Orphaned newsboy Billy Batson is beckoned into an abandoned subway tunnel by a mysterious figure. In the tunnel, Billy meets the ancient wizard Shazam! Shazam instucts Billy to repeat the wizard's name. As Billy utters the name "Shazam," a magic lightning bolt strikes him transforming him into the World's Mightiest Mortal -- Captain Marvel!

As Captain Marvel, Billy has super-strength and the power of flight. He also has the following gifts from the Gods:

Solomon Wisdom
Hercules Strength
Atlas Stamina
Zeus Power
Achilles Courage
Mercury Speed