejected him after he was corrupted by the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. Years later, Doctor Sivana returns to Rock of Eternity, frees the Enemies, and defeats Shazam using their power. Subsequently, Shazam chooses Billy Batson as his successor before seemingly dying as he crumbles to dust.
  • Shazam makes a cameo appearance in Black Adam.^[40] He and the Council of Wizards were responsible for empowering Hurut to be Kahndaq's champion until he was killed by King Ak-Ton's assassins while reviving his father Teth-Adam with his power. Shazam was the sole survivor of the Council of Wizards after Teth-Adam attacked them in rage when they deemed him unworthy of his power following his massacre of King Ak-Ton and his followers. He imprisoned Teth-Adam within what would become the tomb for both Adam and the Crown of Sabbac.
  • Shazam returns in Shazam! Fury of the Gods.^[41] Here, he is revealed to be alive, but imprisoned in the God Realm of the Daughters of Atlas, Hespera and Kalypso. They recover his staff in the Acropolis Museum and force him to repair it so they can regain their powers. Shazam then enters Billy's dream to warn him about the Daughters of Atlas, later learning that he broke the staff to separate the God's Realm from Earth. Later, the Wizard meets Freddy Freeman, who is also a prisoner, and the two escape with the help of Atlas's third daughter, Anthea, and reunites with Billy and the Shazam Family. After escaping and Billy's brothers (except him) losing his powers to Kalypso, the Wizard tells him that he chose Billy because of his selflessness and concern for his family and that he must accept himself as a true hero. Later, before a monster attack in the city, the Wizard helps the children to ride unicorns to scare them away. After Kalypso and her monsters were defeated by the Shazam Family and Billy, who also sacrificed his life, he was brought into the God's Realm to attend his funeral with the depowered staff. After Wonder Woman appears and restores the staff's power with her residual power of Zeus, this act revived both Billy and the powers once lost in the God's Realm, including Anthea. The Wizard gives the staff, and Billy uses the staff to restore the powers of his foster siblings. In the aftermath, the Wizard, now dressed elegantly, visits Billy's family and Anthea. He reclaims the staff and leaves to travel the world.

Video games

• Shazam appears in Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe, voiced by Joe J. Thomas. After Captain Marvel fended off Raiden, the presence of Shazam appears and tells him that Dark Kahn is behind the world merge crisis and that Darkseid's essence has merged with evil magic from the other world. Shazam then tells Captain Marvel to help defeat Dark Kahn by gathering an "army of both dark and light" to fight him before the world merge is complete enough for the Kombat Rage to consume every living being on both worlds. In Superman's ending, Superman seeks the aid of Shazam to help him prepare for any protection against future magical threats, having him create a new costume for him that gives him immunity to magic. In Captain Marvel's ending, Shazam guides him through a focusing ritual to regain control of his powers.
• Shazam appears as a support card in the mobile version of Injustice.
• Shazam appears as a playable character and boss in Lego DC Super Villains.

References

External links

• Wizard Shazam at DC Comics

• Shazam at DC Comics Wiki
• Marvel Family Web entry on the wizard Shazam
• Earth-S Marvel Family Index

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