Mary can share Billy's power by saying 'Shazam' to become an adult superhero. In current continuity following DC's 2011 New 52 reboot, Mary Bromfield appears as the eldest of Billy Batson's foster siblings.

Two limited series from 2007 to 2009, Countdown and Final Crisis, feature an evil version of Mary Marvel having acquired powers from first Shazam Family archenemy Black Adam and further from Apokoliptian supervillain god Desaad. Mary Marvel was one of the first female spin-offs of a major male superhero, and predates the introduction of Superman's female cousin Supergirl (also created by Otto Binder) by more than a decade.įollowing DC's licensing of the Marvel Family characters in 1972, Mary Marvel began appearing in DC Comics, co-starring in DC series such as Shazam! (1973–1978) and The Power of Shazam! (1995–1999).

Like her brother, Mary has been granted the power of the wizard Shazam, and has but to speak the wizard's name to be transformed into the superpowered Mary Marvel. In the traditional Shazam! concept, Mary Marvel is the alter ego of teenager Mary Batson (adopted name Mary Bromfield), twin sister of Captain Marvel's alter-ego, Billy Batson. The character is a member of the Marvel / Shazam Family of heroes associated with the superhero Shazam / Captain Marvel. Created by Otto Binder and Marc Swayze, she first appeared in Captain Marvel Adventures #18 ( cover-dated Dec. Mary Marvel is a superheroine originally published by Fawcett Comics and now owned by DC Comics. Superhuman stamina and near-invulnerabilityĬontrol over magic lightning, near-immortality, and spell-casting 1942)Įnhanced intellect, knowledge, and focus of the gods Mary Marvel on the cover of The Power of Shazam #4 (May 1995) by Jerry OrdwayĬaptain Marvel Adventures #18 (Dec.

The Power of Shazam! by Jerry Ordway