REVIEW: Black Adam - The Justice Society Files: Hawkman #1

The era of Black Adam has arrived. Black Adam – The Justice Society Files: Hawkman #1 is an excellent beginning to a new step in the DC Expanded Universe. Using Black Adam as a platform to introduce film versions of the Justice Society is sensible given their strong comic book ties. Cavan Scott and Bryan Q Miller are two writers familiar with geek culture crossing multiple media forms. Having them at the helm here writing this book brings a level of quality to the proceedings often lacking from film prequel comics.

The first story takes place near the present with Cavan Scott joined by the excellent artist Scot Eaton and legendary inker Norm Rapmund. Here the focus is on Carter Hall who is late for an elements exhibit featuring elements including Kryptonite and Nth Metal. Once Hawkman arrives Jeremy shows him an artifact called The Champion made entirely of Eternium bearing the mark of Black Adam. Jim Craddock breaks into the exhibit and snatches The Champion.

Hawkman jumps into action and Craddock is killed in pursuit. Craddock is resurrected into Gentleman Ghost by an ancient cabal. They demand he kill Hawkman. The artifact is shattered but Craddock attacks the exhibit again and traps Hawkman in a glass case. Hawkman has a vision of Dr Fate but it’s a different one from the Kent Nelson he knows. Craddock attacks Carter’s friends. Carter breaks out of his prison and stabs Craddock with a piece of the Eternium artifact sending him back to the Cabal. As he vanishes, Craddock warns Carter of a massive threat on the horizon, out to destroy him.

The art on both portions of the book is extremely well done. They borrow many elements we are familiar with as far a characters and design elements but showcase some large visual differences reflecting the film. Carter Hall is black here but his attitude, fortitude and personality feel familiar. Dr Fate and the larger threat remain a mystery but they’re well rendered. The colors by Andrew Dalhouse in the first story jump off the page with energy and just the right splashes to emphasize the action.

The art and colors for the second story are a bit more sedate but just as beautifully rendered. Here in a story by Bryan Q Miller with artist Marco Santucci and colorist Michael Atiyeh we see the origin of Black Adam begin. Khandaq is under the vises of slavery and poverty but Teth-Adam warns his son Hurut not to step out of bounds. Meanwhile in modern Khandaq Adrianna tries to protect her son Amon even while working to take an Eternium artifact from Intergang. It’s a simple story but has solid action and art as we begin to get to know the woman who will change everything for Black Adam.

This entire book is a great beginning for a new franchise. It’s nice to see books like these truly being used to flesh out characters and concepts leading to the film. Hopefully the film can pay off this level of talent and artistry.

Writing: 4.0 of 5 stars
Art: 3.7 of 5 stars
Colors: 3.8 of 5 stars

Overall: 3.8 of 5 stars

Writer: Cavan Scott and Bryan Q Miller
Art: Scot Eaton and Marco Santucci
Inks: Norm Rapmund and Marco Santucci
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse and Michael Atiyeh
Publisher: DC Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.