It didn't take much time for other comic book companies to emulate Superman after his 1938 introduction. For example, less than two years after the Man of Steel's debut, Fawcett Comics gave readers Captain Marvel. We know him today as Shazam.

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Since his debut and move from Fawcett to DC, the hero has gone through several power transformations. In turn, his fans no longer have a clear understanding of what he can and can't do.

10 Shazam Is Not A Separate Entity

Shazam (left), then called Captain Marvel, stands alongside his alter ego, young Billy Batson.

Sometimes, other forms of media confuse superhero powers. For example, when Filmation premiered the Shazam! TV show in 1974, Billy Batson and the Big Cheese seemed like two separate identities. Decades later, the live-action movie clearly showed Billy and Shazam were one and the same.

The comics didn't do this as much. Fans knew the teenage orphan transformed into a powerful adult due to his "Holy Moley!" attitude. It's a trait regularly ridiculed by other DC heroes. Nevertheless, they respect the man in the red and yellow costume.

9 He's Immortal But Can Be Killed

Shazam using his magical lightning

When in his Shazam persona, Billy has the same invulnerability as Superman. He's impervious to most conventional weapons and chemical attacks. Also, poisons and other toxins don't affect him. As a result of these protections, Shazam is practically immortal.

Nevertheless, he can be killed in the right circumstances. For instance, a powerful magic attack could knock him down for good. In addition, as seen in Kingdom Come, being at ground zero of a nuclear blast turns him to dust. Nevertheless, he continues to fight knowing these risks.

8 He Can Use All His Powers At Once

Though Shazam's abilities come from six mythological individuals, he can use them all at once. He doesn't need to shift between his super-speed and super-strength. That weakness is part of another DC hero -- The Legion of Super-Heroes' Ultra Boy.

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This is an advantage even Superman doesn't have. When exposed to kryptonite or red solar energy, it takes some time for the Man of Steel to recover. Shazam's abilities are always intact as long as he doesn't return to his mortal form.

7 He's Equal In Power To Superman

Shazam has been considered a poor man's version of Superman since his introduction. However, even back in the 1940s, the Big Red Cheese was on par with the Man of Steel's abilities. In fact, it took Kal time to catch up to Billy's power levels.

Take flying as an example. Superman could only leap tall buildings with a single bound until 1943. Shazam flew right off the bat. Furthermore, he had other abilities that the Man of Steel writers wouldn't come up with until the Silver Age.

6 He Doesn't Have Any Vision Powers

A main item fans of Shazam continue to get wrong is his vision powers. The fact is, he doesn't have anything that resembles x-ray or heat vision. It was never his thing.

Then again, he never needed them. With the wisdom of Solomon behind him, Shazam is more intuitive. He doesn't need the power to shoot laser beams out of his eyes. He has other ways of countering villains and their weapons.

5 He's Vulnerable To Magic Attacks

Shazam's powers are endowed through magic. After all, the person who gave Billy his abilities is an ancient wizard. Thus, he is invulnerable to most magic attacks.

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Note the word "most," because that's what most fans of the hero get confused about. Think of all his with Black Adam. The magic he uses always causes Shazam some problems. Furthermore, wizards or warlocks can produce powerful spells that put the hero out of action for a longer duration than normal.

4 He Controls The Lightning

Fans get confused about this ability because he didn't have it before. Well, at least until the New 52 era. Or, rather, his ability to control lightning was different.

Before DC's 2011 hero revamp, Shazam utilized Zeus' powers by dodging the magic lightning so it hit another person or target. When he was reintroduced in the New 52 era, he gained the additional ability to create electrical bolts from his hands or generate protective shields.

3 He Can Pass His Powers To Other People

Shazam gathers Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family

Early in his career, Shazam realized he needed help fighting evil-doers like Doctor Saviana and Mister Mind. After saving Freddy Freeman, Shazam helped him become Captain Marvel Jr. Not long after, he discovered he had a twin sister. She eventually became Mary Marvel.

The reason these two gained the same powers as the Big Red Cheese was not due to the old wizard. Instead, Shazam could transfer his powers to others without losing any of his abilities. Hence, the reason why the Shazam Family has continued to grow in size.

2 He's Not Slower Than The Flash

This is a contentious issue. Fans of the Flash believe both Barry and Wally are faster than Shazam because they can tap into the Speed Force. Meanwhile, Shazam fans believe he's the faster individual. In this race, the latter hero wins out.

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When he channels the speed of Mercury, Shazam flies or runs at speeds exceeding Mach 10. However, that's his minimum. When required, the Big Red Cheese maintains speeds well beyond the speed of light. Plus, he doesn't go selfishly go back in time to save his mother.

1 Shazam Is Incredibly Smart

shazam-billy-batson

Once the magic lightning strikes Billy, he gains the wisdom of Solomon. That's thousands of years of knowledge. Add that to Billy's above-average intelligence, and he gives Mister Terrific and Brainiac 5 a run for their money.

When needed, Shazam can translate any language and decipher any code. He's able to recall numerous tactical plans in milliseconds and solve complex programs with a guess that's normally correct. All this while he pummels Captain Nazi at the same time.

NEXT: 10 Things Flash Fans Should Know About The Black Flash