Saying 'shazam' not transforming back anymore?
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Marvel/DC
BlueMoonDust — 12 years ago(January 22, 2014 05:04 PM)
Why is that when Captain Marvel/Shazam introduces himself to the others by saying his name(Shazam) he doesn't turn back into Billy Batson?
I'm not a specialist of this character but i thought it was a bit weird. -
Josh052784 — 12 years ago(January 23, 2014 09:08 AM)
From what I understand, having read the new Shazam Origin in the Justice League books, he has to say it with "meaning" or basically the intent to change.
I've never been a huge fan of Captain Marvel/Shazam, but I'm kinda digging this one. Mainly because they are trying to emphasize that he is not just a Superman knock off, which he was for the majority of his career. -
Darken-Mortis — 12 years ago(January 25, 2014 03:00 PM)
This, it make more sense. The old Captain Marvel thing was stupid. Also change back by simply saying a word is lame, especially a name.
So, what is your name.
Hi, please call me BS. (Billy Shazam). Lol
Racist Game = Pool. WHITE ball push COLORED balls back into holes. BLACK ball out = you win. -
joeyjmpoff — 12 years ago(January 23, 2014 05:50 PM)
i noticed it to but i dont read the comics, i just know he usually changes when he says it in any tone.
i also noticed hes not a boy scout in this, hes like a immature kid. Is this how he is in the new 52 ? -
glock78 — 12 years ago(January 23, 2014 06:20 PM)
In JLA/JLU series he had to be hit by the lightning which strikes down when he shouts "Shazam!"
That way he was able to hold down Superman and keep hitting him with lightnings.
Here he kinda does the same - turning back into a kid after being hit by that big lightning. -
Neoblackdragon — 12 years ago(January 23, 2014 08:58 PM)
In the continuity of the New 52 universe, Shazam(that is now his actual name) can only change back if he intends to use the word to transform back. No more of this lightning bolt strikes him or he can't say his name. He must be struck by his lightning to change back. It's not simply saying the name.
That is the new52 deal with it.
Also Marvel was never a Superman clone. Even ignoring the whole he had many of his abilities first. For the majority of his existence he shared little in common with Superman outside of some of the powers. -
Munstrum_Ridcully — 12 years ago(January 24, 2014 06:51 AM)
Dc have made a mockery of the Whole Captain marvel character, especially with the idea that even as Cap he still has the immature attitude and dopiness of his 12 year old alter ego.
The name Shazam was an acronym that summed up his powers
Solomon's wisdom
Hercules' strength
Atlas' stamina
Zeus' control of the power of lightening
Achilles' courage and prowess on the battlefield
Mercury's Speed and ability to fly
Foremost is Solomon's Wisdom, hence Cap was never a childish idiot, as Cap he was a fully mature adult.
This was not unreasonable anyway as Billy Batson was a child prodigy, already writing and broadcasting as a professional journalist at age 12.
Trying to make him out to be a stupid kid is out of character in the extreme.
Not surprising as DC sued Fawcett comic, claiming Cap was rip off of Superman, which he wasn't, (no super hearing, breath, xray vision, super vision and no where near as strong. Different origin story mystical not sci-fi, different costume etc.
DC never forgave Cap for getting on to film first and outselling them as the character was simply more popular. Which lead to them finally bringing an end to Cap, by bashing the much smaller Fawcett with expensive law suits until they had to give in.
DC then snapped up the character and revived it as their own and have been making a joke of him ever since (with a few notable exceptions by more independent writers and artists).
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Neoblackdragon — 12 years ago(January 25, 2014 06:35 PM)
Dc hasn't made a mockery of him. They just tried something new. Also I think writers prefer Marvel/Shazam to be Billy in an adult body and not an avatar for these figures to manifest.
Also child prodigy clearly removes his everyman element. Billy is an orphan without purpose but has a strong sense of good. Being Shazam will allow him to mature into a good man. -
libra113 — 12 years ago(February 08, 2014 10:03 AM)
No, it's called realism. back in the day the bulk of readers were kids and Billy batson/Captain Marvel was wish fulfillment. Today comic book readers are older and more savvy and a happy go lucky orphan who works as an actual reporter for a real tv station is just silly.
The character had to be modernized to make sense in today's world.
As for the name change I'm not much of a fan but given that a lot of people already called him Shazam AND years of having their hands tied where they could and couldn't use the name Captain Marvel I don't blame them for just throwing up their hands and saying "bleep it lets just go with it". of course with that comes tweakig the rules of how he changes back and forth as it would be silly to have him accidently change everytime he introduces himself to some one. -
dan-mohorter — 12 years ago(January 24, 2014 12:44 PM)
Billy doesn't always change back when he says SHAZAM. I don't think that has ever been the case. He can also say SHAZAM to call down his lightning, as he did in the comic Kingdom Come(One of the all time great series, if you've never read it). http://insidepulse.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Kingdom-Come-Captain-Marvel-Shazam-vs-Superman.jpg
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BlueMoonDust — 12 years ago(January 24, 2014 04:08 PM)
Billy doesn't always change back when he says SHAZAM. I don't think that has ever been the case.
In the flashpoint animated movie when Diana forces him to say the word by using her lasso of truth, he changes back into billy whereas he doesn't intend to. -
masticoret9 — 12 years ago(January 25, 2014 05:15 AM)
I noticed the part everyone is mentioning, too. I always thought it was his "trigger" for going back and forth, as well. I guess it, like all comics, has a large amount to do with who's writing it. Just like a bunch of Marvel writers wouldn't agree that Deadpool could kill everyone in the Marvel Universe. That doesn't mean it isn't a totally amazing read. The continuity and power levels of the characters inside the pages seems to be totally dependant on who's getting the writing credit on the series. Like with Marvel Zombies, Kingdom Come, The Dark Knight Returns, et. al.
I think a lot of comic writing can benefit from changes like Shazam! has in this movie. I hated the Electro-Superman thing they did years ago, but it was a nice needed attempt at change. It gave us something to hate and a new reason to appreciate what we had always had. I kinda dig the idea of a 12 year old normal kid being bestowed with the powers of a god. Then watching him struggle with that responsibility, la Spider-man. It may be terrible to the extreme, they may have to explain away or rewrite some various canon to make it work, but it's the attempt that matters to me. Then again, it may make the character viable to a larger audience. Giving a dead horse new life. I didn't really read Shazam! growing up. I'm in my 30's now and never cared for the Captain Marvel character until reading Kingdom Come many years after its release date. So, maybe I'm not one to ask or offer up opinion, but it could be good. Give it a chance.
I'm not such a purist that I desire redundancy and mediocrity in order to continue publishing titles with a certain character. If it's going to be mundane and dramaless for some Thanoseid of superheroes to be giving a lackluster ass kicking to everything's face, like you've put in "GodMode" cheats. Then what fun is that? I prefer the story that has all the angles worked out, with a truly interesting character, that can most definitely kick some ass, but won't have to forget that they have super hearing and ice breath to make it seem like a fight they could lose. We already know they are on the cover of the book. It's a pretty sure bet they are walking away from it in one piece. Let's at least make it possible to lose and a fun read besides.
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