WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Justice League #74, on sale now from DC.
Whether he’s operating as a villain or an antihero, Black Adam is almost always playing the part of the lone wolf. In his modern incarnation, the ruler of Kahndaq has developed an aloof and independent disposition. It’s no wonder, considering he’s suffered through the deaths of two families and endured several betrayals at the hands of trusted allies. It’s hard to imagine anyone going through that and readily opening up to others, delegating tasks, or forgoing their own self-interests.
However, Adam’s recent decision to accept Superman’s invitation to join the Justice League has forced the newest star of the DC Extended Universe to confront the limitations of his solitary lifestyle and learn how to operate as a member of a team. Unfortunately, things have not gotten off to an excellent start.
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Still, there seems to be some change in the air. While it is true that mutual distrust has strained Adam’s relationship with the rest of the League, it hasn’t stopped the heroes from being who they are at heart. For the first time since joining, Adam is experiencing the team’s heroics as a recipient, not a member. The Justice League’s decision to help Black Adama rebuild his country after the battle against the rogue Lord of Chaos Xanadoth in Justice League #74, by Brian Michael Bendis, Szymon Kudranski, Emanuela Lupacchino, Wade von Grawbadger, Hi-Fi and Josh Reed, seems to have softened the stoic anti-hero’s view of his teammates.
From the moment he joined the team, Black Adam has been a constant course of stress within the ranks of the Justice League. Given his long history as a villain, many of the League’s members were outraged by the mere suggestion that the Kahndaqian dictator should be allowed to join the team. So far, his actions have done little to alter that dynamic as several members still treat him with disdain even after becoming an official Leaguer.
In turn, Adam has been openly critical of the League’s “soft” stance on justice, arguing that the team should use its collective power to dispatch their enemies lethally. So when many of the world’s mystics began to receive precognitive visions of a deranged Adam standing over the corpses of the League, it felt like confirmation. Many of Adam’s detractors believed that these nightmarish visions reflected the certainty of the anti-hero’s betrayal. However, they soon discovered that Xanadoth, the first Lord of Chaos, had possessed Black Adam after he’d put up a valiant fight against the eldritch spirit to protect the people of the Kahndaqian capital city of Shiruta.
At the climax of a brutal battle that devastated the capital, the Justice League bought the Lord of Order Nabu enough time to commune with Adam’s spirit. This mystical connection gave him the power he needed to free himself from Xanadoth’s possession. Then Naomi McDuffie stepped in and channeled Nabu”s power, seemingly annihilating Xanadoth once and for all.
In the aftermath, a grateful but solemn Adam asked the League to leave so he could set about rebuilding his city. However, the League refused, choosing to stay and use their skills and abilities to help repair the destruction. When he attempted to push the issue, Batman told Adam that he was part of the League now and could count on his teammates to help him and his people through this crisis.
The Justice League’s refusal to abandon Adam in his time of need could be a major turning point in their relationship. While some members of the League remain unsure about Black Adam’s inclusion, they did not hesitate in their decision to help the people of Shiruta rebuild their city. In addition, some of the League showed a willingness to go even further, with Aquaman personally offering Adam emotional support in the wake of his traumatic possession. With the League proving that they’re willing to help him.
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