Shazam, formerly known as Captain Marvel, is a superhero in the DC Comics universe. His alter-ego is the young Billy Batson, a boy who can transform into an adult superhero by uttering the word "Shazam!". The name "Shazam" is actually an acronym for the six gods and heroes from which Billy gains his powers: Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, and Mercury.

When Billy transforms into Shazam, he gains the powers of these six figures. He becomes a superhuman with incredible strength, speed, durability, and agility, as well as the ability to fly and shoot lightning bolts from his hands. Shazam is also capable of magical abilities such as teleportation, transformation, and energy manipulation.

As Captain Marvel, Billy was a popular superhero during the Golden Age of Comics, but he eventually fell out of favor with readers. In the 1970s, DC Comics acquired the rights to the character and renamed him Shazam due to legal issues with Marvel Comics' Captain Marvel. Since then, Shazam has become a prominent member of the DC Comics universe, appearing in various comics, animated series, and live-action adaptations.

Shazam's powers, youthful innocence, and sense of wonder make him a beloved character among fans. He is often portrayed as a contrast to other, more serious superheroes in the DC Comics universe, adding a lighthearted and fun element to the superhero genre.