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). On rare occasion, a type 1 Shazam head can be found with a widow's peak (i.e., Peter Parker hair paint app).
Pictured Above: Original Peter Parker Head (Left), Shazam Head with Widow's Peak (Middle), and Standard Shazam Head with Normal Hairline (Right)
Pictured Above: Shazam with Widow's Peak
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)
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)
Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam with Fabric Emblem (1979)
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)
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)
Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam in 4-panel Window Box (Old Logo)
Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam in 3-panel Window Box (Old Logo)
Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam in 3-panel Window Box (New Logo)
Pictured Above: Type 2 Shazam on Blister Card
Foreign Release
Shazam was produced and sold by distributor Lili Ledy in Mexico.
Pictured Above: Lili Ledy Shazam (Mexico)