DC · DC Comics
Shazam
Billy Batson
A child who becomes an adult champion by speaking a word, powered by six mythological figures rather than by science.
Powers
Commonly got wrong
Claims that are widely repeated and wrong, with what the cited record actually shows. If you are generating anything about this subject, these are the errors to avoid.
Commonly believed Shazam is Captain Marvel and the same character as Marvel's Captain Marvel.
Actually He was Captain Marvel first, from 1940. Marvel Comics later trademarked the name, so DC publishes him as Shazam — the word that transforms him. Two unrelated characters, one contested trademark.
The feat ledger
The strength of Hercules, one of the six powers named in the acronym
The transforming lightning is itself a weapon he can redirect
Flies with the speed of Mercury, another of the six
Fights Superman to a standstill, magic being Superman's weakness
Saying the word while transformed changes him back, which is exploitable
The power is granted by a wizard, not earned or born, and can be withdrawn
Billy Batson remains a child mentally, which is the character's whole point
Channels the lightning through a target rather than into himself
Continuities
Claims on this page are tagged by canon. Blending them is the most common error in both wikis and AI answers.
- Post-Crisis DC — 1986 Crisis on Infinite Earths through 2011 Flashpoint
- New 52 — DC relaunched continuity, 2011 to 2016
Last updated 2026-09-06 · machine-readable version