She nodded knowingly. Mary and Billy were, in truth, the respective alter egos of the famous Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel. Since they had been selected by the ancient wizard Shazam to act as his champions via the use of amazing powers gained simply by speaking his name, they both knew no day was truly free from some type of heroic duty.
Billy wore a blue jacket and scarf over a red and yellow sweater. He took Mary’s hands in his own and said, “I sure appreciate your helping me pick out a gift for Cissie. I want to make a great impression on her!”
“Don’t worry, she’s already sweet on you,” said Mary. “We’ll find her just the right item. I know she loves Piglet of the Winnie the Pooh tales. How about an ornament? That would show you put some thought into it!”
Billy grinned and said, “Sounds like a great idea. Now, which one is Piglet again?”
As the young people enjoyed the holiday cheer around them, they little suspected that they would play a major role in averting a seasonal disaster that threatened to ruin Christmas for the world as a whole.
***
Meanwhile, within Freddy Freeman’s newsstand, the young owner was engaged in a typically long-winded discussion with boy inventor Dexter Knox. Dexter removed his glasses and wiped at them with the tip of his scarf as he eagerly explained his latest brilliant idea.
“Freddy, imagine a nearly infinite amount of data available at one’s fingertips via a series of computer networks interconnected in such way that any user can easily access them!” he said.
Freddy stopped stacking a display of comic-books to interject an idea of his own. ”An interconnected network, huh? Kind of an inter-net for short? Sounds great, but I hope you won’t let your desire to work on it mess up your holiday fun!”
Dexter grinned sheepishly. “Well, actually, Grandma says I can’t spend any time in my lab until after the holidays. She’s still remembering last year’s little incident!”
Freddy smothered a laugh as he said, “Well, Dex, it’s not easy for anyone to forget a sentient gingerbread man!”
Dexter blushed and said, “Every great idea begins with a few bugs!”
Freddy nodded and said, “Hang in there, pal. You’ll be as big as Dr. Kilowatt of Phonograph Hill someday.”
As Dexter walked away muttering about something called a DVD, Freddy noticed his old buddy Red standing dejectedly outside his service station. ”No customers this late on a cold night,” said Freddy. “I think I’ll see why Red’s looking so blue.” He closed his stand and crossed the street slowly with his customary crutch as a necessary support.
“Hey, Red, what’s got my favorite mechanic looking like somebody swiped his last wrench?” he asked.
Red smiled and said, “Oh, hiya, Freddy! It’s nothing directly related to me. I just had to turn a guy down for a job, and you know how hard it must be for a family man to be out of work at Christmas. He’s a swell mechanic, but I can’t afford to take on any staff!”
Freddy nodded in sympathy. ”You’ve got a good heart, Red. If this fellow was so qualified, he’ll find work soon. Good mechanics are hard to find!”
“Well, he’s got a record,” said Red. “He just got out of prison. He served time for taking part in a robbery, but he turned his life around in prison. His wife and kids stood by him, and I’d sure like to have given him a job, but I just don’t have the money!”
“Could you give me his name and address?” asked Freddy. “I see you still have his resume. Maybe some pals of mine could help him out.”
Red ran one hand through his unruly red hair and said, “Sure. That would be fine.”
Freddy took the resume and rounded the corner until he was out of sight. ”I spend so much time locking crooks up that it would be a real kick to see one make something of himself! If I can borrow a line from one of the comics at the stand, this looks like a job for… Captain Marvel Junior!”
As Freddy said the name Captain Marvel, a bolt of magic lightning struck and transformed the crippled newsboy into the world’s mightiest boy. As the blue-and-gold-costumed Captain Marvel Junior, he was part of the legendary Marvel Family, and he could indeed work wonders.
He flew off into the night, determined to help out the reformed crook-turned-mechanic named Eric Smith.
***
Meanwhile at TV station WHIZ, where Billy Batson worked as a broadcaster, a portly man struggled to fit into a colorful red and white costume. As he brought his belt around his chubby stomach, his white wig and beard slipped forward to cover his face.
“Uncle Marvel, I think you need some help from your loyal elf!” said Mary Marvel with a giggle.
In place of her customary red and gold costume, the world’s mightiest girl now wore a bright green dress lined with fake fur and red hosiery with green slippers. She was dressed as an elf to help Uncle Marvel with his own role as the station’s TV Santa Claus.
Dudley grunted and slipped the wig, beard, and a hat in place as Mary adjusted his Santa suit. ”By George, I’d rather tussle with Black Adam himself than try to squeeze my manly form into this torture chamber of a suit!” he said.
“Perhaps you just need to cut back on the Christmas sweets,” said Mary. “Still, you make a wonderful Santa! The kids will just love to hear you read their letters to Santa on the air!”
“I’ll do my best as always, my dear,” said Uncle Marvel. “I’ve got our proud Marvel Family tradition to uphold! Can’t disappoint the little ones!”
Mary nodded in approval. She knew that Dudley only pretended to be both her uncle and another recipient of the super-powers Mary and Billy were granted whenever they spoke the name of the ancient wizard Shazam. Still, he was an endearing and good-hearted man, and she loved him as if he was truly her flesh and blood.
Uncle Marvel marched out on the set and roared with laughter as he kept one hand ready to grab his slippery beard. ”Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!” he cried.
Mary followed along and assisted him for the next hour as he read letters from eager kids and brought a few children out to sit on his lap and make their requests in person.
After the broadcast ended, he smiled warmly at Mary and said, “My dear, you made a delightful and charming Jingle Belle!”
She curtseyed in mock pleasure and said in a soft tone of voice, “Unc, we have one more child. She’s shy, but I think she wants to talk to you!” She gestured to a little girl who waited with a mixture of expectancy and timidity.
Uncle Marvel smiled broadly and said, “Come here, my little friend. Santa won’t hurt you! Tell jolly old Saint Nick what he can bring you this Christmas Eve.”
The child stepped forward and was encouraged by Mary’s winning ways and Uncle Marvel’s robust good humor. She climbed on his lap and said, “Santa, the only thing I want for Christmas is for my Daddy to come home! He’s missing, and nobody can find him!” she said as she began to weep.
“Here, here, my child!” said Uncle Marvel. “Dry your tears. Tell Santa all about it.”
She slowly and hesitantly explained that her father was a research scientist named John McGuire. He had been working in Antarctica on an ozone project, but he had disappeared a week ago, and none of his team could explain how or why.
Tina McGuire looked up at Uncle Marvel and pleaded with him tearfully. ”Please, Santa, bring Daddy back home!” she said. “I’ll be good!”
He calmed her down and said, “Santa will help you! Never fear!”
Tina smiled and rushed over to receive a candy cane from one of the station pages, while Mary and Uncle Marvel moved over to where her mother stood with a sad look on her face.
“I had no idea she would make this request,” explained Mrs. McGuire. “I had been trying to keep John’s disappearance from her until we could learn more.”
“Mrs. McGuire, give me the location and some facts about the research project, and we’ll look into it!” said Mary.
“Oh, thank you so much!” said Mrs. McGuire. “I’ll call you with all the information we
have!”
A returning Tina said, “Don’t worry, Mama! Santa will bring Daddy home! He can do anything!”
As the McGuires departed, Uncle Marvel dropped his beard and said, “I can’t fail to help that poor child! It’s bad enough that the Marvel name is riding on this, but if we fail, she’ll never believe in Santa himself again!”
Mary kissed his cheek and said, “I’ll find him! Don’t you worry for a minute! After all, Christmas is a time for families to be together.”
***
Billy Batson was excited as he prepared to head home, change clothes, and return for the WHIZ Christmas party that night. He had his girlfriend Cissie Sommerly’s special present under one arm, and he had high hopes for the evening.
Holy Moley! It’s going to be swell to actually give Cissie something she’ll like, he thought. My past gifts haven’t exactly swept her off her feet. I guess she’s just not into board games.
Before he could leave the office, his pretty blonde secretary Joan Jameson caught him at the door and said, “Billy, you’ve got a visitor. He’s a bit odd, but I figured you’d be willing to see him. It might make for a good story!”
Billy nodded at the young woman and said, “Sure, Joannie! I trust your instincts. What’s his name?”
She gestured toward the outer office where visitors waited, and she said, “Call me crazy, but I’d say he’ll answer to Kringle or Claus!”
Billy peered out the door and saw a red-and-white-clad man with a white beard and a slightly florid complexion. ”Holy Moley! That’s not much of a Santa Claus. He looks like he lost his last reindeer or something! Show him in.”
Joan led the depressed Santa Claus into the office and prepared to close the door when he turned to her and said, “About the Christmas of 1933… I could have told you that you were a bit too mature to carry off Shirley Temple curls, but you did ask for that perm kit!”
She nodded and said, “Oh, well, that wasn’t your fault… Hey, wait a minute!”
As she gazed at the door in wonder, Billy eased it shut and turned to his guest. ”I’m Billy Batson,” he said. “What can I do for you? Are you here for the office party? You’d really need to see Mr. Morris about that.”
The man in red and white placed his finger alongside of his nose and gazed thoughtfully at the young newsman. ”Billy, I know who you are,” said the old man. “You’ve topped my nice list for years and years. That’s why I’ve always brought you more of those red and yellow shirts! I need to see you in your other role. Son, Santa needs help from Captain Marvel himself!”
Billy gasped in surprise and said, “You really are Santa Claus! You knew all about Joannie’s past Christmas wish, and you know about me, too! I feel like I can trust you. It’s not just the instincts about folks I’ve developed over the years, it’s more like you couldn’t lie if you wanted to do so!”
Santa laughed and said, “I appreciate your trust! I am indeed Santa Claus, although I am sorely pressed to display my normal abilities. You see, I’m powerless! My eons-old talents have deserted me. I can’t magically enter any building. I can’t summon my faithful reindeer! I can’t even see if a person is naughty or nice! I need your help to gain my old powers back by tonight, or Christmas will be ruined as far as my role within it is concerned! Will you help me, son? What do you say?”
“Holy Moley!” said Billy. “I better just say Shazam!”
As magic lightning struck and thunder boomed, Billy transformed into the heroic Captain Marvel. ”Santa, the wisdom of Solomon enables me to know that we should try to get you back to your base at the North Pole! That’s where your equipment and your staff can be found. Have you any idea how you lost your powers?”
“I was working in my shop when a weird ray of light hit me and teleported me across the globe,” said Santa. “I found myself powerless outside this state. It took me this long just to get to you. It’s funny how hard it is for a man in a Santa suit to get a cab!”
Captain Marvel smiled and said, “Billy needs to be back here for the station party, but helping you comes first! Let’s get moving!”
He picked up Santa Claus, and the odd pair flew off toward the North Pole.
Marvel Family: A Marvel Family Christmas, Chapter 2: The Spirit of Christmas
by Libbylawrence
Captain Marvel Junior was flying in pursuit of his own Christmas project. He had flown to the address listed on Eric Smith’s resume, but he had not found the unemployed mechanic. Eric’s wife Dolly had greeted the hero with a mixture of admiration and concern. Two small children played loudly in the background of the small apartment.
“Captain Marvel Junior!” she said. “What brings you here? Eric’s not in trouble, is he? I know he’s determined to make a fresh start! You people can’t go around hounding him!”
The youthful hero shook his head firmly. ”Mrs. Smith, I’m here to try to help your husband. I want to make sure he gets that fresh start he deserves. I care about more than just locking away criminals. I like to see people change for the better, too!”
Mrs. Smith picked up a small girl and said, “Thank you! He’s looking for work, but he has had nothing but bad luck. I’m a bit afraid of how the discouragement will affect him. He has been so disappointed since we moved here. No one will hire him!”
“I want to talk to him,” said Junior. “I’m hopeful that together we can work something out. My word carries a lot of weight, and I never want to use that influence carelessly, but I’d like to see if I could help Eric out! Do you have any idea where he is?”
Mrs. Smith sighed and said, “No. To be honest, I’m getting a bit worried. He likes the blues. He may be at the club three blocks over.”
The world’s mightiest boy smiled as he bent down to greet the little Smith boy, who waved a plastic action-figure in the air. ”Hi, pal. I see you like superheroes. I do, too! Which one is your favorite?” he asked.
Little Tommy Smith looked sternly at Captain Marvel Junior and said, “Minute Man!”
Junior laughed and said, “I like him, too!”
He flew off and soon came to a small blues club with a neon sign that identified that place as Satin’s. The thundering sounds of Big Mama Thornton’s Hound Dog echoed from within. Not exactly Blue Christmas, but I like it, he thought.
Whispering the words “Captain Marvel,” he changed back into Freddy Freeman. “I’ll attract slightly less attention if I go inside as plain old Freddy!”he mused.
As the young man entered the club, he glanced around the room and saw a few people sitting around nursing various drinks. He recognized Eric Smith from a photo he had glimpsed in the Smith apartment. The young mechanic was talking to three other men. Gosh, those are some rough customers he’s talking to, he thought. I even remember taking the bald guy in once for mugging!
He had approached too closely to turn around now, so he said, “Mr. Smith? I’m a friend of Red’s. He told me you were looking for a job!”
“What kind of job could a kid like you know about?” said Eric.
The bald man next to him took a swig of beer and said, “Buzz off, punk! Smith’s got work, if he’s got brains enough to take it!”
“Hold it,” said Eric. “There’s no need to talk to the boy like that. As for your offer, I’m having second thoughts.”
A bearded biker in a denim vest glared at him and said, “You might call what we talked about the kind of offer you can’t refuse. Either you’re in with us, or you’re in the hospital!”
Freddy frowned and said, “Mr. Smith, your family wouldn’t want you to get mixed up with thugs like these two. Come outside with me, and I’ll explain what I had in mind!”
The red-bearded biker grabbed Smith and knocked him across a table as the bald man grappled with Freddy.
Freddy had been prepared for trouble from the thugs he saw with Smith, but he was caught off-guard by a blow from behind. Apparently, the duo had a partner.
He staggered forward and crashed into a table. The roo
m began to spin before his eyes, and he struggled to stay awake long enough to speak his magic words.
“If you’re lookin’ for trouble, then you’ve come to the right place!” said a deep-voiced man with slightly graying brown hair and dark glasses. “I don’t like to see nobody roughing up a boy like that! Try that with someone who can take care of business!” He assumed a karate pose and knocked the nearest thug flat with a swift blow.
“Hey, look at the lame Elvis wanna-be!” sneered the bald thug.
Freddy rolled under a table and spoke his magic words. In a flash of lightning, he was transformed into Captain Marvel Junior. He moved at super-speed and slapped the other two goons to the ground before anyone could realize that he had changed from the crippled newsboy.
“Captain Marvel Junior!” said Eric Smith. “You sure showed up in time! Those three were planning a robbery. They tried to get me to come in with them. I guess I changed my mind just in time. Thanks for the help!”
Junior smiled and said, “My friend Freddy Freeman brought me along. He heard about you from Red and told me all about you. Your wife told me you might be here. I got Freddy to safety just in time, too. Those goons played rough!”
The brown-haired man in dark shades said, “I’m Aaron Vernon. I own this club among other properties. I always loved the blues. I’m mighty pleased to meet you, Captain Marvel Junior. You’re a hero to me. You always have been!”
Junior stared at the man and said, “We have met before, and we both know that! I’m more than pleased to see you again! I little expected that would ever be possible!”
The man calling himself Vernon nodded and smiled a most familiar smile. He answered in a deep Southern drawl and said, “Come into my office a moment. Your pal will be fine. The boys will see to that!”
He gestured to a group of men who responded to his gesture and quickly led the beaten thugs out to a summoned police car, while Eric Smith was shown to the bar and offered a drink by another employee.
“I reckon you saw right through my story,” he said. “My middle name is Aaron. Vernon was my Daddy’s name. When things got a bit too much for me a few years ago, I figured I could create a secret identity of sorts and just enjoy the music and other things I loved without all the craziness that came with my real life. So, I got rid of the black hair dye I started usin’ when I went into the picture business. I just started spending time at places like this. I know I can trust you, since like I said, you’re a hero to me. You sure saved me back in ’53!”