Mary Marvel, also known as Lady Shazam and Shazam, is a superheroine originally published by Fawcett Comics and now owned by DC Comics. Created by Otto Binder and Marc Swayze, she first appeared in Captain Marvel Adventures #18 (cover-dated Dec. 1942). The character is depicted as a female counterpart of Shazam, being among the earliest of female counterparts of male superheroes, while often empowered by different set of patrons.
While the character's alter-ego is Mary Bromfield, her background and histories have varied over time; older stories have commonly depicted her as the twin sister of Billy Batson (birth name Mary Batson) separated at a young age following their parents' demise, ending up adopted by the Bromfield family. When reunited with her brother, she discovers powers similar to his and becomes a hero and protector of Fawcett City. At one point in time, the character also developed into a more antagonistic role as Black Mary. Following the New 52 reboot, she is instead cast as a victim of abusive parents who ran away from her family and is adopted by the Vazquez family. She later becomes the foster sister of Billy Batson, Freedy Freeman, and others wherein all become empowered and are part of the superhero family, the Shazam Family.
