Thanks
Wikipedia!
"Captain Marvel is a comic book superhero, originally published by Fawcett Comics and now owned by DC Comics. Created in 1939 by artist C.C. Beck and writer Bill Parker, the character first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940). With a premise that taps adolescent fantasy, Captain Marvel is the alter ego of Billy Batson, a youth who works as a radio news reporter and was chosen to be a champion of good by the wizard Shazam. Whenever Billy speaks the wizard's name, he is instantly struck by a magic lightning bolt that transforms him into an adult superhero empowered with the abilities of six legendary figures. Several friends and family members, most notably Marvel Family cohorts Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel, Jr., can share Billy's power and become "Marvels" themselves.
Hailed as "The World's Mightiest Mortal" in his adventures, Captain Marvel was nicknamed "The Big Red Cheese" by archvillain Doctor Sivana, an epithet adopted by fans as a nickname for the hero. In addition, based on sales, Captain Marvel was the most popular superhero of the 1940s; the Captain Marvel Adventures comic book series sold more copies than Superman and other competing superhero books during the mid-1940s. Captain Marvel was also the first superhero to be adapted to film in 1941 (The Adventures of Captain Marvel). Fawcett ceased publishing Captain Marvel-related comics in 1953, due in part to a copyright infringement suit from DC Comics alleging that Captain Marvel was an illegal infringement of Superman.
DC licensed the Marvel Family characters and returned them to publication in 1972. The company would eventually acquire all rights to the characters by 1991.[3] They have since integrated Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family into the "DC Universe," and have attempted a few revivals. Despite their efforts, Captain Marvel has not regained widespread appeal with new generations, although a 1970s Shazam! live-action television series featuring the character was very popular. Hoping to reverse this trend, DC Comics is publishing a twelve-issue limited series, The Trials of Shazam!, which significantly alters Captain Marvel's established characterization, with the character (now called "Marvel") taking over the wizard Shazam's role as mentor of Freddy Freeman, the former Captain Marvel, Jr.
Because Marvel Comics trademarked their Captain Marvel comic book during the interim between the original Captain Marvel's Fawcett years and DC years, DC Comics is unable to promote and market their Captain Marvel/Marvel Family properties under that name. Since 1972, DC has instead used the trademark Shazam! as the title of their comic books and thus the name under which they market and promote the character. Consequently, Captain Marvel himself is sometimes erroneously referred to as "Shazam."
Powers and abilities
When Billy Batson says the magic word "Shazam" and is transformed into Captain Marvel, he is granted the following powers:
S for the wisdom of Solomon As Captain Marvel, Billy has instant access to a vast amount of scholarly knowledge. The wisdom of Solomon also gives Marvel clairvoyance and provides him with counsel and advice in times of need. In early Captain Marvel stories, he also had knowledge of all languages and sciences, ancient and modern, and could hypnotize people as well, through this power.
H for the strength of Hercules* Dubbed "The World's Mightiest Mortal," Captain Marvel has incredible amounts of super strength, and is able to easily bend steel, punch through walls, and lift massive objects. Marvel's strength is enough that he has fought beings such as Superman or Wonder Woman to a standstill.
A for the stamina of Atlas Using Atlas' endurance, Captain Marvel can withstand and survive most types of extreme physical assaults. Additionally, he does not need to eat, sleep, or breathe and can survive unaided in space when in Captain Marvel form.
Z for the power of Zeus Zeus' power, besides fueling the magic thunderbolt that transforms Captain Marvel, also enhances Marvel's other physical and mental abilities, provides physical invulnerability and grants magic resistance against most magic spells and attacks, as well as allowing for interdimensional travel. Marvel can use the lightning bolt as a weapon by dodging it and allowing it to strike an opponent or target. The magical lightning has many uses, including creating apparatus, restoring damage done to Marvel, or acting as fuel for magical spells.
A for the courage of Achilles Like the wisdom, this aspect is primarily psychological, and gives Marvel superhuman amounts of inner strength on which to draw.
M for the speed of Mercury By channeling Mercury's speed,Captain Marvel can fly and move at supersonic speeds, and, in space, at faster than light speeds. With Judd Winick's Trials of Shazam! series, Marvel has also gained the ability to wield magic and cast spells. These additional abilities are also attributes from the god Mercury.
Additionally, Captain Marvel's senses are acutely sharpened, though not to the extent of Superman's."
