Warning: spoilers ahead for Shazam #4!
During Future State, readers were introduced to a future incarnation of Black Adam, one that had finally found peace. But it was not to last as a great evil swept through the galaxy and to stop it, Black Adam was sent backwards in time to the present day. In Shazam #4, on sale now in print and digital, Shazam finally meets the future variant of his old foe—and learns he has taken on a surprising new name.
Black Adam is usually depicted as wrathful and quick to anger, but by the 853rd century, he had mellowed out considerably, moving to a distant world and marrying the Wonder Woman of that era; he also reverted to his original name: Teth-Adam. His life of peace and tranquility was shattered when the Unkindness, an evil force spawned in the 21st century, attacks, leveling his home planet and killing his wife. In a bid to stop the Unkindness, the Wizard Shazam gives Adam his powers—leading to the rebirth of Black Adam—before sending Adam back to the 21s century. This future variant had been missing in action until the conclusion of Shazam #3. Stranded in Hell, Shazam finds there the missing Rock of Eternity—as well as the future Black Adam variant, who now resembles a teenage boy. With this new look comes a new name, as seen in Shazam #4, written by Tim Sheridan, with art by Clayton Henry, colors by Marcelo Maiolo and letters by Rob Leigh.
Shazam is surprised to see his old adversary in this form, and even more surprised over the change in attitude. Black Adam brings Shazam up to speed on why he has returned, telling him the Unkindness must be stopped. The two walk and talk through the Rock of Eternity, before arriving in a section that strangely resembles a roadside café. Shazam, still in disbelief over everything he has seen, marvels that Black Adam can remain so calm. Shazam cannot believe he is sitting in a diner having coffee with a teenage Black Adam, at which point Adam corrects him, saying “maybe call me Teddy.”
For a brutal antihero with a reputation for violence and killing, the name “Teddy” might seem odd, and out of place. Yet this is a different Black Adam, one whose dark side has been tempered. The Black Adam of the 853rd Century has found peace, and the need for intimidating names such as “Black Adam” has passed. Shazam was puzzled over Adam’s seemingly casual attitude towards the events that were transpiring, but it shows just how far Black Adam has come in his journey. Losing his wife was a traumatic experience for him, but he did not revert to his old and savage ways when she died, and instead kept a level head, which will come in handy as he and Shazam work to stop the Unkindness.
The DC Universe has been introduced to a kinder, gentler, but no less powerful, Black Adam and in keeping with this new outlook, he has chosen a new name.