Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam

Life is tough for young Billy Batson. Orphaned and alone, he lives in a dingy neighborhood in a seedy part of town, with rats for pets and little food or commodities. Still, he tries to live by the words of his now-deceased father: "Be good and good things will happen to you", and keeps an upbeat attitude, even complimenting his prostitute neighbor on her appearance and standing up to a gang of punks mugging a homeless man, despite the predictable outcome. He hopes an article being written about him by intrepid Daily Planet reporter Clark Kent will help him out of his predicament.

Unfortunately, Billy's luck takes a turn for the worse when a powerful being called Black Adam comes crashing from the sky with only one goal in mind: Billy's death. Because of his vulnerability to magic, not even the mighty Superman is a match for him, but a strange encounter with an immortal wizard will grant Billy the power of five gods in order to become the new champion of justice: Captain Marvel!

This original short was released as the main "feature" of a compilation of the DC Showcase shorts released with recent DC Universe Original Animated Movies, along with DC Showcase the Spectre, DC Showcase Jonah Hex and DC Showcase Green Arrow.

This short contains examples of:
"Punk: It's the hero. Oh, and look at that. Hero's got nothing to say. Come on, say something. I dare you. Come on, just one word.
 * Abusive Parents: Well, foster parents anyway.
 * A God Am I: Black Adam
 * Bash Brothers: In contrast to their Previous media appearances together, Superman and Captain Marvel are undoubtedly this. At one point they find a nice rhythm and pretty much take turns knocking Adam silly.
 * Beware the Nice Ones: Captain Marvel may be one of the nicest superheroes out there, but as Black Adam learned the hard way, once you have made him angry, it will not end well for you.
 * Book Ends: The short
 * Casting Gag: Just like George Newbern returns as Superman, Jerry O'Connell once again voices Captain Marvel. Fortunately Black Adam gives them some one to fight besides each other.
 * The Chosen One: Billy Batson
 * Curb Stomp Battle: The street punk knocks down Billy Batson with a single blow.
 * Then again, Billy is a skinny 10-12 year old while the thugs each had nearly a foot of height and probably 100+ lbs of weight on him.
 * Also what happens to Black Adam once he pushes Billy too far.
 * Face Heel Turn: Black Adam
 * Fate Worse Than Death
 * How Do I Shot Web?: Billy triggers his transformation the first time by accident. And deactivates them by accident. While flying.
 * This doubles as a Mythology Gag as he did the same thing in the Power Of Shazam graphic novel that rebooted him in the 90s.
 * If You Kill Him You Will Be Just Like Him
 * Heroic BSOD: Billy suffers a brief one.
 * Hooker With a Heart of Gold: Billy is friends with a hooker.
 * Limited Wardrobe: Billy is shown to have multiple copies of the same shirt and pants hanging in the closet.
 * Magical Negro:
 * Mugging the Monster: The bullies at the end.
 * Mugging the Monster: The bullies at the end.


 * Billy smiles. View of city as lightning strikes. Roll credits.*"


 * Mythology Gag: Superman trying to stop the flood from a broken dam like in the 1978 Superman movie.
 * Neck Lift: Black Adam to a random woman, and Captain Marvel to Black Adam.
 * Rapid Aging:
 * Sadistic Choice: Black Adam forces Captain Marvel into one of these, stating that either Cap revert back to normal or Adam will kill a civilian. When Cap powers down to sacrifice himself for the woman, Adam attempts to kill them both anyway. Unfortunately for Adam, Superman was on hand to rescue them both, and this act ultimately resulted in Billy unleashing a heroic No-Holds-Barred Beatdown on Adam.
 * Shoryuken: CM delivers a flying one to Black Adam when he finds his Heroic Resolve.
 * Super-Hero Origin: For Captain Marvel.
 * The Worf Effect: Supes spends much of the short as Adam's punching bag until Billy becomes Captain Marvel. Justified due to his weakness to magic.