Will one of you comic book gays explain Shazam to me?

Originally, Billy Batson transforms into Captain Marvel by uttering the word "SHAZAM," which is an acronym for Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury, the immortal elders who grant Captain Marvel his superpowers. Billy and Captain Marvel are believed to be two different people, but I don't think this was ever addressed.

When DC Comics acquired the rights to Captain Marvel, they ran into copyright infringement issues with Marvel Comics, so Captain Marvel was changed to Shazam.

R1, Captain Marvel was part of DC for decades before there was a name change to Shazam. I still don’t really understand why the character’s name had to change.

DC could use the name Captain Marvel but they couldn't title a magazine that. Eventually they decided to call the superhero Shazam so the title was the same as the character.

I used to watch a TV series called "Shazam" in the mid-70's. Can hardly remember it now, though.

Shazam/Captain Marvel's history is marked by lawsuits.

DC sued Fawcett Comics in the 40s-50s because they thought it infringed on their Superman character. (It was also outselling Superman.)

DC ended up acquiring the Fawcett properties.

In the 60s-70s Marvel Comics sued DC over the name. I guess what goes around comes around in this case for DC.

They're kind of the same person. Billy turns into an older version of himself, who now has super powers of the aforementioned gods.

Could you imagine being a teen and you can turn yourself into a hot ass 20-something adult (who must have a hot ass penis too!)

R1. TIL that SHAZAM was an acronym

I always liked Mary Marvel.