Who is better, Shazam or Superman (Superman or Shazam)?

The preview of the recently released movie "Shazam" makes many viewers feel very un-DC. In fact, how much worse than the original? Let's take a quick look at the old and new origins of Shazam, and maybe we can find the answer. He first appeared in Wuthering Comics #2 published by Fossett Comics Company.

Because it was a big sale at that time, the sales even surpassed Superman, so DC accused Captain Surprise of copying Superman until it was finally acquired by DC.

However, the name Captain Surprise can no longer be used, because the copyright of Captain Surprise expired from 1953 to 1972 for nearly 20 years. As a result, it was registered by the biggest competitor Marvel Comics, forcing DC to change its name before it can be used. In the new 52 restart plan, the slogan "Shazam" is adopted as the new name. Of course, there are many characters whose origins have been changed, and Shazam is just one of them.

The original origin of 1940

When he was young, Billy was killed by Black Adam because of his parents. Later, he was put in foster care at his uncle's house. Unfortunately, his uncle kicked him out and confiscated the property left by his parents. Later, Billy began to wander the streets selling newspapers for a living. One day, he met a mysterious man in black and took him to a shabby subway station and boarded a train full of strange symbols.

Driving to a cave deep in the earth, I stopped, placed a statue representing the seven deadly sins of mankind at the entrance, and finally met the ancient wizard "Shazam".

Captain Surprise transforms.

The old wizard has been guarding mankind from the threat of the seven deadly sins for thousands of years. He noticed that Billy still had an optimistic attitude despite his poverty, so he decided that he was the most suitable power successor and he was endowed with the power of the Six Gods. When Billy shouts "Shazam", he will become a superman with magical power.

Origin 20 13 new product 52

The new origin is a side story of the Justice League called "Shazam's curse". In the new story, Billy is an orphan and the oldest child in the foster family. One day, he was chosen by a new adoptive parent, and Billy met Mary and Freeman in his new family. Then there was another mixed event. Billy came to the subway station to escape from this mixed event. After getting on the train, the surroundings became a magical train.

After opening the car door, he saw an old fortress, and a voice guided him to the wizard.

New era Shazam

The old wizard claimed that he was the last one. Everyone else was killed by Black Adam, so he needs a new hero, but a kind person. After the test of the old wizard, Billy found that his kindness was not as pure as others, so he argued with the old wizard that the truly pure kindness in modern society no longer existed, and the wizard re-tested his kindness. When he passed by, the wizard asked Billy to shout "Shazam". As soon as he shouted, he magically became a superman who controlled lightning magic. The wizard finally told him that "you are the only line of defense between the world and magic", and the old wizard disappeared after completing his task.

The above is a simple description of the origin story. Those who are interested in Shazam can wait for the movie to be released or read the whole story from comics. Because of the background of the times, a new version is produced, and the old and the new have their own characteristics. Who is better, Superman or Shazam?