Captain Marvel
(Kingdom Come version)
Context
This is specifically the version of Captain Marvel (Billy Batson) that appears in the “Kingdom Come” possible future of the DC Universe.
If you were looking for another Captain Marvel, see our guide to Captain Marvels.
Powers and Abilities
Captain Marvel’s powers remain essentially unchanged over the years he has spent trapped in his Billy Batson identity.
It does not appear that his abilities are lowered by the presence of the other members of the Marvel family.
History
At some point in the past, Lex Luthor gained control of Billy Batson. Through a regiment of mind control using a special kind of worm, Luthor has maintained his grip on Batson, and uses him to keep his friends and foes in line. Luthor has instilled in Billy a great fear of the consequences of becoming Captain Marvel, and a hatred for all superheroes.
When Billy finally breaks free of Luthor’s control (with help from Bruce Wayne) he experiences a psychotic breakdown. Captain Marvel cannot be said to be terribly stable. At the battle at the Gulag, Marvel finally came around and sacrificed himself to prevent even greater destruction.
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Description
Billy Batson and Captain Marvel look identical. Both are big, beefy guys with slicked back dark hair and eyes that seem to vanish when they smile. Billy wears a very black tuxedo. Captain Marvel bears the old familiar red costume with the golden lightning bolt.
Personality
While under Luthor’s control, Batson is a dutiful servant. He still has the intellect of a child, but usually does not say enough to betray that fact. He is uncomfortable around superheroes, and becomes very upset if his identity as Captain Marvel should be addressed.
As Captain Marvel (which should only happen at the Gulag battle) he is a psychotic force for destruction of all who represent the superheroic ideal, specifically Superman.
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
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Captain Marvel
| Dex: 14 | Str: 24 | Bod: 16 | Motivation: Unwanted Power/Nihilism/? |
| Int: 05 | Wil: 10 | Min: 07 | Occupation: Luthor’s lapdog |
| Inf: 08 | Aur: 8 | Spi: 07 | Resources {or Wealth}: n/a |
| Init: 042 | HP: 085 |
Powers:
Dimension Travel: 07, Flight: 14, Invulnerability: 20, Lightning: 13, Recall: 08, Superspeed: 13, Systemic Antidote: 10
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Recall represents Captain Marvel’s Wisdom of Solomon : with it, he can Recall knowledge and facts that he normally would not know.
- Dimension Travel can only be used to travel to the Rock of Eternity.
- Lightning can only be summoned by speaking the word “Shazam” (it cannot be used as an attack unless an opponent is touching Captain Marvel when he speaks the Word).
Skills:
Charisma: 11
Advantages:
Insta-Change, Lightning Reflexes.
Drawbacks:
Alter Ego (controllable), Public Identity, SPI.
Billy Batson
| Dex: 03 | Str: 04 | Bod: 03 |
| Int: 03 | Wil: 03 | Min: 03 |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 03 | Spi: 04 |
| Init: 010 | HP: 030 |
Powers:
Lightning: 13 (see above for Limitations)
Skills:
Charisma (Intimidation)*: 09, Thief: 02
Advantages:
Insta-Change.
Connections:
Lex Luthor (High).
Drawbacks:
Public Identity, Mind Control (For the time leading up to Kingdom Come and for most of the events of the series itself, Billy is under the effects of the Mr. Mind worm treatment administered by Luthor. Consider the worm treatment to have 10APs of Control. Billy gets a chance to combat the effects once per day, not once per phase as normal (unless he is placed in a situation of great stress or actively encouraged to break free, in which case he may make an attempt each phase). While he is Controlled, Billy may not say The Word, will obey Lex Luthor, and has a SIF of superhumans (Note: I suppose the whole mind control effect could be simulated with a simple CIF: Superhumans, but it lacks the grace of Control. Use whichever you see fit.)
* Note: Billy’s Intimidation skill is due to people believing that he IS Captain Marvel. Once it is revealed that he is merely Billy Batson, this skill is eliminated.
Helper(s): Robert Maple (ShadowKnight), Chris Gordon, Byron Mollix, Dave Lusk, Daryl Kuxhouse.
Source of Character: Kingdom Come.