It wouldn’t be a DC Universe film without plenty of Easter eggs for viewers to find. Often found in movies that are adapted from the source material (preferably material with years of history attached), easter eggs can be obvious or subtle nods and references to things that are common knowledge among fans of the source material, or in this case, DC Comics.
Here we will be reviewing some Easter eggs that made the cut into Black Adam. We will be discussing how these Easter eggs were implemented in the film as well as their origins from the source material, whether it be the comic books or from another DCU project. What do these Easter eggs mean for the future of the DCU? We’ll be looking into that question as well.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Nth Metal
Warner Bros. Pictures
When looking at the character of Katar Hol, or Hawkman, many wonder where the savage warrior gets his gifts of flight and what his mighty mace is made of. The answer is found in a brief conversation Katar has with the rest of the Justice Society. As the younger members question what his ship is made out of, he and Cyclone indicate it is made of Nth metal, a powerful metal said to have anti-gravity effects.
Nth metal is featured prominently in the comics, as in some continuities, Hawkman’s wings are actually made of the Nth Metal, as well as his belt, which helps him in his flights. His mace was also made of the metal and would prove to be quite durable in his many battles against fearsome foes. During the Dark Metal event in DC Comics, it is revealed that Nth metal is also referred to as the ninth metal, with the only property stronger than it being known as Xth metal.
Harcourt’s Cameo
WarnerMedia Direct
Initially introduced to audiences in the HBO Max series Peacemaker, Agent Emilia Harcourt makes a brief appearance towards the end of Black Adam. During ‘Peacemaker,’ Harcourt seemed to have drawn the ire of Amanda Waller, being given a highly unfavorable assignment working with Peacemaker himself. Throughout the series, Harcourt would prove to be a capable agent, especially with her field experience, fighting against many foes and disabling them efficiently.
It would appear that Harcourt has earned a promotion as she seems to be stationed in a more favorable area, helping to oversee criminal transfers in a high-security prison. She would have a quick exchange with Hawkman and Dr. Fate, giving them Waller’s regards before moving on her way.
Hawkman’s Fate
Throughout the film, Dr. Fate receives premonitions of a possible future where Hawkman dies during an intense battle. Wishing to keep this future from happening, Kent Nelson wouldn’t outright tell Katar the truth, but when pressed, would admit that someone was going to die. Eventually, Katar would learn the truth but would appear to be unsurprised at this fate.
This alludes to the fact that Katar Hol is cursed to a cycle of reincarnation. Featured in the comic continuity where he was known as Carter Hall, Hawkman, his love, and his friend-turned-enemy would be cursed to a cycle of endless death and reincarnation, where the three would be bound together in every life. Katar’s attitude towards an inevitable end may imply that he knows his death is inescapable and that he will return someday to fight as a warrior again.
Black Adam & Atom Smasher’s Friendship
While Black Adam shows a desire to be a loner throughout the film, often finding himself at odds with the Justice Society, towards the film’s end, he is seen to have taken a liking to the group, Atom Smasher in particular. Atom Smasher would admit they made a great team and even hint at the possibility of working together again in the future.
This isn’t unheard of in the comics, as Black Adam had actually been a member of the Justice Society of America for a brief time, and during this period, he had become a trusted friend of Atom Smasher. Atom Smasher had slowly become disillusioned with the way the JSA handled matters and preferred taking swift and decisive action, much like Black Adam. When the time came for Black Adam to leave the team, Atom Smasher decided to go with him, the bond they had forged meaning more than his loyalty to the team.
Cyclone’s Lineage
Cyclone is a character with an incredible intellect and power set and proves to be confidently capable in the field. During her interactions with Atom Smasher, Cyclone is questioned about how she gained her powers, and she explains that she was kidnapped by a mad scientist and experimented on with nanobots. This brief explanation buries the lead, as Cyclone is actually the granddaughter of the original Red Tornado, and the mad scientist that kidnapped her was Dr. T.O. Morrow, the creator of the android Red Tornado. With a lineage like this, Cyclone is often unfairly forgotten by many readers, but she works hard to stand out among the rather large shadows her family casts upon her.
Superman’s Weakness
Warner Bros.
Dwayne Johnson was excited to throw in plenty of cheeky nods to a potential showdown between Black Adam and Superman. There are plenty of nods to this rivalry in the making, with one of the most poignant shots being Black Adam smashing his fist through a poster that depicted Superman’s family crest. Including the epic post-credits scene, many are looking forward to the eventual showdown between The Rock and Henry Cavill.
But what these nods also do is set up the reveal of one of Superman’s weaknesses. While many know of his weakness to Kryptonite, the comics have also established that Superman is significantly weak to magic. With characters such as John Constantine and Wonder Woman proving capable of holding their own against the Man of Steel through magical means, one has to believe that Black Adam (whose power comes from the gods themselves) is more than capable of defending Khandaq from Superman should he be deemed a threat to the people.
