Can Shazam (or Captain Marvel) Fly Without the Full Powers of All Gods?
Long gone are the days when the character known as Shazam struggled to answer questions about his abilities. A significant shift in the DC Comics universe has resulted in the Earth-0 version of Shazam being rebranded as The Captain. However, the discussion about the powers and capabilities of Shazam and his godly origins remains a fascination for fans and comic book enthusiasts.
The New Identity of Shazam: The Captain
The recent comic book changes in DC Comics have seen the name 'Shazam' fall out of use in favor of the moniker 'The Captain'. This shift affects only one version of the character: the Earth-0 version. Notably, the pre-Crisis Earth-S version and the post-Crisis New Earth version remain named 'Captain Marvel'. This rebranding signals a new era for the character and sets the stage for a fresh narrative, yet the core question of what Shazam needs to fly persists.
Speed of Mercury: The Key to Flight
It's a well-documented fact that Shazam does not need all the powers of his gods to fly. The critical divine power attributed to his flight comes from Mercury, the god of speed. This is evident from C.C. Beck's testimony during the National v. Fawcett cases. When asked about imperviousness to weapons, Beck brought up Mercury as the key figure here:
Q: Well, if you recall the discussion about him being impervious to weapons, does that refresh your recollection whether anything was said about his ability to fly?
Beck: Well then we come to Mercury, the god of speed...
Specifically, Beck mentioned that while there wasn't much detail on flying, it was noted that Shazam, under the influence of the god Mercury, had the Speed. This revelation clarifies that the flight ability is derived from the Speed of Mercury, not the combined might of all the gods.
The Powers of the Living Lightning
This inconsistency in the source of Shazam's abilities dates back to the New 52 era of DC Comics. Prior to this, the Living Lightning (Curse of Shazam) often played a pivotal role in granting the character's powers. This resulted in the flight ability being attributed to the Living Lightning instead of the gods. Under notable writers like Geoff Johns, the Living Lightning was the primary source of Shazam's powers, including flight.
For instance, in Shazam! 13, Geoff Johns explicitly confirmed that the Living Lightning was responsible for Shazam's flight. Under other writers, the flight ability could be attributed to Mercury, as seen in Shazam!: Lightning Strikes 1. These differences highlight the evolving nature of the character's narrative and the creative freedom given to writers.
The Future of Shazam
Looking to the future, the ongoing series Shazam! will feature the classic acrostic power set, starting with an issue titled Shazam! 1. This upcoming storyline will center around The Captain, solidifying Mercury's role as the key divine power responsible for flight. Geoff Johns' continuation of the Living Lightning as the primary source of powers may have provided a clear narrative, but so far, it's clear that Shazam (and his future identity, The Captain) can fly without the full suite of godly powers.
Thus, the answer to the question, "Can Shazam fly without getting the powers of all the gods?" is a definitive yes. He only needs the speed of Mercury to take to the skies.