Black Adam's cinematic release has brought one of DC’s most powerful anti-heroes to the big screen. Black Adam spent years as a villain before he found a new role with teams like the JSA and the Justice League. However, the mystical warrior from ancient Egypt has been broken by tragedy and loss a few times, which has hardened him over the years.

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Black Adam isn’t afraid to kill his enemies, which has caused problems with his heroic allies. His devotion to his home country of Kahndaq often drives his actions, which can be fatal if he’s pushed too far. Black Adam even launched a global attack in DC: World War III that resulted in a few casualties at his hands. He may be a hero now, but Black Adam walked a dark path to get there.

10 Teth-Adam Got His Revenge On The First Metamorpho

Ahk-Ton as the first Metamorpho and his death at Black Adam's hands split image

When Teth-Adam was first chosen to become The Wizard’s mystical protector, he became a hero for his people. Unfortunately, that painted a target on his family and his country. A pharaoh priest named Ahk-Ton had gained power with the alchemical Orb of Ra. The powerful artifact transformed him into the first Metamorpho like it would Rex Mason in the modern age.

Ahk-Ton killed Teth-Adam's entire family and massacred the innocent people of Kahndaq. Time-lost members of the JSA helped Teth-Adam conjure the Egyptian God Ra to strip Ahk-Ton of his powers. He then vengefully snapped Ahk-Ton’s neck, turning Black Adam onto a dark path of fatal justice that would drive him for centuries.

9 Black Adam Ripped Kobra’s Heart Out Of His Chest

Black Adam ripping Kobra's heart out with Atom-Smasher's help

During Black Adam’s time with the Justice Society of America, he had a few tense confrontations with Atom-Smasher. However, when Kobra and his criminal organization organized attacks that took the life of Atom-Smasher’s mother, their relationship changed. Black Adam was the only one who helped Atom-Smasher get revenge on Kobra.

The rest of the JSA and other heroes all failed to locate Kobra, who had escaped prior to his trial. However, Black Adam and Atom-Smasher tracked him down and decimated his guards. Black Adam helped Atom-Smasher achieve his goal when he punched Kobra’s heart out through his chest. This earned him Atom-Smasher's unwavering loyalty in the process.

8 He Pushed Psycho-Pirate’s Mask Through His Skull

Black Adam facing and killing Psycho-Pirate in Infinite Crisis

While Black Adam had become an anti-hero and joined the JSA, he frequently returned to his villainous roots. He helped strengthen the Secret Society of Super-Villains during the Infinite Crisis event. He was unsurprisingly betrayed by the villains and imprisoned by Alexander Luthor. The young Luthor hoped to use Black Adam and others to rebuild the multiverse.

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However, Black Adam and the other multiversal heroes escaped their imprisonment. The emotion-manipulating Psycho-Pirate attempted to stop Black Adam, though he couldn’t overpower his rage. Black Adam violently shoved his fingers through the eyeholes of Psycho-Pirate’s Medusa Mask. He then pushed it through the back of his skull, taking Psycho-Pirate out for good.

7 Terra-Man Was Killed As A Message To DC’s Villains

Terra-Man and his death at Black Adam's hands

Tobias Manning was a corporate executive turned eco-terrorist known as Terra-Man. He briefly worked alongside Black Adam as a member of the Secret Society of Super-Villains that formed prior to the Infinite Crisis event. Terra-Man used high-tech weaponry and a rocket-powered steed in a futuristic take on an Old West cowboy.

Terra-Man sought refuge in Kahndaq with Black Adam after a plane hijacking went wrong. However, Black Adam had other plans for one of DC's most unlikable villains. He held a press conference stating that villains like Terra-Man weren’t welcome in Kahndaq. He then ripped Terra-Man in half on live TV and announced that anyone who crossed him would share the same fate.

6 He Killed Sobek And The Horsemen After Losing His Family

Black Adam killing two of the Horsemen of Apokolips split image

Black Adam met Adrianna Topaz shortly before he killed a villain named Noose. Black Adam eventually fell in love with her and empowered her with the Amulet of Isis. He also shared his power with her brother Amon. The young man was severely injured when he was imprisoned by Intergang. Amon became the magically-powered Osiris when he said Black Adam’s name.

Osiris befriended a talking crocodile named Sobek who joined Black Adam’s new family. However, Sobek was actually a Horsemen of Apokolips, who had previously destroyed Kahndaq. He ate Osiris while another Horseman poisoned and killed Isis. Black Adam ripped Sobek’s jaw apart, then massacred the country of Bialya to make the Horsemen pay for killing his family.

5 Black Adam Punched Through Terra’s Chest In WWIII

Black Adam punching through Terra in WWIII

Black Adam went down a dark path fueled by his grief and rage about his short-lived family's death. His murderous actions in Bialya turned the world’s heroes against him, and he began attacking any country that threatened him. He launched a global attack in DC: World War III that cost a few heroic lives from teams like the Teen Titans and Doom Patrol.

Black Adam blamed the Teen Titans for their treatment of Osiris during his brief tenure with the team. He turned his rage on Terra, a multiversal version of the traitorous hero who died during The Judas Contract. Black Adam showed he was one of DC's strongest superheroes by punching through her chest, killing her instantly.

4 He Killed Young Frankenstein And Robotman In WWIII

Black Adam ripping Young Frankenstien's arms off and punching Robotman's head off split image

Terra wasn’t the only hero who died in Black Adam’s rampage during WWIII. However, she was one of the few who actually stayed dead. Black Adam also faced Young Frankenstein when Beast Boy’s Teen Titans tried to stop his rampage. Young Frankenstein had incredible strength, but even he was no match for Black Adam.

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Black Adam ripped Young Frankenstein's arms off, killing the Teen Titan. However, the undead monster did eventually return years later. During Black Adam’s fight with the Doom Patrol, he punched Robotman’s head clean off, seemingly killing the hero. Robotman was also rebuilt and returned as well. The gruesome deaths didn’t stick but were still very memorable.

3 Black Adam Resurrected And Then Killed His Love Isis

Teth-Adam killing the resurrected Isis

After DC’s assembled heroes were finally able to stop Black Adam's WWIII, he was left depowered without access to his magical form. Teth-Adam took on a new mission and returned to Kahndaq. He gathered Adrianna Tomaz’s remains and sought out the Amulet of Isis. He then took them both to the Himalayan Mountains to locate a hidden Lazarus Pit.

Ra's al Ghul's Lazarus Pits have resurrected a few Batman characters over the years. Teth-Adam succeeded in bringing Tomaz back to life. However, the process was incomplete and her body began to decay. He said a final goodbye to his love and stabbed her through her heart. She would eventually return, though corrupted with dark magic.

2 He Vaporized Dr. Sivana's Assistant In His New 52 Debut

Black Adam killing Sivana's assistant with mystical lightning

Black Adam’s first appearance in the New 52 reboot of the DC universe set the tone for the character early. Dr. Thaddeus Sivana accidentally woke Black Adam from his centuries-long slumber. They were investigating magical sources when they uncovered the tomb that imprisoned Black Adam.

Black Adam incinerated Dr. Sivana’s assistant and the rest of his research team. He only spared Dr. Sivana’s life because he spoke Black Adam’s native language. Sivana helped introduce Black Adam to the modern world. Together, they set thier sights on becoming two of Shazam's greatest comic villains..

1 Teth-Adam Killed His Nephew Aman To Gain Power

Teth-Adam killing his nephew Aman to steal his power

Black Adam’s origin was also given a dark twist in the New 52. Teth-Adam was no longer the one who was chosen by The Wizard to become his champion. Instead, it was his nephew Aman, who he had helped escape from enslavement. One of DC's most powerful magic-users chose Aman because of his pure soul. However, Aman asked to share his power with his uncle Adam.

Unfortunately, they disagreed on the best methods to free Kahndaq with their new powers. Adam decided to kill his young nephew when they called for power so he could take it all for himself. Adam snapped Aman’s neck just before the magic lightning bolt transformed them. His first kill gained him The Wizard's full power but also cursed him forever as Black Adam.

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