Ya'll thought I missed by Easter post when I talked about Captain Carrot way back? Well, guess what peeps! I found another talking comic book rabbit with superpowers to talk about. And this one is pink. Celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ by letting me introduce you to the Z-List, thrice-owned super-rabbit known as Hoppy The Marvel Bunny. Or Captain Marvel Bunny. Or just Hoppy, that's fine too.
Hoppy The Marvel Bunny first appeared in "Fawcett's Funny Animals #1" in 1942 and was created by Chad Grothkopf. Hoppy's regular appearances in the title also scored him a 15-issue miniseries in 1945. As if you couldn't tell by the costume or the comic book company that published him, Hoppy is an alternate version of Captain Marvel, who we all know as "Shazam" nowadays. His origin is even extremely similar. Hoppy was mild mannered anthropomorphic bunny living in a world populating by cartoon animals. One day he met a magical Wizard-who was also a rabbit-who saw great potential in Hoppy. He told Hoppy that when he spoke the word "Shazam" he'd be imbued with amazing powers and become Captain Marvel Bunny. After using his powers to become a superhero, Hoppy allied with many other superpowered animals and became the subject of affection for another rabbit named Millie. Similar to early Superman stories, Hoppy dated Millie, but Millie idolized Captain Marvel Bunny without knowing they were one-in-the-same.
Around the time Fawcett Comics was being legally pursued by DC Comics over Captain Marvel's similarities to Superman, Captain Marvel Bunny started making no appearances in "Fawcett's Funny Animals". However, stories about Hoppy were still told, but without any mentioning of his superhero identity. After "Fawcett's Funny Animals" was cancelled, its characters were sold to Charlton Comics-the publisher behind Blue Beetle, The Question, and Captain Atom. When Charlton Comics used Hoppy The Marvel Bunny in 1956, he only appeared in reprints of older stories. Additionally, his costume was changed to be a different color and without his trademark lightning bolt, his name was also changed to "Magic Bunny", "Happy", and "Speedy" to name a few. It is likely Charlton did not want to make new stories and/or use the character's prior history because of the legal issues surrounding Captain Marvel.
Fortunately, DC Comics would purchase all of Fawcett Comic's characters in 1981 and Hoppy The Marvel Bunny would appear in DC's anthology book "DC Comics Presents" the same year. After this appearance he showed up again in "The Power of Shazam! #29". In this story, Hoppy and Millie are transported to Earth-S, an Earth where The Marvel Family lives on the same Earth as DC Comic's characters. I forgot to mention, on Hoppy's world "Captain Marvel" is a comic book character and Hoppy idolized him, which is why he emulates his appearance. After meeting his idol, Hoppy, Captain Marvel, The Marvel Family, and Superman battle Mr. Mxyztlk, Mr. Mind, and King Kull. In the miniseries "The Oz-Wonderland War", Hoppy The Marvel Bunny & The Funny Animals team-up with DC Comic's animal superheroes Captain Carrot & The Zoo Crew. See, I knew Captain Carrot would have something to do with Hoppy! Hoppy has been missing ever since a brief cameo in "Final Crisis", however in the "Shazam" back-up stories a white rabbit named Hoppy is owned by Mary Bromfield/Mary Marvel.
Unlike his human counterpart, Captain Marvel Bunny does not draw power from Roman/Greek Gods. Hoppy's version of "Shazam" is as follows: The Wisdom of Salamander, The Strength of Hogules, The Stamina of Antlers, The Power of Zebreus, The Courage of Abalone, and The Speed of Monkury. These seven creatures seem to be the animal versions of Roman/Greek Gods. Like his counterpart, Captain Marvel Bunny's archenemy has similar powers. Captain Black Bunny was another bunny given powers by The Bunny Wizard, but became evil. The Wizard sealed the villain within the Earth's core, but Captain Black Bunny escaped and led a gang of imps against Captain Marvel Bunny. His costume is similar to Hoopy's, only it is black and white with a flame insignia on the chest.
Hoppy The Marvel Bunny is ultimately a harmless character. After how successful Captain Marvel/Shazam was back in the day, the people at Fawcett leaped at every chance to franchise the character and Hoppy was the extent of that. He is a cartoon rabbit with superpowers. Simply as that. His powers and his villains are humorous reflections of Cap Marvel's, as well as his relationship being a reference to Superman and Lois Lane. I guess what I find funny is how the character was handled legally. First, they take his relation to Captain Marvel away and just tell Hoppy stories. Then they let him be a hero again, but completely devoid of Cap's influence. I do hope to see Hoppy in some form in the future. DC Rebirth hasn't even touched Shazam or his supporting cast yet so hopefully a passionate writer can include Hoppy in some way when/if DC Comics decides to let Shazam be relevant. Five years ago I'd call this impossible, but if Wally West can return from obscurity maybe Shazam and his characters have a fighting chance.
Thanks for reading and Happy Easter!
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