DC Showcase: Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010)

DC Showcase: Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam (2010) is a direct-to-video animated short film co-produced and directed by Joaquim Dos Santos and written by Michael Jelenic. It follows the iconic DC Comics characters, Superman and Captain Marvel / Shazam, as they join forces to defeat their formidable foe, Black Adam. In Fawcett City, Billy Batson, a young orphan who has been recently kicked out of his foster home, struggles to survive in a rundown slum. Clark Kent, a journalist writing about Billy’s situation, meets him at a local diner where Black Adam suddenly appears. With the intention of eliminating Billy before he can reach a mysterious ‘Wizard’, Black Adam attacks him, but Clark’s intervention allows Billy to escape. As he transforms into Superman and takes on Black Adam in an intense battle through the city streets, Billy runs for safety with help from a homeless man he had previously tried to protect from bullies.

As Billy stands helpless on the train tracks, Black Adam corners him. But before anything can happen, a train appears and seemingly runs over Billy. However, he awakens in an empty subway car that takes him to a vast cave where he meets Shazam. The ancient wizard reveals that Billy is the chosen one and explains how Black Adam was once his champion but turned to greed and was banished from the universe for his actions. Now back for revenge, Black Adam seeks to destroy Shazam and his new champion. In an attempt to correct his mistake, Shazam transfers his powers to Billy and causes a cave-in. Before they part ways, Shazam reminds Billy that he can summon help by saying his name. Outside, Billy faces off against Black Adam again and with a bolt of lightning, he transforms into Captain Marvel – an adult version of himself with incredible powers bestowed upon him by Shazam – ready to take on any challenge.