Released in 1973, Shazam was part of the second wave of World's Greatest Super-Heroes sold by Mego (alongside Tarzan, Spider-Man, and Captain America).
WAVE TWO
Type 1 Shazam
Between 1973 and 1976, Shazam was available on a Type 1 body with metal rivet joints. Early examples of Shazam can have orange cuffs instead of yellow. Type 1 Shazam was sold in a window box, on the Kresge-style card, and on the standard card.
Pictured Above: Type 1 Shazam with Orange Cuffs (1973)
Shazam shares a head sculpt with Peter Parker with different paint job (Peter Parker has blue eyes, brown hair, and a widow's peak).
Pictured Above: Peter Parker Head (Left) next to Shazam Head (Right)
Type 2 Shazam
Between 1976 and 1982, Shazam was available on a Type 2 body with plastic joints. Some examples can have a fabric emblem or vinyl (plastic) cape. Type 2 Shazam was sold in a window box, on the Kresge-style card, and on the standard card.
Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam with Vinyl Cape (1977)
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Finding a Shazam with vinyl cape is very difficult! It was only released on the 1977 blister card. It's also very difficult to detect in a photo. On close inspection, the vinyl material has a diamond pattern to it, instead of woven fabric. Also, the standard fabric cape often frays, while the vinyl (plastic) cape does not.
Pictured Above: Standard Fabric Cape (Left) and Rare Vinyl Cape (Right)
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Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam with Fabric Emblem (1979)
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Like the vinyl cape, the fabric emblem is very rare! It only shows up on carded 1979 figures. Other than material, it is the exact same size and shape as a standard paper emblem.
Pictured Above: Standard Paper Emblem (Left), Rare Fabric Emblem (Center) and Lili Ledy Emblem (Right)
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Early 4-panel boxes feature Captain America on the front and sides of the box. Captain America was replaced by Shazam when Mego switched to 3-panel boxes.
Pictured Above: Type 1 Shazam in 4-panel Window Box (Featuring Captain America on the Front and Sides of the Box) (Left) and Type 2 Shazam in 3-panel Window Box (Featuring Shazam on the Front and Sides of the Box) (Old Logo) (Right)
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Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam in 4-panel Window Box (Old Logo)
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Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam in 3-panel Window Box (Old Logo)
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Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam in 3-panel Window Box (New Logo)
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Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam on Blister Card
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Foreign Release
Shazam was produced and sold by distributor Lili Ledy in Mexico.
Pictured Above: Lili Ledy Shazam (Mexico)
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