Black Adam

Creation & Design

Black Adam was created as a villain for Captain Marvel (now known as Shazam) and was designed to be a dark reflection of the hero.

Early Years

Initially introduced as a villain in the 1940s, Black Adam's character evolved over the decades, transitioning from a straightforward antagonist to a more complex anti-hero.

Character Development

Over the years, Black Adam has evolved from a mere villain to a character with depth, often portrayed as a ruler with a strong sense of justice for his homeland, Kahndaq.

Cultural Reception

Black Adam has received a mixed to positive reception, with fans appreciating his complexity and moral ambiguity.

Character Details

Real Name:
Teth-Adam
Aliases:
Black Adam, Mister Adam
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Injustice Society, Justice Society of America, Legion of Doom
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Speed, Flight, Magic manipulation
Equipment:
Magic lightning bolt
Weight:
250lbs
Height:
6' 3"
Eye Color:
yellow
Hair Color:
black

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Fawcett ⋅ 1945

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Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who was first granted powers by the wizard Shazam though it corrupted him

Origin of The Marvel Family: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Junior, Mary Marvel and Uncle Marvel

Alter Ego ⋅ 1964

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Unofficial cover appearance of Black Adam and the Marvel Family with a text article about the characters’ history by Roy Thomas, one year prior to his first published comic written for Marvel

eBay listings refer to this issue as Black Adam's first appearance since the Golden Age but this publication was a fan-made magazine (fanzine)

DC ⋅ 1973

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Reprint of The Marvel Family #1 (1945), the first appearance of Black Adam

DC ⋅ 1977

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2nd appearance of Black Adam in an original story

There was a fanzine published prior to this issue called Alter Ego where Black Adam appears on the cover but the interior is a text article recapping the Marvel Family and Black Adam written by prominent Marvel architect Roy Thomas before his tenure at Marvel began

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First battle of Superman vs Shazam

First meeting and battle of Superman vs Black Adam - Black Adam disguised as Shazam

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4th appearance of Black Adam in an original story

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Team-up of Superman and Shazam vs Black Adam

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1st appearance of the second Hawkgirl, Kendra Saunders

Death of the original Sandman, Wesley Dodds

Nuklon becomes Atom Smasher

DC ⋅ 2003

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1st appearance of Black Adam's family, as ghosts: Shiruta (wife), Gon and Hurut (sons)

DC ⋅ 2006

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1st appearance of Adrianna Tomaz, later becomes Isis, Black Adam's wife

DC ⋅ 2006

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1st appearance of the second Isis, becomes Black Adam's wife and part of the Black Marvel Family

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1st appearance of Cyclone, Maxine Hunkel, previously Red Tornado

1st appearance of Liberty Belle

1st cameo appearance of Tomcat the son of Wildcat, Ted Grant

1st cover appearance of Citizen Steel, Nathan Heywood, on the cover only

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First solo series featuring Black Adam

Variant ⋅ DC ⋅ 2007

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Variant cover art by Alex Ross

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Cover art by Doug Mahnke depicting Black Adam versus Hawkman

Part three of Black Adam: The Dark Age

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1st cameo appearance of Mary Marvel as a member of the Black Marvel family

1:25 ⋅ DC ⋅ 2011

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$90

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Variant cover art by Bill Sienkiewicz featuring Black Adam

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Origin of Black Adam

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1st appearance of Brutus, a cosmic-powered threat from Naomi's homeworld

New roster Justice League: Superman, Batman, Black Adam, Hawkgirl, Naomi, Hippolyta, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Aquaman

Black Adam #1

Non-Key

DC ⋅ 2022

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Key Facts

1st appearance of Malik, later becomes White Adam, successor to Black Adam

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