Warning: contains spoilers for Shazam #4!
For the entirety of their existences, Shazam and Black Adam have been at odds in some fashion; their relationship was adversarial in its early years, only cooling somewhat as Black Adam shed his evil ways and became an antihero. Now in Shazam #4, on sale now in print and digital, that relationship changes forever.
The two characters have experienced much in the last few months. Future State revealed that Billy Batson and Shazam would be separated, with Billy in Hell guarding the Rock of Eternity while Shazam becomes a brutal vigilante. Meanwhile, in the 853rd century, Black Adam now lives in space, forsaking the anger and brutality of his past for a life of tranquility and harmony. Now going by his original name of Teth Adam, his peace is shattered by the arrival of the Unkindness, an evil force that lays waste to the galaxy and kills his wife. Adam learns the Unkindness originated in the 21st century, and to help stop them, the wizard gives Adam his power one last time, transforming him back into Black Adam. The wizard then sends him back to the 21st century; he takes on a more youthful form and safeguards the Rock of Eternity in Hell. Billy Batson, transported to Hell with his Titans teammate Dane, encounters the new Black Adam at the end of Shazam #3.
Shazam #4, written by Tim Sheridan, with art by Clayton Henry, colors by Marcelo Maiolo, and letters by Rob Leigh, opens with a surprised Shazam encountering the younger Black Adam. Adam is aware of the issues with Shazam’s powers and tells Shazam he wants to help. Puzzled, Shazam asks how and Adam replies to say the name with him. Both utter “Shazam” at the same time, bringing the lighting down. Black Adam reverts back to Teth, but for the first time in months, Shazam’s powers are now stable, just in time to fight a supercharged version of Pride, from the Seven Deadly Sins. Shazam defeats Pride, and shares a fragment of his power with Teth, changing him back to Black Adam. The two depart then from Hell.
Black Adam’s actions in this issue have changed the dynamic between him and Shazam forever. In his first appearance in 1945’s The Marvel Family #1, Black Adam sought to kill Shazam and his allies, only to be banished to deep space. He returned years later, killing Shazam still on his mind. As the character developed, morphing into a brutal anti-hero, his relationship with Shazam was still strained. Now, Black Adam is Shazam’s savior, returning him to full power just in time for the legions of Hell to rise up against him.
It is worth noting the Black Adam Shazam encounters in this issue is from the far future, having had considerable time to mellow out. Shazam is surprised at how peaceful this version of Black Adam is—and it is this version that ultimately gives up the power he once coveted so that his one-time foe can save the universe. Black Adam gets a fraction of the power back later in the issue, and he still seems eager to help Shazam stop the rise of the Unkindness. Black Adam and Shazam both have experienced great losses recently, losses that forced an unprecedented change in their relationship—ultimately for the better.