The last couple of Secret Origins Sundays I’ve written have kind of delved into more obscure aspects of the comic world. Future installments will probably be similar. For this one, the first to be simultaneously posted both here and at Epic Randomness, I decided to stick to a straightforward origin. Today will be my summary of one of the most endearing origins ever told. Nary a whit has changed since it’s 1940 debut. In the 13 short pages this story took, it established a mighty hero, got his alter-ego a job, established the hero’s main antagonist and firmly established a world that captured the hearts and minds of a generation of youngsters. His popularity once surpassed that of Superman himself. Many have taken the name since, but here is a retelling of the original, the World’s Mightiest Mortal, Captain Marvel! Shazam! Watch out for stray lightning strikes, because we’re off!
Sometimes it pays to talk to strangers.
From the outset, this story gets off to a running start. We’re introduced to Billy Batson, a young newshawk and a mysterious stranger that’ll change his life forever. When I mention this origin hasn’t changed much since the 40’s this is one aspect that has been expanded upon, with Billy following the stranger because of a familiarity he sensed from him, but that’s another story, so let’s continue. The mysterious stranger leads Billy down to the subway station, no one else is around, and suddenly a strange subway train straight from a Technicolor nightmare arrives on the scene.
"It's like Salvador Dali threw up."
The train moves at ludicrous speed towards an unknown destination, hurtling through the pitch blackness like a bullet. Finally, Billy and his phantom companion arrive at a what appears to be a weird subterranean cavern. The two soldier on and encounter one of the more iconic features: a comical, yet grotesque menagerie of statues featuring the seven deadly enemies of man!
Hatred is all like "Yeah I'm angry, wanna make somethin' of it?"
Once the twosome reach the end of the cavern, they are confronted by the grizzled visage of the wizard, Shazam! He displays his omniscience by calling Billy by name. He goes on to explain he has used the powers the ancient gods have given him to fight evil and injustice, in truth, the same seven deadly enemies of man we were just shown.
"Yes son, my name is an acronym!"
Old Shazam goes on with his story, it seems he knows so much because of the Historama, a device that shows his the entirety of the goings on in the world. He’s seen Billy and how his cruel uncle Eben kicked him out and left him to live on the street, taking the inheritance left by Billy’s parents. Shazam tells Billy that his time is short, and has decided to pass his powers on. He beseeches Billy to speak his name, he does and we get one of the most amazing transformations of the Golden Age!
That's kind of a heavy burden for a 10 year old.
Shazam asks Captain Marvel to speak his name again, and in a cloud of smoke, we see the last of the wizard for this story. Billy finds himself back in front of the subway station thinking it was all a dream. You can’t really blame the kid, it seems really out there for reality. The next morning, Billy is back hawking papers, the news of the day is that a crazed scientist has threatened the U.S. radio system, demanding 50 million dollars. In 1940’s money, that’s like, one BILLION dollars! Anyway, a couple of rather well dressed thugs are bragging about “the boss” as they buy a paper from Billy. The boy is naturally suspicious, so he gives chase to the unsavory characters. He sees them enter a swanky apartment building, but is stopped by the doorman. Undaunted, Billy makes his way to the radio station, calling on Mr. Morris to tell him of his suspicions. Morris astoundingly doesn’t have the kid thrown out on his ear, and humors the lad. After the story is told, Morris tells Billy there is no way such a crazed maniac would be able to rate a ritzy 40’s style apartment. Billy is an incredibly determined young boy though and makes Mr. Morris a deal: If Billy can find the Phantom Scientist, Mr. Morris will give Billy a job as a radio reporter. No child labor laws like we have today, folks!
Thinking to himself, Billy wonders how he’s going to get into the apartment house without being seen. It’s then that he surmises if Captain Marvel is real, he could leap up the office tower and get a bird’s eye view to descend on the apartment. He says the magic word and of course Captain Marvel is real, and does just what he envisioned. Captain Marvel takes a mighty leap, and as luck would have it, lands outside of the exact right apartment. The thugs turn on an ingenious 2-way television and ask is Mr. Sivana is there. The TV tubes warm up and:
Remember kids, Bald = Evil!
What happens next is one of the most brutal and quick confrontations ever in the early days of super-heroes. Captain Marvel destroys the radio silencer by throwing a thug into with great force, killing (possibly literally) two birds with one stone. While this is happening, the other miscreant wisely decides to beat feet and makes his way to the elevator. Good old Cap though just forces the elevators doors open and pulls the car back up by the cables. With the two baddies subdued, Captain Marvel confronts Sivana for the first time. Unfortunetly for the forces of goodness, Sivana is safe at an undisclosed location, only being at the scene thanks to his two-way tv. Captain Marvel promises the next time they meet, Sivana will be behind prison walls, or dead!
His work done, Captain Marvel says the magic word and returns to the form of Billy Batson. Billy calls Mr. Morris and shows him the remains of the radio silencer. Billy makes Mr. Morris promise not to tell anyone it was he who destroyed the silencer, saying he still has to capture Sivana and anonymity would make that a lot easier. Inexplicably, Morris agrees, possibly due to sheer dumbfounded-ness at the scene before him. Billy reminds him of their deal, so now Billy Batson is officially a radio reporter! Billy is of course ecstatic, and as our story closes, we get to share a wink with Billy, since we all know the “real” story.
Yes, Billy VERY convincing...
For kids in the 40’s this had to have wowed them. A child their age just being able to say a word and be the most powerful, smart and speedy person ever! I’m in my 30’s and it’s still an endearing and enduring concept. I hope you all enjoyed this retelling. Stay tuned every Sunday for more!