BLACK ADAM Ending Explained - Who Lives, Who Dies, And What Comes Next In The DCEU? - SPOILERS

BLACK ADAM Ending Explained - Who Lives, Who Dies, And What Comes Next In The DCEU? - SPOILERS

Does Black Adam truly change the hierarchy of power in the DC Extended Universe? The ending leaves fans with heaps to talk about, and we're now breaking it down beat by beat to explain what it all means.

By HamiltonParker - Oct 21, 2022 12:10 PM EST
Filed Under: Black Adam

Black Adam has crashed into theaters, and while fans and critics seem to have vastly different opinions about the DC Comics film, it's left us with plenty of big talking points. 

Among them is an ending that plays out vastly different than you might expect. There's a huge character death, an unexpected status quo shift for Teth-Adam, and a massive tease that could change everything you thought you knew about what comes next for the DC Extended Universe. 

In this spoiler-filled breakdown, we're explaining Black Adam's ending, starting by revealing the anti-hero's secret origin before diving into all the final act's biggest moments. 

Massive details for the film follow from this point on, so you just need to tap that NEXT button to find out what's in store for you if you choose to watch Black Adam this weekend!
 

Black Adam's Origin Story

l-intro-1658751525

5,000 years ago, a young slave boy, Hurut, revolts against the tyrannical rule of King Anh-Kot, a vicious dictator who enslaves his people in an effort to forget the Crown of Sabbac from "Eternium" crystals. 

With that, he can gain the power of Hell, but first decides to make an example of the child with a public execution. The boy is saved by The Wizard and granted the powers of Shazam, and while the world believes Hurut killed the King and freed his people before vanishing, the truth is much different. 

In reality, the King hit back at Khandaq's new champion by targeting his family. Returning home, Hurut passes his powers to his dying father and is immediately shot down by an arrow, dying in Teth-Adam's arms. In a rage, he unleashes his fury and murders Anh-Kot and his men before being imprisoned by The Wizard for abusing Shazam's power. 

In the present day, history begins repeating itself... 
 

The Final Battle...Or So It Seems

black-adam-piccc-e1660312524572-copy

Intergang leader Ishmael Gregor is Anh-Kot's final living descendant and now hopes to use the Crown for his own nefarious means. Kidnapping a young boy who Black Adam befriended, the villain proceeds to point his gun and fires at the child, and while Adam saves him, he once again unleashes that uncontrollable rage. 

That actually injures the boy, and while Gregor has been defeated and reduced to a charred corpse, Adam is horrified by what he's done. 

He agrees to say the world "Shazam" and lets the Justice Society place him in Amanda Waller's custody in an underwater facility full of powered beings who are also in stasis. Once again put to sleep, that appears to be it for Black Adam, but Gregor actually wanted to die and is revived by unnamed demons. 

Sabbac has been unleashed on Khandaq, prompting Dr. Fate to reach out to Adam and tell him he's needed. 
 

The Final, Final Battle

Screenshot-381-copy

Fighting his way out of that prison, a badly injured Teth-Adam attempts to swim to the surface, but appears to drown. With that, he's reunited with his wife and son, though the latter tells his father it's not his time yet. He must return to life and say the word: "Shazam."

He does so, and returns shortly after Dr. Fate has died in battle against Sabbac. Kent Nelson had foreseen Hawkman's demise, but realised the only way to save his friend was to take his place. He does so after an impressive show of power and goes out every bit the hero. 

Hawkman uses Dr. Fate's helmet to trick Sabbac and that gives Black Adam the chance to power up and use his rage to literally tear the bad guy in half. 

The JSA parts on good terms with Adam, and there are even some hints that they might team up again one day. For now, Adam is left to watch over Khandaq, but what does that mean exactly? 
 

Khandaq's New Ruler

Fey-Fo-LX0-AEFMx-Y

Decked out in a comic-accurate costume, cape and all, Black Adam stands tall after his hard-fought victory. Walking to King Anh-Kot's throne, he takes a seat and strikes that classic pose. Alas, it doesn't feel right to him. 

Leaping into the air, Adam returns to Earth and demolishes it. He won't be Khandaq's ruler, but is willing to be its guardian. 

While he's not quite a hero at this point, it's apparent that the character will continue to dole out his own form of (lethal) justice. It's an interesting place to end Black Adam's story, but anyone hoping to see him become a full-blown villain in the DCEU are likely to be disappointed. 

Of course, this doesn't mean he won't still come to blows with some of the world's true heroes...
 

Superman Returns

16660956634363

In a mid-credits scene, Amanda Waller appears before Adam in a hologram and says, "Okay, Black Adam. My name is Amanda Waller. Congratulations, you have my attention. This is going to be your only warning: you don't want to stay in my prison, that's fine, Kandaq is your prison now. You step one foot outside of it, you will not live to regret it."

He smiles and responds, "There's no one on this planet that can stop me."

Waller comes back with, "I can call in a favor and call in people who aren't from this planet."

"Send them all," he demands before destroying her drone. With that, a caped figure emerges through the smoke. It's Henry Cavill's Superman, and he's wearing a much brighter costume than the last time we saw him. 

"It's been a while since anyone's made the world this nervous," the Man of Steel states as John Williams' score plays. "Black Adam...we should talk." The anti-hero responds with a smirk and the screen fades to black. 

Henry Cavill is back as Superman, and the stage is set for his Man of Tomorrow to clash with Black Adam in a future film. We don't get to see what happens next in this exchange, but can't imagine it ends peacefully. 
 

Is BLACK ADAM Star The Rock Taking Another Shot At A Superhero By Teaming With J.J. Abrams And Zak Penn?
Related:

Is BLACK ADAM Star The Rock Taking Another Shot At A Superhero By Teaming With J.J. Abrams And Zak Penn?

MULTIVERSUS Game Takes A Shot At BLACK ADAM Star Dwayne Johnson's Vows To Change The Hierarchy Of Power
Recommended For You:

MULTIVERSUS Game Takes A Shot At BLACK ADAM Star Dwayne Johnson's Vows To Change The Hierarchy Of Power

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2
slickrickdesigns
slickrickdesigns - 10/21/2022, 12:33 PM
3 spoiler articles in one day so far?
Are there really fans who would rather read spoilers than watch the movies? Oh well.
mountainman
mountainman - 10/21/2022, 1:22 PM
@slickrickdesigns - For properties like this that won't be getting me to the theater, the spoilers are going to come eventually so I might as well read up on them.
7ThsoNh0rizin
7ThsoNh0rizin - 10/21/2022, 2:06 PM
@slickrickdesigns - For me ,yea beats spending the money then being upset if it sucks.
SoulReaver
SoulReaver - 10/21/2022, 3:06 PM
@slickrickdesigns - Absolutely. I have no plans to watch this in theaters, if ever, so bring on the spoilers
TocharianMonk
TocharianMonk - 10/21/2022, 12:33 PM
This movie was a solid 4.5/10 not the worst they've ever done but it was cheesy and douchy as hell. Also the rocks ego is amazing this was such a watered down version of black adam.
TheHumanSpider2
TheHumanSpider2 - 10/21/2022, 12:52 PM
I kinda expected someone the caliber of Pierce Brosnan to not sign a 6 pictures deal or something like that, but closing the door so firmly for an eventual return...such a shame.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 10/21/2022, 12:56 PM
The first paragraph alone is enough to give you a stroke.

He needs Eternium (from He-Man?) to gain all the powers of Hell? lulwut?
GreedoSarducci
GreedoSarducci - 10/21/2022, 1:23 PM
@ObserverIO - this entire article is horribly written... but what do you expect from Josh?
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 10/21/2022, 2:20 PM
@GreedoSarducci - Or WB?
GreedoSarducci
GreedoSarducci - 10/21/2022, 6:35 PM
@ObserverIO - yeah, them too.
KWilly
KWilly - 10/21/2022, 1:02 PM
I'm genuinely curious how much money this will make. Cuz as soon as Black Panther 2 comes out, Black Adam might as well sign a will.
SonOfAGif
SonOfAGif - 10/21/2022, 1:54 PM
@KWilly - What's sad is that Black Panther 2 is going to make bank. And these comment sections will be filled with choice words like "woke, racism, bigots, pandering, liberals, and BLM was AntiMarxist" it will be full of hate speech and little to no discussion of the actual film.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 10/21/2022, 1:05 PM
There's a spoiler thread for the deaths already 😆 🤣😂@JozzCo @MegatronV -

Stop tagging me as if you are spoiling the movie for me. I read these spoilers a long time ago. Go touch grass dude
WakandanQueen
WakandanQueen - 10/21/2022, 1:05 PM
Haven't looked into what people been saying, but saw some interesting headlines about the film's morals by some mostly questionable sources. Intrigued, might catch it in 45 days.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 10/21/2022, 1:09 PM
If they ended on good terms why is Amanda threatening him?
Vish617
Vish617 - 10/21/2022, 7:28 PM
@MyCoolYoung - because she’s Amanda Waller! 😄
mountainman
mountainman - 10/21/2022, 1:21 PM
Wait Dr Fate dies? The coolest character they are introducing in this movie will only be in one DCEU movie? Wow that's a bummer.
bobevanz
bobevanz - 10/21/2022, 1:39 PM
@mountainman - Brosnan wanted out lmao
mountainman
mountainman - 10/21/2022, 2:01 PM
@bobevanz - I get that he may not have wanted a long term contract. Just seems weird to introduce a pretty big DC character (way bigger than Cyclone and Atom Smasher at least) and only do one appearance.

Despite my issues with modern MCU, they are at least really good at building their characters over time and growing their universe.
Philvis
Philvis - 10/21/2022, 9:12 PM
@mountainman - oh I knew they'd kill off Kent/Dr. Fate. They've gotta set up Khalid Nassour to take over. So disappointing as that was a horrible Dr. Fate run. Ugh.
1 2
View Recorder