Black Adam’s New Power Upgrade Officially Changes the Hierarchy of Power in DC’s Vampire Universe

The fan-favorite Elseworlds series, DC vs. Vampires, is returning this summer with its much-anticipated sequel, and if a variant cover is to be believed, Black Adam, previously thought to be dead, may also be making a miraculous return. If it turns out that Black Adam is still alive and biting, he could be coming back with a major power upgrade, potentially shaking up the vampire power hierarchy.

With a release date set for September 11, 2024, Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires: World War V#2 is highly anticipated, especially since a variant cover by Lucio Parrillo for the issue teases the possible return of a character long believed to be dead—Black Adam.

Parrillo’s art depicts Teth-Adam very much alive, striking a powerful pose as he kneels and punches the ground, unleashing streaks of whitish-blue lightning. Alongside this display of power, Teth-Adam bares his vampiric fangs, each at least an inch long. He appears monstrously formidable, marking perhaps Black Adam’s most striking appearance in decades.

Black Adam was believed to have met his end in DC vs. Vampires #10, where Damian Wayne, Kate Kane, and Starfire joined forces against him. Damian, along with Batgirl, Harley Quinn, and others, devised a bold plan to infiltrate Gotham and overthrow Vampire King Dick Grayson. During their river crossing into the city, Black Adam spotted them. Damian had anticipated this encounter and signaled Batwoman to unleash Starfire, whose powerful Starbolts fried Teth-Adam to a burnt crisp. Witnessing Black Adam begin to burn, fans assumed he had perished in the confrontation.

However, thanks to Parrillo’s variant cover, DC seems to be hinting at Black Adam’s return to the series, suggesting that he may have survived his encounter with Starfire. If he has indeed survived, fans could witness a formidable Black Adam in World War V, depicted by Parrillo in a furious state and exuding immense power. In issue #10, Adam was swiftly neutralized, depriving fans of seeing him fully unleash his combined powers and vampire abilities. Fueled by anger and seeking revenge against the resistance, and bolstered by his typical powers and vampiric capabilities, Black Adam may emerge as one of the series’ most powerful vampires in decades.

How Black Adam Could Have Survived A Starbolt Blast From Starfire Despite Being a Vampire

While Parrillo’s variant cover strongly suggests that Black Adam is alive, the mystery remains: how did he survive when fans witnessed his apparent demise in issue #10? The artwork confirms that Starfire’s blast engulfed him in flames, yet there were no visible remains or ashes. Given the confrontation occurred over water, it’s plausible that Adam fell into the water before being fully consumed by fire. This explanation could explain Black Adam’s potential supercharged return in DC vs. Vampires: World War V.

DC vs. Vampires: World War V #2 will be released on September 11, 2024, from DC Comics!