Black Adam (Teth/Theo-Adam) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Otto Binder and CC 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 a one-time villain in the first issue of Fawcett Comics’ The Marvel Family (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 Shazam (formerly Captain Marvel) Family stories under the title Shazam! in the 1970s.
In its original depiction, Black Adam was a corrupted ancient Egyptian, a precursor to Captain Marvel, who fought his way to 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.
Prominent roles in comic book series such as Justice Society of America (JSA), Villains United, Infinite Crisis, and 52 have elevated the character’s status within the DC Universe. In 2009, Black Adam was ranked by IGN as the 16th greatest comic book villain of all time. The character will make his on-screen debut in 2022’s Black Adam, played by Dwayne Johnson in the DC Extended Universe.