Billy Batson

Billy Batson is a DC Comics superhero who transforms into the adult champion Shazam (formerly Captain Marvel) by speaking the wizard's name. He was created by C.C. Beck and Bill Parker, first appearing in Whiz Comics #2 (1940), published by Fawcett Comics.

Billy is an orphaned boy who was led to the underground lair of the ancient wizard Shazam and chosen as a champion of good. By speaking the word "SHAZAM," he is struck by a magic lightning bolt and transformed into an adult superhero endowed with the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury.

During the 1940s, Captain Marvel outsold every other superhero comic, including Superman. A legal dispute between Fawcett and DC Comics over the character's similarity to Superman led to Fawcett ceasing publication in 1953. DC later acquired the rights and has published the character since 1972. The hero was officially renamed Shazam in 2012 to resolve ongoing trademark conflicts with Marvel Comics.