Warning! Contains spoilers for Wonder Woman #798!One of DC’s Shazams is finally getting a new name, and no it isn’t Billy Batson. The new Champion of Shazam, Mary Bromfield, gets a new identity that’s sure to please fans of the magical hero.
In Wonder Woman #798’s backup story, “A Champion’s Heart – Part Two” by Josie Campbell and Caitlyn Yarsky, Mary stands powerless on the battlefield, reeling over her decision to pass on her powers to Wonder Woman. Diana comes to Mary’s side to see how she’s feeling after giving up her magic. Wonder Woman tells Mary she saw everything she’s been through after Mary passed on her magic, leading the hero to call the young woman a ‘marvel’. As a reward for her selflessness, Mary receives a number of enchanted items from Diana that endows Mary with enhanced strength and the ability to fly. She also throws in a signed Wonder Woman shirt at the behest of Mary’s brother, Billy. The two are confronted by the god Typhon, but Wonder Woman allows Mary to take care of him with her new magical relics. Mary says that she’s fine if Billy remains Shazam because she has a much better identity now: Mary Marvel.
This name obviously has a significant meaning to longtime fans of Shazam. In the days before DC Comics changed Billy’s superhero name for good, he was Captain Marvel. And when Billy began building a family of heroes, nearly everyone had the word ‘Marvel’ in their name. There was Captain Marvel, Jr. and Hoppy, the Marvel Bunny. But the most well-known addition to the Marvel Family was Billy’s sister, Mary Marvel. However, the New 52 changed Billy’s name to Shazam, ending the use of the word ‘Marvel’ for the family of heroes.
The New Shazam Finally Gets Her Classic Name Back
But for the first time since Flashpoint, Mary is finally able to call herself Mary Marvel. Billy might not be able to call himself Captain Marvel, but at least someone in the Shazamily has been able to take back their original name. In fact, it’s probably a good thing that Mary got the Marvel identity back before Billy. Originally, Mary only had the name because she was following in her brother’s footsteps. Here, the origin of her name is altered so that it’s more unique to her, helping Mary Marvel become a more independent hero.
Mary Marvel’s New Name Helps Her Stand Out More
For years, it seemed like Mary was never going to get her name back as long as Billy was stuck as Shazam. But thanks to Wonder Woman, Mary Marvel doesn’t stand in the shadow of Shazam anymore. Mary Marvel’s name isn’t a derivation of her brother’s identity, but an affirmation of the determined spirit Mary possesses. This new twist on her old name isn’t just a welcome return, but the long overdue update Mary deserved.
Fans can see the former Shazam get her new name in Wonder Woman #798, on sale now.
