With the Shazam Family shattered by Future State, the Earth’s Mightiest Mortal leads a very different team in the alternate future.
WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Future State: Shazam #1, by Tim Sheridan, Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira, Marcelo Maiolo and Rob Leigh, on sale now.
While Shazam has often looked to Billy Batson’s adoptive family to share his magical powers and defend the DC Universe as the Shazam Family, the dark timeline of Future State has the Wizard’s champion estranged from his siblings. In their place is a new team led by Shazam, one that uses more hard-hitting tactics than the Shazam Family. In Future State, the Earth’s Mightiest Mortal has become decidedly more violent and angry.
Here is a quick overview of all the superheroes on Shazam’s new team as the Big Red Cheese charges into Future State: Shazam.
Shazam
Shazam runs his team with an iron fist and is quick to anger whenever someone refers to him as “Billy.” As the rest of the team wonders what has become of the formerly innocent, pure-hearted young boy, the truth behind Shazam is secretly revealed.
Billy Batson and Shazam split into two separate beings after cutting a deal with Neron, with Billy remaining trapped in Hell to protect the Rock of Eternity and the mysterious prisoner held with it. Without Billy to ground him in his own humanity and provide a strong moral compass, Shazam has grown violently out of control.
Powerhouse
One of the newest superheroes to join Shazam’s team is Powerhouse, created by Joshua Williamson, Rafa Sandoval and Jordi Tarragona in 2019’s The Flash #59 (vol. 5). Alexa Antigone grew up under an oppressive regime in the Latin American nation of Corto Maltese before gaining access to the Strength Force. Taking on the mantle of Powerhouse, Alexa both supported and opposed Barry Allen when her powers caused her to lose control.
In Future State, Powerhouse can use her powers to grow to the size of Giganta and has mastered the mysteries of the Strength Force as one of the mightiest members of Shazam’s team.
Bunker
The legacy of the New 52 era lives on in Future State through Bunker, a member of the Teen Titans created by Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth in 2011’s Teen Titans #1 (vol. 4). Miguel Jose Barragan grew up in a small town in Mexico as an openly gay young man before discovering he had the power to create energy constructs and was recruited into the Titans by Tim Drake.
Bunker is shown helping the team and expressing concern about the status of Johnny and Jakeem Thunder after the electric superhero duo had gone radio silent for days.
The Question
A new Question is among Shazam’s team. True to the vigilante’s constantly inquisitive nature, the faceless hero’s ceaseless probing for the truth puts the Earth’s Mightiest Mortal on edge. The identity of this Question remains a secret as they investigate Shazam’s descent into violence and other info their leader is keeping from them.
An angry outburst from Shazam reveals that the new Question is apparently the fourth character to carry the superhero mantle. Vic Sage is revealed to be locked away in Arkham Asylum, Renee Montoya’s whereabouts are currently unknown and the third Question, a man named “Drake,” was apparently murdered by Shazam himself.
Jakeem Thunder/Thunderbolt
Jakeem Thunder and his electrical friend Johnny Thunderbolt are among the more short-lived members on Shazam’s team after previously serving on the Justice Society of America roster. Created by Grant Morrison, Mark Millar and Paul Ryan in 1998’s The Flash #134 (vol. 2), Jakeem bonded with the elderly Johnny Thunder’s electric companion to become the latest iteration of the superhero duo.
Due to Shazam’s powers being triggered by a flash of magical lightning while Jakeem and Thunderbolt are magically linked, Shazam decides to take his teammates off the board to keep his deal with the devil concealed. After imprisoning them, Shazam decides to offer the pair the chance to fight their way out, with their defeat taking place off-panel.
Vixen
Wearing her mystical totem, Amaya Jiwe is capable of channeling the powers and abilities of any creature in the animal kingdom as the superhero Vixen. Created by Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner in 1981’s Action Comics #521, Vixen has served on a variety of superhero teams, most notably on the Justice League.
Vixen is similarly concerned over Jakeem Thunder’s unknown whereabouts and expresses incredulity when the general public condemns her and the team over the brutal death of Creeper.
Miss Martian
Bunker isn’t the only former Teen Titan to join ranks with Shazam’s new team. Created by Geoff Johns and Tony S. Daniel in 2006’s Teen Titans #37 (vol. 3), M’gann M’orzz was a White Martian that joined the Titans after the tumultuous events of crossover event Infinite Crisis and boasted all the powers as the Martian Manhunter.
Miss Martian is a bit more critical of the team’s increased brutality, accepting the public’s assertion that the team is responsible for the death of Creeper.
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