Shazam (originally named Shazamo[1]) was a Wizard of great power.
History
Early History
With the ability to call upon the aptitudes of the great Elders such as Achilles, Atlas, Hércules, Mercury, Solomon and Zeus, Shazam also has the ability to bestow great power unto a selected champion.
9000 years ago, when he was a young shepherd in a forgotten civilization, he was bestowed with the powers of six gods: Voldar, Lumiun, Arel, Ribalvei, Elbiam and Marzosh when speaking the word "Vlarem". He used these powers to become a hero named The Champion in Ancient times and began an endless battle against the forces of evil. With the help of a time-traveling sucessor, he was able to seal the Evil under the Rock of Eternity. [2]
At some point in time he studied magic, becoming a very powerful wizard.
Even aging at a much slower rate than the rest of humans, the weight of age began to weigh on the wizard, and he began to seek a successor. The first he chose was in 3500 BC, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam. Adam rebelled and abused his power, prompting the wizard to rename him Black Adam after his dark deeds, and was magically banished to the farthest star in the universe.[3]
Some years before 1000 BC, Shazamo led a pantheon of heroes: Solomon, Hercules Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, Mercury and a young god named Oggar, and was known as "Shazamo" after the initials of his allies. One day, Oggar rebelled, and Shazamo cursed him, driving him out of the home of the gods for his evil ambitions. In addition, the wizard removed the "O" of his name, in shame, being known from then on only as Shazam. [4]
The New Champion
In the 1940s, Shazam amended his criteria for finding a champion, deciding to find an innocent child not corrupted by the world, who wouldn't misuse the godly powers Shazam had to bestow. He found one, ten-year-old Billy Batson. When Billy first met him, Shazam explained that his name was an acronym for six Greco-Roman deities and heroes, and that these deities empowered him with certain attributes. Shazam informed Billy that he had been using his powers for many centuries to fight the forces of evil, but that he was now old and not long for this world. He, therefore, passed along part of his power to Billy, who shouted his name — "SHAZAM!" — to transform into the superhero Captain Marvel. Although Shazam was killed — as prophesied — by a giant granite block falling on him, Billy/Marvel could summon the ghost of Shazam for guidance by lighting a special brazier in Shazam's lair, the Rock of Eternity.
At that time many deaths were occurring due to World War II, and Shazam, as a spirit, was helping taking care of the Gate of Eternity, where each soul would pass after death. Shazam was there to receive the souls of Kit Freeman and his maternal grandfather when a American ship was sunk, enabling the creation of Kid Eternity.[5] During the rest of the World War II, Shazam became material temporarily, disguising himself as a commanding officer of the United States Army, in order to convince Billy to not fight in World War II as he was unique.[6]
During the decades the Marvel Family were stuck in Suspendium, Shazam's activities are unknown. He continued to act as their mentor once again after they broke free.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Magic
- Decelerated Aging: When Shazam died, he was 9000 years old.
- Intangibility: Shazam is an immaterial ghost.
The Champion
In Ancient Times, when Shazam was known as The Champion, he had similar powers to Captain Marvel:
- Divine Empowerment - All of the powers granted collection of six by gods and figures of legend .
- Divine Grace: Innate luck and divine guidance that allows finesse in actions and dealings with others.
- Eidetic Memory
- Enhanced Intellect: Intellect and wisdom are heightened to superhuman levels.
- Flight: The ability to hover or soar at high speed through an act of sheer will. By flying faster than light, he was able to access the Rock of Eternity, where he could travel to any time or dimension.
- Indomitable Will: An incredible amount of willpower that allows perseverance in overwhelming odds and seemingly unbeatable situations.
- Invulnerability
- Magic Resistance
- Self-Sustenance: The ability to survive without sleep, food, water, or air.
- Superhuman Speed: The ability to run or fly at incredible rates of speed.
- Superhuman Reflexes
- Superhuman Agility
- Superhuman Stamina
- Superhuman Strength
- Transformation: The ability to transform from a mortal to the entity empowered by the six deities.
Abilities
Weaknesses
- Power Limitation and Vulnerability to separation of Shazamium bracelet: If separated from his Shazamium bracelet, Shazam can't use his magic and his spirit will fade away in 24 hours. It is implied that the Marvel Family would permanently lose their powers should this occur, given that Shazam's spirit acts as the focus of power.[7]
- In Eternity, Shazam's body is physical. If deprived of his Robe of Immortality he can hurt or killed[8]
Paraphernalia
Equipment
Notes
- This version of Shazam (Earth-S), including all history and corresponding appearances, was erased from existence following the collapse of the original Multiverse in the 1985–86 Crisis on Infinite Earths event and later restored following the rebirth of the infinite Multiverse during the Dark Crisis of 2022-2023. Even though other versions of the character may have appeared, this information does not apply to those versions.
- Shazam! #1 was Shazam's first appearance in a comic published by DC Comics.
Related
- 78 Appearances of Shazam (Earth-S)
- 10 Images featuring Shazam (Earth-S)
- 5 Quotations by or about Shazam (Earth-S)
- Character Gallery: Shazam (Earth-S)
External Links
Footnotes
  This character is or was a member of the Marvel Family in any of its various incarnations, and an ally of Captain Marvel and the Wizard Shazam. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Marvel Family members." |