DC DAY
Director(s)
David F. Sandberg
Producerr(s)
Peter Safran
Writer(s)
Alex Sinclair
Cover
Henry Gayden, arren Lemke
Runtime
152 minutes
Release Date
April 5, 2019
IN READING GUIDES, LISTS, REVIEWS
In the Post-Crisis continuity, SUPERMAN has the help of allies and teammates in the Justice League. In fact, WONDER WOMAN has often acted as his second in command. At the same time, though Shazam is a reserve member, he is accepted as his equal in the DC Universe.
Let’s list five reasons why Shazam/Captain Marvel is Superman’s equal and five reasons why Wonder Woman’s leadership is to be an advisor and lieutenant.
10. IN THE BRONZE AGE, THE SUPERMAN-WONDER WOMAN RIVALRY WAS ABOUT WORLD PEACE
In her origin story, Wonder Woman’s mission is to fulfill the Amazons’ dream and bring Peace to Man’s world. Later in her publication history, we find that the Amazon Princess fails in her mission since after Post-Crisis, New Earth falls to new darkness. In 1978, writer Gerry Conway and José Luis García-López collaborate on the VALUABLE All-New Collectors’ Edition C-54. In the Bronze Age issue, Superman and Wonder Woman are in conflict over the threat of nuclear weapons during World War II. In an iconic battle, both superheroes duel on the moon.
9. IN THE GOLDEN AND BRONZE AGES, THE SUPERMAN-CAPTAIN MARVEL RIVALRY WAS POPULAR
Since the Golden Age, the Superman-Captain Marvel rivalry existed between DC Comics and Fawcett Comics. Though Captain Marvel was a “rip-off,” The World’s Mightiest Mortal regularly outsold Action Comics and Detective Comics. After, DC Comics won its lawsuit and bought the rights to the character, the publisher introduced Captain Marvel in Shazam (1972) #1. Perhaps, the most iconic crossover between both heroes occurred in the valuable All-New Collectors’ Edition C-58 (1978) involving Black Adam and Supergirl. Historically, Captain Marvel was more than Superman’s equal: they were rivals!
READ The Strange and Super-Powered History of Superman and Shazam.
8. IN BATMAN V. SUPERMAN (2016), WONDER WOMAN, BATMAN AND SUPERMAN BATTLE DOOMSDAY
In Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Wonder Woman makes a cameo appearance to save Batman. In the movie’s final act, the Trinity fight against Doomsday. In an incredible attack, Wonder Woman amputates Doomsday with her magical sword. Certainly, to show she can fight Superman-level threats.
7. IN SHAZAM (2019), THE CHAMPION DEFEATS THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
Importantly, the reason Shazam is considered Superman’s equal is because he possesses the powers of the gods. Whenever he speaks the magic word, Shazam, Billy Batson transforms into Shazam, The World’s Mightiest Mortal. In Shazam! (2019), when the Wizard chooses him, the Champion must battle Doctor Sivana and the Seven Deadly Sins.
More holidays or Superhero Day collecting? Visit our Collector's Ship for Modern Age comics.
*Buy now. Supplies are limited. See our Terms of Service.
6. IN JUSTICE LEAGUE: WAR (2014), WONDER WOMAN BLINDS DARKSEID
In 2014, Warner Bros. adapted the Justice League: Origins storyline to the DC Animated Universe. Similarly, Justice League: War shows the Justice League forming in order to fight Darkseid and his alien invasion of parademons. Incredibly, the villain is an imposing 100-foot god who destroys cities with the Omega beams. And Wonder Woman show her fighting spirit when she amputates his eyes with her sword, blinding Darkseid.
5. IN JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: APOKOLIPS WAR (2020), TEAM SHAZAM FIGHTS AGAINST THE PARADOOMS
In the 16th installment in the DC Animated Movie Universe, Warner Bros. Animation released Justice League Dark: the Apokolips War in 2020. Importantly, it is among the DCAU’s adult movies. When Superman leads the Justice League on a pre-emptive strike against Apokolips, the God of Evil attacks by surprise. In a heroic mission, Team Shazam leads the heroes and Titans against the Paradooms. Though their mission ends in deaths.
4. IN SUPERMAN: SACRIFICE (2005), WONDER WOMAN FREES SUPERMAN FROM MIND-CONTROL
Certainly, a catastrophic moment in DC history. In Superman: Sacrifice (2005), Maxwell Lord and Checkmate manipulated Superman into attacking Batman and the Justice League. Then, Wonder Woman confronted the Man of Steel. Under mind control, Superman fought Wonder Woman to the death. Incredibly, the Amazon Princess stopped Superman and freed him. Though she had to commit an act of murder, in a panel that generted controversy.
3. IN JUSTICE (2005), CAPTAIN MARVEL RESCUES SUPERMAN FROM DEATH BY THE LEGION OF DOOM
In Justice (2005-2007), writer Jim Krueger and writer-artist Alex Ross, collaborate on the 12-issue bi-monthly in an alternate universe. In the series, the members of the Justice League are attacked by their rogues working as the Legion of Doom. In Justice (2006) #4, Bizarro, Solomon Grundy, Parasite and Metallo attack Superman. Unfortunately, the Man of Steel is near death due to Metallo’s Kryptonite heart. In Justice (2006) #5, Captain Marvel resuces Superman from certain death defeating the Legion of Doom.
2. IN THE NEW 52, WONDER WOMAN HELPED SUPERMAN WITH WEAPONS AGAINST DOOMSDAY
In a controversial move, DC Comics paired Superman and Wonder Woman as a romantic couple in the New 52. In Superman/Wonder Woman (2014) #2, the couple travels to Mount Etna to prepare for Doomsday’s potential escape from the Phantom Zone. With Hephaestus’ help, they are to obtain new weapons. Though, their adventures were retconned to be Wonder Woman’s false memories.
1. POST-CRISIS, CAPTAIN MARVEL LEADS THE SUPERMEN OF THE MULTVERSE
Perhaps, the greatest reason why Shazam is more important is because he led the heroes in the DC multiverse’s most important crisis to date. In Final Crisis (2009) #7, Captain Marvel leads the Supermen of the Multiverse against Ultraman and Mandrakk. Certainly, the Supermen of the Multiverse may be the mightiest superhero team ever assembled. For that reason, he truly is Superman’s equal.