Warning! Spoilers ahead for Shazam #12!There’s a new member of the Shazam Family and it’s flipping the franchise’s biggest theme on its head. Billy Batson has gained a lot of siblings over the years and he’s always loved to share his life with them. But how does he react when he meets his new brother for the first time, and what does it mean for Shazam?

In Shazam #12 by Josie Campbell, Emanuela Lupacchiano, and Mike Norton, Billy is at odds with Shazam after he discovers his magical alter ego has been hiding secrets from him. Against Shazam’s advice, Billy sneaks out and heads out to see his mother Marilyn Batson.

Billy meets Marilyn at her house and she apologizes for not being the mother he needed. Not only does she invite Billy to live with her again, but she also introduces him to someone. A boy suddenly comes in from the backyard and Marilyn introduces him as Billy Batson’s half-brother.

Shazam Has a Brother He Never Knew About

The Shazam Family’s personal history is a bit complicated thanks to the reboot brought on by DC Comics’ New 52 initiative. Originally, Billy was introduced as an orphaned youth who assumed he was an only child until he met his twin sister, Mary Bromfield (who later became the powerful Mary Marvel). But Flashpoint returned Billy to being an only child, though he was fostered by Rosa and Victor Vasquez and gained five new siblings, including Mary. After Billy became the hero Shazam, he passed on his new abilities to his brothers and sisters to create an expanded Shazam Family.

Family has always been what the Shazam franchise is about. Generally, when Billy meets a new sibling, it’s a joyous occasion and one that reinforces the importance of family bonds. But this discovery doesn’t make Billy happy, it frustrates him and opens up deep emotional wounds Billy has about his biological parents. Billy’s brother didn’t do anything wrong, but to Billy, he represents all the love and attention Batson never got from his mother. Shazam stories may focus on family, but this moment is a reminder that family is sometimes an extremely complicated subject.

Shazam is Confronting the Reality of Family Trauma

Billy had a rough life growing up and while he found a great support system with his foster siblings, it doesn’t erase the trauma he has. What Billy is going through is sadly a relatable experience to those who felt abandoned by their families. It might not be the positive kind of stories Shazam is used to telling, but it’s one that explores a different side of its central theme. It’ll be interesting to see how Shazam deals with this going forward if he decides to make his brother a part of his life.

Shazam #12 is available now from DC Comics.