For years, Dwayne Johnson has been teasing that the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe will change once Black Adam releases in theaters. Now that the anticipated day has come, fans have weighed in on Black Adam as a DCEU movie, assessed just how powerful the characters are, and debated where the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe lies.
With a few hopeful characters, the Justice Society and Black Adam himself, there are plenty of exciting DC characters in the newest DCEU movie, and plenty of power to be contested and challenged within the DC Universe. However, only one can be the strongest.
7 Cyclone
Maxine Hunkel can control the winds with her mind. She’s greatly hopeful, and it’s good to see ambitiousness in the DCEU from young heroes. Since a child, Maxine has aspired to be part of the Justice Society. Her wish was fulfilled, even with the torturous ways and experimentation with Nanites that gave her the powers she has.
Cyclone is by no means weak, and she has great control over her powers. She’s also vastly intelligent, which makes her a threat to villains, and a great ally to heroes. However, when paired with the physical brutality of Black Adam, or the incredible mass of Atom Smasher, she’d be up against a challenge. However, Cyclone would certainly take that challenge, as any hero would.
6 Atom Smasher
With a desire to do good, Atom Smasher eagerly joined the Justice Society, the team of his retired uncle, the original Atom Smasher. Al Rothstein inherited his powers and alias from his uncle and has since used them for good. Even if that good comes from a place of inexperience. However, Atom Smasher boasts a unique and incredible strength.
Atom Smasher can stop anyone with a single punch, considering the size and power of his fist is that of a building. The problem with Atom Smasher is his lack of experience as a hero against villains, and working as a team. Atom Smasher can be the cause of much collateral damage, considering his giant and increasing mass.
5 Hawkman
As the leader of the Justice Society, Hawkman has quite the role to play in shaping the youth of new heroes, whilst also maintaining the respect, dignity, and heroism that is expected of him. He has a great battle mind and is efficient with his Nth metal mace and fists. Thanks to Nth metal, he has a great advantage over others, as the material is indestructible.
Despite the nature of indestructibility, he seems to be no match for foes like Black Adam, who can use super speed to make Hawkman seem slow and weak. Hawkman is incredibly strong, but much of his abilities rely on his armor and weapons than his natural strength.
4 Doctor Fate
A powerful and talented master of the mystic arts, Doctor Fate is one of the greatest magic users in the DC Universe, and the DCEU certainly presents that. Kent Nelson and the helmet of Fate have worked together for decades. As a sorcerer, and agent of the Lords of Order, Doctor Fate has great powers that can break the minds and spirits of anyone he chooses to battle with.
Magic is a powerful source in the DC Universe, and Doctor Fate taps into it like a true professional. Doctor Fate was easily able to subdue Black Adam, for a time, and even has the ability to astral project himself across the globe with little strain on his psyche.
3 Sabbac
As the last living descendant of King Ahk-Ton, Ishmael Gregor has a grudge against Kahndaq and Teth-Adam. He seeks destruction and absolute power over Kahndaq and the entire world. Sabbac has the powers of Hell and commands the demons and hellspawn that come from it. With the strength of Satan, Aym, Belial, Beelzebub, Asmodeus, and Crateis, Sabbac is certainly a demonic Shazam.
With ease, Sabbac can take on the Justice Society and Black Adam. His physical power and conquest over magic are unrivaled. With the 6 most powerful demons in Hell at his side, Sabbac is a great threat to the world, but the Man in Black is far greater.
2 Black Adam
Bestowed with the power of the Egyptian gods, Teth-Adam slaughtered everyone who did him and his family wrong. He seeks vengeance, with a power that was gifted to him out of rage and hatred. His power is so untamed and rageful, that he almost destroyed the entirety of Kahndaq if it was not for his imprisonment by the council of wizards.
Even with a slumber of over 5,000 years, Teth-Adam quickly got to work on liberating Kahndaq from yet more invaders. He elects to make Kahndaq a free state, in which he will be its protector rather than a ruler. Now named Black Adam, this character shares the powers of Shu, Horus, Amon, Zehuti, Aten, and Mehen, and with a grey moral code, certainly makes waves in the hierarchy of power.
1 Superman
Although the last son of Krypton was only in Black Adam’s mid-credits scene, the arrival of the man of steel was long overdue and excited many fans. Superman warns Black Adam that it has been a while since anyone has made the world this nervous, implying that Black Adam could be a threat to the world unchained.
Superman shows no fear, and acts with compassion, extending a dialogue of friendship to Black Adam. Superman is by far Earth’s strongest defense, as he bested Steppenwolf with ease. Reinvigorated after his death, Superman has many more stories to come from the DCEU, and the experience and power to back up a fight against Superman.