Many people started working from home and taking school courses from home during the pandemic. As people used video to communicate more and more, there was one resounding phrase heard on just about every teleconference - "You're on mute!" In the pages of Captain Marvel Adventures #130 (published January 4, 1952) we have a funny incident where Sivana put's Billy Batson on mute!
Billy's working in his office at WHIZ when a surprise visitor enters his office - Dr. Sivana! It's funny to see Billy's reaction here. First he says, "Oh, hello there Sivana! How are you?" And then reality strikes that Billy now has the world's maddest scientist in his office!
In short order, Sivana uses his latest diabolical invention to put Billy on mute so he cannot say the magic word, "Shazam!" and transform himself into the world's mightiest mortal.
I really like the next part where Billy takes action. The comic says, "...though Billy has been robbed of his voice, he can never be robbed of courage and resourcefulness!" Billy takes matters into his own hands and breaks Sivana's machine and is able to say, "Shazam!"
I won't go into the rest of the story as I hope to cover it at a later time. But I really liked this little interaction between Billy and Sivana. I like Billy's realization that it's Sivana in the room after he first greeted him warmly! It also offers another insight into the fact that Billy has to say the magic word - not think it or hope it - he has to say, "Shazam!" in order to transform himself into Captain Marvel. And finally, it's another glimpse into the heroic and resourceful Billy Batson who is just as brave and courageous as his alter ego!
