Black Adam
Real Name: Teth Adam, Theo Adam
Nicknames: No known nicknames
Former Aliases: Mighty Adam, Khem-Adam
Other Current Aliases: None.
Status
Occupation: Dictator
Legal Status: Legal status unknown
Identity: Secret
Marital Status: Formerly Widower, currently Married
Group Affiliation: Society of Villains, Formerly Injustice Society; Formerly Justice Society of America; currently a reluctant member of the Marvel Family
Base of Operations: Khandaq; Formerly Fawcett City; Formerly New York City
Origin
Teth-Adam, a native of the Middle Eastern kingdom of Khandaq, lived during the reign of the ancient Egyptian Pharoah Rameses II. He impressed one of the high priests (the wizard Shazam) with his good deeds. The wizard had the young man brought before him, and ordered him to speak his name. Teth-Adam did so, and was transformed into Mighty-Adam, a superhero possessing the powers of Shu, Heru, Amon, Zehuti, Aton, and Mehen -- the first of Shazam's agents.
Place of Birth: Khandaq
Known Relatives: Shiruta (wife, deceased), Gon and Hurut (sons, deceased) Theo Adam (descendant, currently in control of his body), Sarah Primm (descendant, Theo's sister), Adrianna Tomaz (wife), Osiris (Amon) (brother-in-law)
First Appearance: THE MARVEL FAMILY #1 (December, 1945) (Published by Fawcett Comics), (first DC (non-reprint) appearance) SHAZAM! #28 (April, 1977), (current origin and history) The Power of Shazam graphic novel (March, 1994)
History
Teth-Adam, a native of the Middle Eastern kingdom of Khandaq, lived during the reign of the ancient Egyptian Pharoah Rameses II. He impressed one of the high priests (the wizard Shazam) with his good deeds. The wizard had the young man brought before him, and ordered him to speak his name. Teth-Adam did so, and was transformed into Mighty-Adam, a superhero possessing the powers of Shu, Heru, Amon, Zehuti, Aton, and Mehen. Mighty-Adam was a success as a hero for Egypt, but his service kept him away from his wife, Shiruta, and his sons Gon and Hurut.
Adam's homeland was destroyed and his family killed by the evil priest Ahk-ton using the Orb of Ra. A disparaged Adam continued to serve in Rameses' court, and allied himself with Prince Khufu (later Hawkman). At this time, he met three travelers from the future: Hawkgirl, Mr. Terrific, and Captain Marvel. Adam felt relieved that his legacy would continue through Marvel, and thought highly of his future counterpart. With the help of these visitors and the wizard Nabu, Adam was able to capture Ahk-ton, whom he killed as retribution for murdering Adam's family.
Adam returned to Khandaq and forcefully overthrew the government present there, and appointed himself ruler. The wizard Shazam was made aware of all of these events and, thinking Adam had been corrupted by Blaze, unleashed a powerful spell. He trapped Adam's soul and powers within a powerful scarab rendering Adam's de-powered body, now several hundred years old, into a withered corpse. Shazam then buried both the body and the scarab in the tomb of Rameses II, where he had planned for it to remain for all eternity. In death, the former hero was referred to as "Khem-Adam" ("Black Adam"). Disillusioned by what he perceived as Adam's betrayal, Shazam went several millennia before appointing a second champion to fight evil in his name.
Years later Rameses II's tomb was excavated by the Batsons under the orders of the Sivana Federation. A colleague of the Batsons, Adam's descendant Theo, murdered the Batsons after finding the scarab. Suspecting something was odd, his sister Sarah had Mary Batson adopted by the Bromfields to keep her away from Theo.
When Theo saw Billy Batson as Captain Marvel, he realized the power and said Shazam, and Black Adam. The two battled, with Shazam temporarily removing Adam's ability to speak. This was undone by the evil Blaze, and Adam later spent time in deep space.
Black Adam joined the JSA after claiming he had rid himself of Theo Adam's evil influence. Captain Marvel joined the JSA as well, wanting to keep an eye on him.
Johnny Sorrow removed a malignant brain tumor in Adam's head, and Black Adam joined the Injustice Society. He soon betrayed them so the JSA could defeat them.
Black Adam left the JSA after Kobra was allowed to live. He formed his own team, executed Kobra, and once again overthrew Khandaq's government. The JSA intervened. After a battle, Black Adam was allowed to retain control of Khandaq as long as he stayed within its borders. He and the Feitherans began to rebuild the war-torn country.
Black Adam has joined the Society of Villains to protect Khandaq, or so he claimed. During the Spectre's attack on magical beings, Atom-Smasher was killed, but Adam was able to revive him with magical lightning.
Adam was part of the group that set a trap for Uncle Sam and the rest of the Freedom Fighters. However, Adam himself was betrayed by the other villains as Alex Luthor sought 'a Marvel' to use as part of his plot.
Adam was given Adrianna Tomaz as a gift from Intergang. Her wisdom helped him to focus on using his powers for the benefit of the people of Kahndaq. Her granted her the power of Isis, and the two were married. When her little brother, Amon, was found prisoner of Intergang, Adam granted him a portion of his own power as the hero Osiris.
Characteristics
Height: 6'0"
Weight: 198 lbs (90 kg)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Black
Unusual Features: While possessing the form of Theo Adam, Black Adam has a scar that runs horizontally across his throat which once rendered him temporarily mute. As he almost never takes the form of Theo Adam any longer, the scar is no longer visible.
Powers
Known Powers: Black Adam can switch to Theo Adam's body by saying SHAZAM. He possesses:
S for the Stamina of Shu: Using Shu's endurance, Black Adam can withstand and survive most types of extreme physical assaults. Additonally, he does not need to eat or breathe and can survive unaided in space. (Superhuman Endurance, Internal Sustenance)
H for the Swiftness of Heru: By channeling Heru's speed, Black Adam can fly and steadily run at a top speed of Mach 500. (Supersonic Speed & Flight)
A for the Strength of Amon: Black Adam has a phenomonal level of super strength, able to easily bend steel, punch through walls and lift massive objects. Adam's strength is enough that he can hold his own against beings such as Superman or Captain Marvel. (Superhuman Strength)
Z for the Wisdom of Zehuti: Black Adam has instant access to a vast level of scholarly knowledge. The wisdom of Zehuti also gives Adam clairvoyance and provides him with counsel and advice in times of need. (Superhuman Knowledge, Clairvoyance)
A for the Power of Aton: Aton's power, besides fueling the magic thunderbolt that transforms Adam, also enhances Adam's other physical abilities and allows for interdimensional travel. Adam can use the lightning bolt as a weapon by dodging it and allowing it to strike an opponent or target. (Physical Enhancement, Interdimensional Travel)
M for the Courage of Mehen: This aspect is partly psychological, and gives Adam superhuman amounts of inner strength to draw off of, while also making him indestructable to harm like the great snake itself. (Superhuman Inner Strength, Invulnerability)
Known Abilities: No known abilities.
Strength Level: Having spent many centuries without reverting to his human form, Adam has strength much greater than that of Captain Marvel.
Miscellaneous
Equipment: No known equipment.
Transportation: No known transportation.
Weapons: No known weapons.
Photos
Here are 2 images of Black Adam showing off his power! (Shazam, the New Beginning #3, 52 Week 45)
Notes
Trivia
Recommended Readings
- The Power of Shazam
- JSA: Black Reign
- 52
Related Articles
External Links