Who Is Billy Batson? Origin, Powers and Key Facts

Billy Batson is a DC Comics comic book character, the alter ego of William Joseph Batson, with over 2,719 comic issue appearances. The original Captain Marvel, deemed worthy of becoming the champion of the ancient Wizard Mamaragan, whenever he utters the word "Shazam", young Billy Batson is struck by a magical thunderbolt and gains vast divine powers and abilities, transforming him into Magic's Champion, the World's Mightiest Mortal, Shazam!

Who is Billy Batson?

Origin The World's Mightiest Mortal: Captain Marvel When young William Joseph (Billy) Batson's parents were killed by their treacherous assistant Theo Adam (who was revealed to be the ancient villain Teth-Adam - better known as the nefarious Black Adam ), he was separated from his sister Mary and sent to live with their Uncle . Unfortunately, his uncle soon kicked Billy out and stole his inheritance. Living on the streets, Billy survived by selling newspapers until one day a strange cloaked man lead him to a part of the subway which he had never seen before. A marvelous train awaited them, covered in hieroglyphs and runes. Billy and the stranger boarded and rode the train deep into the bowels of the Earth eventually stopping in a long cavern which housed statues of the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man . There Billy met the ancient wizard Shazam who had protected mankind from the Seven Deadly Enemies for thousands of years. Shazam had observed Billy as he dealt with and endured the trials and hardships of his young life. Shazam was impressed with Billy's irrepressible altruism and optimism.

Key facts

Billy Batson is of god/eternal origin and first appeared in "Ashcan". The character is published by DC Comics. With 2,719 recorded issue appearances, Billy Batson ranks among the most featured characters in comics.