In the 853rd century, Shazam has assumed his final form, bringing his journey to a poignant end by closing the mythic circle of his origin.
In the distant future of the DC Universe, Shazam has assumed his final form - and it is the perfect ending to his story. The publisher’s epic DC One Million crossover event, first published in 1998, introduced fans to the DC Universe of the 853rd century. Readers met future versions of DC staples such as Superman, Wonder Woman and the Flash, while every book in the line also published a special “one millionth” issue. In The Power of Shazam #1,000,000, the character’s journey comes full circle.
DC One Million, spearheaded by Grant Morrison, transported fans to the 853rd century, which is when most DC titles would, in theory, publish their 1,000,000th issue. The aforementioned futuristic versions of Superman and Wonder Woman were members of the Justice Legion Alpha, the greatest heroes of the 853rd century. The crossover began when the Justice Legion traveled back to the present day to honor their predecessors. Naturally, disaster struck when the immortal Vandal Savage allied himself with Solaris, the Tyrant Sun, in a bid to destroy the Justice Legion once and for all. Heroes of both eras were successful in stopping the villains, dealing Solaris his ultimate defeat. While the Justice Legion and the Justice League dealt with Savage and Solaris, other heroes across the 853rd century were beginning to stir again - including Shazam.
The Power of Shazam #1,000,000 - from Jerry Ordway - opens at the Rock of Eternity, which has been cut off from the rest of reality for many years. Sutra, a young woman, inadvertently accesses the Rock via interdimensional travel. There, she finds an old man sitting on Shazam’s throne, bearing a strong resemblance to the wizard who granted Billy Batson his powers. Returning to her home reality, she tells her son Tan to stand guard over the gateway while she goes into the city. Prospero, a merchant, notices Tan and becomes curious over what he is guarding. Prospero enters the gateway, with Tan following behind. Arriving at the Rock of Eternity, they awaken the "Wizard," and readers learn that this is Billy Batson, who has assumed the role of the guardian of the Rock of Eternity. Prospero wishes to turn the Rock into a tourist attraction and when word gets out about the gateway, a mad rush to find it ensues. Sutra is trampled in the chaos, leaving Tan an orphan. Billy takes pity on Tan, and imparts the power of Shazam upon him, creating a champion for a new era.
The issue ends with Billy and the newly empowered Tan flying away, ready to start a new chapter in Shazam’s legacy. There is something truly fitting in Billy assuming the mantle of the wizard. The wizard Shazam took Billy off the streets, gave him his powers - and a purpose as well. The events of this issue left Tan an orphan like Billy, who - seeing something of himself in the boy - passed his powers on. With Billy, the Wizard helped foster a heroic legacy that extends across the centuries, resonating all the way to the 853rd century. Now, in that distant era, Billy has come full circle, becoming the mentor he once needed, and using several lifetimes of heroism to help train humanity's next great Champion of Magic.
