Why Does Black Adam Have Pointy Ears??

[Nightwing 52]

For some reason Black Adam is Arabic even though Arabs didn't colonize Africa until much later in history. So, he is a pointy eared Arab. Just accept it.

One who is "Arabic" is one who speaks Arabic.

Various Semitic tribes (including the fathers of the fathers of the Arabs, they claim to be descended from Ishmael, son of Abraham and half,brother to Isaac) lived just over the borders from Egyptian territory for much of the Egyptians' recorded history. Significant interactions didn't develop until circa 1700 B.C., when the Hyksos came trucking (well, charioting) through, and ruled the place for a couple of centuries, until they finally were given a taste of their own medicine over the border. From then on, the Egyptians kept an eye on events to their east, and meddled in their affairs when they thought it was necessary.

Rameses II was one of the biggest meddlers in Egyptian history...and, supposedly, Black Adam dates from Rameses II's time, per the most recent available information.

Rameses II also collected an enormous harem of wives and concubines, and had a legion of sons, legitimate and otherwise (the distinction, in those days, meant "designated as potential heirs, or not"). He collected his women from both within Egypt, and from neighboring territories (making love was more economical than making war).

Where Black Adam figures into this picture appears to be that he's either the actual son of Rameses II by a "Khandaqi" concubine (the country was probably called something else during that time period), or the adopted son of Rameses II by way of a favorite "Khandaqi" concubine who came with "baggage". Some will tend to lean toward the latter idea, as it explains what an "Egyptian" high servant was doing with a clearly Semitic name.

Either way, Adam was clearly not in the line of succession, and was just as clearly handed off to Nabu to keep him out of trouble.

He's Khandaqi. But he's not an "Arab".

 

[Nightwing1984]

One who is "Arabic" is one who speaks Arabic.

Various Semitic tribes (including the fathers of the fathers of the Arabs, they claim to be descended from Ishmael, son of Abraham and half,brother to Isaac) lived just over the borders from Egyptian territory for much of the Egyptians' recorded history. Significant interactions didn't develop until circa 1700 B.C., when the Hyksos came trucking (well, charioting) through, and ruled the place for a couple of centuries, until they finally were given a taste of their own medicine over the border. From then on, the Egyptians kept an eye on events to their east, and meddled in their affairs when they thought it was necessary.

Rameses II was one of the biggest meddlers in Egyptian history...and, supposedly, Black Adam dates from Rameses II's time, per the most recent available information.

Rameses II also collected an enormous harem of wives and concubines, and had a legion of sons, legitimate and otherwise (the distinction, in those days, meant "designated as potential heirs, or not"). He collected his women from both within Egypt, and from neighboring territories (making love was more economical than making war).

Where Black Adam figures into this picture appears to be that he's either the actual son of Rameses II by a "Khandaqi" concubine (the country was probably called something else during that time period), or the adopted son of Rameses II by way of a favorite "Khandaqi" concubine who came with "baggage". Some will tend to lean toward the latter idea, as it explains what an "Egyptian" high servant was doing with a clearly Semitic name.

Either way, Adam was clearly not in the line of succession, and was just as clearly handed off to Nabu to keep him out of trouble.

He's Khandaqi. But he's not an "Arab".

.......Wow.

 

[KingOfDreams]

Because he's really Spock from the mirror universe?

 

[The Question]

One who is "Arabic" is one who speaks Arabic.

Various Semitic tribes (including the fathers of the fathers of the Arabs, they claim to be descended from Ishmael, son of Abraham and half,brother to Isaac) lived just over the borders from Egyptian territory for much of the Egyptians' recorded history. Significant interactions didn't develop until circa 1700 B.C., when the Hyksos came trucking (well, charioting) through, and ruled the place for a couple of centuries, until they finally were given a taste of their own medicine over the border. From then on, the Egyptians kept an eye on events to their east, and meddled in their affairs when they thought it was necessary.

Rameses II was one of the biggest meddlers in Egyptian history...and, supposedly, Black Adam dates from Rameses II's time, per the most recent available information.

Rameses II also collected an enormous harem of wives and concubines, and had a legion of sons, legitimate and otherwise (the distinction, in those days, meant "designated as potential heirs, or not"). He collected his women from both within Egypt, and from neighboring territories (making love was more economical than making war).

Where Black Adam figures into this picture appears to be that he's either the actual son of Rameses II by a "Khandaqi" concubine (the country was probably called something else during that time period), or the adopted son of Rameses II by way of a favorite "Khandaqi" concubine who came with "baggage". Some will tend to lean toward the latter idea, as it explains what an "Egyptian" high servant was doing with a clearly Semitic name.

Either way, Adam was clearly not in the line of succession, and was just as clearly handed off to Nabu to keep him out of trouble.

He's Khandaqi. But he's not an "Arab".

Well, Adam wasn't any kind of Egyptian royalty. Simply a Khandaqi soldier serving in Egypt. Most likely, Khandaq had been conquered by Egypt or was at least on good diplomatic terms with Egypt, and thus Adam was sent to Egypt to serve in the military. The reason Adam went rogue in the first place is because Egyptian soldiers massacred his family in Khandaq, and in retalitaion he atempted to use his powers to murder the Pharoh and usurp the throne.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I'm pretty sure he was just chosen as Shazam's champion, Khandaq was an ally of Egypt, and Rameses II decided it'd be best if Teth-Adam were working directly under him. I can't believe any king, pharoah, or any other ruler wouldn't want both Nabu and Adam working for him. That's the premiere magic powerhouse and the premiere physical powerhouse of the day. He'd be unstoppable.

Because he's really Spock from the mirror universe?

Nope, sorry. No beard.

 

[The Question]

I'm pretty sure he was just chosen as Shazam's champion, Khandaq was an ally of Egypt, and Rameses II decided it'd be best if Teth-Adam were working directly under him. I can't believe any king, pharoah, or any other ruler wouldn't want both Nabu and Adam working for him. That's the premiere magic powerhouse and the premiere physical powerhouse of the day. He'd be unstoppable.

Of course. But, at some point, Egyptian soldiers killed Adam's family, and as a rebelion, he tried to kill the Pharoh.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I thought Ahk-ton and that Metamorpho wannabe killed his family. Rameses II was still the pharoah at the time and Ahk-ton was trying to usurp the throne or something. It was in JSA.

 

[The Question]

Really? Odd. I thought the reason Shazam killed him was because he went insane after his family were killed and tried to kill the Pharoh. Maybe Adam thought Ramsis was responsible when in fact it was Ahk-ton?

 

[TheCorpulent1]

No, I'm fairly certain he tried to kill Ahk-ton. I think Shazam took him out of the picture because he tried to take over Khandaq or start killing people indiscriminately or something. I should check that JSA arc again.

 

[The Question]

Possibly. I don't think he went on a random killing spree. Maybe he just started to insure peace and stability by killing every criminal he came across.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I looked up some stuff online and Black Adam killed Ahk-ton. Shazam doesn't really condone killing at all, as far as I've seen, so that's probably why.

 

[The Question]

Makes sense. Even though, Shazam punished Adam by killing him.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

Not according to Adam's new origin. Shazam just imprisoned Adam.

 

[The Question]

Oh. Cool.

 

[Harlekin]

I could've sworn that Nabu and Teth-Adam were members of the council during Khufu (Hawkman) his reign as well, right?

 

[yenaled]

I have to say I love the Egyptian stuff Geoff Johns plotted out. Linking up Shazam, Hawkman and Metamorpho who all have strong egyptian links to a historical past is excellent.

 

[Harlekin]

Yeah, I loved that too. It connects them all, without going for a contrived "they're family" connection, rather, these characters all met way back in Ancient Egypt. It enhances most of their conflicts (it's why I love the Hawkman vs Black Adam rivalry, these guys are old friends).

 

[Black_Lightning]

One who is "Arabic" is one who speaks Arabic.

Various Semitic tribes (including the fathers of the fathers of the Arabs, they claim to be descended from Ishmael, son of Abraham and half,brother to Isaac) lived just over the borders from Egyptian territory for much of the Egyptians' recorded history. Significant interactions didn't develop until circa 1700 B.C., when the Hyksos came trucking (well, charioting) through, and ruled the place for a couple of centuries, until they finally were given a taste of their own medicine over the border. From then on, the Egyptians kept an eye on events to their east, and meddled in their affairs when they thought it was necessary.

Rameses II was one of the biggest meddlers in Egyptian history...and, supposedly, Black Adam dates from Rameses II's time, per the most recent available information.

Rameses II also collected an enormous harem of wives and concubines, and had a legion of sons, legitimate and otherwise (the distinction, in those days, meant "designated as potential heirs, or not"). He collected his women from both within Egypt, and from neighboring territories (making love was more economical than making war).

Where Black Adam figures into this picture appears to be that he's either the actual son of Rameses II by a "Khandaqi" concubine (the country was probably called something else during that time period), or the adopted son of Rameses II by way of a favorite "Khandaqi" concubine who came with "baggage". Some will tend to lean toward the latter idea, as it explains what an "Egyptian" high servant was doing with a clearly Semitic name.

Either way, Adam was clearly not in the line of succession, and was just as clearly handed off to Nabu to keep him out of trouble.

He's Khandaqi. But he's not an "Arab".

Well said, i agree.

 

[The Question]

I could've sworn that Nabu and Teth-Adam were members of the council during Khufu (Hawkman) his reign as well, right?

Khufu and his wife were killed by a rival of theirs. It's possible that Khufu simply had a short riegn, and Ramsis took the throne after his demise.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

According to Wikipedia, Khufu's reign lasted about 20 years.

 

[The Question]

Woah. Khufu was a real king? Huh. And Ramesses was Pharoh well over 1,000 years after Khufu. I guess Black Adam just married late in life.

 

[XwolverineX]

Why do you care?

 

[Harlekin]

Egyptian history... hurting head.

 

[yenaled]

Why do you care?

It's our job as Comic Book Geeks to care.

 

[Stealth_Prime]

Is it really important why he has pointy ears?