Who Killed Billy Batson? It Was Superman Who Ended Shazam‘s Life

Before analyzing the specifics of Superman fatally attacking Caption Marvel (aka Shazam) Billy Batson with heat vision, it‘s important to properly set the stage and consider the full context. Why would two heroes once united against evil end up locked in a violent death struggle? Does more blame rest with Superman‘s descent into murderous tyrant or Billy‘s own failings? I believe there are compelling cases to be made in both directions.

Billy Batson‘s Heroic Journey Prior to Death

While Billy tragically perished at 17 in the Injustice storyline, he endured quite an epic hero‘s journey up until that climatic finale. Selected as the wizard Shazam‘s champion, the power bestowed upon young Billy Batson enabled him to transform into an adult superhero.

| Power      | Source |
| ------------- |:-------------:|
| Wisdom of Solomon      | Solomon |
| Strength of Hercules   | Hercules     |  
| Stamina of Atlas | Atlas      |
| Power of Zeus | Zeus |
| Courage of Achilles | Achilles |
| Speed of Mercury | Mercury |

Gifted the combined powers of figures from mythology and history, Captain Marvel (Shazam) could arguably go toe-to-toe with even Superman thanks to his magical-based abilities. This made him one of the most formidable heroes of the modern DC era.

While Billy Batson endured his own share of tragic backstories and battles against villains like Black Adam, he continued fighting for justice into his late teenage years. However, the landscape dramatically changed with Superman‘s slide into darkness…

Superman‘s Fall and Rise of the Regime

Superman‘s iron-fisted rule over the new regime rose from perceived tragedy, but quickly transformed into utter totalitarian domination:

• The Joker tricking Superman into killing a pregnant Lois Lane and triggering a nuclear bomb that destroyed Metropolis clearly scared with the Kryptonian psychologically
• Initially, Superman united other heroes and world governments, promising safety through superior firepower
• Over time, former allies were imprisoned, chaos was stamped out violently, and Superman‘s world court became the sole authority
• Billy Batson as Captain Marvel was one of the few heroes to resist open rebellion against Superman‘s Regime

What finally caused Billy Batson to directly stand against his former ally Superman though? The nature of his death may provide more insights…

Frame-by-Frame: Superman Murders Shazam

Director Zack Snyder spared no expense reconstructing how Superman‘s heat vision attack slew Billy Batson in lifelike detail:

• Intense verbal argument between Superman, Shazam, Batman and Damian Wayne indicates major dispute over Regime authority
• Superman eyes glow red as he glares at Shazam, the magic-powered hero returning an angry stare
• In a burst so quick even The Flash would struggle to intervene, twin beams blast forth towards Shazam
• Agonized screams giving way to silence as the beams continue boring through chest and out Shazam‘s back
• Smoke rising from the gaping holes left in the corpse of Earth‘s former Mightiest Mortal

Reviewing the video evidence, Superman certainly seems fully intent on executing his former colleague. Should Shazam have reacted quicker though? Could the wisdom of Solomon have saved Billy in his moment of dire need?

Magic Vulnerabilities and Combat Analysis

As an expert in metahuman capabilities, I speculate that even a warrior as seasoned as Batson likely could not withstand such a sudden, point-blank attack from Krypton‘s finest. Let‘s analyze the key factors:

Superman‘s Blast Impact Force:

• Heat vision capable of temperatures matching solar core
• Impact force enough to move planets based on previous efforts
• Magic should make Superman‘s attack less effective, but only by a partial percentage

Shazam‘s Resilience:

• Strength of Hercules and stamina of Atlas boost durability
• Divine lightning grants near-invulnerability against conventional attacks
• Still likely outmatched against Superman‘s exponentially greater speed and blast radius

Magic Lightning Attack:

While Shazam boasts his own potent magical lightning, Superman prevented his most effective counter by attacking first before Billy could react. Lacking time to summon his lightning, it came down to raw durability – which favored the Kryptonian.

Had Shazam struck first or anticipated the betrayal, he would at least stand a chance at victory. Based on Superman‘s extreme speed advantage though, the odds still strongly favor the Man of Steel prevailing in the end.

Who Could Defeat Captain Marvel?

Based on comparative power analysis, these heroes likely possess the skills and abilities to take down Captain Marvel under the right circumstances:

Black Adam:

• Nearly equivalent power set
• Superior combat training
• Ruthless warrior philosophy

Wonder Woman:

• Superman-level physicals
• Battle tested through centuries of warfare
• Mystical weapons able to pierce magical defenses

Of course, Batman always has the option of using intellect over brawn – leveraging some advanced weaponry or magical artifacts from the Batcave‘s vaults.

Ultimately, Captain Marvel remains extremely formidable. But he lacks both Superman‘s raw strength and advanced fighting experience that heroes like Black Adam possess. Those gaps likely cost him his life against his former ally.

Legacy of Shazam After Death

While Billy Batson fell in battle, was his power lost forever? Could the magical mantle of Shazam ever grace another? Thankfully, glimmers of hope exist:

The Shazam Family:

Prior to his death, Billy granted his foster siblings access to similar power. This new extension of the Marvel family may carry on his legacy:

| Name          | Alias            | Power Source |
| ------------- |:-------------:| ------------:|
| Mary Bromfield      | Mary Marvel | Strength | Hercules
| Freddy Freeman      | Captain Everypower      |   Speed | Mercury |
| Pedro Peña | Powerhouse | Stamina | Atlas |
| Eugene Choi | Thunderstrike | Knowledge | Solomon |
| Darla Dudley | Lightning Lass/Theady Blaze | Courage | Achilles |

Future Return:

Given Shazam‘s mythological roots, multiple paths may exist for Billy to return from the grave – perhaps changed, but still battle ready.

As an avid gamer, my dream DLC would showcase Billy back in action as needed to turn the tide against threats like Black Adam. Maybe wielding new zombie-themed lightning powers on top of his standard set? No matter how he returns, I know gamers worldwide are ready to once again yell Shazam! if Captain Marvel soars back into battle!

So while Billy Batson tragically fell in battle, the magical legacy he helped administer may continue through successors. And his inspiring spirit of heroic self-sacrifice will motivate future defenders for generations to come.