The individual known as Shazam has served as the Wizard for millennia, protecting the universe from those who would misuse or abuse the mystic arts. As the Guardian of Magic and the keeper of the Rock of Eternity, his identity has remained a closely guarded secret. Few know that long before he was known as The Champion, in a forgotten pre-historic era, he walked amongst humanity as another Wizard. A Wizard who was known by many names, but most notably as Gandalf the White.
Gandalf began life as Olórin, who was one of the Angels who served the Valar, the celestial caretakers of the early incarnation of Earth known as Middle-Earth. Unlike the conventional Nephilim of the Grigori, the Wizards were not angelic offspring but spirits who were transformed into material forms by the power of the Valar. Formed fully grown, they were sent to Middle-Earth in order to help the peoples there to defend against the Dark Lord Sauron and his Army of Darkness during the legendary Third Age.
During this Third Age, Gandalf was instrumental in gathering the forces that would thwart and ultimately meet Sauron in battle at the gates of Mordor. Though the conflict would cost him dearly, he and his allies were triumphant and forever ended the Dark Lord's presence on Earth. In the Fourth Age, legends state that Gandalf helped the fractured nations of Middle-Earth for a time before journeying to Valinor with a number of his friends and traveling companions.
The legends were wrong.
Gandalf did not leave Middle-Earth, choosing to help the free peoples survive in the Hyperborean Age before the rise of the historical kingdoms of Sumer. Much of his work remains unknown, but he attracted many followers, many of them who would become his apprentices, including a young man who would become known as Agamotto. It was Gandalf who taught Agamotto the secrets of the Istari School of Magic, inspiring the mystical prodigy into developing his own style that became the basis for most of the mystic arts.
As a new era of civilization grew, Gandalf traveled the ancient world and witnessed the rise of its great religions. Because his style of mystic practice was very subtle, most believed he had no magical ability. He used his power to overcome the trials of the ancient gods, gaining a portion of their power. Being reborn as The Champion, the former Wizard became a protector of the people, ultimately leading to an encounter with Agamotto, who had ascended to the role of Guardian of Magic.
Agamotto asked The Champion to take over custody of the Rock of Eternity, to which he agreed. Again reborn as The Wizard Shazam, Gandalf served as the Guardian of Magic for thousands of years. He briefly shed his physical form to walk again with the Angelic Host but returned to take the role of Wizard away from Billy Batson, when it was clear that both Captain Marvels would be needed in the final battles with the Army of Darkness.
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