Goodbye Shazam from DC? The original Captain Marvel could get yet another name change
via Warner Bros.
DCU fans are intrigued by Mark Waid’s reveal Shazam will undergo a name change in the comic book version of the story.
A fan took to the r/DC_Cinematic subreddit to share the news of Waid’s statement that Billy Batson will be named The Captain instead of Captain Marvel or Shazam in upcoming comics.
The Captain is short for Batson’s original superhero name: Captain Marvel. Today, the name is associated with Marvel superheroine Carol Danvers because Marvel trademarked the nickname in 1967, but that wasn’t always the case.
Back then, Billy Batson made his first foray into printing as Captain Marvel in Super Comics #2 in February 1940. Comic fans quickly fell in love with the story of an adolescent boy who was able to transform into a heroic character like Superman. The original Captain Marvel was created by Fawcett Publication and has amassed a large following. By 1944, 1.3 million copies were being sold weekly.
However, the character’s resemblance to Superman led to a legal dispute with Man of Steel’s original publisher, Detective Comics (which later became DC Comics). Fawcett Publications settled out of court and ceased publication of Captain Marvel in 1953.
Fortunately, Batson returned to action in the 1970s. DC Comics licensed the character of Fawcett and included him in their franchise. It underwent a rebrand and became Shazam in 1972. The name has stuck to this day.
Fans are excited that Billy will have a name he can say out loud without turning into a superhero.
Other fans were unimpressed and suggested calling Billy The Champion instead.
Another suggested going back to the character’s original name before release: Captain Thunder.
However, others suggested that DC Comics should stick with Shazam and, if necessary, Captain Thunder.
There’s something nostalgic about Billy Batson when he regains a small part of his original name. After all, he became a hero during WWII, which makes The Captain hit it differently. Most fans seem willing to change his name, but a good number aren’t convinced The Captain is a good fit. Time will tell where DC Comics ends up on this issue.
https://wegotthiscovered.com/comicbooks/goodbye-dcs-shazam-the-original-captain-marvel-could-be-getting-yet-another-name-change/ Goodbye Shazam from DC? The original Captain Marvel could get yet another name change
