1) He’s Saved The Earth (And Nearly Destroyed It)
There is one fact that sums up the two sides to Black Adam’s character better than any other: he has put his own life on the line in order to save the world on a few occasions, as well as having nearly destroyed it.
In David Goyer and Geoff Johns’ JSA, for instance, Black Adam was part of the Justice Society of America – alongside his old nemesis Captain Marvel (aka Shazam). After this, he rescued his country from a warlord and remained as ruler. Unfortunately, after his family were brutally murdered, he went on that aforementioned rampage – and started World War III. So powerful was he that the entire Justice League couldn’t stop him and had to go to the Egyptian gods who supply Adam’s powers to bargain for Earth’s safety.
This morally complex hero seems very much of a piece with the likes of Affleck’s murderous Batman, Cavill’s dour Superman and the anti-heroes of the Suicide Squad, so really, it’s no surprise that Black Adam is getting his own movie in the DCEU.