Captain Marvel
Back to Heroes Main > Captain MarvelReal Identity: William Joseph "Billy" Batson
Affiliation(s): Justice Society of America and Justice League of America
Powers: Flight, Super Strength, Invulnerability, and Super Speed
At 12 years old, Billy Batson was a homeless newsboy in Fawcett City. One night, while asleep in a subway terminal, he was awakened by a mysterious stranger and convinced to board a subway car. Batson was transported to the Rock of Eternity. He approached several statues that represented the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man: Pride, Envy, Lust, Hatred, Selfishness, Laziness and Injustice and met the wizard, Shazam. Shazam chose Batson to succeed him and granted him with all his powers.
By speaking Shazam's name, Batson also utters an acronym that calls to six legendary figures and their attributes: Solomon's wisdom, Hercules' strength, Atlas' stamina, Zeus' power, Achilles' courage, and Mercury's speed. A lightning bolt strikes Batson and transforms him into the adult Captain Marvel. Saying Shazam again reverses the transformation. Captain Marvel went on to join the Justice League of America.