Captain Marvel (DC Comics)
S for the Wisdom of S olomon Billy has instant access to a vast amount of scholarly knowledge . He possesses excellent mental acuity and nearly infallible wisdom , including an innate understanding of virtually all known languages and sciences , and has a photographic memory and perfect recall , being able to retain full knowledge of all he experiences with perfect clarity . From this , he can read and decipher any coding , solve long mathematical equations instantaneously , and make intuitive guesses based on limited data , which are almost always correct . He also has a great understanding of divine phenomena in the mortal world , an uncanny awareness of his circumstances akin to clairvoyance that lets him turn disadvantages into advantages , and can provide counselling and advice in times of need . In some stories , this power also gives him the ability to hypnotize people
H for the Strength of H ercules The might of Hercules grants superhuman strength comparable to that of the legendary demigod , making him one of DC Comics ' strongest characters . He is able to easily bend steel in his bare hands , do the work of several laborers in a fraction of the time , produce powerful shockwaves by clapping his hands , punch through nearly any structure , and lift and toss massive objects . This strength has been compared to that of Superman and other godlike characters . The strength of the Golden Age Captain Marvel was unlimited , and the character was strong enough to move stars and planets
A for the Stamina of A tlas Using Atlas ' stamina grants near-limitless resilience . He never feels fatigued or tired and as such does not require rest or sleep . His durability lets him withstand most types of extreme physical assaults with little to no harm . Also , any physical harm he does sustain heals in seconds without any discomfort or lingering signs of the harm . He has a supernaturally-endowed metabolism far beyond the normal realm of human physical activities , does n't require nourishment or even air ( although he can partake of them for personal enjoyment ) , and he can even survive unaided in space . Sustained by the magical energies coursing through his body , Billy 's empowered form never ages , making him biologically immortal and he can potentially live forever with no decline in performance so long as he remains in that form , although his normal self will continue to age
Z for the Power of Z eus Zeus ' power , besides fueling the magic thunderbolt that transforms Captain Marvel/Shazam , also greatly enhances Captain Marvel/Shazam 's other physical and mental abilities , including his five senses , and grants him resistance against all magic spells and attacks . The hero can use the lightning bolt as a weapon by dodging it and allowing it to strike an opponent or other target . The magic lightning has several uses , such as creating apparatus , restoring damage done to the hero , and providing fuel for magic spells . It allows him to travel to the Rock of Eternity , thus allowing interdimensional and time travel . The current-continuity version of Shazam is able to use his lightning powers to absorb lightning and electricity , as well as conjure and generate lightning , which he can control for various uses , such as shooting energy bolts and creating electrical force fields
A for the Courage of A chilles This aspect is mostly psychological and spiritual in nature . The courage of Achilles confers the mental fortitude of the legendary Greek hero , which gives him superhuman levels of inner strength , willpower , discipline , and resolve from which to draw upon in times of hopelessness . He is constantly supported by a harmonious sense of good will and unflinching courage and he never backs down from a challenge or feels any debilitating amount of fear or despair , even in the face of the most intimidating of opponents . In some stories , it also gives him fighting skills . It also aids the hero 's mental fortitude against telepathy , mind control , and other mental attacks . In some stories , being powered by Achilles also provided Billy with the hero 's near-invulnerability
M for the Speed of M ercury By channeling Mercury 's speed , Captain Marvel/Shazam can move at superhuman speeds comparable to the Flash and fly at supersonic speed . He is able to move at sub-light speeds in orbit and , in outer space , he can fly at trans-light speeds , although in older comics he could only leap great distances . The pre-1985 stories also let him travel to the Rock of Eternity by flying faster than the speed of light
Powers and abilities
While normally having no special abilities in his human persona as Billy Batson , once he says the magic word `` Shazam ! `` , he transforms into a full-grown man in peak physical condition endowed with multiple superpowers that rank him amongst the most powerful entities in the DC Universe . Billy is also able to share his powers with others . Though the link to the specific mythological figures is de-emphasized in some modern-day stories , traditionally the letters in the name Shazam each represent a specific superhuman ability :
Captain Marvel, also known as Shazam (/ʃəˈzæm/), is a fictional superhero appearing in American comics originally published by Fawcett Comics, and currently published by DC Comics. Artist C. C. Beck and writer Bill Parker created the character in 1939. Captain Marvel first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 (cover-dated Feb. 1940), published by Fawcett Comics. He is the alter ego of Billy Batson, a boy who, by speaking the magic word SHAZAM! (acronym of six immortal elders: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury), can transform himself into a costumed adult with the powers of superhuman strength, speed, flight and other abilities. The character battles an extensive rogues' gallery, primarily archenemies Doctor Sivana, Black Adam, and Mister Mind. Based on book selling points, the character was the most popular superhero of the 1940s, outselling even Superman. Fawcett expanded the franchise to include other Marvels, primarily Marvel Family associates Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr., who can harness powers similar to Billy's. Captain Marvel was also the first comic book superhero to be adapted into film, in a 1941 Republic Pictures serial, Adventures of Captain Marvel, with Tom Tyler as Captain Marvel and Frank Coghlan, Jr. as Billy Batson. Fawcett ceased publishing Captain Marvel-related comics in 1953, partly because of a copyright infringement suit from DC Comics alleging that Captain Marvel was a copy of Superman. In 1972, Fawcett licensed the character rights to DC, which by 1991 acquired all rights to the entire family of characters. DC has since integrated Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family into their DC Universe and has attempted to revive the property several times, with mixed success.