Black Adam history: Black Adam first appearance explained

Black Adam history facts: Black Adam might be making his live-action debut on the big screen in 2022, but the character’s comic roots run deep.

On Oct. 21, Black Adam will finally get his time in the spotlight as the character makes his live-action debut on the big screen in what is one of this year’s biggest movies yet.

The new film is set to introduce audiences to the character of Black Adam in an origin story designed to bring moviegoers a brief look into the character’s beginnings, while also establishing him within the DC Extended Universe.

Although Black Adam might mark the character’s first live-action appearance on the big screen, the character has a rich history in the pages of DC Comics. In fact, the character’s first comic appearance actually predates some of the biggest names in DC Comics including Black Canary, Supergirl, Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern, Batwoman and more!

So when exactly did Black Adam make his first official appearance in the pages of DC Comics?

Black Adam history: Black Adam first comic

The character of Black Adam was first introduced in Marvel Family No. 1 which was released on Nov. 21, 1945, with a cover date of December 1945. In the comic, fans are introduced to the origin of Black Adam, an Egyptian prince named Teth-Adam who is granted powers by the wizard Shazam before becoming corrupted by the gifts bestowed upon him.

While Black Adam made his comic book debut in 1945, it took several decades for the character to appear on the cover of a DC Comic with Black Adam making his first official cover appearance on Shazam! No. 28 released in March 1977. We say official as the character made an unofficial cover appearance on Alter Ego #7 in September 1964, but this was via a fan-made publication and not an official comic release.