Shazam!: The Double Life of the Wizard

Shazam! Sorry I couldn’t resist. With the movie starring Zachary Levi and Asher Angel, it’s time to get electrifying. People are free to call the character Captain Marvel or Thunder. Personally I think Shazam sounds more fitting as it complements the fun loving aspects of a serious name. But that’s not the real topic; I’m here to ask the important question of whether Shazam and Billy Batson are the same.

Holey Moley! Shazam is a Scam!

Hold on don’t click off somewhere else yet. There are things you gotta understand about the mantle. In a few comics including Shazam! The Monster Society of Evil, “Captain Marvel” is not Billy’s alter-ego, but a separate entity. As the wizard explains, Captain Marvel is Billy Batson’s best self and emotional guidance. But that’s just one story and ideas from the old comics I hear you say. Well guess again! The Dark Knight Captain Marvel actually survives after Billy dies.

Still not convinced? Even in the old Young Justice comics, Billy becomes separate from his alter-ego. (The Young Justice TV Show actually embraces the potential plot there). Meanwhile in Flashpoint, Billy is not the only one who possesses the magical power of the Wizard; instead he shares his power with five other kids to become Captain Thunder. All of which were part of the canon. Which brings me the idea of what Shazam really is.

Shazam is The Wizard’s Persona

The wizard who gives Billy his powers is actually the first Shazam, harnessing his magic through fallen predecessors. The wizard claims that the mantle harnesses the power from gods that just happen to occupy the same domains. But this seems rather far-fetched, unless the wizard can change aspects of what the gods give. I mean the courage of Achilles; doesn’t he come with invulnerability?

That’s when it hit me, the wizard’s magic lightning doesn’t go to a successor, the wizard is the magic. That’s why the Wizard can’t leave the Rock of Eternity; after growing so old he can’t leave the spot. So he’s been looking for a new body to finally leave the chamber. It’s also why when Billy fully embraces his role that the Wizard turns to dust; and why Billy can talk to the Wizard’s spirit. I wonder if the wizard hears the voices of his fallen friends. Even before the New 52, The Trials of Shazam makes Billy the new wizard of his base of the Rock of Eternity.

Here’s Why

But if that’s the case, what about Black Adam? Easy, the wizard didn’t give him the full power since Adam wasn’t ready yet. Probably a good thing that he didn’t. Obviously he’s looking for a body of someone who does good for goodness sake. Otherwise he would have to deal with the messes his host body leaves behind. Not to mention avoid the awkward teen years or roaring twenties; cause who wants to go through that again?

Okay but what about the rest of the Shazam family? They aren’t built to be hosts. Best guess, they are backups in case Billy doesn’t work out. Because why limit to just one body when anything can happen?

Long Term Plan

When I’m saying it like this, it brings a whole lot of feelings into the mix. If I was MatPat, this would be the part that I would say something like this. Billy isn’t given a gift, he’s trading his life away for wish-fulfillment. All the while the Wizard will live off his accomplishments. But wait, there’s more.

The Wizard’s made a lot of mistakes over the years; he probably wants to make amends. Unfortunately, he has to leave it to a kid going through his own problems. Billy‘s a good kid but requires guidance; even the wisdom of King Solomon is no substitute. The Wizard and Billy give each other what they really need.

But rather than babysit Billy all of the time; the Wizard allows Billy to use the magic to grow. Billy not only has the ability to fulfill his juvenile wishes, but give hope to others. After losing his family he begins to gain one over the course of his adventures. From Mary, Uncle Dudley, Tawky Tawny, and many more Billy finds hope he thought he lost. In turn, after seeing how that hope can influence others; Billy becomes a hero who shares time with the Justice League.

By the time he inevitably dies, Billy will live a fulfilled life; and the Wizard can use the legacy of Shazam on his path for redemption. Or at least until the Darkseid War; the Wizard decides to drop his plans and actually empower Billy with gods. The Wizard himself is actually the god Mamaragan. Wait I thought the Wizard was Egyptian? And now he came back to life? Ugh… I’ll save those for another time.

Thanks for coming to the end; and as always remember to look between the panels.