The Wizard Shazam
The Wizard Shazam, Mentor to Billy Batson, the key to Captain Marvel's power.
Character History
History & Public Domain Status
Captain Marvel debuted in Whiz Comics #2, in 1940. Given his powers by the Wizard Shazam, Billy Batson transforms into the mighty Captain Marvel by saying his mentor's name.
Under the Copyright Act of 1909, which was in effect at the time, works were granted an initial copyright term of 28 years. To secure the full protection, the copyright had to be renewed during the last (28th) year of that first term, 1968. No such renewal was filed for Whiz Comics #2 as far as we have been able to determine. This places him in the public domain.
Current Incarnation (PDSH)
In our version of the charcter, the current Wizard Shazam is an elderly indigenous woman. Billy Batson is entrusted with the power of Shazam by her when they meet in a temple in South America. When she shouts her mentor's name, she becomes Captain Marvel, a tall blond man who embodies the heroic spirit and form of her dreams and wishes.
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