Shazam
Creation & Design
Shazam was created during the Golden Age of Comics and was originally published by Fawcett Comics. The character was designed to appeal to children, featuring a young boy who could transform into a powerful superhero.Early Years
Shazam quickly became one of the most popular superheroes of the 1940s, rivaling Superman in sales and popularity. His adventures often involved battling villains and protecting the innocent.Character Development
Over the years, Shazam has evolved from a simple children's hero to a complex character with rich backstories and relationships, often exploring themes of family, responsibility, and the balance between childhood and adulthood.Cultural Reception
Shazam has been well-received by audiences, praised for his unique premise and the blend of humor and heroism in his stories.Character Details
Real Name:
Billy Batson
Aliases:
Captain Marvel, The Big Red Cheese
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Justice League, Marvel Family
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Speed, Flight, Magic
Equipment:
Magic lightning bolt, Shazam's powers
Weight:
100lbs
Height:
5' 3"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
black
Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
Key Facts
12-page black and white Ashcan, a way to establish copyright by printing small-quantities and distributing to show proof of intellectual property ownership
1st appearance of Captain Thunder (Billy Batson), renamed Captain Marvel to avoid more copyright issues from Fiction House's character Captain Terry Thunder
Fawcett couldn't use the title Flash Comics due to All-American Comics (DC) already having secured the rights
8 copies were printed in 1940 but prior to 1986, collectors were unaware of its existence
High value is from a 2008 sale of a 9.4 graded copy
Key Facts
12-page black and white Ashcan, a way to establish copyright by printing small-quantities and distributing to show proof of intellectual property ownership
1st appearance of Captain Thunder (Billy Batson), renamed Captain Marvel to avoid more copyright issues from Fiction House's character Captain Terry Thunder
Fawcett couldn't use the title Flash Comics due to All-American Comics (DC) already having secured the rights
8 copies were printed in 1940 but prior to 1986, collectors were unaware of its existence
High value is from a 2008 sale of a 9.4 graded copy
Key Facts
12-page black and white Ashcan, a way to establish copyright by printing small-quantities and distributing to show proof of intellectual property ownership
1st appearance of Captain Thunder (Billy Batson), renamed Captain Marvel to avoid more copyright issues from Fiction House's character Captain Terry Thunder
Fawcett was forced to select the name Whiz Comics after Better Publications acquired the title Thrilling Comics
3 copies were printed in 1940 but prior to 1986, collectors were unaware of its existence
High value is from a 2008 sale of a 9.0 graded copy
Key Facts
12-page black and white Ashcan, a way to establish copyright by printing small-quantities and distributing to show proof of intellectual property ownership
1st appearance of Captain Thunder (Billy Batson), renamed Captain Marvel to avoid more copyright issues from Fiction House's character Captain Terry Thunder
Fawcett was forced to select the name Whiz Comics after Better Publications acquired the title Thrilling Comics
3 copies were printed in 1940 but prior to 1986, collectors were unaware of its existence
High value is from a 2008 sale of a 9.0 graded copy
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam
1st appearance of the Wizard Shazam
1st appearance of Dr. Sivana, a scientific genius and the archenemy of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher
1st team appearance of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, later renamed the Seven Deadly Sins
While not a precise swipe of Action Comics #1 artwork, this cover and other aspects of Captain Marvel led to DC (formerly National) filing a lawsuit against Fawcett for Captain Marvel too closely resembling Superman
Premiere issue of the series though the copyright notes read issue #2
There exists a scarce Ashcan edition of this issue
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel, later renamed Shazam
1st appearance of the Wizard Shazam
1st appearance of Dr. Sivana, a scientific genius and the archenemy of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Ibis the Invincible and Spy Smasher
1st team appearance of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man, later renamed the Seven Deadly Sins
While not a precise swipe of Action Comics #1 artwork, this cover and other aspects of Captain Marvel led to DC (formerly National) filing a lawsuit against Fawcett for Captain Marvel too closely resembling Superman
Premiere issue of the series though the copyright notes read issue #2
There exists a scarce Ashcan edition of this issue
Key Facts
2nd appearance of Captain Marvel, later becomes Shazam
2nd appearance of Dr. Sivana
2nd appearance of Spy Smasher
This is the second issue of the series although the copyright notes indicate this is issue #3
Key Facts
2nd appearance of Captain Marvel, later becomes Shazam
2nd appearance of Dr. Sivana
2nd appearance of Spy Smasher
This is the second issue of the series although the copyright notes indicate this is issue #3
Key Facts
3rd appearance of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Beautia, the daughter of Dr. Sivana
Cover correctly reads issue #3, interior notes read #4
Key Facts
3rd appearance of Captain Marvel
1st appearance of Beautia, the daughter of Dr. Sivana
Cover correctly reads issue #3, interior notes read #4
Key Facts
4th appearance of Captain Marvel (Shazam)
4th appearance of Dr. Sivana
2nd appearance of Beautia
Key Facts
4th appearance of Captain Marvel (Shazam)
4th appearance of Dr. Sivana
2nd appearance of Beautia
Key Facts
Debut of Captain Marvel costume with full buttons on chest flap - interior splash page only
Key Facts
Debut of Captain Marvel costume with full buttons on chest flap - interior splash page only
Key Facts
Origin of Dr. Sivana
1st appearance of Magnificus Sivana, the son of Dr. Sivana
Revealed that Beautia is the daughter of Dr. Sivana
Key Facts
Origin of Dr. Sivana
1st appearance of Magnificus Sivana, the son of Dr. Sivana
Revealed that Beautia is the daughter of Dr. Sivana
Key Facts
Premiere issue of Captain Marvel's first ongoing series
Captain Marvel's costume was inspired by military officer-uniforms that had similar attributes to the ornate half-cape affixed by braided rope at the neck and slung over the shoulder
Key Facts
Premiere issue of Captain Marvel's first ongoing series
Captain Marvel's costume was inspired by military officer-uniforms that had similar attributes to the ornate half-cape affixed by braided rope at the neck and slung over the shoulder
Key Facts
Cover art by C.C. Beck with lightning bolt printed metallic silver
Key Facts
Cover art by C.C. Beck with lightning bolt printed metallic silver
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the Lieutenant Marvels: Tall Marvel, Fat Marvel and Hill Marvel
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the Lieutenant Marvels: Tall Marvel, Fat Marvel and Hill Marvel
Key Facts
First cover to feature Fawcett's major superheroes all together: Captain Marvel, Bulletman, Minute Man, Mr. Scarlet, Spy Smasher
Key Facts
First cover to feature Fawcett's major superheroes all together: Captain Marvel, Bulletman, Minute Man, Mr. Scarlet, Spy Smasher
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel Jr., Freddy Freeman, a boy who Billy Bastion shared his power with in order to save his life
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Captain Marvel Jr., Freddy Freeman, a boy who Billy Bastion shared his power with in order to save his life
Key Facts
Captain Marvel joins the army
Key Facts
The Sivanas coin the nickname "Big Red Cheese" as an insult to Captain Marvel and the name stuck for decades thereafter
Key Facts
The Sivanas coin the nickname "Big Red Cheese" as an insult to Captain Marvel and the name stuck for decades thereafter
Key Facts
Cover art featuring Shazam and other Fawcett characters
Key Facts
Cover art featuring Shazam and other Fawcett characters
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Mary Marvel
1st appearance of the Marvel Family together in one issue: Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr.
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Mary Marvel
1st appearance of the Marvel Family together in one issue: Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr.
Key Facts
1st appearance of Solomon, an adaptation of the biblical figure who also provided the 'S' in Shazam, and when spoken, lent his wisdom to the hero
Key Facts
1st appearance of Solomon, an adaptation of the biblical figure who also provided the 'S' in Shazam, and when spoken, lent his wisdom to the hero
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Mr. Mind, revealed to be a tiny, alien worm
In issue Captain Marvel Adventures #22 - #25, Mr. Mind’s presence is in dialogue alone
Key Facts
1st full appearance of Mr. Mind, revealed to be a tiny, alien worm
In issue Captain Marvel Adventures #22 - #25, Mr. Mind’s presence is in dialogue alone
Key Facts
1st appearance of Uncle Marvel, a member of the early Marvel family who didn't actually have powers
Key Facts
1st appearance of Uncle Marvel, a member of the early Marvel family who didn't actually have powers
Key Facts
1st appearance of Atlas, a titan from Greek mythology condemned to carry the world on his shoulders
The 'A' in Shazam represents Atlas who provides stamina to the hero when the magic word is spoken
Key Facts
1st appearance of Atlas, a titan from Greek mythology condemned to carry the world on his shoulders
The 'A' in Shazam represents Atlas who provides stamina to the hero when the magic word is spoken
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who was first granted powers by the wizard Shazam though it corrupted him
Origin of The Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel and Uncle Marvel
Key Facts
1st appearance and origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who was first granted powers by the wizard Shazam though it corrupted him
Origin of The Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel and Uncle Marvel
Key Facts
Promotional comic packaged with Wheaties cereal
Key Facts
Promotional comic packaged with Wheaties cereal
Key Facts
Origin of Captain Marvel retold
Key Facts
Milestone issue #100
Key Facts
Classic cover art by C.C. Beck featuring Shazam
Key Facts
Classic cover art by C.C. Beck featuring Shazam
Key Facts
Unofficial appearance of Captain Marvel in DC Comics in the story 'Monkey's Paw'
The artist on this issue Kurt Schaffenberger was previously the artist on Captain Marvel (later Shazam) but lost his job after DC, National at the time, successfully sued Fawcett for copyright infringement which eventually led to the publisher to go bankrupt
Key Facts
Unofficial appearance of Captain Marvel in DC Comics in the story 'Monkey's Paw'
The artist on this issue Kurt Schaffenberger was previously the artist on Captain Marvel (later Shazam) but lost his job after DC, National at the time, successfully sued Fawcett for copyright infringement which eventually led to the publisher to go bankrupt
Key Facts
DC begins publishing Shazam after licensing the Captain Marvel character from Fawcett who they had successfully sued 20 years earlier for copyright infringement due to the character's similarities to Superman
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel since the Golden Age
1st appearance of Doctor Sivana and family since the Golden Age
Origin of Captain Marvel retold
Key Facts
DC begins publishing Shazam after licensing the Captain Marvel character from Fawcett who they had successfully sued 20 years earlier for copyright infringement due to the character's similarities to Superman
1st appearance of Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr. and Mary Marvel since the Golden Age
1st appearance of Doctor Sivana and family since the Golden Age
Origin of Captain Marvel retold
Key Facts
1st modern appearance of Captain Thunder, an alternate timeline version of Captain Marvel who made very few appearances
Reference to the Fawcett Ashcan version of Captain Thunder
Key Facts
1st modern appearance of Captain Thunder, an alternate timeline version of Captain Marvel who made very few appearances
Reference to the Fawcett Ashcan version of Captain Thunder
Key Facts
First crossover of a DC character, Lex Luthor, in a Shazam story
Prior to this issue, Shazam was written in a separate universe than other DC characters
Key Facts
First crossover of a DC character, Lex Luthor, in a Shazam story
Prior to this issue, Shazam was written in a separate universe than other DC characters
Key Facts
1st team appearance of Shazam's Squadron of Justice: Bulletman, Bulletgirl, Spy Smasher, Mr. Scarlet, Pinky, Ibis
Key Facts
1st team appearance of Shazam's Squadron of Justice: Bulletman, Bulletgirl, Spy Smasher, Mr. Scarlet, Pinky, Ibis
Key Facts
Cover art implies Superman and Captain Marvel battle but they do not
Key Facts
Cover art implies Superman and Captain Marvel battle but they do not
Key Facts
First battle of Superman vs Shazam
First meeting and battle of Superman vs Black Adam - Black Adam disguised as Shazam
Key Facts
First battle of Superman vs Shazam
First meeting and battle of Superman vs Black Adam - Black Adam disguised as Shazam
Key Facts
Team-up of Superman and Shazam vs Black Adam
Key Facts
Variant second printing cover art by Alex Ross featuring Shazam
Key Facts
Variant second printing cover art by Alex Ross featuring Shazam
Key Facts
New origin of Shazam told as back-up stories over the course of 13-issues, beginning here
New origin of Black Adam
DC officially renames Captain Marvel, Shazam
1st team appearance of A.R.G.U.S., a government agency
Key Facts
New origin of Shazam told as back-up stories over the course of 13-issues, beginning here
New origin of Black Adam
DC officially renames Captain Marvel, Shazam
1st team appearance of A.R.G.U.S., a government agency
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the modern Marvel Family, now known as the Shazam Family, in costume
Key Facts
1st team appearance of the modern Marvel Family, now known as the Shazam Family, in costume
Key Facts
Cameo appearance of Shazam from DC, partially seen
Key Facts
Given away at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2019 to promote the Shazam movie
Key Facts
Given away at Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo 2019 to promote the Shazam movie
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of The Shazam Who Laughs, the Dark Multiverse version of Shazam
Key Facts
1st cameo appearance of The Shazam Who Laughs, the Dark Multiverse version of Shazam
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Superman Who Laughs
1st full appearance of the Shazam Who Laughs
Key Facts
1st appearance of the Superman Who Laughs
1st full appearance of the Shazam Who Laughs
Key Facts
Variant cover art by Steve Lieber
Cover art inspired by an etching titled ‘The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones’ by Gustave Dore
Key Facts
Variant cover art by Steve Lieber
Cover art inspired by an etching titled ‘The Vision of the Valley of Dry Bones’ by Gustave Dore
Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!
By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.
Adjust the "Variants" and/or "Non-Key Issues" search filters above for additional content:
- Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
- Non-Key Issues ([[totalNonKeys]])
At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!