On the cover of Total Film Magazine, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson revealed two new designs for his Black Adam and the Justice Society of America. Johnson is seen in the title avatar in the first picture alongside Pierce Brosnan as Doctor Fate, Hawkman played by Aldis Hodge, Atom Smasher by Noah Centineo, Cyclone by Quintessa Swindell, and Hawkman again by Noah Centineo. Johnson’s statement that the role is “a once in a career character” and “a departure from anything that I’ve done previously” is also included in the image.
The antihero is shown in the following illustration as a yellow-washed vector on the book’s cover, with the attention entirely on his bright green eyes. In fact, Black Adam is a unique figure, both in the superhero genre and across Johnson’s body of work. The super-powered antihero first appeared in DC Comics as Shazamadversary. !’s but was eventually recast as a corrupted antihero trying to restore his reputation. The live-action version appears to embrace the latter plot, at least based on what we can tell from the trailers and other promotional materials, but not until Adam has caused significant damage and demonstrated the full scope of his abilities.
The Justice Society of America is there to keep Adam in check, and the trailer made public at the just-concluded San Diego Comic-Con further establishes his choices as Doctor Fate informs Adam of his two options: he may either be the world’s destruction or its saviour. In Johnson’s own words, “the DC world will never be the same, again,” no matter what happens. Johnson’s warnings now have added weight in light of recent project cancellations, like Leslie Garce’s straight to HBO Max Batgirl movie, under the control of new Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav.
Johnson’s passion project is one of the Warner Bros. studio’s survivors from the extensive reorganisation, along with Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Flash from the following year. It will be intriguing to observe how well Black Adam does after its debut in these times of unheard-of upheaval at the company. On October 21, Black Adam is scheduled to have its theatrical debut.
Synopsis
Black Adam (Johnson) is released from his earthly grave over 5,000 years after being endowed with the enormous powers of the Egyptian gods—and imprisoned just as swiftly—and is prepared to wreak his own brand of justice on the contemporary world.