This article contains spoilers for Black Adam

The DCEU’s Black Adam has finally hit theaters and in what has become a rather unfortunate routine for most of DC’s big-screen offerings, the reception has been mixed. Nonetheless, there are several interesting characters plucked right out of the comics and one of them is the antagonist, Sabbac.

In the movie, archeologist Adrianna Tomaz’s colleague, Ishmael Gregor acquires powers from hell, becoming the powerful supervillain known as Sabbac. However, there are several details about the baddie from the comics that the movie leaves out.

There Are Three Iterations Of Sabbac

In the movie, it’s only Ishmael Gregor that gets to be Sabbac but in the comics, there are two more versions. The first Sabbac (Timothy Karnes) debuts in Captain Marvel, Jr. #4 while the second (Gregor) appears in Outsiders (Vol. 3) #8. A third version (Bryer) then appears in Justice League (vol. 2) #21.

The decision to use Gregor in the DCEU is a logical one since he is deadlier and more fleshed out than Karnes and Bryer. In the movie, he has lived up to his reputation on the pages, where he is often depicted as malicious, treacherous murderous, and deceptive. And even though he loses in the end, it doesn't necessarily mean that Sabbac's journey in the franchise has come to an end. There is not only an opportunity for the other versions to appear later on but also for Gregor to either get resurrected or be brought back as a variant.

Ishmael Gregor Isn’t The Intergang’s Leader In The Comics

The movie depicts Gregor as the leader of the Intergang, but that’s not the case in the comics. Instead, the characters that get to lead the group at different stages are two of the most powerful Superman villains, Darkseid and Morgan Edge, as well as Bruno Mannheim, Frank Sixty, Boss Moxie, and Joe Danton.

Screenwriters in both the DCEU and MCU have exercised their creative liberties much more frequently as of late, which is why the decision to make Gregor the leader of one of the most dreaded comic organizations is not surprising. And it’s a wise move since, thanks to his new status as a boss, Gregor gets to appear more redoubtable than on the pages, where he only takes orders from the devil and his cronies.

The Crown Of Sabbac

Gregor gets his powers after acquiring the Crown Of Sabbac. However, his artifact doesn’t exist in the comics. There, all that the chosen person has to do to gain special abilities is to say the word, “Sabbac.”

The movie-exclusive Crown of Sabbac is far from unnecessary since the reasoning behind its creation makes sense. Eager to match the Council of Wizards, which gives Shazam powers to make him protect the world from evil, the Dark Forces of Hell come up with the crown. As such, Sabbac is actually an acronym for the demons Satan, Aym, Belial, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, and Crateis. Another important detail is that, in the comics, the powers of Sabbac are actually given to Karnes, before Gregor steals them for himself.

Sabbac Was Seen To Appear In A Scooby-Doo! Team-Up Comic

Sabbac is also a villain the crossover Scooby-Doo! Team-Up #16. In the issue, Scooby-Doo and his buddies turn into superheroes and help locate Shazam and his missing associates.

The inclusion of Sabbac in the storyline makes sense too since he has always been part of DC’s supernatural-related storylines. There is a refreshing aspect to it all because events aren't as dark as they tend to be in other comics. Thanks to hilarious botches of rescue missions, readers get to have plenty of laughs while going through the comic issue.

Superman And Shazam Are The First Heroes That Sabbac Ever Faces

Shazam doesn’t show up in the movie while Superman only appears in the mid-credits scene but, in the comics, the two are the first heroes that the updated version Karnes ever fights. In Outsiders (Vol 3) #7, an updated version of Karnes takes on the two, but he is easily defeated.

For Karnes, the loss is nothing to be ashamed of since a tag team consisting of Superman and Shazam would easily beat up most of DC’s greatest Superman villains. Unfortunately, live-action fans are unlikely to be treated to a similar fight since Sabbac is now a Black Adam villain.

The First Sabbac Is Quite Incompetent

In Captain Marvel, Jr. #4, Timothy Karnes' version of Sabbac is introduced as an American, who happens to be a Nazi spy. Unfortunately for him, he fails miserably in his quest to help the Nazis gain control of the US and this causes the disappointed demons to abandon him.

During World War II, there was the need to depict comic villains as Nazi affiliates. For some, the Nazi arcs never worked out and Sabbac is an example of a misfire case. Luckily, there was a reboot not long after, resulting in a more solid iteration of Timothy Karnes.

Sabbac Has Also Worked With Black Adam

The “New 52” events that play out in Justice League (Vol. 2) #14 see Sabbac attack Philadelphia. It’s then revealed that he is doing this for Black Adam, who intends to destroy the world and remake it to his own wish.

Black Adam has a tendency of being over-ambitious and this is one moment where that becomes evident. His actions pit him against Shazam, with the fight between the two brilliantly spilling out of comic frames. The storyline also marks the only appearance of the Bryer version of Sabbac.

Sabbac Joins The Secret Society Of Super-Villains

As Sabbac is taking over the Las Vegas mob in Outsiders #29, one of DC’s best sword fighters, Deathstroke, approaches him with an offer: Instead of focusing on the mob, Sabbac can get to work with like-minded super-villains. It’s an offer he gladly accepts.

From Lex Luthor to Darkseid, the Secret Society of Super-Villains comprises nearly every major baddie in DC Comics. Through its introduction, readers get to learn why most villains always seem to have endless resources at their disposal. It’s all because they receive secret backing. Unfortunately, this secret society hasn’t been sufficiently explored in animation and live-action.

Karnes Is Freddy Freeman’s Forster Brother

DCEU fans know Freeman as Billy Batson’s best friend. He was raised by Victor and Rosa Vasquez, who also happen to be Karnes’ foster parents in the comics.

It’s unclear how close or distant the two were when they were younger since neither the DCEU nor the comics explain it. In the comics, this detail further paints Sabbac as Shazam’s since it’s yet another thing he has in common with him. Just as Shazam is good and Sabbac is evil. Freeman is also nice while Karnes isn’t.

Sabbac Once Becomes A Member Of The Fearsome Five

Yet another group Sabbac has been a part of is The Fearsome Five. Members of the group are mostly known to target the Teen Titans.

Sabbac’s stint in The Fearsome Five is a brief one since it’s always known as the most dysfunctional supervillain group. Prone to in-fighting and betrayal, no one ever lasts long in it. Consequently, there have been dozens of new members over the decades.

NEXT: 10 Most Powerful Heroes & Villains Black Adam Has Defeated In DC Comics