Shazam (wizard)

Shazam
The current incarnation (Mamaragan) of the Shazam character. Art by Alitha Martinez (penciler), Mark Morales, John Livesay (inkers), and Alex Guimarães (colorist)
Publication information
Publisher	Fawcett Comics (1942–1953) DC Comics (1972–present)
First appearance	Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940)
Created by	C. C. Beck Bill Parker
In-story information
Alter ego	Mamaragan (current) Jebediah (original)
Species	Deity (current) New God (originally) Homo Magi (originally)
Team affiliations	Marvel Family Squadron of Justice The Quintessence Council of Immortals Lords of Order Council of Eternity
Partnerships	Black Adam Captain Marvel/Shazam The Spectre
Supporting character of	Captain Marvel/Shazam Black Adam
Notable aliases	The Wizard, Wizard of Shazam, Jebediah O'Keenan, The Champion, The Great Wizard
Abilities	Immortality Mastery of magic and occultism; reality manipulation and can bestow the Powers of Shazam, which includes various superpowers such as superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes and stamina alongside other powers originating from divine entities.

Shazam (/ʃəˈzæm/), also known as The Wizard or Wizard Shazam, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Fawcett Comics and DC Comics, first appearing in Whiz Comics #2 (February, 1940) created by C.C. Beck and Bill Parker. A major supporting character in Shazam! comic book titles, he often serves as the wise old man.

The original version of the character was Jebediah, a young boy who of Egyptian and Canaanite origin who served as the Champion, gaining his power through Canaanite gods. In his later years, he forgoes their powers and learned wizardry before seeking a successor to empower. A revised version of the character is introduced after the New 52. At first introduced as a Kahndaq native who ascended to godhood, this origin was retconned and he is revealed to be Mamaragan, a figure based upon the deity in Kunwinjku culture.^[1] This version served as a adjudicator on Earth's supernatural matters as leader of a cabal of six other wizards, making up the Council of Eternity until a betrayal forces him to seek a successor to both his power and the fallen Council.^[2] Although the character's motivations and background history differ, they're intended to be incarnations of the same character.^[3]

The core of the character serves as an ancient sorcerer who battled the forces of evils for centuries until the betrayal of Black Adam, one of his earliest champion and proposed successors, forced him to seal him away and seek another champion to take his place. This would eventually come in the form of Billy Batson, who becomes the hero known as Captain Marvel/Shazam, and the rest of the Marvel Family (currently known as the Shazam Family). He often serves as a mentor to the group^[3][4] and is a notable member of the Quintessence, a powerful group of beings who watch over events unfolding in the universe.^[5]

The Shazam character has been featured in various media and adaptations relating DC Comics series. The original Golden Age incarnation has appeared in live television serial such as the Adventures of Captain Marvel, portrayed by Nigel De Brulier. He also appeared in animated features such as Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam, voiced by James Garner. Notably, Djimon Hounsou portrayed the character in DC Extended Universe films Shazam! (2019), Black Adam (2022), and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023) whose appearance and portrayal is inspired by the New 52's earlier version of the character.