Captain Marvel, also known as
Shazam, is a fictional
superhero appearing in
American comic books published by
DC Comics. The character was created in 1939 by artist
C. C. Beck and writer
Bill Parker, and first appeared in
Whiz Comics #2 (February 1940), published by
Fawcett Comics. He is the alter ego of
Billy Batson, a boy who, by speaking the magic word "Shazam", can transform himself into a costumed adult with the powers of superhuman strength, speed, flight, and other abilities.