October will see the release of Black Adam, the latest big screen entry from Warner Bros. and DC Comics. The film stars Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the titular Black Adam, who is joined in the film by a number of members of the Justice Society, including Dr. Fate (Pierce Brosnan), Atom-Smasher (Noah Centineo), Hawkman (Aldis Hodge), and Cyclone (Quintessa Swindell). Today The Beat can exclusively reveal that, in the run-up to the film’s release, DC will be releasing a series of Black Adam one-shots spotlighting the JSAers featured in the movie, with the first one-shot featuring Hawkman.
The 48-page Black Adam–The Justice Society Files: Hawkman is due out in July. It will feature a main story starring the winged warrior from writer Cavan Scott, penciller Scot Eaton, and inker Norm Rapmund. A back-up feature will also feature Adrianna Tomaz, aka Isis (played in the movie by Sarah Shahi), in a story by writer Bryan Q. Miller and artist Marco Santucci. Kaare Andrews provides the cover for the issue, seen above.
Here’s the official solicit text for both stories in Black Adam–The Justice Society Files: Hawkman #1:
Long ago, Hawkman was the leader of the Justice Society, but what is he now? Still a hero, or another relic in a museum? Everything changes when he finds himself haunted by not only the past, but also the vengeful spirit of a wayward thief. Will this Gentleman Ghost be the death of Hawkman or will he deliver a warning from beyond the grave? The road to Black Adam begins here.
Also in this issue: As a pivotal moment in the life of Teth-Adam and his son Hurut begins to unfold in ancient Kahndaq, modern-day Kahndaq meets a new hero—antiquities professor by day, “cultural recovery specialist” by night, Adrianna Tomaz. And unfortunately for Adrianna, she’s about to “liberate” a sacred totem from the wrong interested party—Intergang!
The JSA’s presence in Black Adam was first teased at 2020’s DC Fandome event, and earlier this year a one-minute spot showcasing all of DC’s cinematic offerings for 2022 gave viewers a first look at the members of the team as they’ll appear on-screen.
The World Needs Heroes. #TheBatman @BlackAdamMovie @TheFlashMovie @AquamanMovie #DCHeroes pic.twitter.com/mc1VGBrKmO
— The Batman (@TheBatman) February 11, 2022
The histories of Hawkman and Black Adam have been intertwined since the early ’00s when the former’s origin was retconned/clarified to once again make him the reincarnation of an Egyptian prince. Black Adam’s origin had also been updated in the early ’90s so that his alter ego, Teth-Adam, was the son of Pharoah Ramesses II, so by natural comic book law the two characters had to be tied together. How deep the Black Adam film will delve into that is anyone’s guess. Personally I’m still a little gobsmacked we’re getting Hawkman on the big screen before any number of other DC heroes.
Look for Black Adam–The Justice Society Files: Hawkman #1 to arrive in stores and digitally on Tuesday, July 5th.