Shazam!
If ever there was a rationality to shout the Son “ Shazam ! ” it was whenDC Comicsfinally introduce a unexampled version ofBilly Batson ’s hero who had a name more suited to his powerset and gravitas than the oft - derided “ Shazam . ” As a Hero of Alexandria who possesses the powers of six unlike Greek Gods , bestowing him with superhuman strength , news , and endurance , along with wizardly power and the power to moderate the “ living lightning , ” Shazam is one of comics ’ most powerful heroes . Even so , his name does not reflect this , as it has been a source of contestation and jape for decades .
Shazam was n’t the original name Fawcett Comics had for this hero , who was introduced as Captain Marvel in 1939 . He suffered his most devastating plan of attack at the work force of a rival comic company rather than any villain on the pageboy . National Comics ( which became DC Comics ) was fiercely protective ofSuperman ’s popularity and its associated marketing fury , lay claim right of first publication infraction over the grapheme ’s similarity to Superman . A 12 - year legal battle result , ultimately finding in DC ’s favor , causing Fawcett to retire the poor boy . Marvel Comics later entered the fray by developing and trademarking its own Captain Marvel theatrical role , meaning that DC could not practice the name when trying to revive Fawcett ’s superheroes in 1972 . Instead , DC opted to name him after the phrase that transform Batson from a child into an unstoppable grownup superhero .
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Though each of the individual letter in Shazam is meaningful and represents one of Batson ’s powers in his hero form , it still feels like the persona has been named after an exclamation of excitement , not dissimilar from “ huzzah ! ” or “ oh boy ! ” There are even jot that somewould still prefer to call Shazam Captain Marvel . InFlashpoint # 1by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert , a adaptation of the Shazam character called Captain Thunder arrives like a bolt of lightning from the heavens , offering a perfect alternative name . In addition to being central to the story and stick in an interesting new character mechanic where Shazam is an amalgamation of six children , each with one of the superhero ’s powers , Captain Thunder has a name that reflects his strength and grandness . bid him Captain Thunder evokes the “ living lightning , ” one of Shazam ’s most awe - instigate mogul and the discharge that causes the initial transformation .
Sadly , Captain Thunder only appears for a few issue . This soubriquet merit to live on as more than a flash in the pan , however , be as a multi - biramous result to any unintentional woefulness from the Shazam name . To start , it sure as shooting commands more assurance than the name Shazam , cause it first-class for a superherowhose forgotten great power is intuitively comprehend dangerand respond to it in a sincere , serious manner . It also honors Batson ’s origins as Captain Marvel by only changing one Son but doing so in a meaningful way .
As an exclaiming after a mic driblet or a feat of incredible skill , “ Shazam ! ” has make for as a great catchphrase forBilly Batsonfor decades . As the name of a licit superhero who possesses the power to knock Superman out in a single punch , however , it leave something to be desire . DC Comicshave been pose on the perfect name forShazamsinceFlashpointand this is a spark of originative genius that should n’t be waste .
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