Billy Batson

Young orphan Billy Batson was led to a hidden subway cavern where the ancient wizard Shazam granted him the ability to transform into a mighty adult champion by speaking the wizard's name aloud — instantly gaining the combined powers of six legendary figures.

Few characters carry the golden weight of comics history quite like Billy Batson, who burst onto the scene in Whiz Comics #2 in 1940, conjured into existence by Bill Parker and Pete Costanza at the very dawn of the Golden Age. Over an astonishing publishing span stretching from 1940 all the way to 2026 — nearly nine decades — Billy has proven himself one of the medium's most enduring figures, racking up 500 catalog appearances and an impressive 24 key issues that collectors have long prized. His adventures fill the pages of Captain Marvel Adventures and Whiz Comics, those beloved Golden Age landmarks, and he's kept extraordinary company throughout, sharing stories with titans like Superman, Batman, and Green Lantern. Whether you're a seasoned collector chasing those landmark early issues or a newer fan discovering why this kid from the Golden Age still resonates, Billy Batson is absolutely essential comics reading.