Shazam (wizard)

Shazam
Rendition of the Jebediah incarnation of the Wizard. Art by Alex Ross
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 Jebediah of Canaan
Species	God (current) New God (previous continuity) Homo Magi (previous continuity)
Team affiliations	Marvel/Shazam Family Squadron of Justice The Quintessence Council of Immortals Lords of Order Council of Eternity
Partnerships	Teth Adam Aman Hatshepsut Billy Batson Hera
Supporting character of	Captain Marvel/Shazam Black Adam
Notable aliases	The Wizard Shazam Wizard of Shazam Jebediah O'Keenan The Champion
Abilities	Immortality, mastery of magic, occultism, and reality manipulation. Can bestow the Powers of Shazam, including 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 comics, he often serves as the wizened mentor of the character, Billy Batson, the alter-ego of Captain Marvel/Shazam, whom he shares his name with following the renaming of character in 2012. In his original depictions, Shazam (originally Shazamo) is an ancient hero and the guardian of the Rock of Eternity whom is of Egyptian and Canaanite origin. The character is later revealed to be named Jebediah, a young boy who was bestowed superpowers through the magical abilities of his Canaanite gods as the Champion. In his later years, he learned magic and became a wizard before he sought a successor and chose Black Adam, a native of Kahndaq (originally Egypt). However, Jedediah came to regret his decision upon Adam's betrayal, forcing him to banish him and chose another, eventually settling on Billy Batson and becomes a member of the Marvel Family as their mentor.^[1]

After Flashpoint, the character is initially re-introduced as a Kahndaq native whose magic led him to attain godhood before this origin was retconned, portraying him as Mamaragan, based upon the deity of Australian Aboriginal mythology, specifically the Kunwinjku culture.^[2] This version served as both keeper of the Rock of Eternity, an adjudicator of Earth's mystical matters, and protector of various realms thousands of years ago in the past alongside the Council of Eternity, joined by other wizards in which he led whom selected champions to represent them. Unbeknownst to them, a champion, Black Adam, secretly kills the chosen champion in secret to consolidate power for himself and ascends to be the primary champion and eventually betrays them, forcing Mamaragan to banish Black Adam. With no council or champion, the wizard seeks to re-establish successors to his power and Council. Mamaragan would reluctantly settle upon teenaged Billy Batson in the 20th century, who in turned empowered his foster siblings as the Shazam Family, the spiritual successors to the Council of Eternity. ^[3][4]

The character of the Wizard Shazam has made appearances in various DC comics series and adaptations in different media. Notably, Djimon Hounsou portrayed him in the DC Extended Universe films Shazam! (2019), Black Adam (2022), and Shazam! Fury of the Gods (2023).