SHAZAM!

[adrienne_j]

This morning, in my capacity as Head Comic Book Geek, I had to explain to my co-workers that Shazam is only the magic word Billy Batson says to change into a superhero, it is not the hero's actual name. The hero's name is actually Captain Marvel. And then I completely wowed them with my nerd knowledge by telling them what Shazam stands for

Comments

[anonymous]

Ok.. but why "big red cheese"? I mean what is cheese like about him?
And does that mean that cmj is a little blue cheese?

-drew

[adrienne_j]

You've never heard reference to Captain Marvel as the 'Big Red Cheese' before? He's been called that forever. Honestly, I don't know the origin of the nickname, but I definitely didn't make it up. And c'mon, I love the guy, but what is NOT cheesy about him? The kinda creepy perma-grin? His saying "Holy Moley!"? The fact that he was modelled on actor Fred McMurray? The Elvis-style half-cape? All cheesy :)

And yeah, guess that would mean Cap Jr. is the Little Blue Cheese.

[uniquecrash5]

I'm fairly certain that one of his enemies called Capt. Marvel the "Big Red Cheese"; a quick websearch confirmed it...

[adrienne_j]

Ah thank you Jay! I did a quick search, but couldn't find the origins of the name, just the name everywhere... But a villain calling him that makes sense.

[anonymous]

*sighs*

Ok I *KNEW* that he was the big red cheese... Heck I'm prolly one of the few people who remember the Lt. Marvels( there were three of them).

HOWEVER- in Justice League classified Mary had this self same discussion( with fire I beleive) as Fire asked her to explain the whole cheese nickname.

It was quite funny and seems quite obvious that I'm the only one who's reading it.

-Drew