Warning: contains spoilers forShazam#18!
Shazam’sconnection to Billy Batson just got a major makeover inDCComics. The publisher’s most recentShazamtitle has been a long meditation on the relationship between Billy and Shazam, or “the Captain” as he prefers to be called now.This relationship has had its ups and downs throughout the series, but inShazam#18, Billy makes a stunning confession to the Captain.
Currently, the only members of the Shazam Family with powers are Billy, Mary and Freddy. Darla, Eugene and Pedro are sitting this one out.
Shazam#18 is written by Jose Campbell and drawn by Dan McDaid. The Monster Society of Evil, led by Georgia Sivana, have launched an all-out, multipronged assault on the Shazam Family.Among their numbers is Freddy Freeman, corrupted and now calling himself “the Commander.” The Commander and the Captain fight, and Freddy manages to pummel his opponent well. As the Captain is dying, Billy comes to him. The Captain tells Billy not to mourn, but Billy brushes him aside, saying it always hurts when the people he loves leave him.He then tells the Captain “you’re my hero.”
Shazam and Billy Batson’s Relationship Has Undergone Changes Over the Past 80 Years
Mark Waid, the book’s previous writer, established that Billy and the Captain were two different people and his successor, Josie Campbell, has continued this trend.
The precise nature of the relationship between Billy and Shazam has changed since his first appearance. In some interpretations of the character, the Captain is simply an older version of Billy, while in others they are two separate people, and change places when Billy speaks the magic word. Many writers chose the former option for many years. That changed when DC launched its most recentShazamtitle a year and a half ago.Mark Waid, the book’s previous writer, established that Billy and the Captain were two different people and his successor, Josie Campbell, has continued this trend.
Waid and Campbell had a lot of fun exploring the duality of Billy Batson and the Captain. In a recent story arc, Billy and the Captain had a falling out, with Billy even going so far as to refuse to say the magic word. This action nearly caused an irreparable falling out between them, but they eventually reconciled–but not before driving Freddy awayand into the arms of Mister Mindand the Monster Society of Evil. Since then, Billy and the Captain have worked as a unit–leading to Billy’s confession inShazam#18.
Shazam Is Billy Batson’s Hero–What Does That Mean for Their Friendship?
Billy’s Admission About Shazam Makes Perfect Sense
Billy’s admission about the Captain is new, but the sentiment is baked deep into Shazam’s core.A young boy who is able to turn into a mega-powerful adult with a magic word is the epitome of wish-fulfillment, and it helped make Shazam one of the most popular characters of comics’ Golden Age. Factor in that Billy was once a homeless foster kid, and it is not hard to see why he would view Shazam in such a light. Becoming Shazam gave Billy a sense of purpose, and he has channeled this into becoming one of DC’s best heroes.
The Shazam Family’s Most Underrated Hero Permanently Returns to DC Lore
When the Shazam Family goes looking for Billy Batson, they manage to find a beloved hero who’s been missing from the team for far too long.
Shazam’screative team, in the process of exploring the relationship between BIlly and the Captain, has created one of the most definitive takes on the character in recent memory.The series reminds fans there is a reason the Captain is one ofDC’sgreatest heroes, commanding the respect of Superman and others. Billy Batson knows this too, and even looks up toShazamhimself. Hearing Billy say out loud that the Captain is his hero has permanently redefined their relationship–and for the better.
