Black Adam

Circa 1200 BC, Shazam became a high priest to the pharaoh Ramses II of Egypt.

As the wizard grew older, he sought a champion worthy to inherit his powers.

The young prince Teth-Adam of Kahndaq (Ramses' son) impressed the wizard with his fairness and decency.

But before Shazam could bestow his powers, his daughter Blaze made a deal with the god Set.

When Teth-Adam spoke the name "Shazam," instead of gaining the wizard's powers, he was blessed with the power of six Egyptian gods: Shu, Heru, Amon, Zehuti, Aton and Mehen.

Although Adam speaks the name "Shazam," he does not draw power from the wizard. Teth-Adam served Egypt for many years, but this duty drew him away from his wife and children in Kahndaq.

While he was away, the mad priest, Ahk-ton ravaged Kahndaq and killed Adam's family.

The priest was powered by the "Orb of Ra".

Adam could not apprehend Ahk-ton, so he entombed his family and returned to the court of Ramses.

There he served as Egypt's champion alongside another great wizard, Nabu.

Teth-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.

Centuries later, Adam's home 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, appointing himself ruler.

The wizard Shazam became aware 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 and rendered 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 Ramses 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.

After seeing Billy Batson as Captain Marvel, Theo spoke the name "Shazam" and became possessed by the soul of Black Adam.

With Black Adam reborn, the two battled, Adam temporarily rendered mute by Shazam.

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 joined the Secret Society of Super-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.

Links
Unofficial Guide to DC U
DC Wiki
Copyright Owner
DC Comics
Record:
W:
L: