Black Adam (Teth/ Theo-Adam) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Otto Binder and C. C. Beck, the character is one of the archenemies of the superhero Captain Marvel and the archenemy of the Marvel Family. Black Adam first appeared as the one-time villain in the first issue of Fawcett Comics’s Marvel Family comics (December 1945). However, Black Adam was revived as a recurring character after DC Comics first licensed and then acquired the Fawcett characters and began publishing stories about the Shazam Family (formerly Captain Marvel) titled Shazam! in the 1970s.

As originally described, Black Adam is a corrupted, ancient Egyptian predecessor of Captain Marvel, who has fought into modern times to challenge the hero and his Marvel Family associates. However, since the early 21st century, Black Adam has been redefined by DC Comics writers Jerry Ordway, Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer as a corrupt anti-hero trying to clear his name and reputation. his voice. Prominent roles in comic book series such as Justice Society of America (JSA), Villains United, Infinite Crisis and 52 have increased the character’s prominence in the DC Universe. In 2009, Black Adam was ranked the 16th greatest comic book villain of all time by IGN. The character will make his cinematic debut in 2022’s Black Adam, portrayed by Dwayne Johnson, set in the DC Extended Universe.