Wednesday, September 28, 2011

11



Captain Marvel

Origin - Billy Batson and his sister Mary were separated following the death of their parents when they were left in the care of their uncle Ebenezer. Tragically, Ebenezer threw Billy out and stole his trust fund. Left penniless and homeless, Billy struggled through a sorrowful existence in Fawcett City, finding work as a newsboy. For shelter, he often slept in the subway terminals. One night, a mysterious stranger, later revealed to be the spirit of Billy's father, convinced Billy to follow him deep into the subway tunnels. There, Billy found a marvelous train decorated in strange hieroglyphics and mystic runes. Billy and the stranger rode the train deep into the bowels of the earth and arrived in a looming cavern that held grotesque statues symbolizing the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. These enemies include Envy, Lust, Greed, Pride, Wrath, Sloth, and Gluttony. There, Billy met the ancient wizard Shazam, a champion of mankind for thousands of years. Withered with age, Shazam sat on a throne poised ominously beneath a massive stone block suspended above as if by magic. The ancient wizard revealed that he had selected Billy to be his champion to fight for good as the "strongest and mightiest man in the world - Captain Marvel!" The great Wizard Shazam ordered Billy to speak his name, a thunderous bolt of lighting exploded in the dark cavern and revealed the almighty form of Captain Marvel!

S - for the endless wisdom of Solomon
H - for the legendary strength of Hercules
A - for the stamina and might of Atlas
Z - for the overwhelming power of Zeus
A - for the courage and invulnerability of Achilles
M - for the peerless speed and power of flight of the god Mercury

With that, the Wizard Shazam was immediately killed as the large granite block fell from above his throne. Billy vowed to fulfill his singular role. Whenever he needed advice, Billy lit a brazier near Shazam's throne, summoning the wizard's ghost. In 1987, Captain Marvel appeared as a member of the Justice League. Later,Captain Marvel became a member of the revived Justice Society of America and was featured prominently in that group alongside his nemesis Black Adam. Captain Marvel had originally joined the team to keep an eye on Adam, who had joined the JSA claiming to have reformed. Black Adam eventually left the JSA to instigate a takeover of his home country of Kahndaq; he had a fondness for the country, and wished to see the totalitarian regime done away with, in what he saw as justice. Captain Marvel remained with the team. During his tenure in the JSA, Marvel dated Courtney Whitmore, also known as Stargirl, which put him in an unusual position; while he could legally date Courtney as Billy Batson, it looked very strange for the grown-up Captain Marvel to be with the teenager Stargirl. The Golden Age Flash, Jay Garrick, another JSA member, confronted Marvel about the issue. Rather than telling Garrick and the team the truth about his age, Marvel chose to follow the Wisdom of Solomon and leave the team and Courtney. Eventually the Billy Batson Captain Marvel decides to stay and protect the newly reformed Rock of Eternity that had been destroyed by the Spectre. Leaving a spot open for a new Captain Marvel, Freddy Freeman was to become the new hero. Later on, the wizard Shazam is brought back by Black Adam in order to stop his wife Isis from destroying the world. With the help of Billy Batson, now back to being Captain Marvel after Freddy Freeman was turned evil by a possessed Mary Marvel the plan was halted. Shazam promptly banishes Mary and Freddy from the Rock of Eternity where they are next seen walking the streets in poverty. As of now, they are still powerless although Billy Batson swears he will find a way to restore their powers.

Powers and Abilities - In order to access the powers of Captain Marvel, Batson must invoke the name of the Wizard Shazam, thereby summoning the spells and energies of those extra-dimensional beings once known as "the gods on Earth". In a burst of supernatural thunder and lightning, Captain Marvel wields the mighty powers of the immortals! Batson was able to share his power with others who are worthy. His sister became Mary Marvel and Freddy Freeman became Captain Marvel Jr. In this state, each person is in possession of a fragment of the power of "Captain Marvel". By calling upon Shazam again, each member of the Marvels can once again return to their former identities. This allows one of their numbers, such as Billy or Mary, to have the full power of the spell. The spell can be shared with others of noble intent and purity, such as Superman, who once switched identities with Captain Marvel. Bolstered by the Stamina of Atlas, the invulnerability of Achilles, and the power of Zeus, Marvel is often depicted with strength on par with Superman. All of these abilities lead to superhuman knowledge. Captain Marvel has exceptional photographic recall and mental acuity allowing him to read and decipher hieroglyphics, recall everything he has ever learned and solve long mathematical equations. He is also adept at clairvoyance and hypnosis. He does not need to eat, sleep, or breathe as Captain Marvel. He has a high level of magic resistance which leaves him vulnerable to only the highest levels of magic. If he is injured in battle he may call on the magical lightning to heal himself and mend wounds. If wounded, his divine and supernatural energies enable him to recover at other worldly speed. With the Courage of Achilles combined with the Wisdom of Solomon and the boyish personality of Billy Batson this creates a certain kind of optimism of which Captain Marvel is supremely known for. Able to smile down most opponents and using his powers in special ways other than fighting, Captain Marvel will forever remain the staple "boy scout". For the short time when he was the keeper of the Rock of Eternity all of his powers increased.

Weaknesses and Limitations - Only the strongest of magics can affect him in any particular way, such as those wielded by the Spectre. Batson is still a human teenager, despite the enormous powers and awareness of the Guardian of the Rock of Eternity, Batson's emotional state can be overwhelmed. Recently Black Adam was able to trick Batson out of his Marvel form and strip him of his powers as the Guardian of the Rock of Eternity.


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