I've been on an old time comic book kick and just started re-reading my Shazam archives (I have the first two). I like to look at teh original version to get ideas for future icarnations.

Some thoughts:

In the beginning, it was much more serious than people remember. Cap killed bad guys and some of the stories were bleak.
His powers were not as crazy as now, he could be knocked out, gas effected him and he didn't fly right away. Heck he even had to use a space ship to go to Venus.
Speaking of Venus, the science was so off but fun. People traveling faster than the speed of light like it was no big deal, being able to live on Venus etc.
Cap DID seem to be a different person than Billy, which is probably why he didn't change as often or stay as Cap as often. Though at times his changing back to Billy was ridiculous and illogical except to put himself in danger.
Billy also tried to keep Cap's existence a secret, though Sivana knew almost right away. Strange how he never revealed it. There's a story there somewhere.
When Kirby drew a few issues, Cap's profile looked just like Jack Kirby! The action was also more intense, especially the battle with Mr. Z who I always liked.
Love Sivana's origin and I plan to incorporate one day in my Shazam story I have been sitting on.
Where did Magnificus (Sivana's son) get such strength. My theory is he was actually a loving dad, who raised Beautia and Magnificus on a highly scientific regimen and nutrient plan making them superior to other humans. Why he didn't do it with his later two kids is unexplainable.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

Does Ibac appear in the first couple archives? He's the obscure villain I chose for my DC story.

I'm in the middle of number two and not yet. I always wished they made the bad guys like Captain Nazi and Ibac more on the level with the Marvel Family.

Tell me more on your story.

I guess I thought they had different mothers.
Either that, or more likely, Sivana GREW Jr. and Georgia from his own cells.

Ibac is almost a carbon copy of Black Adam, in that he has the same powers of Captain Marvel, only bad.

Anyhow, in my story Cap and Ibac destroy a homeless shelter in Fawcett City accidentally while fighting, and Cap has to convince Ibac to help him set things right.

Comes out in about four weeks.

His powers are somewhat different. Gifted by Satan's pals:
Ivan the Terrible (Terror)
Borgia (Cesare) (Cunning)
Attila the Hun (Fierceness)
Caligula (Cruelty)

I like that explanation. I'm going to steal it from you



Where can I buy it. Also, he is supposed to be like Black Adam but Cap physically beats him too easily. And I hated the first fight with Black Adaim where they can't hurt each other. Totally illogical as two people of equal strength can still hurt each other.

You and I Allen each have dreams of writing Captain Marvel.
I really should have finished the idea I had for a SHAZAM movie years ago
--you know, before it was too late and they actually make a BAD ONE.

Likely Sivana worked in a hidden lab somewhere in Georgia, too.
It makes perfect sense that he would call the first one "Jr.,"
and then—wanting to tamper further—he no doubt changed the
sex of the second one just to show that he could.

The names really are afterthoughts. All the originality was spent
in making them.

You can buy it at your LCS, assuming they ordered it.

It comes in the DC Holiday comic this year, Allen.