Warning! Spoilers for Justice League #60!
Black Adam and Superman might be awfully similar when it comes to their respective power sets, but outside of that, there isn’t too much overlap between the two, especially when it comes to Black Adam’s understanding of why Superman’s heroism is a staple for a character that the entirety of DC Comics looks up to. Always championing, “Truth, Justice and the American Way,” the Man of Steel is a beacon for all to aspire to, complete with a work ethic that Black Adam should take a few cues from.
Touched on in the Infinite Frontier initiative’s Justice League #60 by Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez, Black Adam and Superman aren’t exactly known to be chummy pals, a point made clear when Black Adam shows up seemingly out of nowhere to confront the newest member of the Justice League, Naomi. Either directly in conflict with one another or reluctant allies given the situation at hand, both Superman and Black Adam have a wary respect for one another, one that is tested right away as Superman snatches Black Adam up, up and away from Naomi.
Flying far enough out and high enough away that Black Adam won’t be a threat to the innocent lives in the area should he decide that today is one of the days he wants to be a bad guy, Superman does his best to talk to an oddly “different” Black Adam and figure out exactly what he’s doing. Coming to the conclusion that they both arrived in the same place to track a new villain, Brutus, and to stop any shenanigans he might start when he shows up, Superman and Black Adam have a fleeting moment of companionship, one where Black Adam botches the landing a bit by questioning the heroism of a man that is the spitting image of the word.
After deescalating the quick misunderstanding that brought Superman and Black Adam into the sky to begin with, Naomi reaches the two, only to have Black Adam scoff and ask bluntly, “Who are you that Superman would dare risk laying hands on me to protect you?” a valid question from a guy that is clearly confused about the man he’s referring to. Immediately showing fans that he just doesn’t seem to understand Superman at all, Black Adam’s question has an easy answer, one that is fairly obvious to anyone who’s ever laid eyes on Big Blue’s iconic “S” shield over the years.
Whether saving the entire planet from an impending disaster, helping the good people of Metropolis get through another day or simply saving a runaway cat from a tree, Superman’s idea of heroism isn’t one that sees him pick and choose who he protects – far from it in fact. Superman is and always will be a hero that protects everyone and everything that needs it, regardless of gender, color, creed, beliefs or – and especially in the case of Black Adam – standing within the superhero community. For Supes, heroism isn’t cut and dry like the vengeance or power moves that Black Adam’s own personal brand of justice is usually driven by, but something that is a bedrock principle of a man who is the physical embodiment of all that is good and hopeful in the world, something Black Adam can’t wrap his head around.
So while Black Adam is clearly confused about the fact that Superman would save pretty much anyone should they need his help and protection, the fact that Supes’ heroism needs to be questioned at all is a misstep for Black Adam and his slow ascent into being a true hero himself. Naomi might have been worth protecting on her own, but Superman would have done the same for anyone else.
