The Seven Deadly Sins are seven powerful demons, based upon the seven deadly sins enumerated in
Christianity, who can take control of both humans and superheroes. The Sins were captured by the
wizard Shazam many years ago, and encased in seven stone statues. The seven statues housing each demon are on display in Shazam's underground lair in the subway in the original comics, and in the
Rock of Eternity in the modern comics. The demons have escaped their prisons several times to cause havoc, usually freed by another villain and often being reimprisoned by
Captain Marvel. In the original Fawcett Comics and pre-2000s DC Comics appearances, the Seven Sins were "censored" to an extent in keeping with comics standards. They were identified as the '"Seven Deadly Enemies of Man" and included Pride, Envy, Greed, Hatred, Laziness, Selfishness, and Injustice among their ranks. Most post-2000 appearances of the Seven Deadly Sins identify them by their traditional theological versions (Pride, Envy, Greed, Anger, Sloth, Gluttony, and Lust). In the current
New 52/DC Rebirth continuity, the mythological figure
Pandora was responsible for initially freeing the Sins in ancient times by opening what became known as
Pandora's box. ==In other media==