DC Just Brought Shazam Back, But There's A Catch

DC Comics' Absolute Universe just saddled Shazam with another iconic character's tragic origin story.

After a trip to Ancient Egypt to watch the fall of a young Teth-Adam, Absolute Superman #18 (by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey) brings readers right to the present, where the titular hero and his allies are facing off against the dreaded Ra's al Ghul. Unfortunately for them, Ra's is only trying to keep something far worse from emerging, although there is simply no stopping King Shazam from returning to reclaim his empire.

Absolute Superman #18

• Written by JASON AARON
• Art by RAFA SANDOVAL
• Colors by ULISES ARREOLA
• Letters by BECCA CAREY
• Main cover art by RAFA SANDOVAL & ULISES ARREOLA
• Variant covers by GERALD PERALTA; BEN OLIVER; and CHRIS BURNHAM & BRIAN REBER

The official solicit synopsis for Absolute Superman #18 from DC Comics reads, "The Battle of Kansas may have put the Lazarus Corporation into retreat, but it's left behind some terrifying surprises in its hidden caches of weapons and world-ending secrets. The most dangerous of all? The sarcophagus of the legendary King Shazam! Don't miss the start of a new epic that will change the hierarchy of power in the Absolute Universe!"

Black Adam's History In DC Comics, Explained

Teth-Adam, better known as Black Adam, has been a part of pop culture for decades, with the character's introduction taking place in Otto Binder and C.C. Beck's opening story from The Marvel Family #1, "The Mighty Marvels Join Forces!," all the way back in 1945. Originally an ancient Egyptian champion imbued with immense power by the wizard Shazam, Black Adam has long served as one of the Marvel Family's greatest adversaries.

While Black Adam's story remains largely unchanged in most of his more modern iterations, his transformation into King Shazam in the Absolute Universe is a major departure from what fans have come to expect from the character. More importantly, this King Shazam seems to be at least somewhat aware of his connection to the rise of "an age of heroes" courtesy of an ancient sorceress, implying he will be just the hero the Absolute Universe needs.

Presumably, the Absolute Universe's King Shazam will have a major role to play in the upcoming events that his reality is heading towards. Back in February, DC Comics Executive Editor Chris Conroy confirmed that the Absolute Universe is on track for its very first major crossover event.

"As I think you all know, we are very mindful about keeping the Absolute Universe sort of at the size it is, keeping it easy to understand, keeping it easy to onboard," Conroy explained at the time. "We will have one other thing this year. It's the first Absolute Universe event. This will be in Q4. We're going to do it our way, the Absolute way."

Absolute Superman #18 from DC Comics is on sale now.