Black Adam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black Adam |
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The cover of 52 #45 (March 2007).
Art by J. G. Jones. |
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| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Fawcett Comics(1945) DC Comics (1972-present) |
| First appearance | The Marvel Family #1 (December 1945) |
| Created by | |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Theo Ramses Djoser Teth-Adam |
| Team affiliations | Injustice League Legion of Doom Secret Society of Super Villains Black Marvel Family Monster Society of Evil Injustice Society Justice League Justice Society of America Suicide Squad |
| Notable aliases | Khem-Adam Theo Adam Mighty Adam Teth-Adam |
| Abilities |
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Black Adam, whose real name is Teth-Adam or Theo-Adam, is a famous antihero in American comic books. These comics are published by DC Comics.
He was created by Otto Binder and C. C. Beck. Black Adam first appeared in the comic book The Marvel Family in December 1945. This was published by Fawcett Comics. Later, DC Comics took over Fawcett's characters. Since then, Black Adam has become one of the main enemies of the superhero Captain Marvel, also known as Shazam. He also fights the Marvel Family (now called the Shazam Family). Other enemies include Doctor Sivana and Mister Mind.
Black Adam was first shown as a supervillain. He was an ancient Egyptian who gained powers. He traveled to modern times to fight Captain Marvel and his family. But in the 2000s, writers like Jerry Ordway, Geoff Johns, and David S. Goyer changed his story. They made him an antihero who tries to fix his bad reputation.
He became more important in the DC Universe through comic series like Justice Society of America and 52. In 2021, he even joined the Justice League as Mighty Adam.
In 2009, IGN ranked Black Adam as the 16th greatest comic book villain ever.
Dwayne Johnson voiced Black Adam in the animated movie DC League of Super-Pets (2022). He then played Black Adam in his first live-action movie, Black Adam (2022). He also had a quick appearance in the movie Shazam! (2019).
Contents
Black Adam's Comic Book History
Early Days with Fawcett Comics
Black Adam first appeared in The Marvel Family #1. In this story, he was an ancient Egyptian named Teth-Adam. The wizard Shazam chose him to be his champion. Shazam thought Teth-Adam was pure-hearted.
When Teth-Adam said the magic word "Shazam", he turned into Mighty Adam. He gained the same powers that Captain Marvel (Shazam) would later have. But Mighty Adam became too powerful. He wanted to rule the world. He overthrew the pharaoh and took over Egypt.
The wizard Shazam was very angry. He renamed his champion Black Adam. Shazam could not take back the powers he gave Adam. So, he banished Black Adam to the farthest star in the universe.
Black Adam spent 5,000 years flying back to Earth. He finally returned in 1945. By then, Shazam had chosen new champions: Captain Marvel, Captain Marvel Jr., and Mary Marvel. Black Adam tried to take over the world. The Marvels learned about him from Shazam.
Black Adam fought the three heroes, known as the Marvel Family. They all had similar powers, so the fight lasted a long time. Then, Uncle Marvel, who had no powers, had an idea. He tricked Adam into saying "Shazam." This turned him back into Teth-Adam. The thousands of years of travel caught up to him. He quickly turned into a skeleton.
Black Adam's costume looks a lot like Captain Marvel's. But Black Adam's costume is black and golden yellow. Captain Marvel's is red and golden yellow.
Black Adam in DC Comics
Before the Crisis Events
Even though Black Adam was defeated, DC Comics brought him back. Nearly 30 years later, Doctor Sivana used a special machine to bring him back to life in Philadelphia. This happened in DC's Shazam! comic series. Black Adam then destroyed the machine so no one could use it against him.
In Shazam! #28, it was explained that Black Adam gets his powers from six ancient Egyptian gods:
- Shu (for stamina)
- Hershef (for strength)
- Amon (for power)
- Zehuti (Thoth) (for wisdom)
- Anpu (for speed)
- Menthu (for courage)
Black Adam accidentally traveled back in time to 1776. He was trying to destroy Shazam at the Rock of Eternity. Captain Marvel accidentally sent him back in time. They fought, and Black Adam tricked Captain Marvel. He made Captain Marvel say "Shazam," turning him back into Billy Batson. Adam then tied up Billy and threw him into the sea.
But Billy was rescued by a rebel, who turned out to be Paul Revere. Billy then returned to his own time. Black Adam came to fight Captain Marvel again. During their battle, Captain Marvel tricked Adam into saying "Shazam" once more. Adam then lost his memory after a strong punch from Captain Marvel.
Black Adam later teamed up with Karmang. He tried to defeat both Superman and Captain Marvel.
After more defeats by Captain Marvel, Adam joined Mister Mind's group, the Monster Society of Evil. They attacked the Rock of Eternity. The evil magic god Oggar created an army from Egyptian sand for Adam to lead. They managed to escape, even though they were defeated.
During the Crisis On Infinite Earths event, Black Adam was last seen fighting heroes. This happened on the few remaining Earths that had merged together.
Images for kids
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The cover of The Power of Shazam! #10 (1995). Art by Jerry Ordway. From left to right: Blaze, Shazam, and Black Adam.
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Black Adam in the 1981 Shazam! animated series.
See also
In Spanish: Black Adam para niños
