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Summary
Shazam’smost gruesome fate exposes the dark side of his dual nature . When Billy Batson says the witching word “ Shazam , ” he is transform into a majuscule hero , possessing the Wisdom of Solomon and the Stamina of Atlas , among other amazing powers . Over the old age , lover have debated if Billy and Shazam are two different hoi polloi , and 2005’sPlastic Man#19 offer a dour take on the graphic symbol ’s dual nature .
In the story “ The Edwina Crisis Part Two : The Death of Billy Batson , ” write and thread by Kyle Baker , Shazam and Billy are treated as two disjoined individuals . Shazam resides in a mysterious realm “ beyond the fourth wall , ” where he waits to be summoned by Billy .
As the story unfolds , Billy is captured and tied up by Doctor Sivana , but when he tries to summon Shazam , nothing encounter .
reader learn that Shazam , in his property , was distracted and missed Billy ’s outcry . The action then slew back to a dead Billy Batson .
There might be a Modern champion of Shazam on the horizon , and they could specify one of the character ’s most controversial storyline .
Shazam’s Dual Nature Has Changed A Great Deal Over the Years
Shazam’s Nature Changes With the Times
Fortunately for Shazam , this sick story acquire place outside of regular DC continuity , and is a engrossing look at how the character ’s double nature is perceived . Shazam , or “ Captain Marvel ” as he was known then , first seem in 1940’sWhiz Comics#2.Young orphan Billy Batson sought shelterin a subway tunnel , only to find himself face to face with an ancient genius who bequeathed slap-up powers upon Billy : all he had to do was say the Bible “ Shazam . ” Whereas Billy was a child , Shazam was an adult , or at least had the appearance of one .
Shazam ’s dual nature , of a son transform into a super - powered man , was the ultimate indirect request fulfilment for many children , and was no doubt instrumental in the quality ’s popularity and longevity . However , it also created a debate among fans over whether Billy and Shazam are the same , or two dissimilar people . The various creators who work on the fictitious character over the years have interpreted this duality in two dissimilar slipway : thatBilly and Shazam are twoseparate masses or that Shazam is simply a grown - up version of Billy . Which rendering it is will depend on the epoch and the publisher .
In his pillar “ When We First Met ” inComic Book Resources , noted comics ' historian Brian Cronin addressed the publication of Shazam ’s duality , tracing it through the character ’s history . Cronin points out that when Shazam debut inWhiz Comics#2 , by Bill Parker and CC Beck , the issue was not outright addressed , but before long after Billy ’s first transformation , he addressed the Wizard as “ sire , ” an singular selection of Logos for an orphan from the street . Later , Billy says “ Captain Marvel and me , ” also incriminate they are two separate existence .
This interpretation held true throughout the character ’s Golden Age run , and as the mythos surrounding Shazam continued to rise , creators even start out to play around with it , show the joys and pitfalls of such an arrangement . Cronin point to an iconic Shazam cover , 1941’sWhiz Comics#22 , as an case . It shows Billy and Shazam standing side by side , with Shazam ’s weapon around Billy – a clear indication this is an equitable partnership . So understandably isthe joy of Shazam ’s dual nature communicated in this cover that a identification number of artist have done homages to it over the years .
Superman and Shazam ’s most bitter combat revealed their long - standing grudge , bolt down a major hero , and permanently damaged the planet ground .
In stark contrast , three geezerhood later , inWhiz Comics#53 , this relationship was in danger of falling apart . The covert shows the two of them fence and the tale , “ Captain Marvel in Love , ” mull over this . As the title indicates , Shazam / Captain Marvel becomes smitten with a young woman and begins insure her at night , which tailor into Billy ’s sleeping agenda . Angry and frustrated , Billy decide to get back at Captain Marvel by plainly not transforming . apparently , Billy and Shazam patch their deviation up , but it was one of the first explorations of the relationship between the two .
This arrangement held for the repose of the character ’s Golden Age term of office . The character ’s success drew the ira of DC Comics , who engaged in a decades - long suit against Fawcett , Shazam ’s original publisher . This lawsuit , which dragged on for years , drained Fawcett ’s resources . This reverse in fortunes coincided with a downturn in interest in superhero comics , result in Fawcett ceasing issue in 1953 . Shazam and his allies would go into oblivion , and would not grace page for almost another 20 years . Ironically , DC certify the character reference and began put out new Shazam adventures .
DC Acquired Shazam in the 1970s But Kept Him Largely the Same–At First
Shazam Began to Change in the 1980s
When Shazam made his DC launching in 1973’sShazam#1 , some of the ship’s company ’s top gift , such as Denny O’Neil , chronicle the fictional character ’s adventures – and keep Billy and Shazam as two distinct people . Shazam and his related characters were attribute to Earth - S in DC ’s multiverse , and he begin interacting with the publishing firm ’s other characters , such as his once rival Superman . In the wake of 1986’sCrisis on Infinite globe , which streamlined the multiverse into one , Shazam became a part of DC ’s regular continuity . Finally , DC would learn Shazam and his allies outright .
Cronin points to 1986’sSecret Origins#3 as a turning point in how the creators approached Shazam ’s dual nature . The news report , written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Jerry Bingham and Steve Mitchell , upended 46 long time of lore . It is revealed that when Billy allege the wizardly word , he did not summon Shazam from another realm . Instead , he simply “ grow up ” when he transformed , meaning Shazam was basically a young teenager in an adult ’s body . This new way of draw close Shazam ’s duality has informed closely every rendition of the grapheme since , even the live activity rendering from the 2019 film .
Grant Morrison cite a particular Shazam story as one of their absolute best , favorably compare the oeuvre to their own All - Star Superman .
Roy Thomas making Billy and Shazam one and the same eliminated the rivalry between the two , but that has not hold on other creators from driving a wedge between them . The most notable examplewas in 1996’sKingdom Comeby Mark Waid and Alex Ross . In the future show in that miniseries , Billy , thanks to mental conditioning from Lex Luthor , mature to hate all wedge , include the one within himself . He resisted transforming for years , and ultimately did so only in the look of total obliteration . This take was unequalled for its time , but was settle firmly in the character ’s history .
Billy Batson’s Gruesome Death Is Shazam’s Worst Failure
And It Is the Darkest Exploration of The Relationship Between Billy and Shazam
Kyle Baker ’s advance inPlastic Man#19 is still the harshest approach to Shazam ’s duality , even in Inner Light of the character ’s discussion inKingdom Come . In Baker ’s story , Shazam and Billy are not rivals . Shazam is not vying for the attention of women , nor is Billy deliberately not transubstantiate . Yet , in a second of failing , Shazam have Billy cash in one’s chips a horrible decease . While Baker may have exaggerated Shazam ’s personality for this story , the fact remains he failed in his obligation as a Cuban sandwich . The story is played for laugh , but Baker craft the dark take onShazam’sduality to appointment .
reference : Comic Book Resources
