Shazam presents his gods with a giant change, paving the best way for a hero to take heart stage

Warning: comprises spoilers Shazam #19!

Shazam He simply gifted his gods with a giant change, paving the best way for a member of his household to take heart stage. Freddy Freeman is an integral member of the Shazam Household, however in latest months, long-standing points between him and Billy have come to a head. Issues come to a head Shazam #19, establishing a daring new establishment for Freddy that can make him an ideal hero.

Shazam #19 was written by Josie Campbell and drawn by Dan McDaid. Freddy has acquired a brand new supply of energy: Amber Lightning. Cast by the god Hephaestus and a bunch of “misfit” gods, Amber Lightning was given to the wizard Shazam to be stored within the Rock of Eternity. It remained dormant for hundreds of years till Freddy discovered it, and has been drawing its energy from it ever since. Freddy's present combat with Mister Thoughts it was a take a look at by Hephaestus to see if Freddy was worthy of the facility – and he was.

Who’s Freddy Freeman? Shazam's oldest ally defined

Tensions have been rising between Freddy and Billy for months

Shazam #19 marks the start of a brand new period for Freddy Freeman, certainly one of Shazam's oldest allies. Freddy's origin has modified over time, however in every incarnation he’s an orphan like Billy. Initially recognized by the identify “Captain Marvel Jr” throughout Fawcett and DC’s early years, he has additionally adopted different nicknames reminiscent of “CM3”. Every of those names was an try to tell apart Freddy from Shazam (or the Captain, as he now calls himself), however he nonetheless operated in his adoptive brother's shadow, and lingering tensions are actually coming to a head.

The deterioration of the connection between Billy and Freddy made the latter a simple prey for Mister Thoughts. Mister Thoughts took management of Freddy's physique and harnessed the facility of Amber Lightning for himself. The Venusian Worm has tried many instances up to now to destroy the Shazam Household, and because of Freddy, he has come nearer than ever. Nonetheless, the Amber Lightning was an excessive amount of for Mister Thoughts, and Freddy overcame the villain. Freddy, now calling himself “the Commander,” was worthy of the Amber Lightning and is able to start a brand new heroic profession.

Freddy's new powers and gods are a brand new starting for him

Freddy is now like Shazam

Freddy's new magic phrase and supply of energy pokes enjoyable at one other side of Shazam lore. When the character was revealed by Fawcett Comics, he modified by shouting “Captain Marvel” as a substitute of “Shazam”. This quirk grew to become certainly one of Freddy's emblems and remained a part of the character all through the New 52, ​​after which he merely mentioned “Shazam.” Now, Freddy has his personal magic phrase once more, form of – it's spelled the identical method, he simply invokes a distinct set of gods.

Lastly, Freddy/the Commander's new energy supply upends typical Shazam lore. In most incarnations of Shazam, his powers come from six patron gods, and the primary letter of every of their names spells out the magic phrase that Billy invokes to remodel. Freddy nonetheless makes use of the phrase “Shazam” to entry his powers, however every letter represents a distinct god (see desk). DC experimented with giving Shazam totally different patron gods, notably in Jerry Ordway's movie Energy of Shazamnevertheless it at all times comes again to the classics. Freddy's new purchasers characterize an enormous leap ahead in his heroic profession.

Shazam #19 It's on sale now at DC Comics.