Captain Marvel (DC Comics) abilities. Based on book sales, the character was the most popular superhero of the 1940s, outselling even Superman. Fawcett expanded the franchise to include other "Marvels", primarily Marvel Family associates Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel Jr., who can harness Billy's powers as well. Captain Marvel was also the first comic book superhero to be adapted into film, in a 1941 Republic Pictures serial titled "Adventures of Captain Marvel". Fawcett ceased publishing Captain Marvel-related comics in 1953, partly because of a copyright infringement suit from DC Comics, alleging that Captain Marvel was a copy of Superman. In 1972, DC licensed the
Adventures of Captain Marvel the usage in the "Superman" TV series, two Captain Marvel tunics were worn by actors in early episodes of the pioneering U. S. science fiction TV series "Space Patrol". Very early into the series, those Marvel tunics were replaced by custom made shirts. At the Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame in Seattle, WA, one of the remaining Captain Marvel tunics is on public display. "Adventures of Captain Marvel"s official release date was March 28, 1941, although this is actually the date the sixth chapter was made available to film exchanges. The serial was re-released on April 15, 1953,