Shazam as he is called on Earth Prime, also known as Captain Marvel originally, is a DC superhero who serves as the guardian of Fawcett City in the comics. In his secret identity, he is William Joseph “Billy” Batson, a young boy chosen by the wizard Shazam to be a champion of good.

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Shazam demonstrates that the superhero genre does not have to be limited to grownups. In the film, young Billy is an orphan, growing up in Philadelphia, who attracted the attention of a powerful but aged wizard, who bestowed upon him incredible magical skills and tasked him with safeguarding the Rock of Eternity (an enchanted place at the nexus of space and time). When Billy says the word “Shazam!” he changes into a mighty hero with abilities that rival Superman’s.

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Billy has been living a double life ever since. Some days he’s a lonely foster youngster trying to find his place in the world, and other days he soars through the skies fighting villains like the evil Dr. Sivana or his twisted progenitor, Black Adam. For Shazam, it’s all in a day’s work.

Shazam’s name is an acronym for the six mythological figures who provide him with his powers. He possesses Solomon’s knowledge, Hercules’ strength, Atlas’ stamina, Zeus’ might, Achilles’ courage, and Mercury’s speed. In effect, this grants Shazam Superman-like superpowers like super-strength, invulnerability, and flight.

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He also possesses a variety of magical skills, such as the ability to make lightning and solve difficult puzzles and codes in a matter of seconds. Basically, unless his foes can deceive Shazam into transforming back into ordinary Billy Batson, he’s an almost unstoppable one-man army.

Shazam is also capable of transferring some of his power to others. As a result, sidekicks like Mary Marvel (Billy’s long-lost sister Mary) and Captain Marvel Jr. have emerged (his best friend Freddy Freeman).