Black Adam

## Synopsis

Teth-Adam, a Kahndaqi slave, is chosen by the Circle of Eternity to protect an ancient and powerful artifact from being taken by otherworldly invaders. Now, empowered by the gods, Adam wishes not only to protect the artifact, but to free his people from the tyrannical King Ahk-Ton.

## Plot

**Amunet**: "*Have you learned something about this box at least, Hadda?*"
**Hadda**: "*It is an object of pure evil and destruction, nothing more.*"
— Hadda and the Circle of Eternity on the sands of Kahndaq

In c. 3200 B.C.; Hadda, God of Thunder, leader of the Circle of Eternity, is walking accompanied by the other members of the Circle (Seshat, Anhur, Zhu, Amunet and Ma'at) through the desert carrying a mysterious box under his arm. He stops in the middle of nowhere, and the group joins in to perform a spell making the box float in the air, while a huge hole opens up in the sand. The box levitates towards the hole, and is completely covered in sand. We then see the place where the box was buried. Centuries go by as the empire of Kahndaq is formed around the place, with the people having no knowledge of the object buried there.

"*For people like us, son, freedom is nothing but a distant dream.*"
— Teth-Adam to his son Hurut

Hundreds of years later, now in c. 2300 B.C.; we see a slave couple, Teth-Adam and Shiruta, and their son Hurut working on a wheat farm in the morning. Each one is working in a different area of the farm. The father spots his son from afar being pushed by a guard, and runs towards him, asking him to leave his son alone. The man is then pushed and pressed to the ground by another guard, who tells him to stay quiet and get back to work. The man sees his worried wife, and obeys the guard. In the afternoon, we see the family walking through the streets of Kahndaq, where they receive some food as a reward for their work. The three of them eat sitting on the ground, while Hurut talks about his dream of freedom. His parents then say that freedom is just a dream.

**Desaad**: "*The Father Box is on Earth.*"
**Bedlam**: "*That pitiful planet? Dear Dark Lord.*"
— Desaad and Bedlam at their Lab in Apokolips

Meanwhile, we see the Circle of Eternity at the Rock of Eternity talking about the situation of the Box they had buried. Hadda suggests that they need to elect someone to protect the Box now, someone pure of heart. The members laugh saying that there is no human like that, giving the example of the current king of Kahdaq, the ruthless Ahk-Ton. Hadda says that there is still hope in humanity, and that the protector of the Box could even protect the world. After a debate, the Circle then agrees to search for a chosen one, a Champion to whom they would deliver part of their powers. At the same time, on another planet, we see a Laboratory where four monstrous warriors being mutated inside test tubes by two alien scientists. They talk about how these beings are being created to retrieve the stolen box, the same one stolen by Hadda hundreds of years ago, as they have detected the location of the box, and are preparing these four warriors to invade Earth.

**Adam**: "*Shiruta, we have to go. Now!*"
**Shiruta**: "*Why? What happened?*"
**Adam**: "*A riot.*"
— Adam warning Shiruta to leave the Kingdom with him and Hurut

A few days later, Adam is walking with his son Hurut down the street when he sees a slave being brutally punished by soldiers after stealing food. Adam orders Hurut to go home, and the young man runs away. Adam then walks towards the guard, asking him to stop it. The soldier turns towards Adam, pointing his sword in his direction. The man who was being punished takes advantage of the soldier turning around, and steals a dagger that the guard had stored in his belt to stab him, killing the man. The slave tells Adam to run for his live, and he does. As he runs, Adam sees all the slaves starting a rebellion and attacking the soldiers. He finds his son on the road running, and holds him in his arms to take him to safety. Adam arrives at his hut, where Shiruta is resting. He tells her to run, for a riot has started. The family gathers and the three of them try to escape into the desert.

"*Gods... p–please... please give me strength.*"
— Teth-Adam begging the Gods while crying

Two soldiers spot the family and start chasing them. Shiruta falls while running, and Hurut stops to try to help her. The two guards catch up with the family however, and one says he recognizes Adam, for he was one of the guards at the farm the other day. The soldier then kills Shiruta in front of Adam and Hurut. Adam tries to attack him, but is stopped by the second soldier, while the first kills his son Hurut. The man starts to cry, begging the Gods to help him. His plea is heard by the Circle of Eternity, who feel his suffering. The Gods then join their hands on the Staff of Hadda, and send their power from another dimension to Adam. At this moment, the weather clouded over and a bolt of lightning falls on the man, who rises amidst the smoke, in front of the soldiers. In a rage, Adam kills the two guards, and then kneels in front of his dying son who, thinking his father was a God now, wishes him to free Kahndaq. Adam cries holding his wife and son in his arms, which only increases his feeling of hatred for the injustice of the Kahndaqi empire against the people. Hadda appears in front of Adam, telling him that he was chosen by the Gods, and Adam asks him why they didn't save his family. The God says that every hero loses something, and Adam states that he isn't a hero. Hadda explains that Adam was chosen to protect the world, saying that in order to activate and deactivate his powers, he must pronounce the word "Shazam". Adam then declares that he only wants to fulfill his son's wish; to free Kahndaq. He flies towards Kahndaq's Palace, and Hadda doesn't stop him, believing that after freeing his people, he would listen to the Circle.

**Adam**: "*When you reach the Duat, before Ammit devours you and your men, remember the name of the man who sent you there; Teth-Adam.*"
**Ahk-Ton**: "*You're no man. Your soul is rotten, black as the night. You are a Demon! Apophis himself! Black Adam!*"
— King Ahk-Ton's last words to Teth-Adam

At the Palace, Adam finds the king's army facing the slaves. He proclaims that the Gods have sent him to free Kahndaq. The slaves stay behind him, and one of the army's commanders goes alone towards Adam, who holds him by the neck electrocuting him with his power. Adam starts a massacre of soldiers, killing every single one of them until he reaches the throne room. In the throne room, Adam finds at King Ahk-Ton, who is terrified but still standing with his sword on his hand. Adam mocks Ahk-Ton, saying the king was said to be the bravest warrior in Kahndaq. Ahk-Ton then attacks Adam with his sword, but it breaks when the former slave blocks it with his arm. Hadda appears asking Adam to spare Ahk-Ton's life, saying that he had already caused many deaths. Adam pauses for a moment, but decides to kill him anyway, remembering what happened to his family. Right before being killed, Ahk-Ton calls Adam "Black Adam", refering to his now dark and cold soul.

**Adam**: "*I swear; I will protect the Box with my life.*"
**Ma'at**: "*Alright then, 'Black Adam'.*"
— Adam and the Cirlce of Eternity at the Kahndaqi Palace

After killing the king, Adam sits on Kahndaq's throne, telling Hadda he would bring freedom to his people as their new beneficent king. The other members of the Circle appear in the throne room, disappointed. They blame Hadda for choosing Adam, and everyone starts an argument. Hadda then stops the discussion to explain to Adam his true mission of protecting the Father Box buried beneath Kahndaq. Adam understands, and says that in gratitude for his powers, and for allowing him to avenge his family, he would protect the Box with his life. Despite disagreeing with Adam's conduct (and now calling him Black Adam just as the now dead King had done), the Circle agrees to leave his powers with him so that he would protect the box.

**Hadda**: "*They're here for the Box.*"
**Adam**: "*No matter. They'll die trying to get it.*"
— Hadda and Adam while seeing the Horsemen approaching Kahndaq

A few years pass as we see Adam in his Palace, contemplating his kingdom thriving. The capital is renamed Shiruta, in honour of his late wife. Besides the name of the capital being changed, a statue was built in the centre of the kingdom, where Shiruta is holding Hurut's hand. We then see Adam training with the God Anhur, the greatest warrior of the Circle. One of the training sessions however is interrupted when Kahndaqi guards warn Adam that invaders are approaching the kingdom. Adam flies to the entrance of the country, where he sees four monsters approaching from afar. Hadda teleports there, and tells Adam that they must have come for the box, with Adam responding that it doesn't matter, as he will kill them. Although his aggression worries the Gods, the protection of the Box is is the priority.

**Yurrd**: "*You will fall before Yurrd the Ravenous!*"
**Anhur**: "*It's not the first time I fight a Giant Crocodile, friend.*"
— Yurrd and Anhur during the battle

The invaders arrive at the entrance to Kahndaq, being met by the army led by Black Adam and Anhur. The four introduce themselves as the Horsemen of Apokolips: Azraeuz, Rogga, Yurrd and Zorrm. They claim to have come in the name of Apokolips to reclaim what is belongs to the Apokoliptian Royal Family. Adam replies that everything within his kingdom belongs only to him, which provokes the invaders to attack first. The four are far more powerful than the Kahndaqi army, killing several men. Adam and Anhur order the army to retreat and manage to contain the creatures. Anhur faces Yurrd while Adam fights their leader Azraeuz. The other members of the Circle join the fight to take on the other two. Rogga manages to break through the Circle's defence, and heads towards the Palace. Adam flies after him but is followed by Azraeuz. Rogga starts tearing the Palace apart looking for the box, saying he senses it is near.

**Hadda**: "*Adam! Say the word! Now!*"
**Adam**: "*SHAZAM!*"
— Hadda and Adam under the Palace's wreckage

Azraeuz pulls Adam so he can't get to Rogga, as the creature smashes a massive hole in the Palace by destroying the floor. Hadda and Amunet teleport to the palace trying to take on Rogga, but Zorrm arrives just in time to stop the Gods. Meanwhile, Anhur manages to defeat Yurrd, killing the monster. He then goes to help Ma'at and Seshat who are injured, and heads with them to the Palace. In the underground of the Palace, Rogga finds the Box, but when he gets near it, the whole place starts to collapse. Debris falls on everyone inside it. Azraeuz dies being crushed by the rubble, and Adam is separated from the others and is now injured and trapped under two massive pillars. Hadda shouts for Adam to speak the word. As Rogga is almost touching the Box, Adam shouts "SHAZAM!", causing a giant bolt of lightning to fall from the sky, killing Rogga and Zorrm. The lightning however, ends up connecting Adam and the Box, and we see quick glimpses of a world in flames, with various skeletons all over the ground. What was once a civilization is now completely gone as an army of winged beings flies through the sky. We see Hadda being lifted by the neck by a tall mysterious being questioning him where the box is. The being turns back and we see his eyes glow red. The vision ends, and Adam opens his eyes, seeing his Palace completely destroyed. Hadda tells him that Adam's powers have brought him into contact with the box, and that he must be confused now, but he replies that everything is clearer than ever.

"*I'm sorry brothers, for I've failed you. But I assure you; I will find a worthy soul. A noble champion to carry the power... the power of Shazam!*"
— Hadda thinking to himself while wandering in the desert

Adam rushes towards Hadda in order to attack him, but Anhur steps in front of the Kahndaqi, defending his comrad. The Circle members gather to try to calm Adam down, but he explains that he needs to kill Hadda to stop the the world's destruction. Hadda explains to him that that was an illusion created by the Box, but Adam doesn't believe it. He takes on all the Circle members at once, killing each one of them to get to Hadda. Anhur, the Kahndaqi's trainer, is the last to fall. However, when Adam reaches Hadda, the God manages to regain his strength to conjure a spell and trap the Kahndaqi inside a Tomb. The Tomb is then put inside a Chamber in the underground of the now destroyed Kahndaqi Palace, not so far from the site of the Box. Hadda then starts to wander the desert with his Staff, alone, leaving the Box and Adam buried. Despite having lost all his companions, despite the fact that the Empire of Kahndaq has lost its king and now needs to completely reorganize itself, the God does not lose hope. He believes that one day he will find someone truly pure of heart who is worthy of possessing Shazam's powers, to protect not only the box, but all of humanity.

## Post-Credits

### 1st Scene

**Geoff**: "*Mr. Batson, are you listening?*"
**Billy**: "*Yeah, sure... Ancient Egypt, amazing.*"
**Geoff**: "*We're talking about the Kahndaqi Empire.*"
**Billy**: "*Aren't they all like... the same thing?*"
— Billy and his teacher at history class

In 2020, we see a teacher at Bill Parker High School explaining how the Kahndaqi empire fell under the conquest of Alexander the Great in 333 B.C.; he then notices that one of the students is sleeping during class, and wakes him up, giving Billy Batson a telling off.

### 2nd Scene

"*Here was eternally sealed Teth-Adam, the greatest warrior of Kahndaq. In the name of Seshat, Hadda, Anhur, Zhu, Amunet and Ma'at; may this Tomb never be opened.*"
— The mystical scriptures created by Hadda's spell on the walls of Adam's Chamber

Still in 2020, Thaddeus Sivana is in an archaeological site in Kahndaq searching for the ancient Tomb of Teth-Adam. Sitting on his shoulder is Maxivermis Mind, talking to him psychically. The two find the ancient Chamber containing the Tomb. Mind translates what is written on the walls of the Chamber to Sivana.

## Appearances

Ahk-TonAmmit
(mentioned)AmunetAnhurApophis
(mentioned)AzraeuzBedlamBilly Batson
(post-credits)DesaadGeoff Eaglesham
(post-credits)HaddaHurutMa'atMaxivermis Mind
(post-credits)RoggaSeshatShirutaSobek
(indirectly mentioned)Teth-AdamThaddeus Sivana
(post-credits)Uxas
(vision)YurrdZhuZorrm