Teth-Adam was the first Champion chosen by The Wizard to wield the power of Shazam! He gained the power of the gods in ancient Egypt, though he chose to use the power for his own dark purposes. He became the corrupted Champion known as Black Adam, though he lost the favor of the original gods that powered him.
When Black Adam returned after years of imprisonment and resurrection, he found a new set of ancient gods to share their gifts with him. The ancient Egyptian gods empowered Black Adam and made him strong enough to take on DC characters like Shazam and Superman. However, he’s found a new calling recently with the Justice League as the incredibly powerful Mighty Adam.
The Stamina Of Shu
Formerly: The Wisdom Of Solomon
When The Wizard and his council first chose a powerful Champion of Shazam, the same gods that would later share their gifts with Billy Batson empowered Teth-Adam. He was originally gifted the Wisdom of Solomon, but that was eventually replaced. Black Adam sought out power from ancient Egyptian gods after either imprisonment or resurrection, depending on the continuity,
Teth-Adam replaced the Wisdom of Solomon with the Stamina of Shu in the modern age. Shu was the Egyptian god of air and light. The Primordial God’s gifts allowed Black Adam to fight almost tirelessly and survive in extreme conditions without the need for food or water.
The Speed Of Horus
Formerly: The Strength of Hercules
Black Adam swapped out the “H” in his magic word, which used to represent the strength he gained from the Olympian known as Hercules. That strength allowed characters like Shazam to stand up to powerful heroes like Superman over the years.
Black Adam replaced his source of strength in the Shazam agreement of the gods with the Egyptian God of war and the sky, Horus. He gained incredible hyperspeed from Horus, which gave Black Adam a few different abilities. The enhanced speed of Horus allowed Black Adam to fly while also increasing the superhuman reflexes that allowed him to face heroes like The Flash.
The Strength Of Amun
Formerly: The Stamina Of Atlas
The original sources of Shazam’s power like Hercules abandoned the first Champion after he turned on the Council of Wizards who empowered him. He replaced the Stamina of Atlas with the Stamina of Shu, but he still needed to find a source of strength.
Amun is the King of the Egyptian Gods who is also often referred to as Ammon-Ra or even just Ra. Amun shared his incredible strength with Black Adam, making him one of the strongest DC characters. The Strength of Amun made Black Adam a powerful threat during his time as a villain but continues to help Mighty Adam in his quest to be a better person.
The Wisdom Of Zehuti
Formerly: The Power Of Zeus
The “Z” in the magic word “Shazam” often referred to the Power of Zeus, which allowed characters like Billy Batson to transform into the powerful Shazam form. While Black Adam gained power elsewhere, he found Wisdom from Zehuti.
The Egyptian God of learning is also known as Thoth, Gof of the Moon, and writing. The Wisdom of Zehuti not only provided Black Adam with advice and counsel as needed, but it also enhanced his senses to superhuman levels. Black Adam’s years of experience were further enhanced by the Wisdom of Zehuti, which likely helped him in his transition to Mighty Adam.
The Power Of Aten
Formerly: The Courage of Achilles
Black Adam empowers himself with the magic word “Shazam!” which serves as a contract with the mystical sources that power him. He originally called upon the Courage of Achilles in this part of the power share agreement, though that changed after his resurrection. Black Adam replaced the Power of Zeus with the Power of Aten.
All of Black Adam’s incredible abilities draw energy from Aten, who is yet another aspect of the Sun God. The Power of Aten made Black Adam one of DC's strongest magic users. He could control and manipulate the magical lightning to both transform himself and use it offensively in battle.
The Courage Of Mehen
Formerly: The Speed Of Mercury
The “M” of Shazam formerly stood for the speed he gained from Mercury, though that changed as well. And while Black Adam is definitely not short on courage, he has called upon more than one god to increase that trait over the years.
When he lost the Courage of Achilles, Black Adam found a new patron god in the form of Mehen. The Egyptian snake god provides Black Adam with both mental and physical resilience to face even the most terrifying of threats. However, Black Adam’s enhanced healing and potential immortality are also gifts provided by Mehen to make Mighty Adam even deadlier.