Although a DC Comics hero today, Shazam has inspired multiple heroes in different comic books and media programs. The story of how young Billy Batson could summon a superhero who could save everyone is such a powerful tale that characters from He-Man to Image’s Prime can all be considered creative descendants of Captain Marvel/Shazam.
One of the most poignant versions of Shazam, however, is Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson’s character “The Gentleman.” Appearing in the pages of Busiek’s creator-owned comic book Astro City, the Gentleman showed strong similarities to Shazam from the very beginning – but later revealed he had a tragic story of his own.
Unlike traditional superhero comic books, Astro City tells stories about the everyday lives of the men, women, aliens, heroes, villains, and even animals in a city with the densest population of superhumans in the world. Although super-heroics can factor into the stories, the epic battles tend to happen in the background, allowing more character-driven moments to drive the main plot.
As Astro City’s cover artist Alex Ross is a huge fan of Shazam/Captain Marvel, it shouldn’t be too surprising that a Shazam-type character found a way into Astro City’s rich pantheon of heroes and villains. Active since the 1940s, The Gentleman is a tuxedo-clad man with super strength and the ability to fly. Bearing a striking resemblance to actor Fred MacMurray (the model for Ross’ version of Captain Marvel/Shazam), the dapper champion is easily Astro City’s most polite hero, as he actively encourages people to listen to their better impulses and help others.
For years, however, the Gentleman remained one of Astro City’s greatest enigmas. Since he didn’t appear to age despite being active for over half a century, readers speculated that his powers might be mystical in origin. Others wondered if he had a similar secret identity to Billy Batson (who also remained ageless in his early adventures). The truth, however, was much more complicated – and surprisingly sad.
In Astro City #43, Busiek, Anderson, and Ross finally revealed the Gentleman’s origin, explaining that in 1942, young Matilda “Tillie” Armstrong was living happily with her single father, W.P.A. worker Daniel Armstrong. Tillie idolized her father, who she felt was capable of anything – cooking, fixing cars, building bridges, and helping her with her homework. At one point, while walking home from a movie, Tillie told her father he would be perfect for a Gene Kelly-type film, and would look handsome in a tuxedo.
Tragically, mere moments later, the Nazi-sympathizing terrorist group the Bund-o-Teurs attacked the street Daniel and Tillie were on. As Daniel tried to get everyone to safety, a piece of falling debris hit Daniel in the head, killing him instantly. Shocked, Tillie focused on helping the children in danger, but kept wishing her father was still there. Her trauma activated her latent psychic powers and she created a simulacrum of her father as she always pictured him – a handsome, tuxedo-clad man with superpowers.
Driven by Tillie's memory of Daniel’s generous spirit, the newly-born “Gentleman” used his powers to stop the Bund-o-Teurs, and then flew off with Tillie. Tillie accepted the Gentleman as her father, although Daniel’s real body was later buried. The Gentleman took his place, however, and made sure Tillie was provided for and stayed in school.
Unfortunately, Tillie couldn’t maintain the illusion of her father indefinitely – meaning he would periodically fade away and leave Tillie alone. Tillie kept an upbeat attitude about her new circumstances, however, telling herself that “dads get busy.” As Astro City was under regular attack by multiple supervillains, Tillie would make the Gentleman manifest whenever there was trouble, allowing him to protect people the way she felt Daniel always wanted to.
However, this meant that Tillie had to fend for herself since she “didn’t want to be a burden" when "her dad" was helping people. Thus, when the school she was going to turned out to be a front for a pickpocketing ring, Tillie set off on her own, traveling across the country, taking odd jobs, and educating herself as best as she could. In the meantime, the legend of the Gentleman grew, although Tillie made sure to stay unnoticed and in the background.
Over the years, however, Tillie realized that her psychic powers also kept her from aging, causing her to remain a preteen for decades. She also acquired enemies of her own, including the Gentleman’s nemesis Professor Borzoi who learned her secret. Borzoi kidnapped Tillie, told her that her father was dead, and hoped this would allow him to exploit her psychic abilities. Rejecting his manipulation, Tillie clung to the belief that her father was still with her, allowing the Gentleman to manifest and protect her.
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Despite her desire to believe the Gentleman was really her dad, however, Tillie knew her real father was dead. She also sensed that she could just let go of her psychic powers, age into adulthood, and have a normal life. As she wrestled with the idea of letting her father go, however, she realized many people still needed “her dad” and it would be selfish to deny the world its hero. Choosing to embrace her life as an eternal child and the secret guardian of some of Astro City’s most powerful beings, Tillie expanded her family to include the “Young Gentleman,” a teenager who filled the role of the big brother she always wanted.
Although tragic, The Gentleman’s origin reminds readers why characters like Shazam are so popular with readers. All children feel a certain level of powerlessness in their lives and want heroes that show they can be powerful and make a difference in the world. For Billy Batson, this power manifested through his ability to say a magic word and become the good and strong adult he wanted to be. Later stories even established that Billy made himself look like his father, as he was the person he saw as a true hero.
In Tillie Armstrong’s case, however, her “Shazam” is the physical manifestation of the ultimate father. Tillie’s belief in her dad, and her need to stay true to every ideal he represented, caused her to create the paternal guardian all children – and frankly many adults – still want looking out for them. He may be little girl’s fantasy, but the need the Gentleman fulfills is very real.