Capes cross over · City to planet
Shazam vs Izuku Midoriya
Two kids who inherited powers far too big for them, and are both trying to be worthy of it.
Tale of the tape
| DC | Universe | My Hero Academia |
|---|---|---|
| City to planet | Tier | City to planet |
| The wisdom, strength, stamina, power, courage and speed of six legends | Strength | One For All plus the quirks of every previous holder |
| A teenager inside a grown-up body | Weakness | Breaks his own body when he pushes too far |
| 1–0 | Record on Versus | 1–1 |
The Arena
Billy Batson said the magic word while standing in exactly the wrong place, and the lightning flung him across worlds into the middle of U.A. High’s school festival, where he landed, in full red costume and gold lightning bolt, in front of a crowd of very interested hero students.
Izuku Midoriya was the first to reach him, notebook already open. “That’s amazing! Is that a lightning Quirk? Are you a pro hero? What’s your name?” Billy grinned. “Shazam! Well, technically. It’s complicated.” A teacher suggested a friendly exhibition match. Both boys looked at each other and grinned.
Neither of them told the other that on the inside, they were both teenagers trying very hard to live up to the people who gave them their power.
Round One
Deku opened with One For All at twenty percent, green lightning crackling around his body as he darted across the field and kicked Shazam in the chest. Shazam slid back, laughing. “Okay, that was cool!” He flew at Deku with the speed of Mercury and the strength of Hercules, and their fists met in a shock wave that knocked the audience’s hats off.
For a while it was the best show at the festival: green lightning against gold lightning, two boys who loved superheroes getting to be one in front of a cheering crowd. Deku was the better fighter, analysing every move. Shazam was stronger, faster and very hard to hurt.
Deku pushed One For All higher. Thirty percent. Forty-five.
The Turn
Deku used Blackwhip to pin Shazam’s arms and Float to rise above him, then dove with a Detroit Smash that slammed Shazam into the ground and left a crater in the field. The crowd gasped. For a moment, the red-suited hero did not get up.
Then the sky darkened, and Shazam rose with lightning wrapping around him. He shouted his own name and called a bolt down on purpose, a stroke of magic power that crashed into the field and threw Deku through the air like a leaf in a storm.
Deku rolled to his feet with his ears ringing. He realised then that this boy had more than strength. He had the wisdom of Solomon and the stamina of Atlas, and he could keep going all day.
The Finish
Deku pushed to one hundred percent, his whole body burning green. He knew the cost. He did it anyway, because that is what Deku does. He threw a full-power punch at Shazam, and Shazam caught it on both crossed forearms, the impact so huge it flattened the trees behind them.
Shazam’s feet slid back across the field, but he held. Deku’s arm went limp, bruised from the effort. Shazam stepped forward and, very gently, tapped him on the forehead with one finger. Deku’s legs gave out and he sat down in the grass, exhausted and grinning.
Shazam sat down next to him and, for a second, said the word quietly and became Billy again, a skinny fourteen-year-old with messy hair. Deku stared at him. “You’re a kid!” Billy grinned. “So are you. Wanna get festival food?” They ate yakisoba on the roof until the sun set.
The verdict
Shazam wins
Deku is the more skilled and creative fighter, but Shazam’s magic gives him superior strength, speed, stamina and durability without the self-destructive cost that One For All demands at full power.
- StaminaThe stamina of Atlas means Shazam never tires; Deku burns out.
- DurabilityShazam takes Deku’s strongest punch and keeps standing.
- LightningShazam can call magic lightning down on command.
How the rematch could go differently: A fully matured Deku with total control of all six Quirks at one hundred percent would make this much closer.
Who do you think wins?
Who would win in a fight between Shazam and Izuku Midoriya?
Shazam wins. Deku is the more skilled and creative fighter, but Shazam’s magic gives him superior strength, speed, stamina and durability without the self-destructive cost that One For All demands at full power.