William Batson

"If a superhero can't save his family, he's not a hero."

—Billy Batson

William Batson Biographical Information Alias Billy Chosen One Shazam Captain Marvel Captain Sparklefingers Relatives Marilyn Batson (Mother) C.C. Batson (Father) Victor Vasquez (Foster Father) Rosa Vasquez (Foster Mother) Darla Dudley (Foster Sister) Eugene Choi (Foster Brother) Freddy Freeman (Foster Brother) Mary Bromfield (Foster Sister) Pedro Peña (Foster Brother) Born September 6, 2004 Died Affiliation Shazam Shazam Family Rock of Eternity Justice League Physical Description Species Human Gender Male Hair Dark Brown Eyes Green Behind the Scenes Portrayed By Asher Angel Zachary Levi (Shazam Avatar) First Appearance Shazam!

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William "Billy" Batson is a young orphan boy who was chosen by the Wizard Shazam to be a protector of the world, and granted super powers by uttering the word "Shazam" transforming him from a small boy into a fully grown adult. He is known as the super hero Shazam.

Biography

Early Life

At the young age of 4, Billy is seen with his biological mother at a carnival during the winter. After failing to win him a stuffed tiger like he wanted, she won him a compass keychain which she tells him is more valuable than a stuff animal cause if he's ever lost he can find his way. On their way out of the carnival, Billy drops his keychain and chases after it, getting separated from his mother,  he loses track of his mom mistakes a woman dressed like her as his mother till he sees she isn't her. Billy is left with the police and is taken into the foster system.

Searching for His Mother

Several years later at the age of 14, Billy sets up a break in at a pawn shop to get the police to arrive. After acting innocent and telling the police the perpetrators went through the back of the building the police search and come to find there was no one there. Once inside Billy quickly drops the act and reveals he set up the whole thing and closes the gate to the door locking the police in. Billy acts quick to get into the police car to gain access to the police's computer system. In Billy's notebook it is shown he's been looking up several different women with the last name "Batson" in hopes of finding his mother. Finding the address to a Rachel Batson, he quickly jots down her address and steals the officer's lunch which the he begs him not to take. Billy makes his way to the woman's house but to his disappointment he finds she is not his mother and is caught by the same police he fooled earlier.

Meeting the Vasquezes

Being taken to the foster system again, Ms. Glover informs Billy that his latest foster family doesn't want him back after he disappeared two weeks prior to the incident with the police and states that he has ran away from every home within 6 counties now. Billy states he knows his mother is out there and all he has to do is find her but E.B. tells him that he shouldn't try to find someone who doesn't want to find him.  She informs him of a couple outside that is eager to take him in but Billy quickly rejects them stating he can take care of himself but E.B. reminds him he has to wait till he's 18 cause it's the law. She encourages him to give them a chance cause they are giving him one, having no other choice, Billy accepts and is taken in by the Vasquez's who seem like a loving couple. He meets Victor and Rosa who reveal they were foster kids themselves in the system and were stubborn like him. On the way to the house, they tell him about how the other foster kids they take in are expecting him and are excited to meet him.

Chosen as Champion

Arriving at his new home, the Vasquezs introduce Billy to his new siblings: The young but kind and accepting Darla, the eldest Mary, the mostly silent Pedro, the intelligent young Eugene, and finally Freddy Freeman, a fan of the Justice League in particular Superman and superheroes in general. On the first day of school, Freddy is attacked and bullied by the Breyer siblings, Brett and Burke, until Billy comes to his foster brother's defense when one of them insults Freddy for not having a mother. Briefly getting the upper hand on them, Billy then flees, thanks to a distraction from Eugene and makes it to safety onto a subway.

However, while on the subway, Billy was transported to a mysterious cave and is confronted by the wizard Shazam. The Wizard informed Billy that he is his last and only chance to find someone noble and good enough to replace him as champion. Billy is reluctant at first, but eventually is convinced by the Wizard to accept his offer. Saying the Wizard's name, Billy is transformed into an adult and receives Shazam's powers. After the Wizard gave him his powers, he disintegrated in front of him. He was then transported back to where he was.

Confiding in Freddy

Not knowing what to do, Billy decided to go to Freddie for help in figuring out what to do in this predicament. After convincing Freddy that he was indeed Billy, the two worked on figuring out Billy's powers where Billy learned he possessed the ability to generate electricity from his hands. When going to a convenience store to purchase alcohol, Billy and Freddy stumble upon a robbery where they discover that Billy has super strength and invulnerability to gunfire. Shortly after this discovery, Billy easily overpowers them and subdues them. Returning home, Billy and Freddy are discovered by Darla where, during his trying to explain to her the situation, Billy learned he could change back to his child self by saying the words "Shazam".

Over the next few days, Billy and Freddy test more of the formers power while stopping small crimes across town. However, the power quickly began to go to Billy's head and he ended up abandoning Freddy after promising to show up at school in his adult form to help increase Freddy's popularity. Freddy located Billy, accused Billy of abusing as well as wasting his powers on juvenile activities, and angrily walked away.

Meeting Thaddeus Sivana

Billy was then confronted by Thaddeus Sivana, a man who once attempted to gain the Wizard's powers as a child only to be denied who then absorbed the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. Sivana, wanting to take the power of Billy still decides to do so by force when he punches Billy, who was shocked to have been pained. He punches back only for Sivana to lift him up in the air and drop him, but Billy awakened his power of flight close to impact with the ground, much to his relief.

Freddy noticed Billy fighting in the background, confused with who the villain was. The battle dragged on inside a mall with Billy severely outmatched and still not fully understanding his powers. Sivana finally pinned Billy to the ground, once more asking for the wizard's power. But the latter decided to turn back into his teenage self again, which blinded Sivana with the bolt of lightning briefly, and blended in with the panicked crowd. Freddy was inside the mall looking for Billy and Sivana saw him, remembered his connection to him, and demanded to know where he went.

Finding his mother

Billy went back to the Vasquez household, where he was confronted by Victor and Rosa. As Victor was furiously lecturing him for his recklessness and Rosa was treating his injuries, the other foster kids were listening idly. Mary saw the news about this new superhero and noticed how he was talking to Freddy and realized that Billy is that superhero. The kids went to Billy about this revelation and told him they knew about his search for his mom as Pedro found the notebook he threw away. Eugene said that he managed to actually locate his mother, who just so happened to live a few blocks down the street. Billy immediately rushed out with the written address and left the household, with Victor and Rosa chasing after him.

When he reached the apartment number, he was scared and uncertain of himself. After he knocked on the door, he had finally met his mother, who initially didn't recognize him. He told her that she was his son that she lost. Upon hearing this, she admitted to Billy that she was not ready to take care of him due to his father being arrested, kicked out of her own home, and being a young mom at the time. She told him that when she lost him that day at the fair, she saw her son with the police officers and decide to leave Billy in their care, saying he could be raised better without her. Billy was extremely shocked and heartbroken upon this revelation and said that he needed to go back to his real family and left her mother with the prize she won for him all those years ago saying she'll need it.

Becoming a hero

Skirmish in the Rock of Eternity

Billy received a phone call from Freddy, which he answered and immediately apologized to him. He realized it was Sivana who managed to use Freddy to track down his foster family and take them hostage and promised to them go if he gave him what he wanted. Billy then went to the roof of the apartment complex where he ran and jumped out of it as he transformed into a superhero and flew back home.

Billy arrived to see Sivana and his family there and decided to willingly abide to his demands. Sivana proceeded to create a spell on one of the doors that transported them to the Rock of Eternity in which the two left the Vasquez household. The two arrived at the site where the seven wizards held counsel as Sivana picked up the wizard Shazam's staff. He commanded Billy to hold the staff and say the wizard's name as the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man watched them. They were interrupted by Mary, Darla, Pedro, Eugene, and Freddy who used the still active portal and told them to let go of their brother.

Billy managed to strike Sivana and reunited with his siblings and tried to find a way out of the Rock of Eternity. Upon realizing the door Sivana made no longer worked, they came across numerous other doors and tried opening those, only to discover they led to entirely different worlds and locations. Billy, trying to see if he can teleport them himself, ended up bringing them to a strip club in Philadelphia he and Freddy once went to. Billy transformed back and decided that he and his siblings should hide at the Christmas Village, but Sivana noted his location from the summoned lighting bolt. He arrived at the scene and called out Billy for being a coward for jeopardizing the lives of everyone at this event, and demanded he showed himself. Although his family warned against this, he replied that he needed to protect the ones most important to him and confronted Sivana as the champion.

Empowering the family

Unfortunately, their fight was cut short as Sivana unleashed the Sins to round his siblings and used them as hostages to force Billy to surrender his powers. As Sivana recalled the Sins, Shazam remembered the wizard telling him to fill the thrones of their "brothers and sisters". Seizing the staff and repelling Sivana with it, Billy tells his siblings to take hold, and say his name, echoing the words of the Wizard. After saying "Billy", he told them to say "Shazam" instead. By saying "Shazam", a burst of lightning appeared.

Like Billy, Freddy, Mary, Darla, Eugene and Pedro have all now gained the powers of Shazam. Seeing that Sivana is in disbelief, Billy breaks the staff, leaving Sivana unable to steal the Wizard's powers. While the others face off against six of the Sins, Sivana and Billy have their second fight, racing through the city to try and best one another. In a brief pause during their duel, Sivana began threatening Billy and claiming it would take more than a group of juveniles to save him. However, Billy playfully ignored him and taunted him for monologuing before lunging at him. They unleashed discharges of energy upon each other, but they were too evenly matched. Realizing this, Billy had a split-second to contemplate his next move, but it was all his adversary needed to seize him in a chokehold and rocket into the air with him. However, this move would not work a second time: unintimidated, Billy grabbed his face and the two struggled. Ultimately unable to best Sivana in close combat, he was thrown onto a roof.

Billy takes note that his foster siblings are only facing six of the sins, and mentions the last remaining Sin possessing Sivana's body, the only one still giving him any power: Envy. Insulting Envy, the Sin emerges from Sivana's body, leaving Sivana completely mortal and holding on for dear life on the edge of the building. Envy attacks Billy, but Billy uses the word "Shazam" to vaporise Envy into mist, before saying the word again to quickly save a falling Sivana. Billy brings Sivana back to the carnival, and precedes to pull out the Eye of Sin, sucking back in all of the Sins. The Eye then seemingly began tempting Billy with his deepest desire but he reveals he was merely teasing his siblings, having the common sense not to put a demon ball in his eye. Around them, the crowd cheers, and soon after, Billy and the others return to the Rock of Eternity to return the Eye and the Sins. Freddy points out to Billy that they now have a superhero lair.

Living with the Vasquezes

After their fight with Sivana and the Sins, Billy finally felt like he has found a home, with the Vasquez' and his foster siblings, calling all hands on deck over dinner.

The next day, Billy came to the school cafeteria as the superhero while Mary, Eugene, Pedro and Darla changed their lunch schedules to eat with Freddy and Billy. As the superhero, he impressed the other school kids, telling them that Freddy taught him everything he knows. He also told Freddy he invited a friend. Looking over, Freddy saw Superman standing right next to him, and is shocked that the Man of Steel is actually there.

Appearance

In his normal form, Billy is a regular black-haired boy. When transformed into Shazam, however, he appears as a young man in his mid 30's, with a powerful, muscular build. He wears a red body suit with gold boots and a long white cape that cuts off at the back of his knees, with a high collar. Emblazoned across his chest is a golden lightning bolt that seems to constantly sparkle with power.

Powers and Abilities

• Transformation:  After being chosen by the The Wizard as his champion, Billy Batson was granted the ability to transform into the vessel of "Shazam" by calling out the vessel's name, summoning a bolt of lightning from the sky. As Shazam, he has many abilities and powers beyond the capabilities of Humans.
  • Super Strength: Strength of Hercules, Shazam has incredible superhuman strength, able to punch through concrete pillars and send people flying in combat. He is also able to lift vehicles off the ground.
  • Invulnerability: Stamina of Atlas, Shazam's body is resistant to most forms of harm, as bullets bounce off of him on impact and speeding cars have no impact. 
  • Super Speed: Speed of Mercury, Shazam can run at super speed, faster than the speed of sound.
  • Electrokinesis: Power of Zeus, Shazam can generate and project electricity. When first discovering his abilities as Shazam, Billy was able to instantly charge people's cellphones with a single bolt of energy.
  • Flight: After having many difficulties trying to see if he can fly, Shazam finally learned how to fly after nearly dying from crashing into the ground.
  • Infinite Wisdom: Shazam posses the wisdom of Solomon, although he has yet to achieve this power.

Weaknesses

• Human Form: In his human form Billy can have the same weaknesses as a normal human.
• Immaturity: Even while as Shazam, Billy retains his childish mentality and lack of emotional maturity. This makes it difficult for him to maintain focus and seriousness for the needed situation.
• Speech Impediment: Billy can only access his powers if he says the name 'Shazam' which can also turn him back to his human form. If he is gagged or prevented from speaking while in his human form his powers remain dormant.

Equipment

Weapons

• Batarang: Billy used a replica Batarang to attack and briefly stun Thaddeus Sivana during a fight to protect his foster siblings.
• Magic staff: Originally belonging to Shazam, Billy took the staff from Thaddeus Sivana and used it to empower his foster siblings with the power of the gods to help him fight Sivana and the Seven Deadly Enemies of Man. Billy then broke the staff to prevent it from being used in the wrong hands.

Other equipment

• Shazam suits: When empowered as the champion, Billy wears red bodysuit with a lightning bolt emblazoned on his chest just like the Wizard had, and a hooded white cape with gold trims.

Personality

Billy has shown to be a self-reliant teenage boy, who tends to get himself into trouble. He doesn't feel the need for foster parents and has actually ran away from his previous ones on several separate occasions. He is also a bit of a loner, as he isn't willing to open up to the Vasquezes and his fellow foster siblings.

Despite his flaws, Billy is an inherently good person, as he was willing to step up for his foster brother, Freddy. And this kindness is why the all powerful wizard, Shazam, chose Billy as his successor; he believed that boy could do more good in the world with his powers.

As Shazam, Billy retains his normal personality. In the midst of his newfound powers, he finds himself to be using it for his own gain and amusement, not really considering the consequences of this.

Appearances

• Shazam! (First appearance)
• Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Trivia

To be added

External Links

• Billy Batson on the DC Wiki
• Billy Batson on Wikipedia