Shazam!

From Fanlore
(Redirected from Shazam)
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Fandom
Name: Shazam!
previously: Captain Marvel
Abbreviation(s):
Creator: C. C. Beck and Bill Parker
Date(s): Fawcett Comics (1939–1953)
DC Comics (1972–present)
Medium: comic books, animation, radio serial, TV series, films
Country of Origin: United States
External Links: Official Site, Wikipedia
Click here for related articles on Fanlore.

Shazam, previously known as Captain Marvel until 2011, is a fictional superhero of the same name appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created in 1939 and first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940) published by Fawcett Comics.

When Mego Corp. produced this character for its "World's Greatest Super Heroes!" series of 8" action figures, the 1973 packaging used the title "Shazam!" DC has branded and marketed the character using this trademark since his 1970s' reintroduction. [1] This led many to assume that "Shazam!" was the character's name, and DC officially renamed him "Shazam!" when The New 52 relaunched DC Comics' properties in 2011, with his associates known as the "Shazam Family". [2]

Canon

Shazam is a series about the alter ego of Billy Batson, a boy who, by speaking the magic word "Shazam", can transform himself into a costumed adult with the powers of superhuman strength, speed, flight, and other abilities. In classic Shazam! stories, the name is an acronym of the six figures from whom Billy's magical powers derive: Solomon (Wisdom), Hercules (Strength), Atlas (Stamina), Zeus (Power), Achilles (Courage), and Mercury (Speed).

Based on book sales, the character, then known as Captain Marvel, was the most popular superhero of the 1940s, outselling even Superman. The publishers than expanded the franchise to include other "Marvels", primarily Marvel Family associates Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr., who can share Billy's powers.

Main Characters

Other Adaptions

Fandom

Despite the popularity of the character, the fandom behind Shazam/Captain Marvel is actually quite small. There is only a few works posted to FanFiction.Net and Archive of Our Own. LJ seems to only have a few non-active RPG accounts.

Since the release of the films in 2019 and 2023, fans have grown greatly in number, including a large number of RPF fans.

Shipping

Fanworks

Fics

Artwork

Archives & Fannish Links

References

<references>

  1. ^ Bricken, Rob. "The Captain Marvel/Ms. Marvel/Shazam Clusterf*ck Explained". Archived from the original on 2021-05-26. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
  2. ^ The DC Comics Encyclopedia : the definitive guide to the characters of the DC universe, ISBN: 9781465453570, DK Publishing (New York, NY), 2016, p 272