Black Adam killed the Psycho Pirate in the most brutal fashion over a decade ago, and DC has confirmed this kill is still in canon.
Spoilers ahead for Infinite Frontier #5!
Though often an anti-hero more than villain Black Adam, can be downright brutal, and DC Comics just reminded fans that that hasn't changed. In 2006’s Infinite Crisis #5, the Psycho Pirate attempted to take control of Black Adam, but instead, Black Adam dispatched Psycho Pirate in a violent fashion. Now, in Infinite Frontier #5, on sale now in print and digital, Power Girl, when confronted by a resurrected Psycho Pirate, reminds him of his worst defeat.
In 2005, DC Comics released Infinite Crisis, a seven-issue miniseries that saw the DC Universe threatened by four survivors from Crisis on Infinite Earths. One of the survivors, Alex Luthor, attempted to restore the multiverse, and drafted the Psycho Pirate to assist him. Luthor abducted Black Adam, hoping that he could harness Adam’s energies to bring back Earth-S; Luthor also abducted Power Girl as well. Adam and Power Girl were able to break free, but the Psycho Pirate was waiting. He attempted to use his emotion manipulation powers to control Black Adam, but before Pirate could even begin, Adam gouged out his eyes. Adam gouged so hard it pushed the Pirate’s Medusa Mask through his head, killing him instantly. Black Adam was known for his brutality, and this kill took it even further, and DC just confirmed it still happened in Infinite Frontier #5, written by Joshua Williamson, with art by Paul Pelletier, Jesus Merino and TomDerenick, inks by Derenick, Norm Rapmund and Raul Fernandez, colors by Hi-Fi and letters by Tom Napolitano.
Darkseid is returning, and the Psycho Pirate is his new herald. On the mysterious Earth-Omega, a number of heroes, including the Justice Society and Justice Incarnate, have descended upon the planet. Power Girl is part of the JSA contingent, and when she sees the Pirate, she reminds him of his death at Black Adam’s hands. She reminds the Psycho Pirate that Black Adam smashed his face in, and if the Pirate is ready for a repeat?
When Black Adam administered his death blow to Psycho Pirate in Infinite Crisis, the character was arguably at the (then) height of his popularity; Black Adam had eclipsed Shazam in terms of exposure. After being largely confined to second-string status for most of the 2010’s, DC is once again positioning Black Adam as one of their top characters; in addition to the long-gestating solo film, starring Dwyane Johnson, the character is front and center in Brian Michael Bendis’ current Justice League title. Reminding fans of one of Black Adam’s most brutal kills is another great way to remind fans that while Black Adam can be viewed as a hero, his methods are quite extreme; when Adam killed Psycho Pirate in Infinite Crisis, Power Girl was horrified, asking Adam if killing the Pirate was justified.
Black Adam is enjoying a renaissance at DC. In addition to the movie and appearances in top titles, DC is reminding fans of some of the greatest moments in the character’s history, including one of his most brutal kills.
