Captain Marvel- Shazam

[ray gower]

Who knows or remembers this one?

The original Captain Marvel was the British response to Superman, appearing in Whiz in 1940.

The Orphan boy Billy Batson was given the power to change into Captain Marvel by shouting 'Shazam', by a wizard with the dull name of Shazam.

Dressed all in scarlet, with yellow boots, cloak and flash emblazoned upon his chest and an attitude that is more akin to the Superman of today, the premise of the series worked in a different direction to Superman. Yet it did not prevent DC Comics filing a lawsuit against Fawcett Publications for plagiarisim when it found that Captain Marvel was more popular than Superman.
A case DC ultimately won by default, with Fawcett dropping out of the comics market in 1954 and the character went into limbo.

He was resurrected again in 1974 in a television series, along with his sister Mary. Putting two halves of a ring together to call up their mysterious powers. This series is still being shown in some countries. I know it was dubed into Welsh just a few years ago!
This success led to him reappearing in a monthly comic called Shazam. Ironically published by DC Comics, though he had been renamed Shazam as they had their own and very different Captain Marvel. The comic ran for 30 episodes.

The latest revival was in the '90's with the publication of the graphic novel "The Power of Shazam". DC starting a new monthly series under that title.

As usual the origins of the story have been reworked and he is seen guesting with the likes of Batman, Superman and a host of other lesser known superheroes.

 

[Tabitha]

Captain Marvel has recently become a more central part of the DC mythos, with prominent parts in graphic novels such as the acclaimed Kingdom Come and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Strikes Again. Along with Wonder Woman, DC Comics seem to be portraying him as one of their all-time best characters, when his history doesn't quite warrant the prestige.

I quite like the character, althought not enough to splash out for the comics. Marvel is on occasion ridiculed as even more of a boy scout than Superman, and I think this perception is fairly accurate. The light is only compelling when compared to the darkness, and his character has none.

 

[ray gower]

As I recall most of the British Superheroes and villains tended towards traditional 'British' standards. They were frightfully gentlemanly about what they did, not particularly violent and never let others suffer.

Unlike, say, Superman and Batman. Both in their earlier incarnations might almost be considered murderers and have been reinvented more times than soft mick to meet the standards of the day. Perhaps standards have caught up with Captain and Mary Marvel?

 

[Tabitha]

Originally posted by ray gower
Perhaps standards have caught up with Captain and Mary Marvel?

That's an interesting way to look at it - Superman and Batman have (relatively speaking) been sweetness and light for a very long time, but the last twenty years has seen many more violent and ruthless characters come to the fore - for example, DC's Lobo. I haven't read any of the mainstream Captain Marvel comics for years, but I wonder if he has become less boy-scouty in the meantime?

 

[ray gower]

I've not read any for a while either. AFAIK the Captain Marvel in Marvel comics is still DC's creation, not the original Big Red Cheese, Shazam

 

[ray gower]

Originally posted by Tabitha

That's an interesting way to look at it - Superman and Batman have (relatively speaking) been sweetness and light for a very long time, but the last twenty years has seen many more violent and ruthless characters come to the fore - for example, DC's Lobo. I haven't read any of the mainstream Captain Marvel comics for years, but I wonder if he has become less boy-scouty in the meantime?

Did you know in the original series. Superman watched people drown in a car accident, deciding it was their fault and he ended up spanking Lois Lane?
As I recall, during the late 60's he became almost suicidal (not quite as bad as Batman, but getting there!
He has only been sugar and spice, since Superman the film appeared.

 

[ZachWZ]

What are your sources Ray.

first of all Fawett comics was based in new york. However it is true the character was a huge success overseas. After Fawett lost the rights the oversea printer created Marvelman and young Marelman in order to chash in.

that animated you were talking about was Shazzzam. the ring when put to together summon a giant ginie. who was voiced by Ted Cassidy TV's Lurch of the addams family.

As for the modern Cap. The power of shazam was great. The only really good stories of Shazam have jerry ordway at the helm. Many other morons turned him and CM3 + mary into those grom versions.

ZachWZ

 

[ray gower]

Thanks for adding some to my history and correcting parts.

Most of the comments are from combining the results from three websites, the rest from memory- Which is why I mixed up Shazam and Shazzzam, about which you were correct.

For DC to be suing anybody because of jealousy, it stands to reason that they must be sold in the US. The British market has never been big enough to support that level of production, hence sale by a US publisher. Again it also explains the American look and feel of many of the British penned heros.
I confess I did not go too deep into Fawcett publications, other than being able to say it is/was a major international that entered the comic market and gave up and the original comic cost 6d in any newsagent.

The problem for Cap is there is a lot of confusion between Cap and Marvel's Captain Marvel, the two managing to run side by side for a while. (Which really confused me then, let alone now!).

As for the standard of the modern Shazam. I really can't say. I can't say I have even seen them in the UK. Then I haven't really looked either! So therefore look to the much younger ladies and gentlemen that frequent here to explain them.

 

[Tabitha]

I am very confused over the histories and names of Captain Marvel, Shazam and Shazzam.

The only ones I am familiar with are the recent incarnation of the Billy Batson version. The young kid that becomes Captain Marvel upon uttering his magic word. I have looked over a few of the Jerry Ordway issues, but I wasn't that keen - already spending too much on comics at that period already.

I am also vaguely familiar with the Marvel Comics Captain Marvel, the female, black Capt. M that had some kind of light-based powers c. 1982.

Other than that I am lost.

 

[ZachWZ]

Here's a quick score card

Billy Batson is the origional Captain marvel also known as the golden age Captain marvel.

Then due to the lawsuit some how marvel comics got the trademark for captain Marvell. don't even attempt to ask me to explain.


Here's the marvel list.

1.A Kree sildier who rebelled against his master. Became protector of the universe and died.

2.the black one named Monica. Did a stint in the avengers in the 80's. Now calls herself photon.

3. The current one. Lecagcy the son of the first Captain marvel. first called legacy. Currently has a title that i haven't touched.

ZachWZ

 

[ray gower]

I think Cap probably has the most complicated history of all the favourite Superheroes.

As our resident Cap expert, which one appeared in the Justice League comics?

Or was that DC's version?

He looked awfully like the original, i.e. Superman but bigger and squarer.

 

[Tabitha]

This is the one that appeared in the DC Justice Leage comics:

The ones Zach has described in his post above are all MARVEL COMICS heroes that have used the name. As I said before, the only one I am really familiar with is the woman called Monica who is now called Photon.