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| As a result of the New 52 in 2011, the entire line of DC characters was relaunched, incorporating properties belonging to the company's imprints: Wildstorm, Milestone, and Vertigo. As such, elements of this character's history have been altered in some way from the previous incarnation. For a complete list of all versions of this character, see our disambiguation page. |
Black Adam was an ancient Egyptian slave who received the powers of the Wizard Shazam. However, he was imprisoned for millennia by the Wizard after he misused his powers. He was eventually freed in the modern day where he went on to battle the Wizard's new champion Billy Batson many times.
History
Ancient Egypt
Teth-Adam was a slave in Kahndaq, where almost the entirety of his family was killed by the dictators — all except his nephew Aman, whom Adam eventually managed to contact and help escape from imprisonment, being mortally wounded by guards in order to buy him time.
Aman, however, refused to abandon his dying uncle, and rescued him. Together, while escaping the underground prisons, they found themselves magically transported into the Rock of Eternity, where they were greeted by Shazam. The wizard, deeming Aman pure, offered him the role of his champion, giving him the task of freeing Kahndaq — which Aman accepted on the condition that Shazam healed Adam. Explaining that the gift bestowed upon him could be shared with his family, Shazam gave Aman his powers, healing and empowering Adam in the process.
Being returned to Kahndaq, Aman and Adam contemplated how to use their powers in order to free their people. While Adam was willing to destroy the dictators and exact revenge for their dead family, Aman wanted to save them and give them peace, stopping all bloodshed. Fearing that Aman's method would not work, Adam killed him and seized his powers for himself, seeing it as a necessary sacrifice for the greater good.
Black Adam is known in legend for having defeated the dictators and the Seven Sins, successfully freeing Kahndaq. He also battled against an alien invasion, who had come to subdue Kahndaq and the rest of the World centuries before the modern day. Adam defeated their champion in single combat, provoking the other aliens to flee Earth.[1]
Though myth says he merely disappeared, Black Adam actually turned against the Council of Eternity and murdered all its members but Shazam — the wizard, however, managed to overpower and seal Black Adam away.
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21st Century
Eventually a scientist named Doctor Thaddeus Sivana unsealed Adam's tomb in the 21st Century. Enraged at his millennial imprisonment, Black Adam slaughtered the entirety of Sivana's research team, only sparing Sivana because he spoke Adam's ancient language.
Black Adam is freed after millennia.
Sivana agreed to help Adam find the Wizard in exchange for a cure to help his dying family.[2] Sivana brought Adam to New York City to show him how much the World had changed. Adam seemed solemn that the people of the modern era lived such sad, mundane lives without magic. Deciding to take a closer look, Adam flew down to the street level where he witnessed a protest taking place. Sivana explained that these people were protesting against a corrupt businessman who had stolen their livelihoods. Adam flew up to the businessman's office where he mercilessly dropped the man to his death. Adam saw how truly twisted the World was when instead of revering Adam for his actions, the protesters labeled him a monster and fled.[3]
Believing he had seen enough of the modern World, Adam brought Sivana into the sewers where he attempted to access the Rock of Eternity. However as soon as he tried to enter the gateway he was shocked backwards. Adam gazed into the gateway and saw the Wizard dead on the cold stone floor. He came to the realization that the Wizard had passed his powers onto a new champion who would have to die before Adam could enter the Rock once again.[3]
Black Adam battles the Wizard's new champion, Billy Batson
Sickened by the modern World, Adam concocted a plan to destroy it and replace it with a Utopian society of his own design. Adam travelled to an apartment in New York owned by a particularly obese man. Adam knew that a man this lazy would harbor a strong connection to Sloth of the Seven Deadly Sins, and so used him to awaken Sloth from his imprisonment. Adam knew he would need the Sins' help to bring down society and so tasked Sivana and Sloth with finding the other Sins while Adam searched for the new champion.[3]
It didn't take long for Adam to find the new champion, as tales of his heroics in the city of Philadelphia reached far and wide.[4] Adam attacked the new champion on sight, easily overwhelming the woefully unprepared new comer. However the champion escaped Adam's wrath by transforming into his mortal form, blending in with the crowds. [5]
Adam immediately went on a rampage through the city, knowing it would eventually draw the champion out. Adam's rampage was soon interrupted by Doctor Sivana, who had successfully gathered all even of the Deadly Sins. Adam tasked the Sins with tracking down the most rotten soul in the city and using him/her as a conduit to wreak more havoc.[6]
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The Shazam Family
Adam was soon confronted by a adolescent boy named Billy Batson, who claimed to be the Wizard's new champion. Billy claimed to know about Black Adam's origin and began trying to talk Adam out of conquering the World. Not caring for Billy's words, Adam grabbed Billy by the mouth, stopping him from uttering the magic word.[7] Before he could siphon Billy's powers Adam was hit by a garbage truck driven by Batson's foster family. Knowing he could use these children as leverage against Billy, Adam took the family hostage, promising to let them go if Billy gave him the Wizard's power.[8] However instead of casting the spell of empowerment on Black Adam, Billy cast it on his family, gifting them all with the power of the Wizard.[9]
Four of the family's members immediately began helping civilians evacuate the battle zone, one more of the family's members battled the Seven Deadly Sins who had successfully possessed a rotten soul. This left Billy alone to confront Adam. Like before, Adam easily overwhelmed Billy. Knowing he couldn't defeat Adam in a physical fight Billy reverted back into his mortal form and convinced Adam to do the same. However Adam hadn't taken into account how long he had been in his immortal form and so as soon as he transformed into his mortal state he crumbled into dust due to his old age. With Black Adam dead the Sins fled their host and scattered into the winds.[9]
Resurrection
Black Adam destroys the throne of Kahndaq
After Adam's death, Shazam scattered his enemies' ashes in the deserts of Kahndaq so he could be one with his homeland. In the modern day Kahndaq was ruled over by an oppressive puppet of the Americans who called himself Ibac after the ancient barbarian. Seeking to free their country from oppression, an extremist rebel group known as the Sons of Adam gathered Black Adam's ashes in the hopes that he could be resurrected.[10]
After gathering Adam's ashes the rebels cast the spell to resurrect him, imbuing Adam with the power of different gods in the process, all part of the Egyptian pantheon. Adam decided to assist the rebels in liberating Kahndaq. Adam flew to the capital where he effortlessly tore through the security of the royal palace until he made his way to Ibac. Adam picked up the royal throne of Kahndaq and smashed it on Ibac, destroying the ruling body of Kahndaq. Adam then decided he would become his nation's protector once again.[10]
Doomsday Clock
In the wake of several allegations that the United States Government was manufacturing Metahumans the Superman Theory arose. This theory shined light on the fact that over 90% of the World's metas were American citizens, implying that the American Government was planning to take over the World with an army of metas. All American metas were viewed with distrust and shunned by society. Seeing an opportunity to build an army of his own, Adam invited any metas to live in Kahndaq where they could be free of any prejudice.[11] Before long Adam had amassed a variety of metas to fight for his cause including Giganta, the Creeper, and Sandstorm.[12]
Soon enough Adam saw an opportunity to make his move. The metahuman Firestorm was framed for an explosion in Moscow, causing America to condemn their metahuman population. A majority of the superhero community travelled to Mars, where the true culprit was supposedly lurking. The only superheroes left on Earth were Batman and Superman, who had been caught in the explosion; and Wonder Woman, who was addressing the United Nations in defense of the Superhero community. Black Adam attacked the United Nations Building alongside Creeper and Giganta.[13]
There's something missing here. This section of the article is incomplete, and contains information, but requires more before it can be considered complete. You can help DC Database by editing this page, providing additional information to bring this article to a higher standard of quality.
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Divine Empowerment: After his resurrection, Adam was no longer powered by the Wizard, instead he gained his power from six Egyptian deities — Shu, Horus, Amun, Zehuti, Aten and Mehen. Like before, Adam activates these powers by uttering the magic word "Shazam".[10]
- Stamina of Shu: Upon his resurrection, Adam was imbued with the stamina of Shu, the Egyptian God of the air and light. Because of this blessing his highly advanced musculature produces almost no fatigue toxins, granting him almost limitless physical stamina during physical activity.[10]
- Self-Sustenance: Because of Shu's blessings, Adam is able to survive without food, water or any other sort of sustenance while in his empowered form.
- Speed of Horus: Black Adam was bequeathed hyper-speed after his resurrection by the Egyptian God of the sky Horus.[10]
- Flight: Due to the blessing of Horus Adam can resist the pull of a planet's gravity and navigate through the sky unaided by technology.[10]
- Superhuman Agility: Black Adam's agility, balance and bodily coordination are enhanced to superhuman levels.[14]
- Superhuman Reflexes
- Strength of Amun: Black Adam was gifted vast superhuman strength by the King of the Egyptian Gods, Amun. With this power Adam is able to lift tanks with ease, crack stone,[10] and land powerful blows on the likes of Ultraman.[10]
- Wisdom of Zehuti: Upon his resurrection, Adam was blessed with the wisdom of Zehuti, the Egyptian God of learning.[10][14]
- Enhanced Senses: Black Adam's senses are far greater than any normal human.[14]
- Power of Aten: After his resurrection, Adam was no longer fueled by the Wizard's magical abilities, but rather the light of Aten, an aspect of the Egyptian sun God Ra.[10]
- Electrokinesis: Black Adam is able to manipulate the magical lightning that fuels his power. He can summon powerful bolts of lightning by yelling "Shazam" and letting the transformative bolt of lightning hit the opponent rather then himself.[15] His lightning was also capable of recharging Flash's powers after he was depleted of energy.[16]
- Electro-Blast: Black Adam can project bolts of powerful arcane lightning from any part of his body. By projecting this energy from his hands, Adam was even capable of harming Wonder Woman.[17]
- Electrokinesis: Black Adam is able to manipulate the magical lightning that fuels his power. He can summon powerful bolts of lightning by yelling "Shazam" and letting the transformative bolt of lightning hit the opponent rather then himself.[15] His lightning was also capable of recharging Flash's powers after he was depleted of energy.[16]
- Courage of Mehen: Black Adam was bequeathed both physical and psychological resilience by Mehen, an Egyptian snake-god. Black Adam can withstand bullets with no difficulty,[10] as well as withstand massive blunt force.[14]
- Accelerated Healing: Black Adam can recover from wounds at a much faster pace then regular humans thanks to the blessing of Mehen. He once completely healed a broken jaw in a few hours after it was broken by Ultraman.[18]
- Immortality: As long as Adam remains in his empowered state, he doesn't age.
- Magic: As the wielder of the Gods of Egypt's power, Black Adam can use magic spells for various purposes. He used the blood of a magical creature in order to gain insight on where Billy Batson was located in the Magiclands.[19]
- Stamina of Shu: Upon his resurrection, Adam was imbued with the stamina of Shu, the Egyptian God of the air and light. Because of this blessing his highly advanced musculature produces almost no fatigue toxins, granting him almost limitless physical stamina during physical activity.[10]
Abilities
- Egyptology: Since he lived through the time period, Adam has a rich understanding of ancient Egyptian culture.
- Hand-to-Hand Combat (Advanced): Adam has admitted he's had a lifetime of experience as a Champion of the Wizard.[20]He also battled against an alien invasion, who had come to subdue Kahndaq and the rest of the World centuries before the modern day. Defeating their champion in single combat, provoking the other aliens to flee Earth.[1]
- Intimidation: Adam was considered intimidating enough to be conducted in the Sinestro Corps.
- Leadership: Adam rules the African nation of Kahndaq.[10]
- Meditation[14]
- Multilingualism: Adam speaks English, ancient Egyptian, Kahndaqi, and Arabic.
- Occultism: Due to the nature of his powers, Adam has a decent understanding of magic.[10]
Paraphernalia
Weapons
Notes
- Black Adam was created by C.C. Beck and Otto Binder, first appearing in Marvel Family #1. However, in the Prime Earth continuity, Black Adam first appeared as part of the New 52 DC Universe in Justice League (Volume 2) #10 by Geoff Johns and Gary Frank.
- In this incarnation of Black Adam, Adam is not given the typical powers as he is normally given. His powers do not come from multiple gods but rather all from Shazam himself. He is also not a prince upon his first meeting with Shazam, but a fugitive slave.
- However once he is resurrected he is again empowered by his Egyptian gods.
Related
- 165 Appearances of Teth-Adam (Prime Earth)
- 113 Images featuring Teth-Adam (Prime Earth)
- 22 Quotations by or about Teth-Adam (Prime Earth)
- Character Gallery: Teth-Adam (Prime Earth)
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sinestro #16
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Justice League (Volume 2) #11
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Justice League (Volume 2) #14
- ↑ Justice League (Volume 2) #15
- ↑ Justice League (Volume 2) #16
- ↑ Justice League (Volume 2) #18
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Justice League (Volume 2) #19
- ↑ Justice League (Volume 2) #20
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Justice League (Volume 2) #21
- ↑ 10.00 10.01 10.02 10.03 10.04 10.05 10.06 10.07 10.08 10.09 10.10 10.11 10.12 10.13 Justice League of America (Volume 3) #7.4: Black Adam
- ↑ Doomsday Clock #5
- ↑ Doomsday Clock #8
- ↑ Doomsday Clock #9
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Black Adam: Year of the Villain #1
- ↑ Forever Evil #3
- ↑ The Flash #767
- ↑ Dark Nights: Death Metal #5
- ↑ Forever Evil #4
- ↑ Shazam! (Volume 3) #5
- ↑ Shazam! (Volume 3) #14
  Injustice League member |
 This character has been a member of the Justice League of America, or the Justice League in any of its various incarnations, sworn by a duty to act as guardians of America and the world by using their skills and/or superpowers to protect Earth from the clutches of both interstellar and domestic threats. |
 Legion of Doom member |
 This character is or was a member of the Marvel Family in any of its various incarnations, and an ally of Captain Marvel and the Wizard Shazam. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Marvel Family members." |
 Secret Society of Super-Villains member |
 This character is or was a member of the Sinestro Corps, chosen by Sinestro to counteract the Green Lantern Corps and spread terror throughout their sector with a Power Ring. |
 This character is or was primarily an enemy of Captain Marvel, the Wizard Shazam, or any of the extended members of the Marvel Family. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Marvel Family Villains." |