With the latest DCEU film, Black Adam, releasing over the weekend, DC fans worldwide are talking about the Man in Black. As the film's trailers have teased, Black Adam has a reputation as a villain, but he often dances the line of an anti-hero, teaming up with heroes like Hawkman and various members of the Justice Society of America.
While the best Black Adam comics often depict him as a solo character, his consistent conviction for everything he does has garnered him lots of respect. As a result, Black Adam has made various allies across the DC universe. From superheroes to fellow anti-heroes and plenty of villains, Black Adam's list of allies is robust.
10 Adrianna Tomaz Is Black Adam's Wife
One of the most influential voices in Black Adam's life, Adrianna Tomaz is a refugee who was given to Black Adam as a gift by Intergang. First appearing in 52 #3 by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Keith Giffen, and Joe Bennett, Adrianna grew close to Black Adam after he realized how badly she wanted to help her home country, Egypt.
Changing the way Black Adam viewed the world, Adrianna was given the Amulet of Isis - a powerful jewel that imbued Adrianna with the powers of the goddess, Isis. Going by the name Isis after receiving the amulet, her eventual death proved to be the most tragic event in Black Adam's life.
9 Black Adam Joined Forces With Eclipso
One of the most irredeemable villains in DC, Eclipso is the original Spirit of God's Wrath, the same job later given to The Spectre. Eclipso first appeared in House of Secrets #61 by Arnold Drake and Mort Meskin. Known initially as Galid, Eclipso grew far too angry as the Spirit of Vengence, leading to his discharge.
As punishment, Eclipso was imprisoned inside a black diamond called the Heart of Darkness. Adapting to life within the diamond, Eclipso learned how to possess people in the physical world, which led to his eventual team-up with Black Adam. During the JSA volume one storyline, "Black Reign," Eclipso's host, Alex Montez, joined Black Adam's team to help him liberate Khandaq by force.
8 Amon Is The Brother Of Adrianna
The brother of Black Adam's wife, Amon Tomaz suffered a similar fate as his sister; forced servitude at a young age. First appearing in 52 #23 by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Keith Giffen, and Drew Johnson, Amon was rescued by Black Adam from an Intergang education camp in Yemen.
After Isis healed his wounds, Black Adam granted Amon a portion of his power, allowing him to transform into the hero Osiris whenever he says "Black Adam." As Osiris, Amon became a world-class superhero and even became an official member of the Teen Titans.
7 Black Adam Led The Suicide Squad
Though he never became an official member, Black Adam once served as the leader of the Suicide Squad. In Suicide Squad Vol 1 #58 by John Ostrander, Geof Isherwood, and Robert Campanella, Black Adam effectively convinced Amanda Waller to let him borrow the team for an all-out assault on the villain, Circe.
Lying to Waller that he would later join the team in an official capacity, Black Adam uses the Suicide Squad to draw fire from Circe's forces, allowing him to go directly after Circe easily. This betrayal certainly rubbed Waller the wrong way, as Black Adam hasn't served with the Suicide Squad ever since.
6 Khufu Was Reincarnated As Hawkman
The Egyptian Prince who was later reincarnated as Hawkman, Khufu made his comic debut in New Fun Comics #2 by Lyman Anderson in 1935. Living during the reign of Ramesses the Second, Prince Khufu had a close friendship with Black Adam, who was still serving as the champion of Shazam at the time.
Black Adam actually witnessed the most critical event of Khufu's life when the two came across the remains of a Thanagarian ship in the desert. Carrying the ship back to Khufu's palace, Black Adam and the Prince became the first humans to closely examine Nth metal, the same material used by Hawkman and other Thanagarians.
5 Nemesis Is The Daughter Of A Supervillain
Though the name Nemesis belongs to a few characters in DC Comics, Soseh Mykros, the second Nemesis, is one of Black Adam's greatest allies. A hero who can copy any opponents fighting style, Soseh made her comic debut in JSA Annual #1 by David S. Goyer, Uriel Caton, and Wade Von Grawbadger.
Nemesis is the daughter of Anatol Mykros, an original founder of the terrorist organization, The Council. Eventually becoming a reserve JSA member, Nemesis joined Black Adam and Atom Smasher on their missions for revenge in Kahndaq.
4 Black Adam Joined The Injustice League
One of the greatest supervillain teams ever formed, the Injustice League is made up of the Justice League's greatest villains. Like many other great supervillain teams, the Injustice League has been through several rosters, often showcasing the popular DC villains of the era.
The team's first version appeared in Silver Age: Showcase #1 by Geoff Johns and Dick Giordano and was led by Agamemno, a Justice League villain born from the Big Bang. Though the Injustice League is a supervillain group, Black Adam joined the Injustice League that formed for heroic reasons during DC's iconic "Forever Evil" event. Rather than trying to kill the Justice League, this version of the Injustice League fought the Crime Syndicate, an evil multiversal variant of the Justice League.
3 Brainwave Jr. Helped Black Adam Free Kahndaq
One of the most capable telepaths in DC, Brainwave Jr. is the son of Brainwave, a classic JSA villain. Brainwave Jr. made his comic debut in All-Star Squadron #24 by Roy Thomas, Jerry Ordway, and Mike Machlan. Before Crisis On Infinite Earths, Brainwave Jr. rejected his father's criminal ways and pursued life as a crime-fighter, eventually joining Infinity Inc.
After Crisis rebooted a majority of DC's continuity, Brainwave Jr.'s path was drastically altered, making him supervillain and founder of the Legion of the Doom. Like Eclipso, Brainwave Jr. joined Black Adam's crusade to free Kahndaq by force.
2 Captain Marvel Has A Lot Of Respect For Black Adam
Though the two share one of the greatest rivalries in DC, Captain Marvel and Black Adam greatly respect each other. One of the most powerful superheroes in DC, Captain Marvel made his legendary comic debut in Whiz Comics #2 by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck. Since Captain Marvel and Black Adam share a power bestowed onto them by the same person, the two considerably understand each other.
Evidence of this can be seen throughout DC Comics, with Captain Marvel often letting Black Adam do what makes him happy. As previously mentioned, Black Adam bestowed his wife, Adrianna Tomaz, with the power of Isis, something that Captain Marvel personally gave his blessing for. On top of that, Marvel attended the wedding ceremony of Black Adam and Adrianna, wearing his trademark smile the entire time.
1 Black Adam Considers Atom Smasher His Brother
Formerly known as Nuklon, Atom Smasher made his comic debut in All-Star Squadron #25 by Roy Thomas, Jerry Ordway, and Mike Machlan. Though Black Adam and Atom Smasher started as uneasy allies on the JSA, the two eventually became best friends.
When Atom Smasher's mother was killed by the villain Kobra, he sought bloody revenge. With all but one member of the JSA approving of Smasher's desires, Black Adam and Atom Smasher broke off from the Society and formed their own team. Seeking vengeance as a duo, the two worked together against each other's mortal enemies, Kobra and Kahndaq's dictator, Asim Muhunnad.