Look to the skies. Shazam Family characters charmed readers of comic books through out the 1940s and 50s.

Emanating from the Rock of Eternity, an old wizard named Shazam sent bolts of mythic energy to empower his righteous agents on this earth. Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel, Jr. and Mary Marvel were the unrivaled heroes of this universe. They also had some of the most developed casts of supporting characters. This article details a considerable number of the Shazam Family characters along with their formidable rogues galleries. For details on the rest of the Fawcett line of superheroes and their villains click here.

CAPTAIN MARVEL

Alternative Identity: Billy Batson, youthful radio announcer

Origin: Homeless newspaper boy Billy Batson is approached by a mysterious man in black who leads him to a strange subway car that takes him into a strange underground cavern flanked by a series of statues of the seven deadly enemies of man, aka the seven deadly sins. At the end of the hall-like cavern he finds the ancient wizard Shazam wizard who informs him that his life is nearing its end and Billy is to be his successor. He need only say the wizard’s name and he is transformed into the powerful Captain Marvel. Immediately after this transformation, a granite block falls on the wizard and only his spirit remains.

Powers: Captain Marvel has the powers of SHAZAM: the wisdom of Solomon, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus and speed of Mercury.

In practical terms, the hero has extraordinary strength, can fly and is largely impervious to harm.

Attire: Captain Marvel wears red tights, a yellow and white cape, and yellow boots, belt, lightning insignia and forearm covering.

Modus Operandi: Billy Batson soon takes a job on a job as a radio reporter, and soon radio newscaster, working for WHIZ radio and its owner, Sterling Morris. Captain Marvel at times seems to be Billy and at other times seems to be a separate entity. With the arrival of television, Billy becomes a TV newscaster.

Shazam Family Characters: Captain Marvel

Shazam. Ancient wizard who five thousand years before tried to give his powers to Teth-Adam who becomes the corrupt villain Black Adam. Shazam himself used to be known as Shazamo, back in the days when his associates included the world’s most powerful immortal, Oggar. While Shazam apparently died after granting Billy Batson his powers, he continued to appear in spirit form and at times appeared to be fully physically present.

The Lieutenants Marvel. Three other boys are named Billy Batson. This coincidence apparently insures that when all three say “Shazam” at the same time as the original Batson, they become the Lieutenants Marvel with similar costumes and powers. To distinguish them, the three additional Batsons become known as Tall Billy, Fat Billy and           Hill Billy.Captain Marvel 4, 62, 71; Whiz 29, 34, 40; Marvel Family 2 (1941-47). 

Freddy Freeman/Captain Marvel, Jr. When Captain Nazi breaks newsboy Freddy Freeman’s back, crippling him, Billy convinces Shazam to give him identical powers to his own. First appears in Captain Marvel Adventures 25 (1941).

Mary Bromfield Batson/Mary Marvel. Mary Bromfield Batson, Billy’s twin sister who, once she learns of their relationship, is able to become the equally powerful Mary Marvel by saying “Shazam.” First appears in Captain Marvel Adventures 42 (1942).

Sterling Morris. Owner of the WHIZ radio station and later (beginning in 1946) television station. As such, Billy’s kind-hearted employer. First appears in Whiz 2 (1940)

Beautia Sivana. Beautiful blonde-haired daughter of Captain Marvel’s arch foe, Beautia was raised by her single father on Venus along with her brother. While Dr. Sivana has aspirations to have his daughter rule at his side, Beautia gradually becomes sympathetic to the plights of both Billy Batson and Captain Marvel and in the process alienated from her father. Beautia is soon infatuated with Captain Marvel, referring to him at times as her boyfriend, though the hero himself is alternatively smitten and not so ready for romance. First appears in Whiz 3(4) (1940).

Whitey Murphy. White-haired youth who is a friend of Billy Batson. First appeared in the Captain Marvel movie serial. First appears in comic books in Whiz 22 (1941).

Steamboat. First name Bill, last name unknown. Steamboat first met Captain Marvel while driving his hamburger and ice cream food truck. When his truck is wrecked helping defeat local gangsters, Billy Batson promises to see him get new employment at the radio station. Steamboat is later described as serving as Billy’s valet. Steamboat’s grandmother is Voodoo Annie. Drawn and portrayed in stereotypical fashion, Steamboat is still shown to be a loyal friend. He first appeared in America’s Greatest Comics 2 (1942-1945).

Cissie Sommerly. Mr. Morris’ niece and Billy Batson’s sometimes girlfriend. First appeared in Captain Marvel 12 (1942). 

Joan Jameson. Pretty, blonde graduate of business school who becomes Billy Batson’s secretary at the WHIZ radio offices. She learned Billy’s secret early on and helps cover for him and assists him in other ways whenever she can. Joan has a wicked roommate named Dina Duval who is her near lookalike. First appears in Captain Marvel Adventures 67 (1946).

Tawky Tawny. A well-dressed talking tiger who walks and behaves like a man. Tawny was originally a docile, non-speaking tiger who was falsely accused of killing a man. A hermit with apparent scientific gifts gives Tawny a serum that allows him to speak and stand up like a man in order to argue his innocence. Wanting to explore civilization, Tawny travels to American where he soon is dressing in fashionable clothes and portrayed as indulging in many a human foible. Captain Marvel 79, 82, 86, 88, 90, 92, 96, 98, 100, 102, 104, 108, 110, 113, 115, 116, 117, 119, 121, 123, 126, 128, 131, 134, 137, 143, 149; Marvel Family 81 (1947-53).

Doc Quartz. Proprietor of the drug store housed in the building housing WHIZ broadcasting and an innovative scientist in his own right. Captain Marvel 129, 130, 135, 143 (1952).

Ma and Pa Potter. Owners of Haven House, a small building with several apartments, one of which Billy Batson begins to rent. They first appear in Captain Marvel Adventures 133 (1952).

Dexter Knox. Boy inventor and overall genius. Dexter’s family lives next door to Haven House. His father is an invalid who hasn’t been able to work ten years so Dexter hopes one of his inventions will bring some money into the family. Captain Marvel 133, 135, 136, 138, 139, 143, 145; Marvel Family 74, 75 (1952-53).

Notable Adversaries:

The Arson Fiend. An embittered fire insurance salesman named George D. Tweedle rubs a mysterious lotion on his face which transforms him into the Arson Fiend, an entity that can shoot fire bolts from his clawlike hands and is impervious to injury from the fires he starts with a single touch. So detached from his humanity, the Arson Fiend refers to Captain Marvel as a “mortal.”Captain Marvel 2 (1941); reprinted in The Shazam! Archives volume 3.

Aunt Minerva. While appearing to be kindly grandmother figure, Aunt Minerva is actually the deadly head of a criminal gang. Her criminal undoing revolves her romantic interest in finding a fifth husband, the other four having died ounder mysterious circumstances. Her romantic infatuations began in the narrative with Uncle Marvel and subsequently included Captain Marvel, a handsome thief, and finally Dr. Sivana. Her efforts are facilitated by her use of a series of weaponized perfumes that can weaken a man’s will and also create infatuation. Captain Marvel 59, 66, 79, 82 (1946-48).

Beautia Sivana. Beautiful blonde-haired woman who serves as an associate of her father before she reforms. Her association with the senior Sivana is initially unknown, her loyalty to him despite her kind heart a mystery.Her final ties to his criminal operations are broken after Beautia’s brother Magnificus does battle with Captain Marvel on Venus, where Beautia once ruled as queen. See her entry in Friends and Allies for details on her life thereafter.Whiz 3(4), 4(5), 10, 13, 14, 15; Special Edition 1(1940-41); all reprinted in The Shazam! Archives volumes 1-2.

Black Adam. In ancient Egypt, five thousand years ago Teth-Adam is the first mortal the wizard Shazam imbues with extraordinary powers. His choice turns out to be a mistake, and Mighty Adam misuses his new gifts to kill and thus overthrow the current pharaoh. Shazam has no choice but to rechristen him  Black Adam and banish him to the most distant star in the universe, from which it takes millennia for him to fly back to Earth. Once back he confronts the Marvel family of heroes and it is only Uncle Marvel who tricks him into saying “shazam” so he can be subdued in his Teth-Adam form. Black Adam’s costume is similar to that of Captain Marvel, only predominantly black in color and without the cape. Marvel Family 1 (1945).

Black Beauty. Beautiful and formidable female criminal who takes over a prominent city gang. Black Beauty knows judo and uses it against her rivals. She also readily wields a revolver, inspiring fear in her male underlings. When confronted with Captain Marvel she is not above using her beauty and whiles to unnerve the naïve hero. Unwilling to fight her directly, he pretends to succumb to her charms, then sprays her face with tear gas. Black Beauty has dark hair and dresses in an attractive black dress. Captain Marvel Adventures 142 (1953).

The Black Wizard. Hooded sorcerer who sports a goatee and possesses magic dust that can turn humans into stone. He also can conjure up objects such as chains to bind his enemies. In doing battle with the entire Marvel Family, he is aided in his efforts by the beautiful, raven-haired Madame Bella Donna and a villainous dwarf named Hector. The villain’s origins are not revealed and he may be the same Black Wizard who subsequently was shown doing battle with the Marvel Family back in King Arthur’s time. Marvel Family 51, 70 (1950, 1952).

Crocodile Men. Some of the chief alien allies of Mr. Mind, the Crocodile Men are from the planetoid Punkus. The Crocodile Men considered themselves part of the master mind race. Jorrk and Sylvester were among two of three Crocodile men named in the narrative, Jorrk working with a short Japanese scientist named Dr. Smashi and Sylvester working on a film crew on behalf of Mr. Mind. A crocodile man named Herkimer was the assistant leader of the Monster Society of Evil towards the end of its missions. Captain Marvel 30-32, 38-41, 43-44, 46 (1943-45). 

Ibac. Before becoming Ibac, Stinky Printwhistle is a scrawny two-bit criminal who appears to be falling to his death after an encounter with Captain Marvel. Saved by Lucifer, Printwhistle sells his soul to the devil who grants him terror of Ivan the Terrible, the cunning of Borgia, the fierceness of Attila the Hun and cruelty of Caligula. He needs only say Ibac to transform himself into this far more powerful entity. He is also a founding member of Mr. Mind’s Monster Society of Evil. Captain Marvel 8, 9, 22-23; America’s Greatest 5 (1942-43).

King Kull. In the primordial past, Kull and his brutish if scientifically advanced race ruled over humankind. However humans finally over threw them and Kull was punished with suspended animation, only reviving in 1951. As such, Kull once again set out to rule over humankind by first destroying its civilization. He attempts to do so in a variety of ways, including one attempt to destroy all the book on the planet and on another dropping sin bombs to corrupt the human spirit. Captain Marvel 125, 129, 130, 133, 127, 141, 145, 149; Marvel Family 67, 73, 77, 86 (1951-53)

Mr. Atom. A massive robot built by a scientist named Charles Langley. Mr. Atom sprung to sentient life after being infused with radioactive energy, a process that resulted in Langley’s death. Largely impervious to harm, Mr. Atom can fly and shoot out atomic blasts. Aspiring to rule the world, Mr. Atom made demands on the United Nations in his first appearance. In his second, he was aided by alien Comet Men in his quest to subdue humanity. In his third appearance, Mr. Atom had been projected into the future and the year 2053 where Captain Marvel must travel to stop his plans of domination there. Captain Marvel 78, 81, 90 (1947-48).

Mr. Banjo. Pretending to be a street musician, Mr. Banjo is actually the head of a spy ring that uses music to pass along military secrets in code. A rather rotund and innocent appearing fellow, Mr. Banjo doesn’t hesitate to use a gun to further his ends. He is later a founding member of Mr. Mind’s Monster Society of Evil though played no apparent role in its subsequent operations.Captain Marvel 8, 10, cameo 22 (1942-43).

Mr. Mind. “Most evil intelligence in the universe,” Mr. Mind is a brilliant tactician and malevolent figure out to conquer earth. His plan is to aid the Axis and then take control once they’ve taken planetary control. He met with both Hitler and Goering to coordinate plans and the Japanese scientist Dr. Smashi was one of his dupes for a time. (issues 29-33). A small green worm-like creature with a voice transmitter around his neck, Mr. Mind is physically vulnerable and so surrounds himself with the Monster Society of Evil, which initially brought together the worst of Captain Marvel foes, including Sivana, Ibac, Nippo and Mr. Banjo. Their individual missions lasted for some time (22-25), thereafter Mr. Mind’s Monster Society was more often comprised by a revolving door of more “monstrous” monsters.One of his most consistent group of allies that fell in this category were the Crocodile Men of the planetoid Punkus. Mr. Mind’s one physical advantage is able to spin silk fast enough to create a cocoon large enough to entrap an entire adult human.When Mr. Mind finally stood trial for his crimes in Captain Marvel 46, it is revealed the in the course of his career he murdered 186,744 people in cold blood. He is executed via electric chair and stuffed and placed under glass in a museum. He does not reappear until the 1970s. Captain Marvel 22-46 (1943-45).

Mr. Triangle. Hy Triangle has a distinctive triangular head and face. He launches a scheme of evading criminal responsibility by creating evidence of two bogus twin brothers (Cy and Ty) who commit crimes while he poses as the innocent triplet who laments his brothers’ crimes. As Cy he wields a ring that can cast a blinding light and as Ty he can squirt similarly blinding black pepper from the flower on his lapel. Marvel Family 15 (1947).

“Muscles” McGinnis. Murderer, bank robber and gang leader, McGinnis earned his nickname honestly, able to bend steel bars at will. McGinnis takes over station WHIZ by sheer brute strength, throwing out any employee that gets in his way. Roughed up by Captain Marvel, McGinnis vows to turn over a new leaf and be on the side of law and order after he serves his time. Captain Marvel 3 (1941); reprinted in The Shazam Archives volume 3.

Nippo. A physically formidable Japanese man, Nippo is dressed in a blue and yellow robe and is skilled at jujitsu and swordsmanship. Later, he becomes a founding member of Mr. Mind’s Monster Society of Evil. His name and to a lesser extent, his image, reflect stereotypes of the era. Captain Marvel 9, 14, 22, 24; Captain Marvel Jr. 30 (1942-45).

Oggar. A former student of the wizard Shazam three thousand years ago, Oggar possesses knowledge of many magical spells which he can only use one at a time. An immortal, Oggar has a handsome face and an exceptional build, but has cloven hooves for feet to serve as a sign of his evil nature. Captain Marvel 61-66 (1946).

Red Crusher. Variously described as a “ruthless enemy mastermind” and possessing “the mind of a scientific genius but a soul of blackest evil,” Red Crusher is North Korean communist who creates a deadly lightning gun, a blinding fog and jet-propelled iron spike balls in turn to assist forces under his command in defeating American forces on the battlefield. Captain Marvel 139, 142, 144 (1952-53).

Sivana. Bald, bespectacled and short mad scientist who was born in Europe. After his scientific genius was universally rejected, he took his two young children (Beautia and Magnificus) to Venus where his daughter became empress of the planet. Newly empowered Sivana returned to Earth seeking to conquer it with a never ending series of inventions. Back on Earth he also fathered two more children, Sivana Jr. and Georgia who looked like spitting images of himself, albeit younger. He soon realized that Billy Batson was Captain Marvel and became the hero’s arch enemy, frequently referring to him as the “big, red cheese.” He also was a founding member of Mr. Mind’s Monster Society of Evil.Other encounters with Captain Marvel’s rogues’ gallery included Aunt Minerva, who used a powerful perfume to make him fall in love with her (Captain Marvel 82), and King Kull, who he opposed because the beast man wanted to destroy humanity while Sivana sought to rule it (Captain Marvel 130). His ego and ambitions know no bounds as sometimes he declares his goal to be ruler of the entire universe. Whiz 2, 3, 3(4), 4(5) 6, 10, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 26, 31, 52, 57, 59, 68, 78, 86, 94, 100,  109, 112, 117, 122, `17, 134, 138, 142, 154; Special Edition 1; Captain Marvel 1-5, 11, 17, 20, 22, 24-25, 28, 41, 46, 48, 52, 54, 56, 65, 70-72, 76, 80, 82, 84, 85, 88, 89, 92, 94, 95, 107, 110, 113, 116, 118, 125, 130, 136, 138, 141, 144, 146, 148, 150; America’s Greatest , Marvel Family 2, 4, 7, 10, 16, 23, 28, 31, 34, 38, 39, 41, 43, 46, 50, 54, 56, 60, 62, 64, 68, 75, 84 (1940-1953); reprinted in The Shazam! Archives volumes 1-4.

Spider Man. Villain dressed entirely in a hairy spider-like black costume with a gold headband with antennas of uncertain use. After observing spiders, the criminal scientist invented a dispenser that can shoot out liquid plastic that hardens into sticky threads from which he crafts “spider” webs capable of immobilizing people so that he can easily rob them. He can also blind people with his liquid plastic. Whiz 89 (1947).

Tong. Chinese communist who considered himself the natural successor to Genghis Khan. Tong was aided in his initial efforts against the Marvel Family by a disembodied brain called “the Great Red Brain.” Marvel Family 80, 82 (1953).

Sightings: Whiz Comics 2-155; Special Edition Comics 1; Captain Marvel Adventures 1-150; America’s Greatest Comics 1-8; Marvel Family 1-89.

Original Chroniclers: Bill Parker and C.C. Beck

Active: 1940-54

CAPTAIN MARVEL JR.

Secret Identity: Freddy Freeman, newsstand boy

Origin: Young Freddy Freeman is fishing with his grandfather when Captain Nazi falls unconscious into the bay. His grandfather helps him unto their boat and Nazi repays his kindness by killing his with a single blow. When an enraged Freddy comes at the villain with an oar, Nazi hits him with it, breaking his back. Captain Marvel rescues the boy and takes him to the hospital who reveal he may not survive the night. Billy takes Freddy to Shazam and convinces the wizard to grant him the same powers as Captain Marvel whenever he says “Captain Marvel.” While doing so saves his life, Freddy still has a crippled leg in his non-powered form and requires the use of a crutch to walk.

Powers: As granted to him by the wizard Shazam, Captain Marvel Junior has identical powers as Captain Marvel: extraordinary strength, flight, and largely impervious to harm.

Attire: Captain Marvel Junior’s costume in identical to Captain Marvel’s except he wears blue tights instead of red.

Modus Operandi: His parents dead, Freddy makes his living selling newspapers from his newsstand. He has adventures on his own and in concert with Captain Marvel and Mary Marvel as the Marvel Family.

Shazam Family Characters: Captain Marvel Jr.

Billy Batson/Captain Marvel. Freddy’s best friend and fellow member of the Marvel Family.

Mary Bromfield Batson/Mary Marvel. Freddy’s surrogate sister andmember of the Marvel Family.

Mrs. Wagner. Kindly owner of the boarding house in which Freddy resides. Her husband is decidedly curious and fond of practical jokes. First appears in Captain Marvel Jr. 52 (1947) when Freddy moves in.

Officer Jim Bellows. Friendly police officer who suggests to Freddy he might want to live at Mrs. Wagner’s boarding house. First appeared in Captain Marvel Jr. 52 (1947).

Red O’Riley. A youthful gas station owner, O’Riley is a friend of Freddy’s who also lives at Mrs. Wagner’s boarding house. First appeared in Captain Marvel Jr. 52 (1947).

Leroy Marks. Another friend of Freddy’s who also lives at Mrs. Wagner’s boarding house. First appeared in Captain Marvel Jr. 92 (1950).

Professor Edgewise. Eccentric scientist who is described in 1942 as a “cracked old scientist to which everything seems backward, inside out, all upside down.” With Captain Marvel Jr. 93, Edgewise moves into a room at Haven House where Freddy resides.Captain Marvel 9, 17, 55, 145, 146, 149; Captain Marvel Jr. 93, 100, 112, 114, 118, 119; Marvel Family 58, 89 (1942-1953).

Notable Adversaries:

The Acrobat. After an accident, aerialist Jonathan Greene became afflicted with “moonitis,” a condition that transforms him into a murderous madman whenever he is exposed to moonlight when the moon is full. While crazed, Greene kills the owner of his circus and his very own fiancée. When under lunar influence, the Acrobat possesses the strength of ten men while still retaining his remarkable agility. He wears yellow trunks, wide dark belt with a form-fitting, long-sleeved .yellow top. Captain Marvel Jr. 41, 45, 47, 56 cameo, 57; Master 112 (1946-50).

Captain Nazi. Powerful Nazi agent who possesses extraordinary strength, excellent combat skills and wields a luger on top of all of that. He is merciless in battle, wearing a green paramilitary costume with red gloves, boots and belt and a white swastika in a black circle insignia on his chest. In addition to battling Bulletman and Captain Marvel, he killed Freddy Freeman’s grandfather and caused the injury that required Freddy using a crutch to walk for the rest of his life.Nazi is also a master of disguise and a founding member of Mr. Mind’s Monster Society of Evil.Master 21-22, 26, 27, 30, 33, 34; Whiz 25; Captain Marvel 22, Captain Marvel Jr. 1, 2, 3, 5, 12, 15, 19 (1941-44); M 26, 27, 30 & CMJ.1 reprinted in The Shazam! Family Archives volume 1.

Captain Nippon. Empowered by ancient, magical forces, Captain Nippon is a brutal Japanese agent who wears a Japanese uniform and wields a spiked club. Created to be Japan’s version of Captain Nazi, his costume resembles Nazi’s and he teams up with Nazi in Captain Marvel Jr. 2 and 19. In his final appearance he has adopted the name and apparent rank of General Nippon. Captain Marvel Jr. 2, 3, 4, 19 (1942-44).

Graybeard. Graybeard was sentenced to a 99-year prison term in 1846 while still a young man. By studying books of crime and exercising religiously, he lives to be released a remarkably fit old man. He soon takes over a gang and starts a crime spree. Besides being extremely wily, Graybeard has a walking cane with a hidden sword inside it. Captain Marvel Jr. 37, 38, 39 (1946).

Mr. Hydro. Formerly the assistant of Joel Potter, a brilliant inventor, the villain steals his fluidizer chemical which allows Mr. Hydro to turn into water or reform any part of his body at will. Bullets pass through him as he makes his escape from a crime scene. He later steals Dr. Potter’s death ray and disintegrator, killing a police officer soon after. Mr. Hydro dresses in pale blue tights and has a receding hairline. A gun shooting water is the only thing that can harm him. Captain Marvel Jr. 62 (1948).

Mr. Macabre. With his mildly scarred face, Mr. Macabre was originally an unscrupulous investor named Filpot who years later decided to methodically slay his former partners for exposing him. Mr. Macabre used poisonous ice darts to kill his victims, which would then melt, leaving his method of murder untraceable. Filpot stabbed himself with one of his own poisonous darts at the end of his first encounter with Captain Marvel, Jr., a gesture that only served to turn his face a ghastly green. Mr. Macabre has no special abilities other than a malevolent imagination. He sports a pencil thin mustache with a slight, sinister curl. Adding to his ominous appearance is his slouch hat and a purple opera cape that drapes over his business suit. Master 24, 26, 31 (1942); all reprinted in The Shazam! Family Archive volume 1.

The Panther Man. This half-man, half-cat creature has the shape of a man but is covered with black fur and has a cat-like face and wears a red cape. Not intrinsically evil, the Panther Man seeks to murder all of those who shot and killed his mate, the Panther Queen. Master 126, 128 (1952).

Professor Vulture. The Professor invents large, artificial wings that allow him to fly and utilizes vultures in the commission of his crimes. Captain Marvel Jr. 18, 24 (1944).

Sabbac. Obtains his powers from six different demons, the first letters of each, at like Shazam, comprise the word that generates his powers. For Sabbac, those individuals are Satan, Any, Belial, Beelzebub, Asmodeus and Crateis.Captain Marvel Jr. 4, 6 (1943).

Sivana. The arch foe of Captain Marvel and Billy Batson, Dr. Sivana also often launched schemes that only involved Captain Marvel Jr. His son, Sivana Jr. was a more frequent opponent.Captain Marvel, Jr. 4, 5, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 21, 28, 29, 31, 35, 39; Master 49, 54, 55, 72.

Sivana Jr. The brown-haired, but equally short and homely son of Dr. Sivana, Captain Marvel’s arch foe. Sivana Jr. became Captain Marvel Jr.’s arch nemesis, vexing the hero with his many inventions and criminal schemes. While most of the time, Sivana Jr. attacked Captain Marvel Jr. on his own, he sometimes joined with his sister and father to attack the Marvel Family collectively. Captain Marvel 52; Master Comics 74, 84, 94, 98, 102, 104, 106, 107, 109, 114, 115, 118, 130; Whiz Comics 86; Marvel Family 9, 10, 16, 21, 23, 68, 75, 84; Captain Marvel Jr. 36, 39, 42, 45, 49, 52, 56 cameo, 57, 59, 63, 64, 66, 73, 76, 91, 93, 98-100, 105, 110, 112 (1946-53).

Vampira. The so-called “queen of terror” was sometimes explicitly called the “Korean queen of terror.” She was a beautiful enemy agent who operated in the United States as the owner and featured dancer of an upscale gentleman’s club named Club Vampira. Her gimmick was to dance with a gorilla who was under her control. While Vampira was not averse to trying to use her beauty to her advantage with Captain Marvel Jr. she had no actual romantic interest in the hero, nor he in her. She demonstrated an equal influence over a metaphorical “beast of the battlefield” in her second skirmish with the youthful hero. While male East Asian villains might be portrayed as brutish, female Asian villains were typically femme fatales ala the Dragon Lady. Captain Marvel Jr. 116; Marvel Family 85 (1952-53).

Sightings: Whiz Comics 25; Master Comics 22-133; Captain Marvel Jr. 1-119; America’s Greatest Comics 8; All Hero Comics 1; Marvel Family 1-89

Original Chroniclers: William Woolfolk and Mac Raboy

Active: 1941-54

MARY MARVEL

Secret Identity: Mary Bromfield Batson

Origin: Billy Batson and Mary are twins separated at birth. When a wealthy woman lost an infant girl in childbirth, the nurse on duty gives the orphaned Mary to the woman without her ever knowing her own daughter died. Years later, the dying nurse tells Billy he has a sister. Billy tells Mary he’s Captain Marvel and when he is in danger, Mary discovers that when she says “Shazam” she becomes a marvel. Subsequently Shazam explains this was his plan all along.

Powers: Mary has the same powers as Captain Marvel, though from female gods and heroes. For Mary, the word Shazam embodies the gifts of Selene for grace, Hippolyta for strength, Ariadne for skill, Zephyrus for fleetness, Aurora for beauty, and Minerva for wisdom. In practical terms, this gives Mary extraordinary strength, the power of flight and makes her largely impervious to harm.

Attire: Mary wears a red costume with a short skirt and blouse with short sleeves. Her outfit also has yellow boots and lightning insignia as well as a yellow and white cape.

Modus Operandi: Mary has adventures of her own and also adventures she shares with Captain Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr. as the Marvel Family.

Shazam Family Characters: Mary Marvel

Billy Batson/Captain Marvel. Mary’s twin brother and member of the Marvel Family.

Freddy Freeman/Captain Marvel, Jr. Fellow member of the Marvel Family.

Mrs. Bromfield. A wealthy woman and the mother who raised Mary and looks after her still.

Uncle Marvel. First appears in Wow 18 (1943) and regularly thereafter. Uncle Marvel pretends to have powers, stealthily shedding his street clothes whenever the lightning of Shazam is transforming Mary or the other Marvels. He then pretends to have their powers as well. As himself, Uncle Dudley runs the charitable organization, Shazam, Inc.

Freckles Marvel. Mary “Freckles” Dudley is the realniece of Uncle Dudley, who allows her to wear a Marvel costume and take the Marvel name. While Freckles often wears her Marvel costume she doesn’t pretend to have powers. Wow 35, 44; Mary Marvel 6, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15; Marvel Family 32 (1945-1949).

Pinky. Mr. Scarlet’s sidekick who is also a friend of Mary’s. He attends a quiz show with Mary and together they thwart the scheme of Mr. Question.. Wow 28 (1944).

Bulletgirl. Attends Mary’s high school graduation and jointly the heroines tackle Dr. Riddle and the Son of the Weeper.Mary Marvel 8 (1946).

Notable Adversaries:

Dicehead. This coolly calculating criminal earns his nickname from his black dot eyes and nose gracing a balding, rather square shaped head. Dicehead runs a lavish gambling operation on a submarine that stays just outside the ten-mile limit of American jurisdiction. Dicehead also promises refuge for criminals on the run, but actually kills them and appropriates their ill-gotten gains. Machine gun fire can radiate from the black dots of the giant dice he uses as décor for his casino. Mary Marvel 21 (1948).

Georgia Sivana. The profoundly homely, bespectacled daughter of Dr. Sivana, Mary Marvel’s arch nemesis appears years after her sister Beautia. (Her father displayed a decidedly geographical sense of humor in naming his younger daughter.) Georgia is a brilliant inventor in her own right and quite capable of killing those who get in her way. On one occasion she laments that a small atomic bomb she constructs is “only” capable of annihilating about three thousand people. Sivana confronts Mary individually or all of the Marvel Family in concert with her equally wicked father and brother. Mary Marvel 1, 12, 16, 20, 23, 26; Marvel Family 5, 7, 10, 16, 20, 22, 23, 26, 30, 34, 68, 75, 84; Whiz 86 (1945-53).

The Hen. “A name feared even in the underworld,” this matronly gang leader aspires to being the “world’s wealthiest woman.” Her pinched features, thin chicken legs, feathery upsweep of hair and tendency to cackle all earn her the nickname of the Hen. Unscrupulous to the extreme, the physically powerful Hen is willing to murder her own gang in order to obtain their share of the loot. She teams up with Georgia Sivana in Marvel Family 34, but their respective egos get in the way of effective collaboration. Mary Marvel 28; Marvel Family 34 (1948-49).

Madame Silk. This dark-haired beauty takes over her late husband’s gang with brutal efficiency. She utilizes an unseen device to generate resilient silken webs capable of entrapping even a Marvel. Wow 37 (1945).

Mr. Night. An air spirit draped entirely in black and who rides through the air atop a flat black surface. Mr. Night is the arch enemy of King Color, ruler of Rainbow City. He was exiled from Rainbow City after committing evil acts. He comes to Mary Marvel’s attention when assisting a trio of gangsters pursuing the fabled pot of gold at the end of rainbow. Wow 14 (2/43).

Mr. Question. Criminal who wears a form fitting black head covering with a large white  question mark on it. Mr. Question poses questions while committing crimes to those who try to capture him. Unmasked, Mr. Question turns out to be Mr. Answer, a quiz show host. Wow 28 (1944).

Nightowl.  Criminal whose overly large, light sensitive eyes and bushy sideburns granted him a remarkable owl-like appearance, hence his nickname. Nightowl uses his customized “dark flash,” a weapon that shines out pitch black darkness all around him, a real plus given he can see in the dark. Nightowl is also something of a disguise artist, pretending to blind man and a disfigured man in bandages, who moves into the Bromwell household, supposedly for rest and recuperation. Nightowl reappears decades later in an animated version of Mary’s adventures. Mary Marvel 24 (1948).

Professor Van Ish. By utilizing his own Z-ray, Professor Van Ish (or Vanish!) is able to reach into one mirror and come out of another to rob unsuspecting home owners.  Within the mirror world that Mary must enter to defeat him, everything is reversed and operates in an opposite fashion. Wow 30 (1944).

The Terrible Trio. The medical conditions of these three balding prisoners grant them formidable powers. Case X has too much iron in his system with the result being that his whole body is turning into steel. Case Y has ossification that is turning his entire body into stone. Case Z has softening of the bones, making his entire body like rubber. The Trio rename themselves Spike Steel, Slug Stone and Simon Stretch. They break out of prison but continue to wear their prison duds. Their respective conditions render Mary’s blows ineffectual. Wow 42 (1946).

Wickedness, Inc. A collaborative of witches and their cauldrons who seek to further wickedness in the world. When they poison a batch of milk of human kindness they amplify Mary Batson’s dark side and alienate her from Mary Marvel. Wow 17 (1943).

Woman of a Thousand Faces. Criminal mistress of disguise. Marvel Family 39 (1949)

Sightings: Captain Marvel Adventures 18, 19, 37, 65; Wow Comics 9-58; Mary Marvel 1-28; Marvel Family 1-89; Master Comics 118

Original Chroniclers: Otto and Jack Binder

Active: 1942-54

Mark Carlson-Ghost