The hierarchy of power in the DC Universe is about to change when Black Adam makes his cinematic debut in DCEU’s Black Adam. Fans eagerly await the arrival of the DC anti-hero, and to see what Dwayne Johnson can bring to both the role and the DCEU itself. Black Adam has a long history in the comics and a very rocky relationship with some of its mightiest heroes and villains.
Throughout the years, Black Adam has taken on many opponents, some worthy of his might, and some not so much. What matters most is that Black Adam is a fierce and powerful being, and his defeats of certain characters should be a taste of what is to come in the live-action films involving Black Adam.
9 Psycho-Pirate
Psycho-Pirate is one of the most underappreciated characters in the DC Universe. Despite his golden mask, he shouldn't be confused for Doctor Fate. He witnessed the merging events of Crisis on Infinite Earths, causing a variety of issues in Psycho-Pirate’s mental psyche. The character himself harbors the Medusa Mask, which allows him to dictate and control the emotions of anyone around him.
When Psycho-Pirate attempted to take control over Black Adam, the ruler of Kahndaq was none too happy with this mental manipulation. In response, Black Adam killed Psycho-Pirate in a gruesome fashion. Black Adam declared that there would be no more silly faces, and pushed his fingers through the back of Psycho-Pirate’s head with ease.
8 Hawkman
Hawkman has been fighting criminals with his mace and wings for centuries during his notoriously convoluted life of reincarnation. One of his original lives was as Prince Khufu, a character that had a friendship with Black Adam before his murder by the high priest Hath-Set. As Hawkman, the character has great might and a dominant personality to control the battlefield.
There’s been somewhat of a rivalry between Black Adam and Hawkman in the modern day. The characters single each other out often for battle, as both are stubborn, and believe that they can best the other. They have been the result of a few conflicts, and they don’t end too well for Hawkman.
7 Shazam
The biggest rivalry to Black Adam isn’t Superman, but Shazam. Once known as Captain Marvel, this hero has battled Black Adam for decades in the comics. The two share a mutual power, and Black Adam often resents Shazam because he is merely a child that harbors the intense powers of the most powerful gods in the DC Universe.
Their constant battles have seen the two at the ends of each other’s fists and lightning on many comic pages and cartoons. Fans eagerly await the opportunity to see the two face off in the DCEU, and the winner will be undecided, considering Black Adam has beaten Shazam before, but Billy Batson never gives up.
6 Terra
Terra was a famous member of the Teen Titans, with the ability to control the earth itself. This has her using large boulders and pebbles to gain a strong advantage over her opponents. Terra has a great level of power, as well as a dark side when it comes to her fellow team members and her problematic relationship with Deathstroke.
As if Black Adam couldn’t get any darker, he goes ahead and murders an iconic teenage superhero. Black Adam becomes a tyrant and declares war against everyone. It takes many superheroes to try and stop him, but his target is set, and his fist plunges through his chest of Terra. It’s an iconic and brutal death that shows nobody is safe from Black Adam’s rage.
5 The Justice Society Of America
The Justice Society of America is the team name often referred to as the JSA. This superhero ensemble is older than the Justice League and features classic characters like the original Flash, Hawkman, and Atom Smasher. Some of these characters are set to feature in DCEU’s Black Adam, where they will once again battle Black Adam himself.
These characters have faced off many times. One instance involved Black Adam invading Kahndaq, and the JSA did not want to interfere with his conflict until international law could be involved. Therefore the JSA tried to stop Black Adam but ultimately failed against his drive and power.
4 Atom Smasher
Atom Smasher is one of the more important members of the JSA when it comes to a connection with Black Adam. The two eventually shared a brotherly bond as they spent time together in the JSA. With Atom Smasher’s death, Black Adam even used his powers to send a lightning bolt through Smasher’s heart to revive him.
Despite their great bond in the JSA, the two did not start so friendly. The two had battled before, and Black Adam proved that power is from within rather than a gigantic size. Black Adam had bested Atom Smasher, but this would only be the beginning of their bond.
3 Martian Manhunter
As Mars’ sole survivor, J’onn J’onzz proved why when he took on the role of Martian Manhunter and became a member of the Justice League. He’s a great detective, capable of strength in many forms and reading minds. Sadly, Martian Manhunter is not immune to zombification.
Martian Manhunter is known for many things. As well as being a member of the Justice League, he also has a great weakness to fire. In one instance of his defeat, Black Adam infected Martian Manhunter after becoming a zombie in DCeased. It was a quick slash to his gut, but a defeat nonetheless.
2 Super Woman
The Crime Syndicate took over the planet in the swift destruction of the best superheroes in the DC Universe. These characters brought Earth to its knees, just as they ruled their planet of Earth-3. When the Crime Syndicate makes the world and remaining villains swear allegiance, the ever-stubborn Lex Luthor takes matters into his own hands to free himself and the world from oppression.
With Black Adam’s help, Lex Luthor managed to subdue Mazahs and Super Woman. Black Adam shouted “SHAZAM” to send a bolt of lightning at himself, which defeated Super Woman, the Earth-3 equivalent of Wonder Woman.
1 Superman
The Man of Steel is well-known as the first Superhero and is beloved by millions. Superman is the name of DC Comics, the titular character that upholds everything good in the universe. His power is vast and infinite, but his compassion and friendship are his greatest power. That is until he faces Black Adam.
It’s no secret that Dwayne Johnson wants Superman vs Black Adam to happen on the big screen. Fans have been demanding a battle between Black Adam and Superman, and the comics feature just that. Superman’s weakness is magic, which gives Black Adam a great advantage, and Black Adam also knows Superman won’t punch a man when his back is turned, which shows a great risk of faith. Black Adam’s warped morality has allowed him to best Superman before.