Billy Batson is an orphan selling newspapers on a street corner. A mysterious stranger collects him and brings him to a cave at the end of an enchanted subway line. Here he is met by Shazam, a grizzled old wizard who gives him a magic acronym. From now on, when Billy declares the word "Shazam!" he is transformed into Captain Marvel, Earth's mightiest mortal, who possesses the wisdom of Soloman, the strength of Hercules, the stamina of Atlas, the power of Zeus, the courage of Achilles, and the speed of Mercury. His first task: to find and defeat the phantom scientist who threatens the world.