Shazam Revolutionizes Its Pantheon, Allowing One Hero to Shine

Warning: contains spoilers for Shazam #19!

Shazam has introduced a significant transformation for its deities, setting the stage for Freddy Freeman, a vital figure in the Shazam Family, to emerge as a prominent hero. Recent conflicts between Freddy and Billy have escalated, culminating in the groundbreaking events of Shazam #19, which initiates a dramatic new chapter in Freddy’s journey.

Embracing a fresh source of power known as Amber Lightning, Freddy finds himself in possession of energy forged by the god Hephaestus alongside a collection of unconventional gods. This power, entrusted to the wizard Shazam for safekeeping on the Rock of Eternity, lay dormant for millennia before Freddy discovered it. His ongoing conflict with Mister Mind served as a trial by Hephaestus to assess Freddy’s eligibility for this extraordinary power—and he succeeded.

Who is Freddy Freeman? Shazam’s Longstanding Ally

Building Tensions Between Freddy and Billy

With Shazam #19, Freddy Freeman embarks on a new journey, stepping out of the shadows of his fellow hero for the first time. His backstory has undergone various transformations, yet one constant remains: like Billy, Freddy is an orphan. Once known as “Captain Marvel Jr.” during his early comic adventures, he later explored other identities, such as “CM3,” to establish his unique identity apart from Shazam, who is now referred to as “the Captain.” The long-simmering tensions between the two characters are now at the forefront of the narrative.

Now reinvented as “the Commander,” Freddy proves himself worthy of the Amber Lightning and readies himself to forge a new path as a hero.

Freddy’s New Powers and Divine Patrons: A Fresh Start

Freddy: Equal to Shazam

Freddy’s new incantation and power source also offer a humorous nod to a classic aspect of Shazam’s history. Historically, when Freddy was introduced by Fawcett Comics, he transformed by exclaiming “Captain Marvel” instead of “Shazam,” a trademark quirk that persisted into the New 52 era where the invocation switched to just “Shazam.” In this new chapter, Freddy has reclaimed a magic word, albeit slightly altered—it retains the same spelling but channels a different array of gods.

A Guide to Freddy Freeman, AKA the Commander’s, New Patron Gods
Name	Power
Samson	Strength
Hephaestus	Skill
All-Father	Power
Zagreus	Speed
Airgetlam	Agility
Midas	Cunning

Freddy/the Commander’s new origin story dramatically alters the traditional narrative of Shazam. While Billy’s abilities typically stem from six established patron gods—a concept recognizable through the acronym ‘SHAZAM’—Freddy still invokes the same word, but each letter now correlates to a distinct entity from his unique pantheon, as outlined in the table above. This innovative shift echoes DC’s previous experimentation with Shazam’s powers in works like Jerry Ordway’s Power of Shazam, yet Freddy’s development marks a significant evolution in his heroic legacy.

Don’t miss out: Shazam #19 is currently available at your local comic store, diving deeper into Freddy Freeman’s exciting new arc.

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