May 9
Joanna Cameron and John Davey - The Shazam! / Isis Hour (1976)
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Joanna Cameron and John Davey - The Shazam! / Isis Hour (1976)
Captain Marvel (John Davey) and Isis (Joanna Cameron) hanging out somewhere in the San Fernando Valley.
Frederick Wiseman - Monrovia, Indiana (2018)
I'm not sure I knew this show existed! = o
Ballet (1995) dir. Frederick Wiseman, DP John Davey
Only the 7th episode into the 2nd season, The Secrets of Isis came to a conclusion on October 23, 1976. The episode also featured Captain Marvel. ("...And Now You Don't", The Secrets of Isis, TV, event)
365 DC Comics Paper Cut-Out SuperHeroes - One Hero, Every Day, All Year…
December 1st - SHAZAM!
William Joseph ‘Billy’ Batson had been a homeless, 12-year-old orphan who sold newspapers and slept in the various subway stations of Fawcett City. One evening young Billy was beckoned to a magical subway car that transported him to the ancient throne room of the Rock of Eternity. There he met the aged wizard known as Shazam. The wizard stated that he has used the powers of the gods to fight the evil of the Seven Deadly Sins for over 3,000 years; yet has now grown too old to continue and is in need of a successor. The wizard further explains that Billy was chosen because the lad was pure of heart and had managed to persevere despite the all the misfortunes he had endured.
The wizard’s name is actually an anagram composed of the various mythical figures from which he derives his magical powers. These beings include Solomon (who bestow great wisdom and intellect), Hercules (who offers incredible strength and bravery), Atlas (who endows unyielding stamina), Zeus (who offers the power of lightning), Achilles (who provides invulnerability and valor), and Mercury (who offers incredible speed and the ability to fly).
Ordered by the wizard to speak this name, Billy exclaimed ‘Shazam’ and was struck by a sudden bolt of lightning transforming him into a super-powered adult in a colorful costume. The wizard declares the new hero ‘Captain Marvel’ and charges him with continuing on the battle against evil.
Billy discovered that saying the name once more transformed him back into his original, youthful self. Captain Marvel's first battle was with the mad scientist known as Doctor Sivana, who would become the hero’s arch-enemy. Billy Batson would go on to take a job as a reporter and host for WHIZ Radio, a position that allowed him to travel and investigate criminal activity (which he then dealt with in the form of Captain Marvel).
It was later revealed that Billy’s parents had been archeologists who were killed when the ancient Egyptian tomb they were excavating collapsed. Billy’s dastardly uncle was supposed to take care of the lad, but he stole the child’s inheritance, resulting in Billy’s becoming homeless. Furthermore, Billy had a younger sister who ended up adopted by a kindly family.
Billy used his powers to rescue young Freddie Freeman. The only way to save Freddie’s life was for Billy to share his magical powers with him, thus resulting in Freddy becoming ‘Captain Marvel Junior.’ Billy also shared these powers with his sister, enabling her to become the heroic ‘MaryMarvel.’
Captain Marvel and his Marvel Family would have countless adventures together. Along with subsequent confrontations with Dr. Sivana, the hero faced off with a bevy of strange and powerful threats, including Black Adam, Mr. Mind, Ibac, Captain nazi and Herkimer The Crocodile Man.
Much of The Marvel Family’s adventures took place on Earth S. Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, however, Earth S was erased and Captain Marvel was retconned into the prime DC Universe (although it has since been revealed that Billy’s early exploits are still in continuity as part of Earth 5’s history).
Captain Marvel was recruited by Maxwell Lord to become a member of The Justice League. Both Batman and Superman had reservations about the hero serving on the team when each discovered Billy’s actual age, yet his competence in action persuaded them and Captain Marvel has served on multiple iterations of The League. He additionally acted as a member of the Justice Society for a time.
Actors Tom Tyler and Frank Coghlan Jr. portrayed Captain marvel and Billy Batson respectively in the 1941 movie serial, The Adventures of Captain Marvel. Actors Jackson Bostwick and John Davey each portrayed Captain Marvel in the 1974 Shazam television series, with Michael Gray as Billy Batson. While Zachary Levi and Asher Ange portrayed Captain Marvel and Billy Batson in the 2019 movie, Shazam!
The hero first appeared int he pages of Whiz Comics #2 (1939).
