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- What are Shazam’s Powers?
- What are Superman’s Powers?
- Can Shazam Beat Superman?
When it comes to anything related to superheroes or anime, there are always going to be those fans who want to see their favorite characters fight each other even though they’re characters who would never be against one another. It’s because they all want to know who is the strongest character of all. When it comes to the DC Universe, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of characters with fantastic powers, but everybody looks at Superman as the most powerful of all. That’s why he’s often pitted against every character ever. However, Shazam is a near-identical character with a very similar powerset who would make for an interesting opponent for the Man of Steel.
Unfortunately, after Shazam! Fury of the Gods, there is no more Shazam in the DCU until James Gunn decides to bring him back into the fold. Besides Michael Shannon’s General Zod, the closest fans got to see Superman face off against somebody of equal power was the little tease in Black Adam with Dwayne Johnson. There’s unlikely to be a good reason for Shazam and Superman to face off against each other, but it’s hard not to compare them as they’re both invulnerable with immense strength and the ability to fly. However, if they did ever fight on the silver screen, the victor wouldn’t be so cut and dry.
What are Shazam’s Powers?
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Shazam Facts |
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Publisher |
DC Comics |
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First Appearance |
February 1940 |
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Created By |
Bill Parker and C.C. Beck |
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Alter Ego |
William Joseph “Billy” Batson |
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Powers |
Eidetic memory, Super Strength, Electricity Generation, Mental Resilience, Superhuman Speed, Flight |
Thanks to the Wizard, when Billy Batson speaks the magic word “Shazam!” he transforms from a young teenager into a full-grown adult with muscles and a number of powers at his disposal. These powers come from the wizard Shazam, who brought Billy to the Rock of Eternity when searching for a champion. The Rock of Eternity is Shazam’s hidden lair and the source of all magic in existence. Funny enough, Shazam spells out the powers Billy wields when in his adult form.
The “S” represents the wisdom of Solomon. Every iteration of Shazam, formerly Captain Marvel, whether animated or in the comics, portrays the wisdom differently. Sometimes he’s a cool, collected adult with all the answers. Other times, such as the DCEU’s version, he acts like the child he really is while exhibiting wisdom in more subtle ways. Then there’s the strength of Hercules, which is his most used ability in combat. The “A’ in Shazam stands for the stamina of Atlas. Unlike many other heroes, Billy doesn’t need to take a break between bouts, thanks to his stamina.
The power of Zeus gives Billy access to some hefty lightning abilities. 2019’s Shazam! might have used it as a punchline to charge a few phones while Billy walked through a mall, but lightning strikes are one of his best long-range attacks. Billy, as a child, was already a little courageous, exhibited when he stood up to some bullies at his school, but having the courage of Achilles added another level that prevented him from backing down from any foes. And lastly, Shazam wields the speed of Mercury, allowing him to keep up with the likes of the Flash. Although, the Flash will outrun Shazam every day of the week.
What are Superman’s Powers?
Unlike Billy Batson, Kal-El was born with all of his abilities. All Kryptonians are. However, their abilities don’t manifest unless they absorb the light from a yellow sun, exactly like the one Earth orbits. Kryptonians are humanoid solar panels, essentially. This is why Zod (Michael Shannon) and his cohorts had a hard time adjusting to Earth’s atmosphere. They weren’t accustomed to wielding the power of flight and laser beams erupting from their eyes. It’s also why the Russians were able to constrain Kara Zor-El (Sasha Calle) in an underground bunker for all those years in Andy Muschietti’s The Flash.
Once he absorbs enough solar radiation, Superman is capable of flying faster than the speed of sound. On top of that, his skin is impenetrable to bullets and his strength is 100 times stronger than a normal human. If he wants to fight from a distance, Superman utilizes heat vision, which is really laser beams that emit from his eyes. Also in his arsenal is X-ray vision that lets him peer through any surface not lined with lead. No superhuman would be complete without the ability to survive in the vacuum of space without a suit.
No hero is complete without a weakness. Besides somebody with equal strength, Superman’s biggest weakness is Kryptonite, irradiated rocks from his homeworld of Krypton.
Can Shazam Beat Superman?
Kryptonite isn’t Superman’s only weakness, just his most well known. Superman doesn’t do too well against is magic, which makes a number of Justice League members who haven’t received the live-action treatment challenging opponents for him. Magical blasts cut right through his defenses and if anyone manages to get inside the Man of Steel’s head through magical means, it could be devastating for the Kryptonian. While Superman is seen as the beacon of hope on Earth, Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice showed a future where Superman could conceivably become an enemy of the Justice League. The only real hero in the DCEU who could take on an evil Superman is Shazam.
Who would win? It really comes down to the director’s and even the writer’s favorite character. People have a hard time being objective when it comes to heroes fighting each other. The comics have shown the former Captain Marvel best Superman in a one-on-one fight while players of the Injustice video game watched Superman defeat Shazam by freezing his mouth shut –so he couldn’t say the magic word– and promptly lobotomizing him with his heat vision.
If there were a “Knightmare” movie for the DCEU and these two heavy hitters traded blows, based on everything seen in the DCEU movies, the fight goes to Superman. It would be the fight of the century, with Shazam shouting the magic word repeatedly to get that monstrous lightning bolt to hit the Man of Steel and he would even get himself out of a few sticky situations. However, when all is said and done, Superman is more ruthless and experienced as a fighter. Shazam would hold back too much, hoping to get him to see the error of his ways. Magic is Superman’s weakness, but it’s not as debilitating as kryptonite is.
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