In the mid1970s, the tv series the secrets of isis ran alongside the shazam. But national publications, known today as dc comics, saw captain marvel as a knockoff of its own superman and sued fawcett. The universe is in shambles and the guardians are the cause. He was an orphan who was chosen by the wizard shazam to be a champion for good, and was gifted with six legendary figures when he spoke the wizards name, turning him into an adult superhero. A brief history of shazam, one of dcs wildest characters. Look for it on bluray combo pack and dvd on june 16, 2020.
Captain marvel officially becomes shazam in dc comics. A look at the dc comics characters evolution comic book history the history of shazam a look at the dc comics characters evolution. Billy batson is shazam, a young hero empowered with the gifts of ancient gods by the wizard. Notes lead character, captain marvel previously published by fawcett comics, 19401954, could not be used in books title due to later characters trademarked by marvel comics. During his initial run at fawcett, billy was subsumed by captain marvel when he. In this history, billy batson becomes fond of a tiger at the zoo named tawny and regularly feeds it. Dc is home to the worlds greatest super heroes, including superman. Nelson bridwell script denny oneil, otto binder, e. Ign also ranked captain marvel as the 50thgreatest comic book hero of all time, stating that the character will always be. Comic book history is full of wild stories, much like its host of largerthanlife superheroes dc comics sued another company that originally owned shazam, who was called captain marvel at the. There are people who will read this and wonder, wait, isnt captain marvel over at marvel comics. The tangled history behind a lost superhero the character now called shazam was born 80 years ago when comics were the wild west mon, mar 25, 2019, 05.
A great book, with a hero that represents the times we live in. Captain marvel, also known as shazam is a fictional superhero appearing in american comics. Comicbook history is full of wild stories, much like its host of largerthanlife superheroes dc comics sued another company that originally owned shazam, who was called captain marvel at the. Eventually dc won, and fawcett was forced to retire publishing captain.
Captain marvel, also known as shazam, is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by the american publisher dc comics. Shazams incredible origin story is retold here in this new edition of shazam. Superman, batman, spiderman, even green lantern went from one guy to a whole green lantern corps. He introduced updated versions of captain marvel jr. Dec 04, 2018 captain marvel, also known as shazam, is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by the american publisher dc comics. This wizard bestowed powers on the child billy batson. Definitive origin of a hero that should have more proeminence in the dc universe. The word balloons in the story were relettered to label the hero of the main story as captain marvel. Shazam captain marvel dc comic book lot of 5 with vintage 1970s issues. Captain marvel shazam explained heres why there are. Ending his hiatus from comics since the early 1950s, captain marvel made a triumphant return in his own, allnew ongoing franchise. Over the last two years, dc comics has found its soul again. Shazam makes his case for joining the justice league in this exclusive sneak peek from dc s newest animated lego movie, shazam.
Some time after the cancellation of the show, filmation revisited the character with the shazam. As part of the dc comics weekly event 52 in the mid2000s, isis was brought back into. First sivana family in dc comics publisher dc comics store date february 10. The other one by marvel studios was about carol danvers, who has her own convoluted history. Growing selfish and heartless, he went from foster home to foster home until he landed in an orphanage in philadelphia.
Perhaps the most mature of all of the comics on this list at least, in the sense that it is the least inspired by the golden age and feels more like the other stories youd get from dc supermanshazam deals with the topic that dc likes to bring out every now and again in order to reference the publication history of the two. Now, whenever evil must be stopped or people are in need of help, earth can rely on the power of shazam. Its a funny quirk of history that 2019 will see the big screen debuts of both marvel and dcs captain marvel characters. During a reboot in 1986, dc comics made a conscious choice to remove the splitpersonality aspect from shazam. Geoff johns and dc comics have announced that the legendary boy turned hero captain marvel will officially have his name changed to shazam. He was a certifiable cash cow for publisher fawcett comics. Djimon hounsou played the ancient wizard, shazam, in the theatrical film. In his prime, he regularly outsold superman and batman. Collecting the backups from justice league, this tells the full origin of billy batson, a young. Syfy wire picked a handful of shazam comic book issues and arcs you. Captain marvel comics who gives the superhero and his associates their powers. Comic book heralds reading orders and guides are also made possible by.
This book is an easy recommend and represents a high mark in the history of shazam. Shazam makes his case for joining the justice league in this exclusive sneak peek from dcs newest animated lego movie, shazam. The definitive guide to the characters of the dc universe. During the subsequent years, captain marvel has appeared in various dc comics, both his own series and dc books of varying natures. The name originally belonged to an ancient wizard, who lived in the rock of eternity and guarded the seven deadly sins. Captain marvel was also the first comic book superhero to be adapted into film, in a 1941 republic pictures serial. Notes lead character, captain marvel previously published by fawcett comics, 19401954, could not be used in book s title due to later characters trademarked by marvel comics. Shazam is a name that has been used by captain marvel and other members of the marvel family. Captain marvel dc comics, also known as shazam, a fawcett comics and, later, dc comics superhero shazam, a wizard character from the shazam.
The two series would regularly crossover even though isis was not initially a dc comics property. Rating is available when the video has been rented. Apr 05, 2019 shazam first appeared in whiz comics no. Geoff johns and gary frank bring the dc and watchmen universes together. From 1940 to 1950, captain marvel was the comic book industrys biggest hit, with spinoff titles galore. The comics history of all 9 captain marvels nerdist. Comics hottest writer geoff johns continues his historic run on one of the bestselling titles of dc comics the new 52, green lantern. In 1973, the classic marvel family returned, ironically now owned by dc comics, in a series given the name shazam they couldnt call a title captain marvel due to their chief rival marvel. An adapted version of isis, the heroine of the secrets of isis, was introduced into dc comics in 2006 as black adams wife in the weekly comic book series 52. In the story, captain marvel must face off against dr. Beck splash with lone star comcis certificate of uathenticity. Feb 20, 2019 thus, dc published the comic under the name shazam.
Thus, dc published the comic under the name shazam. Its not a movie about one kid superhero, its about six kid superheroes. But in 1995, creator jerry ordway decided to expand the marvel family once more in the pages of the power of shazam. Superman, batman, spiderman, even green lantern went from. I know nothing about shazams history in dc but this volume explained. Buy products related to shazam comic books and see what customers say about shazam comic books on. Dc comics presents superman and shazam comic 1984 no. Apr 04, 2019 however, in the 1980s, dc comics captain marvel shazam was rebooted to be billy batson in his perfect adult body.
Apr 02, 2020 dc comics, american media and entertainment company whose iconic comic based properties represented some of the most enduring and recognizable characters in 20th and 21stcentury popular culture. Shazam later created the marvel family, a group of heroes who he. Shazam is making its case for finally being a top book at dc. Due to marvels trademark, they couldnt publish a comic under his name and called it shazam instead. The reason for this was that in 1972, dc comics acquired the other captain marvel from fawcett. Captain marvel has been a staple in the history and.
With billy batson set to make his liveaction debut in dcs shazam. Watch to learn the extended history of shazams dc origins and how the character has developed over the years in the dc comics universe. In 2011, much of dc history was reimagined in the new 52 universe. Beck and writer bill parker created the character in 1939. Comic book history the history of shazam a look at the. Aug 01, 2017 an oral history of dcs captain marvelshazam. The definitive guide to the characters of the dc universe by matthew k. Dc comics, american media and entertainment company whose iconic comic based properties represented some of the most enduring and recognizable characters in 20th and 21stcentury popular culture. In 1948, the case went to trial where things went back and forth. Four new series set in the world of the vertigo classic. It seems an official announcement regarding a shazam movie is imminent.
After the death of his parents, billy became cold and cruel to most people. On the movie side, captain marvel is due out in theaters march 8. Kicking off with the rebirth one shot in spring 2016, dc combined a kind of backtobasics approach to its heroes with a knack for. Batson simply had to speak the wizards name, and he would transform into the adult captain marvel. Shazam real name william joseph billy batson, originally known as captain marvel, is a superhero from the dc comics and universe. Billy batson became an orphan at a young age after his parents, c. Captain marvel comics throughout dcs history, including of course, mary marvel. Credits for pencils and inks confirmed from julius schwartzs editorial records, provided by dc comics.
His creation was inspired by the success of dc comics superman but in his 1940s heyday, the redclad superhero originally known as captain marvel was more popular and outsold the comics starring the. The monster society of evil, a 2007 limitededition dc comics series written and illustrated by jeff smith. These days, every major superhero has a virtual army of spinoff characters. Comic book history the history of shazam a look at the dc. Its a funny quirk of history that 2019 will see the big screen debuts of both marvel and dc s captain marvel characters. Captain marvel comic book collections for sale ebay. In the new 52, billy becomes shazam, the champion chosen by the god or wizard known as mamaragan. Its parent company, dc entertainment, is a wholly owned subsidiary of time warner inc. Posted on thursday, april 4th, 2019 by siddhant adlakha. Because marvel comics, by the time of the revival, had acquired the trademark on the captain marvel name for their own hero, the new books. Due to litigation from marvel, this is the last issue to carry the subtitle the original captain.