Shazam

Golden Age Origin
Dressed in a black coat and hat a mysterious shadowy figures beckons Billy Batson to "follow him" into the subway.In the subway they take a magic train to a cave where the shadowy figure leads Batson the an old man sitting on a marble throne.The old man reveals that he is the ancient wizard Shazam who has been using his powers for 3000 years to fight the forces of evil. Now old he chooses Billy to be the successor of his power to be Captain Marvel. Billy who with but a utterance of the wizards name "SHAZAM!" can transform into Captain Marvel. With his deed done Shazam sits back in his throne and is killed by a giant granite block falling on him that was suspended overhead by a slender thread.

Powers & Abilities
Shazam had the wisdom of Solomon,the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zues, the courage of Achilles and the speed of Mercury detailed in his name. He also has a Historama in which he could see past, present and future events.

Golden Age Appearance

 * Whiz Comics#2