<P> Captain Marvel, also known as Shazam (/ ʃəˈzæm /), is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics . Artist C.C. Beck and writer Bill Parker created the character in 1939 . Captain Marvel first appeared in Whiz Comics #2 (cover - dated Feb. 1940), published by Fawcett Comics . He is the alter ego of Billy Batson, a boy who, by speaking the magic word "SHAZAM" (acronym of six "immortal elders": Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury), can transform himself into a costumed adult with the powers of superhuman strength, speed, flight and other abilities . </P> <P> Based on book sales, the character was the most popular superhero of the 1940s, outselling even Superman . Fawcett expanded the franchise to include other "Marvels", primarily Marvel Family associates Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr., who can harness Billy's powers as well . Captain Marvel was also the first comic book superhero to be adapted into film, in a 1941 Republic Pictures serial titled Adventures of Captain Marvel . </P> <P> Fawcett ceased publishing Captain Marvel - related comics in 1953, partly because of a copyright infringement suit from DC Comics, alleging that Captain Marvel was a copy of Superman . In 1972, DC licensed the Marvel Family characters from Fawcett, and returned them to publication . By 1991, DC had acquired all rights to the characters . DC has since integrated Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family into their DC Universe and has attempted to revive the property several times, with mixed success . Due to trademark conflicts over another character named "Captain Marvel" owned by Marvel Comics, DC has branded and marketed the character using the trademark Shazam! since his 1972 reintroduction . This, in turn, led many to assume that "Shazam" was the character's name . DC later officially renamed the character "Shazam"--and his associates the "Shazam Family"--when relaunching its comic book properties in 2011 . Captain Marvel / Shazam and his family battle an extensive rogues' gallery, primarily archenemies Dr. Sivana and Black Adam . </P> <P> The character has been featured in two television series adaptations, one live action and one animated, by Filmation . An upcoming New Line Cinema / Warner Bros. Shazam! feature film is scheduled for release in 2019 as part of the DC Extended Universe, with Zachary Levi and Asher Angel portraying the title role . Captain Marvel was ranked as the 55th greatest comic book character of all time by Wizard magazine . IGN also ranked Captain Marvel as the 50th greatest comic book hero of all time, stating that the character will always be an enduring reminder of a simpler time . UGO Networks ranked him as one of the top heroes of entertainment, saying, "At his best, Shazam has always been compared to Superman with a sense of crazy, goofy fun" </P>

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