Wizard Shazam

Shazam (), 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. A major supporting character in ''Shazam!'' comic book titles, he often serves as a wise old man archetype.

The original version of the character was Jebediah, a young boy who of Egyptian and Canaanite origin who served as the Champion, gaining his power through Canaanite gods. In his later years, he forgoes their powers and learned wizardry before seeking a successor to empower. A revised version of the character is introduced after the New 52. At first introduced as a Kahndaq native who ascended to godhood, this origin was retconned and he is revealed to be Mamaragan, a figure based upon the deity in Kunwinjku culture.''Justice League-Darkseid War-Shazam'' #01 (2015) This version served as a adjudicator on Earth's supernatural matters as leader of a cabal of six other wizards, making up the Council of Eternity until a betrayal forces him to seek a successor to both his power and the fallen Council. Although the character's motivations and background history differ, they're intended to be incarnations of the same character.

The core of the character serves as an ancient sorcerer who battled the forces of evils for centuries until the betrayal of Black Adam, one of his earliest champion and proposed successors, forced him to seal him away and seek another champion to take his place. This would eventually come in the form of Billy Batson, who becomes the hero known as Captain Marvel/Shazam, and the rest of the Marvel Family (currently known as the Shazam Family). He often serves as a mentor to the group and is a notable member of the Quintessence, a powerful group of beings who watch over events unfolding in the universe.

The Shazam character has been featured in various media and adaptations relating DC Comics series. The original Golden Age incarnation has appeared in live television serial such as the ''Adventures of Captain Marvel'', portrayed by Nigel De Brulier. He also appeared in animated features such as '' Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam'', voiced by James Garner. Notably, Djimon Hounsou portrayed the character in DC Extended Universe films '' Shazam!'' (2019), ''Black Adam'' (2022), and ''Shazam! Fury of the Gods'' (2023) whose appearance and portrayal is inspired by the New 52's earlier version of the character.

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.

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. 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. 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. 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. A younger version of the Wizard is part of this group of wizards.

Both the wizard and his champion shared the name "Shazam" in the comic book stories published from then until June 2013,''Justice League'' (vol. 2) #20 (June 2013) but the Wizard later revealed that "Shazam" is an adopted name, and that his original name is Mamaragan.

Fictional character biography

Golden Age

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.

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. 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.''Day of Vengeance'' #6 (November 2005). DC Comics.

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.

Post-Flashpoint

The Shazam character is late reintroduced within the New 52 onward, having several origins. The earliest origin cast Shazam as a Kahndaqi-born sorcerer who ascended to godhood and leads the Council of Eternity, a group of wizards overseeing mystic matters on Earth, and was a keeper of magic. An alternate origin was retroactiely introduced later, revealing himself to be the Kunwinjku deity Mamaragan. This retcon instead explains that the character's songlines guided him to a seat on the Council of Eternity, where he adopted the title of "Wizard" and the name Shazam. One sources suggest both origins are known but the latter is the true one while another suggests he was a Kahndaqi-born wizard who became powerful enough to ascend to godhood early in his life, granting him both Kahndaqi and Aboriginal ties.

As leader of the Council, the character would be responsible for numerous incidents such as being the one to punish Phantom Stranger, an interpretation of Judas Iscariot, for his betrayal of Jesus Christ on behalf of the Presence and Pandora, based on Greek mythology, by granting her immortality and scars that constantly burn as a consequence of unleashing the Seven Deadly Sins upon humanity. In the latter case, he later believed his and the Council's punishment was too harsh.''Justice League'' (vol. 2) #0 (September 2012). DC Comics. He was also responsible for empowering the young Amun as his champion, who shared his with his uncle, Teth-Adam. Teth later killed his nephew to consolidate his power and became the Wizard's primary champion. Teth eventually betrays the Council and kills them off save Shazam, who seals him away.

The ''Shazam!'' backup in the ''Justice League'' comic book title shows an elderly Shazam in the modern era later apologizing to Pandora for giving her a harsh punishment as his demise nears and Black Adam is resurrected by Dr. Sivanna and like past stories, he bestows his powers onto Billy Batson, whom is more abrasive and ill-mannered than previous incarnations but sees potential goodness in him. Unlike previous depictions, he explains to Billy he must say the word "Shazam!" with intent to transform, as the word itself won't do so before seemingly passing on.

He later appears in the '' Darkseid War'' crossover title, where he replaces Billy's collection of god following Darkseid's supposed death, which disrupted his connections to his old gods. Both Mamaragan and Billy come into conflict with Yuga Khan (known as Zonzu) when he wishes to usurp the Powers of Shazam. After his defeat, the wizard makes him part of Billy's pantheon as pentice for his crimes and reveals his aboriginal ties and being among Billy's new set of empowered gods.

DC Rebirth onward

During DC Rebirth, he is also a member of the Council of Immortals. He also plays a significant role in the 2018 "Shazam! and the Seven Magiclands''"'' storyline, revealing himself to the Shazam Family as they explore the titular Seven Magiclands. This set into motions of events plotted by Mister Mind and his Monster Society of Evil, manipulating events for the family to choose Billy's biological father, C.C. Batson, as the seventh champion to gain access to their magic as his secret host while pitting the family against him. After he, the society, and surprise adversary Superboy Prime is defeated, Mamaragan becomes aware of a potential future with a redeemed Black Adam as the eventual seventh champion.

Mind disrupts the Wizard's efforts to unearthing the threat and manipulates him and Billy into a clash which results in him being sealed away. Mamaragan watches the family battle the society and later a returned Superboy Prime, who was previously imprisoned with magic generating Red Sun energies. Remorseful of not trusting Billy, he comes to believe in his decision and witnesses a potential future where he helps redeems Black Adam and the Shazam Family becomes the spiritual successors of the Council of Eternity. Mamaragan is also referenced in the ''2021 Shazam!'' limited series, his presence disrupted when his future counterpart is killed by the Unkindness, a future version of Raven, as well as the Rock of Eternity being displaced, causing all of the Shazam Family's power to be disrupted and unreliable. These references also restores his connections with Blaze and Satanus, with Billy referencing events connected to the past '' Power of Shazam!'' comics and merging aspects of the Golden Age incarnation.

In Infinite Frontier, Shazam is shown as a member of a reintroduced incarnation of the Quintessence and appears alongside other members shortly after the defeat of the Batman Who Laughs at the hands of Wonder Woman, whom is invited as a member. The heroine rejects it and shortly after taking her leave, the group is seemingly an empowered Darkseid. 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.

In the ''Black Adam'' limited ongoing series. The "''East of Egyp''t" storyline includes the Wizard in flashbacks set thousands of years before the present day, in which the events depicted are an altered version of the flashbacks depicted in ''Marvel Family #1'' (December, 1945). These flashbacks also explore Black Adam's history as Mamaragan's champion, Mighty Adam, with several changes made to previous accounts expressed earlier in the New 52 and DC Rebirth, including the methodology of how Black Adam was sealed away. After killing his nephew Aman, Black Adam deceived the Wizard and kept the truth hidden although he remained suspicious. He later betrayed the Council of Eternity, eliminating the others but sedates Mamaragan through magical potions. As pharaoh under the name "Userkare," Black Adam was confronted by his vizier, Mereruka, who employed Ibac to force him to step down. Black Adam prevailed, but Ibac freed the Wizard and he banished Black Adam from Earth after a confrontation over Aman's fate, sent among the stars.

In the ''Lazarus Planet'' crossover, the Wizard is unexpectedly ousted from his role as Keeper of the Rock of Eternity and believes Billy to be responsible. He aligns himself with Hera, who plans to depose Zeus and seek revenge on mortals. Billy and Yara Flor unite to stop Hera, but are surprised to find the Wizard on her side and Billy is subsequently depowered and captured. The Wizard is later summoned by Hera to enhance her powers against Wonder Woman, but when Hera's agenda becomes unpopular, he doubts and abandons her. Billy later calls upon the Wizard through the Rock of Eternity, where it is revealed that the Wizard initially believed Billy had betrayed him. However, witnessing Mary sacrifice her powers to aid Wonder Woman, the Wizard realizes his mistake and deems Mary worthy to be the Champion. Despite his intention to empower both Billy and Mary, Hippolyta intervenes and chooses to bless Mary's powers through her and seven other gods. Both Billy and Mary regain their powers, with Mary's connection maintained through the blessings of the seven goddesses instead of the Wizard's magic, despite still utilizing the "SHAZAM" method.

In the ''Shazam!'' 2023 comic book series, the Wizard makes a brief appearance and is mentioned by Billy Batson as he recalls his transformation into Shazam. The series reaffirms Billy's previous origin of falling asleep in a subway, but with some subtle changes. These changes include acknowledging Billy's status as a foster child from his New 52 origin and expressing reluctance regarding the Wizard's intentions. It is revealed that the character eventually entrusts Billy with the Rock of Eternity, hoping that he will treat it with reverence.

Characterization

The character is depicted as an ancient wizard who bestows powers (and namesake) upon several champions and a staunch defender against evil. In both incarnations of the character, he often seeks a worthy successor to his power and status. While the original incarnation served as a past champion similar to his future successors (particularly Billy Batson) originally, the modern version of the character instead is a deity and wizard who originally adjudicated mystical matters concerning the Rock of Eternity, a major source of magic, and occasionally those concerning the Presence. He is also depicted as a member of Quintessence, a council of influential beings who witnessed recorded history; the character is considered among the most formidable entities in the universe potentially capable of felling powerful evils such as Darkseid and is peers with the Phantom Stranger and the Spectre.

In either incarnations, he is a mentor figure to the Shazam Family, especially Billy Batson, and provides supernatural aid to his successors. Some stories explore his relationship with Billy Batson, his original incarnation even casting him in a parental role when he posed as his grandfather "Jebediah O'Keenan" to ensure the continuance of his dual life with parental guidance. The current version portrays him to be more reluctant in choosing Billy due to his age and personality although he recognizes his potential. Steve Orlando described their relationship as initially antagonistic but evolving into a "pseudo father-and-son relationship", making him a parental figure alongside the Vasquez family. Aspects of this parallels to Shazam's relationship with Black Adam, whom he once mentored but was later betrayed and has, in one instance, also referred to him as a fatherly figure.

Powers and abilities

At the height of his power, Shazam is an immortal deity possessing tremendous and godly level magical abilities, affording him powers such as reality alteration. His modern version is stated to be a sorcerer transcending conventional notions of space-time, allowing for the simultaneous existence of different versions of him across the multiverse as a singular being. In a diminished state, he is only capable of utilizing thunderbolts offensively and spiritually advising the Shazam/Marvel Family.

In addition to his abilities, Shazam possess several personal weapons such as the Staff of the Living Lightning, an arcane object in which can act as a focal point for his powers and acts as a lighting rod, notably not containing the famed Powers of Shazam. He also possess a magical dagger containing a portion of his magical power, able to slay gods such as Zeus.

The Champion

The Golden Age version of the character, known as the Champion, used a predated version of the Powers of Shazam, in which instead used the acronym "VLAREM", in which the combination aligns within that specific acronym derived from Cannanite gods.

Living Lightning

The Living Lightning refers to the unique form of magic in the DC Universe often portrayed to be intrinsically tied to the Mamaragan, lineages of the Marvel Family, and the Rock of Eternity. Debuting in 2011 during the New 52, the Rock of Eternity acts as a conduit of the magic and is connected to his life, as his death would result in the and disruption or cessation of these powers for any chosen empowered champion lest he has chosen a new heir to bear the power. The Living Lightning can take the form of a lightning bolt or lightning itself and possesses a wide array of magical abilities. These include spell-casting, enhancing specific powers, and more. It also has safeguards in place that deter usurpation, resulting in the slow demise of the usurper, even with the enhanced stamina provided by the Powers of Shazam.

After the New 52, the power associated with the Champion's ability to share their power was retroactively attributed to a sharing spell. Selected champions have the ability to share their powers with their chosen family, and the power level depends on the number of individuals transformed at a given time. All champions draw from the same power pool. The strength of the power is influenced by the emotional connection between the champion and those they empower. The champions' powers can be disrupted by emotional distress related to these relationships. The Wizard Shazam bestows power upon a chosen champion, and once granted, it cannot be revoked. However, the Wizard can depower individuals who were included in the sharing spell. This limitation is established before the events of '' Lazarus Plane''t.

Powers of Shazam

The Powers of Shazam is a set of superpowers acquired from aspects of different divine entities and notable figure, either from mythology or original creations within the DC Universe, whose names align with the "SHAZAM" acronym. They have the ability to grant power to a chosen champion, whether willingly or under the coercion of the Wizard.. When a champion is empowered, the associated divine entities are bound by specific parameters and rules that govern their connection to the champion. Following the New 52, these powers are retroactively associated with the Living Lightning, which is channeled through the distilled essence of six divine entities.

Other versions

* 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.
* 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.

Marvel (Billy Batson)

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.

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. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
* Shazam (referred to as "The Wizard") appears in the ''Justice League Action'' episode "Classic Rock", voiced by Carl Reiner. 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 '' Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam'', voiced by James Garner. 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 appears in the LEGO films '' Lego DC Batman: Family Matters'' and ''Lego DC Shazam! Magic and Monsters'', voiced by Ralph Garman.

Live-action

* Shazam appears in ''Adventures of Captain Marvel'', portrayed by Nigel De Brulier.
* Shazam appears in media 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. This version of the character is inspired based upon the earlier New 52 version.
** 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''. 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''. Here, he is revealed to be alive, but was imprisoned in the God Realm of the Daughters of Atlas, Hespera and Calypso (mythology), 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 Captain Marvel Jr., Freddy Freeman, who is also a prisoner, and the two escape with the help of Atlas's third daughter, Antheia, 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 Diana Prince (DC Extended Universe), 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 visits Billy's family and Anthea before reclaiming his staff and leaving 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 (Mortal Kombat), Raiden, the presence of Shazam appears and tells him that Dark Kahn is behind the DC and Mortal Kombat universes merging 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 character summon in ''Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure''.
* Shazam appears as a support card in the mobile version of ''Injustice: Gods Among Us''.
* Shazam appears as a playable character in ''Lego DC Super-Villains''.

References

External links

Wizard Shazam
at DC Comics
* dcdatabase:wiki/Jebediah_of_Canaan_(New_Earth), Shazam at DC Comics Wiki

Marvel Family Web entry on the wizard Shazam

Earth-S Marvel Family Index

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shazam (Character)
Characters created by Bill Parker (comics)
Characters created by C. C. Beck
Comics characters introduced in 1940
DC Comics characters with superhuman durability or invulnerability
DC Comics characters who can teleport
DC Comics characters who use magic
DC Comics fantasy characters
DC Comics film characters
DC Comics male characters
DC Comics telepaths
Egyptian superheroes
Fictional ancient Near Eastern people
Fictional ancient Egyptian people
Fictional characters with electric or magnetic abilities
Fictional characters with eidetic memory
Fictional characters with precognition
Fictional characters with dimensional travel abilities
Marvel Family
Achilles
Atlas (mythology)
Heracles in fiction
Mercury (mythology)
Solomon
Zeus

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