Warning: Contains preview pages from Knight Terrors: Shazam! #1Black Adam. The idea of a child like Billy Batson in the body of an adult superhero connected with fans for decades and became even more popular when David F. Sandberg's 2019 film opened him further into the mainstream. His childlike innocence is what makes him such a huge draw for comic book readers of all ages, but a new redesign is shifting the godlike hero to the darker side.
In a preview for the Knight Terrors: Shazam! #1, Mark Waid and Roger Cruz's entry in DC's disturbing summer horror event follows Mary Bromfield as she too falls victim to the nightmare-inducing slumber that the villainous Insomnia has spread across the globe. In her dream, she discovers that the world around her has been scarred with nothing in sight aside from the foster home she shares with her brothers and sisters. She quickly discovers that the culprit behind her Knightmare realm is none other than Billy Batson in his Shazam form. The key difference, though, is that his suit is black like Black Adam's with the official name "Teth-Shazam."
This Version of Shazam Shows No Remorse or Regret
What's worse about this take on the character is that he retains the cruel nature of his archrival. Similar to Black Adam and his massive body count of brutal kills, the Knightmare version of Shazam kills others with his immense power without showing any empathy. He displays this in the harshest way possible as he destroys their home with Darla, Freddy and the other foster children inside. This is the ultimate nightmare for Mary because she's been shown to put her family at times before herself. When Shazam tells her that "if they die, you killed them" because it's her dream, it emphasizes her guilt over not being able to stop their deaths despite her fantastic abilities. Teth-Shazam makes for the perfect catalyst to play on her fears because of just how ruthless he can be.
Knight Terrors Variant Covers Show Just How Brutal Shazam Can Be
Accompanying the release of Knight Terrors: Shazam! #1 is a series of variant covers that put the evil version of the character on full display. One piece of artwork by Freddie Williams II shows off Teth-Shazam laying waste to a town as he highlights it in a red version of his insignia that brings hundreds of building crumbling. Another by Jerry Ordway showcases Mary taking on her former ally as they soar over a decimated Earth with Billy's evil grim accentuating a powerful lightning attack. The best by far though is the variant by Hayden Sherman. This astounding piece of art features Shazam in what appears to be his traditional red garb accentuated with black shadows. However, closer inspection reveals that it's actually his black outfit in the Knight Terrors realm completely drenched in blood. It's a perfect way to emphasize the horror of the situation as Billy Batson becomes evil in Mary's nightmare and becomes a ruthless killing machine.
Fans will not want to miss this entry in the Knight Terrors saga when it hits stands on July 11. Based on the previews, this is a side of Shazam that readers never expected but, at the same time, never knew they wanted. He's ruthless and the perfect antagonist for a horror-centric story, even if he's just a creation in Mary's mind during Insomnia's takeover. This Black Adam redesign for the wholesome hero changes everything for Shazam fans as he becomes one of the biggest threats in the Knightmare realm.
Knight Terrors: Shazam! #1 releases July 11 from DC Comics!
