Following the success of the Black Adam movie starring Dwayne Johnson, many DC Comics fans are excited for the future of the antihero. Black Adam has a rich history, filled with engaging storylines and memorable interactions that the DCU can call upon when needed.
First appearing in Marvel Family #1 (1945) as the co-creation of Otto Binder and C.C. Beck, Black Adam has enjoyed increased attention in recent years. Talented comics creators have revealed new depths to Black Adam and captured the magic of this venerable character with a few excellent storylines.
JSA: Savage Times (2004)
JSA: Savage Times is a one-of-a-kind Black Adam tale and an excellent read for any fan of the black sheep of the Marvel family. Times shows JSA inadvertently transported to the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II, encountering early incarnations of Black Adam, Nabu and Hawk Girl. In uniting with Prince Khufu's Justice Society of the Nineteenth Dynasty, the heroes seek to defeat immortal villain Vandal Savage.
This insightful look from a bygone era gives readers a Black Adam who shares few similarities with the villainous antagonist banished by the wizard Shazam. Showing an important side of Black Adam, Times ends with a short but profound interaction between present-day Black Adam and Captain Marvel, revealing yet another layer to the complex antihero.
JSA: Black Reign (2004)
A crossover between JSA and Hawkman, the Black Reign storyline begins with current Justice Society of America member Black Adam recruiting other to undertake a mission to liberate Kahndaq from its subjugation, forcefully if necessary. At this point, Black Adam has become disenfranchised by the lack of proactive justice dispensed on criminals and, seeing no other course of action, takes matters into his own Amun- powered hands.
Unequivocally one of the core elements of Black Adam, his homeland of Kahndaq and the place it holds will endure as long as he does. Tragically this devotion to his land brings Adam into conflict with superheroes and nations. Using Black Reign, talented writer Geoff Johns shows readers Adam is still a driven warrior and protector while establishing critical elements of Adam's relationship with Atom Smasher in this core Black Adam storyline.
JSA: Black Vengeance (2004-05)
Covered in JSA #73, 74, and 75, the Black Vengeance storyline revisits the events following the Black Reign story arc. Here, Eclipso corrupts an indignant Spectre, who lacks an earthly host, into deeming magic guilty of making the country of Kahndaq rife with evil, death, and despair, thus deserving of judgment.
Black Adam will re-recruit the obscure non-comic fans Atom Smasher, enlisting his aid in defending his country against the invasion of Eclipso and the Spectre and halting the JSA's intervention. Again, Geoff Johns demonstrates his thorough feel of Black Adam's character to be of the highest caliber, artistically building on Adam's history in this electric story.
World War III (2007)
Action-packed series written by Keith Champagne, WWIII is a graphic and terrifying spin-off story from the 52 run, highlighting the ramifications when the evil forces that exist use the abominable Four Horsemen to extinguish the last flickers of Black Adam's hope for peace and happiness.
Undoubtedly one of Black Adam's best storylines, WWIII poignantly shows readers a vengeful antagonist Black Adam, hellbent on retribution following the murder of his Black Marvel family. This must-read gives fans a taste of the power surging through Black Adam and what happens when all hope is extinguished.
Black Adam: The Dark Age (2007-08)
A brutal, visceral storyline powered by an internal monologue from Black Adam that functions as the narration. Following WWIII, Black Adam is a fugitive and war criminal, desperately seeking the means to resurrect his beloved Isis, starting him on a daunting quest to find the scattered pieces needed to reforge her amulet, returning her to life.
Additionally, artwork and colors blend with Adam's terse inner monologue, creating a story that finds Adam in unfamiliar territory, deprived of his love. Not for the faint of heart, this tale continues forging the unyielding resolution of Black Adam and his quest for reunification with his Yin, Isis.
JSA Black Adam and Isis (2009)
After finally reuniting with his love, Black Adam sadly realizes that upon her revival, Isis has returned as an embittered and merciless ruler. The trauma Isis suffered upon her death changed her, making her a zealot, seeking to cleanse the citizens and soil she once loved so dearly.
Upon being made to see reason by his 'brother' Atom Smasher, Adam aids the JSA in ending the threat his most beloved represents. Concluding his celebrated run on Justice Society of America with a banger of a story, Geoff Johns pens another must-read addition on the complex, often polarizing, protector, Black Adam.
Shazam Volume 1 New 52 (2012-13)
Taking great care in laying out the origin story of Shazam following the New 52 initiative, scribe Geoff Johns brings the Marvel family into the new age of DC Comics. In Shazam Vol. 1 New 52, Black Adam is freed by a desperate and power-hungry Doctor Sivana, after being imprisoned by the wizard Shazam.
After releasing the Seven Deadly Sins of Man, Black Adam seeks to claim the magical power within the Rock of Eternity. To do so, Adam must defeat the wizard's new champion, Billy Batson, and usurp his power. Finally, as the first meeting between these iconic titans of the Marvel family after Flashpoint, Shazam Vol. 1 certifies as required reading on Black Adam in the New 52.
Black Adam: Year Of The Villain #1 (2019)
Following the events of Batman/Superman, Black Adam: Year of the Villain #1 weaves a tale of the ramifications of King Shazam, the Infected, staking a claim to Kahndaq as his remodeling project. Interestingly, this demonstrative story shows the Cancer-like Black Adam's formidableness as a derivative of his citizens' prayers.
Showing how far the rebuilding has come within himself and his native soil since 52 and WWIII, Villain #1 finally sees the rage and pain from the tragedies that befell him regarding his family subside. Here, Black Adam will do every possible to stop the dark, twisted Shazam from taking his true family in this read-worthy story on the titular warrior of the Marvel family.
Justice League: Endless Winter (2020)
The Justice League: Endless Winter storyline finds the Justice League locked in a battle of survival with the ancient Frost King. Having combated this ancient evil in 10th century Egypt, Black Adam becomes an unwilling ally in this fight against the coming ice age. Showing the ramifications of acting with a thirst for conflict, Winter is a tale about writing the past's wrongs so that the future may flourish and showing how Black Adam can oppose that goal.
Also serving as an introspective look into the relationship between Black Adam and Hippolyta, Winter gives fans a backstory on the complicated and tense relationship betwixt these immortal warriors. Undoubtedly recommended reading on the complex Black Adam, Winter succeeds in portraying the stark moral and ethical differences between Black Adam's definition of justice and that of his Western superhero counterparts like the Justice League.
Justice League: Prisms (2021)
While many are familiar with the darker deeds in Black Adam's storylines, it's worth noting that, though oft-maligned, Adam has spent time as a member of esteemed superhero groups such as the Justice Society of America and Justice League. Justice League: Prisms follows Black Adam's partnership with the Justice League after fending off an attack by an interdimensional invader in Kahndaq.
Far removed from WWIII, Adam has begun realizing that he can find meaning in his existence beyond his territorial borders. Penned by the incomparable Brian Michael Bendis, Prisms creatively shows that Adam's past transgressions aren't easily forgotten among superheroes. Finally serving as an important story for fans of the powerhouse Naomi McDuffie, Prisms deserves a spot on any list concerning the best stories on Black Adam.
