Superman Analogues: Captain Marvel Jr. (Freddy Freeman)
84More people would know about this original teen sidekick of a #SupermanAnalogue if he could just say his own name!
Music: “Voyage of Discovery”
by Shane Ivers – https://www.silvermansound.com/
Original Thread: https://x.com/CaseAiken/status/1126668687044431873?s=19
Original Text: Let's come back to the #Shazam family today for this #SupermanAnalogue. Like the rest of the franchise, Freddy Freeman, who I know as Captain Marvel Jr., was instrumental in shaping the genre.
The #Shazam franchise has plenty of characters who can fit the bill of resident powerhouse in a group. Freddy was interesting in that he remained a young person even while transformed. Even more interesting, his stories were the ones targeted at older readers.
Freddy in his human form was crippled. He was an orphaned newsboy originally, barely keeping out of destitution. @GailSimone had a wonderful thread when the Shazam film came out addressing that component and what it meant to readers.
I discussed Captain Nazi before and mentioned that he was part of Captain Marvel Jr.'s origin story, with his actions crippling the boy and leaving him orphaned. Understandably, he was a major enemy to the younger Marvel.
And this was a more personal reason for the character to be as patriotic as heroes were expected to be in the Golden Age.
I mean, Freddy Freeman REALLY hated Nazis (as everyone should, but sadly not enough people do)
Freddy Freeman drew his powers directly from Captain Marvel, so his magic word was "Captain Marvel", giving him the running gag of being unable to say his own name.
Famously, Captain Marvel Jr. was more popular than the OG with many fans (and Captain Marvel was more popular than Superman, so...). The best known fan was Elvis, who was known to model his stage outfits after the character.
This was reciprocated with most older versions of the character having design nods to Elvis.
Some version of Freddy Freeman has since appeared with most incarnations of the property. Usually not too wildly altered.
I really liked when they changed his cape from red to white, conforming his style with the Marvel Family, rather than looking like his own imitators, Superboy. However this was also the era where he called himself "CM3" which...makes enough sense but also is so unnatural to say.
Before we get to modern, there was a later Amalgam story that had him fused with Captain America (which reminds me of something I've seen recently but I can't put my finger on it). Oh! Forgot to mention: people speculate that Thor's alter-ego being a lame doctor is a nod to Jr.
Pre New-52, Freddy briefly became the star, taking the name #Shazam, but this didn't lead to many good stories and was forgotten with the next reboot.
In New-52, the Shazam Family became a more concise concept with all of them represented as foster siblings to Billy Batson. Of course, Freeman was there (but Blonde!).
He's been seen in many adaptations, such as the Shazam appearance on Batman: Brave and the Bold.
However, his biggest recent adaptation was in the #Shazam movie, where Freddy Freeman is Billy's best friend and confidant. Plus ...(SPOILER TO FOLLOW)...
SERIOUSLY BIG SPOILER!
The whole Shazam Family shows up in act 3. It's so fucking dope and Adam Brody is a great casting choice. I love this movie and the introduction feels earned and satisfying.
Anyway, like most of the Marvel Family, Captain Marvel Jr. set the tone for characters of his ilk. I'm thrilled to see him in any material and love the idea of a kid actually getting powers from his heroes.
Master Thread: https://twitter.com/CaseAiken/status/1346189702580342785
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