Warning: contains spoilers for Shazam #1!A new era is dawning for new heroic identity: the Captain, as well as sharing its humorous start.

The story, titled "Meet the Captain, Part One," is written by Mark Waid, drawn by Dan Mora, colored by Alejandro Sanchez and lettered by Troy Peteri. After helping a family of intelligent, alien dinosaurs on their way home, the Captain brings readers up to speed on his origin and recent developments in his life. He returns to the Rock of Eternity where eventually his foster brother Freddy arrives, calling him "Cap’n." The Captain is not amused, but Freddy doubles down on the nautical theme. The Captain explains that he used to call himself Shazam - the same word that invokes his powers - but it was confusing to some people. His current moniker of the Captain was hung on him by his foster siblings Mary and Freddy during a "maritime accident." The Captain does not reveal exactly what happened during this “maritime accident,” but it's clear his lack of nautical skill resulted in the nickname.

Shazam Becomes the Captain After a Mishap at Sea

Shazam/The Captain has gone through several name changes, and these changes are tied up in the character’s complex legal history. Originally published by Fawcett Comics, Shazam (then called Captain Marvel) had some similarities to DC's Superman, and the publisher brought suit against Fawcett. The case stretched out for over a decade, with Fawcett eventually canceling its comics line. DC acquired and revived the character twenty years later, but there was one twist left. In between Fawcett ceasing publication and the character’s revival, Marvel created its own character called Captain Marvel, and to avoid confusion (and a possible lawsuit), DC opted to call the character Shazam, at first in the titles of his books - and later, during the New 52 era - as the character’s official name.

A New Era Calls for a New Name

But now, to celebrate Shazam’s bold new era, he is taking on a new name, one that invokes the character’s heyday in the Golden Age. While DC does not go all the way and call him "Captain Marvel," the new name is close enough, and should clear up confusion between his name, his magic word, and the wizard who empowered him (also 'Shazam' in some stories.) Furthermore, it also avoids the ludicrous situation where the Captain saying his own codename will force him to transform back into Billy. Waid and Mora have restored, and in some cases modernized, many aspects of the Captain’s mythos, and the new name is one of them.

With Shazam’s new era stressing the fun and whimsical elements of this character, it is only appropriate that his new name has a fun origin too. Whatever the "maritime accident" was, the Captain is clearly embarrassed by it, keeping the focus on what's often DC's most relatable superhero. Shazam’s new name, the Captain, is representative of a new beginning for the character - one that reclaims the very best of his roots.

Shazam #1 is on sale now from DC Comics!