Fans may know of the history behind one of the DC Universe's most powerful characters, but one aspect of Black Adam remains quite the mystery. A certain element in the former Champion of Shazam remains one of Adam's most curious design choices.
Thousands of years before Billy Batson was chosen as recipient of the Wizard's powers, the aged sorcerer selected a man named Teth-Adam to be his champion and greatest protector of Earth. Unfortunately, the Wizard didn't realize that Adam would use the power in a way unbefitting of a Champion. Unable to be stripped of his power, Black Adam was punished by being banished to the furthest reaches of space. However, Adam made the trip back and since then, has been able to live free of the Wizard's influence. While he's shown growth since his original days as a Champion, Black Adam still prefers his own methods of justice to any others.
But one part of Black Adam remains more puzzling than any other, that being the character's occasional appearance with pointed, elf-like ears. When the character was introduced in Marvel Family #1, Adam was shown to have ears with pointed tips. It’s quite a strange choice as neither Shazam nor his family or anyone else endowed by the Wizard’s power has displayed a similar look as Adam. Black Adam's ears even made it into DC's canon at various points in the character's history in the Pre- and Post-Crisis continuities. However, Black Adam's Champion form was occasionally drawn to have normal ears, or his mortal form bearing pointed ears. After years of back and forth, it seems that the pointed ears were largely removed from Black Adam's design in the Prime Earth continuity established by Flashpoint.
So What Does Black Adam's Ears Mean?
While there’s never been a canonical reason given, some fans have speculated regarding the mystery surrounding Black Adam. Some think that, like Billy, the pointed ears were meant to reflect Adam’s inner desires. While Billy is more pure-hearted, Adam has a bit more morally ambiguous leanings, giving him a more sinister appearance. Adam’s ears could have also been a punishment from the Wizard. Since he was unable to take Black Adam’s power away, he was instead marked for the world to see his past sins.
Even if fans find some rationalization that fits, the truth is that it’s a design choice that suffered due to a lack of direction. While the last several years has seen more stability for Black Adam in the DCU, this one element sticks out from his past like a sore thumb. Sure, it makes the character look more sinister, but recent characterizations have seen him thrive well as someone in the middle of good and evil. That said, it doesn't impact the fallen Champion so much nowadays and Adam doesn't suffer for this odd design choice. There may not be much of a reason for Black Adam's ears, but thankfully, it's something that seems to have been left behind for good.