Editing Wizard Shazam (section)

==== Fawcett Comics history ====
Originally, the wizard's name was Shazamo, the last letter standing for the hero of magic [[Oggar]]. However, Oggar became corrupt and tried to take power from Shazamo. The wizard defeated Oggar and cursed him to live in the world of mortals. He was given cloven hooves as a sign of his inner evil, and could cast each magic spell only once. Shazamo then dropped the last letter of his name.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Woolfolk |first=William |title=Captain Marvel Adventures #62 |publisher=[[Fawcett Comics]] |year=1946}}</ref>

Shazam informs Billy that he is an ancient Egyptian [[Magician (fantasy)|wizard]] who has been using his powers for many centuries to fight the forces of evil, but that he is now old and not long for this world. He therefore passes along part of his power to Billy, who shouts his name– "SHAZAM!"– to transform into Captain Marvel/Shazam. He also then explains to Billy that his name: is an [[Acronym and initialism|acronym]] for six ancient heroes. Each letter empowers him with certain attributes:

:S The wisdom of [[Solomon]];
:H The strength of [[Hercules]];
:A The stamina of [[Atlas (mythology)|Atlas]];
:Z The power of [[Zeus]];
:A The courage of [[Achilles]];
:M The speed of [[Mercury (mythology)|Mercury]].
Although Shazam is killed, as prophesied, by a giant granite block falling on him, Billy/Captain Marvel/Shazam can summon the [[ghost]] of Shazam for guidance by lighting a special [[brazier]] in Shazam's lair (the [[Rock of Eternity]]). More superheroes soon joined the superhero Shazam in carrying on the legacy of the wizard Shazam, including [[Marvel Family|Shazam Family]] members [[Mary Marvel]] and [[Captain Marvel Jr.]] Shazam tells that once, 5,000 years before, he gave powers to Black Adam, but Black Adam was killed while turning back to his regular self. He died due to his advanced age. +In the Marvel Family series, he was shown in some early issues carving the Marvel Family adventures into the Rock of Eternity.