Warning: SPOILERS for Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7After years of tension and conflict, Black Adam reveals that he respects at least one Kryptonian—but it's not the one fans might expect. At the conclusion of the Dark Crisis, Black Adam tells both Clark and Jon Kent that he believes Jon is actually a better Superman than his father.
Black Adam confirms his respect for Jon Kent's Superman in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 by a stacked creative team: Joshua Williamson, Rafa Sandoval, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Jackson Herbert, Daniel Sampere, Cam Smith, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Matt Herms, Alex Guimarães, Alejandro Sánchez, and Tom Napolitano. During the rebuilding efforts from the series' massive 'villains vs. heroes' battle, Black Adam confronts Clark and Jon, clearly establishing his new boundaries: Black Adam will do his own thing, and the heroes better stay out of his way, or else. As he departs, he says: "But Kal-El... Your son...at least he didn't die like you did." Clark confirms for Jon that this was definitely a compliment—if also an insult for the original Superman.
Black Adam Believes Jon Kent Is the Better Superman
Prior to this moment, Black Adam had spent most of Dark Crisis telling Jon he would never live up to his father's example. Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths begins on the heels of the (apparent) deaths of the entire Justice League, including the original Superman, Clark Kent. Though Jon has been using the Superman mantle for many months by the time the Justice League, "died" he spends much of Dark Crisis trying to honor his father's legacy. The Justice League, of course, returns to Earth after being abducted by Pariah, so Jon once again shares the Superman name with his father—but the question still stands. Who makes the better Superman?
Black Adam seems to think the answer is clear, and for one reason only. Kal-El's son is the superior Kryptonian, if only because Jon Kent has never died on the job. Black Adam's confidence in Jon is striking, given how discouraging he has been for the entirety of the Dark Crisis event. But Jon truly proved himself on the battlefield, taking on many of his father's heaviest hitters at once—including Doomsday, the monster that killed Superman in the 1990s.
The best part is that Clark never disagrees with Black Adam. Even Kal-El knows Jon Kent has been making a superb Superman. Even though Black Adam has set a clear—and even dangerous—boundaries for the Kents and the other heroes, he still clearly respects one of the youngest Kryptonians on Earth. After all Jon has been through as Superman, that respect is definitely well-placed.
Check out Dark Crisis on Infinite Earth #7, available now from DC Comics!