New Black Adam Costume Exposes a Hidden Superpower (That Shazam Shares)

Warning: spoilers for Black Adam #7!Even though they oppose each other, Black Adam and Shazam get their powers from the same source, and both have a strange ability that is often overlooked, despite being used all the time. Black Adam has been very busy lately. He played a pivotal role in the Dark Crisis event, spreading out his powers among all the other heroes to share his magical might. This is quite an impressive feat considering that he also almost died earlier in the story. However, Black Adam’s triumph was short-lived. Now, as a pantheon of ancient gods chase him down, Black Adam has passed along his mantle to a descendant, continuing the Black Adam legacy with a new hero.

However, Black Adam’s chosen successor, Malik, is going through something of an identity crisis. Originally he went by the name White Adam, wearing a costume similar to Black Adam’s but with its iconic colors reversed. However, in Black Adam #7 – from he envisions a different costume and – when he uses his new powers to transform – he’s wearing a stylish jacket, taking on the name ‘Bolt’ in reference to the lightning bolt that summons his abilities.

Black Adam’s Successor Has a New Look

It might be a simple change, but this new champion of magic highlights a pretty unique power among their skill set. Flight and super strength are the powers everyone remembers, but Shazam and Black Adam also magically manifest their costumes when they transform. Bolt didn’t like the standard cape Black Adam and Shazam have, so he completely manifested a different outfit that he’s happy with. It’s a subtle ability that’s easy to miss, but it speaks to how Shazam and Black Adam drastically different from non-magic heroes like Superman.

Shazam & Black Adam’s Magic Has No Rules

Superman famously changes into his costume in a phone booth – at least in older stories – but that’s because he’s a hero bound by natural laws. As beings empowered by magic, Shazam and Black Adam are far more able to use their powers in surprising and versatile ways. The rules of their powers can change or disappear with the right magical loophole and enough will power, as well as the conditions – for instance, Shazam has gained random powers in the past (like growing to giant size) by saying his magic word in places with magical resonance, and Black Adam surprised everyone by being able to share his power in Dark Crisis. Ultimately, Black Adam and Shazam are mystical beings, and Bolt’s new costume shows that while fans may think they already understand his powers, all it takes is a fresh perspective to make his abilities truly unpredictable.

The Shazam Family’s Costumes Finally Make Sense

Of course, it makes total sense that the Champions of Shazam have the power to manifest their costumes. After all, the Shazam family each have their own unique color and costume that they are comfortable with. It might not be as flashy as superspeed or the ability to hurl lightning, but Shazam, Black Adam, and now Bolt’s ability to change their costume at will shows that as magical heroes, the Shazam Family will always have one more trick up their sleeves.

Black Adam #10 is now available from DC Comics!