The Eterni-Phone

The eterni-phone was a communication device used in the Saturday morning Shazam TV show.  In the show, the eterni-phone was used for Billy Batson to contact the Shazam elders and for the elders to contact him.   

The Eterni-phone from the Shazam TV show

In Shazam! #26 (published August 12, 1976) the eterni-phone made its way into the comics.  Shazam is sending Billy on a special mission to defeat Dr. Sivana and he gives Billy the eterni-phone so that Billy can contact Shazam and the elders (Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles, Mercury).  Shazam tells Billy that the eterni-phone will be used to "...communicate with our home at the Rock of Eternity."

Here are a few examples of the eterni-phone in use!

The eterni-phone was used by Billy, Captain Marvel, and Uncle Dudley starting in Shazam! #26 and was last used in Shazam! #33 (October 4, 1977).  Captain Marvel used the eterni-phone for the last time to talk with Shazam and all six of the elders.

The eterni-phone was only used for a few issues of the Shazam! comics.  It was a way for Billy to immediately be in touch with Shazam or any of the elders at the Rock of Eternity.  I think it was a good addition to the comic, but I'm also glad it wasn't used too many times!

Shazam! The Complete Live-Action Series on DVD

On September 7, 1974, Captain Marvel leaped into action on TV screens with the premier of the Saturday morning show, Shazam!  DC had already brought Cap back in comics in December of 1972 with the first issue of Shazam comics.  For me, the Shazam TV show was my first introduction to Captain Marvel and I loved watching the show each Saturday and started reading the Shazam comics.  (I still have my original copy of Shazam #6!)

The Shazam TV show only lasted three seasons with a total of 28 episodes.  The last episode aired on October 16, 1976.  Fortunately for fans, all 28 episodes are available on DVD!  

Here are some pictures of my DVD collection which was a Christmas present for me a few years ago.

The menu selection for the DVDs is pretty basic.  You can play each episode individually, or just have them play back to back.  The only extra feature is you can also play them all back to back but include Captain Marvel's "moral of the story" play at the end of each show as well.  Below is an example of one of Cap's morals.

The DVD collection is still available, I recommend you check with your favorite retailer for a copy!  On the Warner Brothers on-line shop, I noticed that you can order the collection with exclusive cover art by one of my favorite Captain Marvel artists, Jerry Ordway.  Here's a look at that special art cover.

I've re-watched these episodes quite often and always enjoy them.  I hope Warner Brothers produces the entire collection in the blu-ray format - that would be awesome!