Shazam! Fury of the Gods is the latest installment in the DC cinematic universe, released on March 17. This film delves deeply into the connections between the Shazam family and the powerful divine beings that granted them their extraordinary abilities. Alongside this exploration, the source of Shazam’s great power also becomes the reason he must face off against the three daughters of the titan Atlas – Hespera, Kalypso, and Anthea.
According to the lore, The Wizard, known by the name Mamaragan (previously referred to as Shazam), gathered the magical powers from six divine beings, deities, and other mystical entities, passing them on to the young boy with a pure heart, Billy Batson.
Although he has utilized these powers in many situations, Shazam must also seek different sources of strength. In the Darkseid War event from the New 52, Shazam became a deity of the divine beings after losing his original powers. Following that, he had to rely on the extraordinary abilities of other entities to continue fulfilling his role as Shazam.
Below are the divine beings that have significantly empowered Shazam to the point where even Black Adam or Superman would find it challenging to compete.
The Wisdom of Solomon – The Strength of S’ivaa
King Solomon in the Bible is often regarded as a symbol of wisdom. His intelligence has been a source of inspiration for many different versions of Shazam, along with several other unique powers. Billy Batson is a unique case, as he has the ability to foresee future events through his wisdom. Additionally, Solomon’s strength allows Shazam to comprehend various languages globally, while he also plays a role as an authoritative figure when this superhero needs assistance.
Next, S’ivaa, known as the God of Destruction, has emerged in several eras as various divine beings appear. After Billy Batson transforms into the deity of the divine beings, S’ivaa returns to empower him further, helping him maintain the title of “the most powerful being in the universe.”
The Strength of Hercules – The Power of H’ronmeer
Hercules is a powerful Greek warrior and the son of the god Zeus. His strength is legendary and not to be underestimated in any mythological tale. Shazam inherits much from Hercules, enabling him to battle the strongest DC heroes like Superman or Wonder Woman.
During the Darkseid War, Shazam’s power underwent some changes. The letter “H” in his abilities no longer signifies Hercules but is replaced by H’ronmeer, the God of the Red Sun. Shazam will now possess the ability to manipulate energy in dynamic ways, with his primary source of power being energy manipulation techniques.
The Strength of Atlas – The Resilience of Anapel
Although Hercules’ strengths allow Shazam to confront powerful opponents like Black Adam, the source of his strength is not the only means at his disposal. The strength of Atlas enables Shazam to withstand intense pressure over extended periods while also enhancing his overall resilience against formidable enemies like Superman.
When changing his source of power, Shazam received new strength from the divine being of Siberia named Anapel. Atlas’s resilience and Anapel’s nurturing nature provide a unique synergy allowing Shazam to adapt and strategize dynamically in various combat situations.
The Thunderous Strength of Zeus – The Manipulative Power of Zonuz
One of the most powerful abilities that Shazam possesses is the capacity to manipulate thunder – which is also the primary source that allows Billy Batson to transform into a towering superhero. The strength derived from Zeus is the foundation for all of Shazam’s powers because only after transforming into thunder can he utilize his other “magic” abilities. Additionally, Shazam can also manipulate thunder in various ways and employ magic with higher efficiency.
To replace Zeus’s overwhelming power, Shazam has sought out the Source Wall, a prison for divine beings and Titans from the past. Zonuz, the God of Evil, later transformed into the deity Yuga Khan, the father of the infamous Darkseid. Zonuz contributes significantly to enhancing the manipulative powers that Shazam harnesses.
The Invulnerability of Achilles – The Protective Spirit of Ate
Billy Batson’s pure heart has transformed him into the ideal candidate for the role of the Wizard’s champion. However, Billy is still a teenager and possesses many weaknesses in his character. Thus, Achilles’s invulnerability provides him with the ability to endure facing many formidable foes in his role as Shazam. His inherent strength is further enhanced to withstand attacks from powerful opponents.
Similar to Achilles’s invulnerability, Shazam can also utilize the protective spirit of Ate to maximize his inherent abilities when necessary. Ate, a Greek goddess, has granted Shazam the determination to never back down, creating a formidable shield that enhances his superhero state.
The Speed of Mercury – The Speedy Lightning of Mamaragan
Shazam receives super speed powers from Mercury, a messenger of the gods, embodying the qualities of the divine Hermes, son of Zeus. Shazam will possess lightning speed, allowing him to interact with superheroes like Kid Flash while also enabling him to fly and travel great distances quickly.
As mentioned earlier, The Wizard is known by the name Mamaragan. He is the one who granted Shazam the ability to control lightning during the Darkseid War. This thunder has enabled Billy Batson to transform into a truly extraordinary superhero while also functioning as an immensely powerful offensive weapon. Furthermore, similar to the depictions in DC films, Mamaragan’s lightning allows Shazam to share powers with other members of his family.
Source: CBR, DC Comics
