Captain Marvel Adventures, No. 37

Captain Marvel Adventures issue number 37 was published by Fawcett Comics in July 1944 and sold for ten cents. The cover art by C. C. Beck features Captain Marvel flying and carrying a large United States War Savings Stamp, with the caption “Buy these war stamps today!” War time comics often encouraged supporting the war effort through the purchase of stamps or bonds, and real-life Axis enemies commonly served as an antagonist for comic book heroes. Captain Marvel first appeared in the February 1940 issue of Whiz Comics and his ensuing popularity resulted in his own title, Captain Marvel Adventures, in March 1941.

This issue contains Captain Marvel stories: "The Bubble Battle in Cincinnati," “The Visitors from Space,” “Trouble with Mr. Double,” and “Earth Must Die.” Other stories in the issue are “Sergeant Sandy,” “Dopey Danny Dee,” and “Pattern for Victory.”

By uttering the magic word “SHAZAM!” intrepid kid radio reporter Billy Batson would transform into Captain Marvel, bestowed with Solomon’s wisdom, Hercules’ strength, Atlas’s stamina, Zeus’s power, Achilles’ courage, and Mercury’s speed (an anagram of SHAZAM). In 1953, Fawcett ceased publishing Captain Marvel after losing a 12-year legal battle with National Comics, who claimed Captain Marvel was an infringement on their Superman character.

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