Summary
Warning: contains spoilers forShazam#14!Shazamjust made a shattering confession that will change his powers forever. In recent issues ofShazam,Billy Batson and his super-powered alter ego have been at odds. The relationship between the two has deteriorated to the point where Billy refuses to change. InShazam#14,matters come to a head as Billy and the Captain’s relationship changes, ushering in a new era for the character.
Shazam#14 is written by Jose Campbell and drawn by Emanuela Lupacchino.King Kull and his legions are threateningthe surface world, and Mary Marvel and Uncle Dudley are trying to convince Billy to transform into the Captain. Billy is hesitant, citing the problems he was having with the Captain earlier.
Mary and Dudley continue to plead with Billy, but he is unphased.
Billy finally declares that he does not trust the Captain,forcing Mary and Dudley to look for alternate ways of stopping Kull.
The Relationship Between Billy and Shazam Has Changed Forever
Mark Waid and Josie Campbell Have Ended An 80-Year Debate
When Shazam returned in a new ongoing last year, writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora began redefining the relationship between Billy and the Captain. This has carried over into Josie Campbell’s run as well.Over Shazam’s 80-year-history, different creators have approached this relationship in differing ways: some viewed them as two separate people and others saw the Captain as a more mature Billy. Waid and Campbell have shown that Billy and the Captain are, in fact, two different people, seemingly ending eight decades of debate.
Billy has grown increasingly wary of the Captain and the effect he has had on his life, to the point where he is shirking his responsibility.
With this in mind, Waid, and later Campbell, have shown what happens when this relationship fractures and breaks down. Billy has grown increasingly wary of the Captain and the effect he has had on his life, to the point where he is shirking his responsibility. From his magical dimension, the Captain watches the fight with King Kull, begging Billy to set him free. Kull and his legions are threatening Philadelphia, and Mary is outclassed. Even with him and his family’s backs against the wall, Billy refuses to say the word and transforms into the Captain.
Can Billy and Shazam Reconcile Their Differences?
Billy Has Done What Doctor Sivana Failed At
The metamorphosis of the relationship between Billy Batson and the Captain represents a huge change for Shazam moving forward. If Billy cannot trust his alter ego, then he cannot access his powers, and thus no Shazam. Billy has effectively endedShazam’slegacy, and accomplished something Black Adam, Mister Mind and Sivana have been unable to do for over 80 years. While Billy and the Captain will no doubt eventually reconcile, for now, the prospects of the two making up are bleak, and without them, the DC Universe is at a huge loss.
