Captain Marvel Jr.

Captain Marvel Jr. (also known Shazam Jr., CM3, or The Commander) is a superhero appearing in American comic books formerly published by Fawcett Comics and currently published by DC Comics. A member of the Marvel/Shazam Family team of superheroes associated with Captain Marvel/Shazam, he was created by Ed Herron, C.C. Beck, and Mac Raboy, and first appeared in Whiz Comics #25 in December 1941.

The character's alter-ego is Frederick Christopher "Freddy" Freeman, whose origin has varied; in older stories and from Fawcett Comics, he is a disabled newsboy saved by Captain Marvel from the villainous Captain Nazi (who is also later as giving him the injuries responsible for being disabled) and empowered to save his life, becoming one of Batson's closest friends and allies. Modern stories instead depict him as Billy's more sociable and disabled foster brother and best friend put into foster care under the Vasquez family when his parents went to prison. In his depictions, the character typically shares the same powers as Billy Batson but retains a teenaged appearance although this has been subjected to changes, sometimes also having an adult appearance in empowering him with a differing set of gods. Within Shazam! comic books, he is a reoccurring supporting character in the Marvel Family and was a love interest of Mary Marvel prior to depictions following the New 52. The character has also served in teams such as the Teen Titans, Young Justice, and once briefly assumed the Shazam / Captain Marvel role during the Trials of Shazam!, with Batson in the role of the Wizard following his comic book death until the New 52 reboot.

Since his creation, the character is attributed to be one of the more well-known ancillary characters whom once headline his own series at one point. Well-known rock-and-roll musician Elvis Presley was known to be a fan of the Captain Marvel Jr., sometimes modelling himself after the character in appearance. Amon Tomaz (known prominently as Osiris) was also created in inspiration of Freddy's character.

Captain Marvel Jr. has also appeared in various media outside comics. Barry Gordon, John DeVito, and Georgie Kidder have voiced the character in animation, while Jack Dylan Grazer and Adam Brody portray him in the DC Extended Universe, the former in his normal form and the latter in his super-powered form respectively.