Osiris (DC Comics)
Osiris | |
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Publication information | |
Publisher | DC Comics |
First appearance | Cameo appearance: Teen Titans #38 (September 2006) Full appearance: 52 #23 (December 2006) |
Created by |
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In-story information | |
Alter ego | Amon Tomaz |
Species | Human |
Place of origin | Kahndaq (current) Cairo, Egypt (formerly) |
Team affiliations | Teen Titans Titans Black Marvel Family Black Lantern Corps White Lantern Corps Sons of Adam |
Supporting character of | Black Adam Chaptian Marvel / Shazam |
Notable aliases |
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Abilities | By speaking the name of his benefactor ("Black Adam"), he is bestowed the same powers of Black Adam, derived of Egyptian mythological deities. These powers grant him various others such as:
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Altered in-story information for adaptations to other media | |
Alter ego | Behrad Tazari Behrad Tomaz |
Team affiliations | League of Legends |
Amon Tomaz (known as Osiris and sometimes Black Adam Jr.), is a fictional character featured in American comic books published by DC Comics. First debuting the 52 series, the character shares a significant connection with the anti-hero and villain character Black Adam and serves as a analogue Captain Marvel Jr. / Shazam Jr.
In the DC Universe, Amon is an Egyptian-born teenager endured a brutal assault at the hands of Intergang, an organized crime syndicate equipped with advanced technology provided by the New Gods of Apokolips. Following the attack, he was saved by his older sister, Adrianna Tomaz (Isis) and Black Adam. Black Adam shared a portion of his own power with Amon, enabling him to assume the identity of Osiris. Osiris became a member of the Black Marvel Family, serving as a counterpart to the Marvel Family. In the New 52 reboot, Amon's character takes on a different portrayal as a non-superpowered, Kahndaqi-native teenager. He assumes the role of a freedom fighter and acts as a translator for the Sons of Adam, a group of revolutionaries dedicated to resurrecting Black Adam. During DC Rebirth, the character's original history as Osiris is restored.
In the Arrowverse television series Legends of Tomorrow, a different iteration of the character named Behrad Tarazi was introduced and played by Shayan Sobhian. Additionally, Amon Tomaz made his live-action debut in the DC Extended Universe film Black Adam (2022), portrayed by Bodhi Sabongui.[1][2]
Publication history
Osiris was first depicted in Teen Titans #38 (September 2006), making his full appearance in 52 #23 (December 2006), created by Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid, Keith Giffen, and Drew Johnson.[3] He appeared extensively in the 2006-2007 weekly series 52.
Fictional character biography
Osiris first appears in a picture of teen superheroes and was a part of the Teen Titans between the events of the Infinite Crisis and One Year Later. Week 23 of the series 52 reveals that Osiris is Amon Tomaz, brother of the hero Isis.[4] He is also the brother-in-law of Black Adam.
Amon has been repeatedly beaten and tortured by members of the criminal cult Intergang who are trying to brainwash him into joining the cult. He refuses to join them time and again and tries to run away, resulting in the beatings getting worse, as Intergang tries to make sure he will never walk again. He is discovered by the Question and Renee Montoya who alert Isis and Black Adam to his location. The super-powered couple arrive to free him, and Isis discovers that her powers over nature are not enough to heal his wounds as they are too deep, and that Amon will never walk again. Black Adam shares the powers of his gods with the boy, and Amon calls down the mystical lightning by saying his benefactor's name, "Black Adam". He gains the same powers as the rest of the Marvel Family. Amon's paraplegia, empowerment, and age all vaguely resemble Captain Marvel, Jr.'s.
During Week 26, he along with Black Adam and his sister, Isis, fly to Nanda Parbat, carrying Renee Montoya and the Question, leaving them there.[5]
Later he feels that he wants friends. He and the other Black Marvels help the other Marvels defeat Sabbac on Halloween using their magic lightning when he tries to sacrifice children to Neron. After doing acts of good and helping people throughout the world, he travels to America to join the Teen Titans, along with his "friend" Sobek, a bioengineered talking crocodile taken from Sivana's labs after being found during a charity dinner with Venus Sivana, who he named. Captain Marvel Jr. was at first skeptical because of Amon's connection to Black Adam, but is emotionally moved by Osiris' eagerness and promises to vouch for him. Junior's only condition is that Osiris must "convince the rest of the world" of his pure intentions. Osiris, filled with hope, accepts. However, shortly afterwards, the Persuader began torturing Isis during a conflict between the Black Adam family and the Suicide Squad with his atomic axe, cutting open her cheek. Angered, Osiris uses too much force and tears Persuader in half, turning public opinion against the Black Marvel family (it's later observed that doctored footage of the attack was broadcast to give the impression Osiris enjoyed the kill by splicing in footage taken from his time with the Teen Titans). Sobek brings him apples and tries to comfort him.
Feeling despair over his killing of the Persuader, Osiris travels to the Rock of Eternity to ask Captain Marvel to remove his powers, as he feels they are a curse and are destroying Khandaq. Black Adam and Isis attempt to assure him that his abilities are not evil in nature and he can still do good. Marvel states that Osiris is not a bad person as the Sins (demons imprisoned in Marvel's lair) did not want him. Osiris attacks Black Adam, but stops his anger when he accidentally hits Isis. Osiris relents and returns home with his sister and brother-in-law. Days later, Osiris, still not convinced, plans to leave Khandaq forever with Sobek, who persuades the teenager to reject the powers of Black Adam and revert to Amon to rid himself of his 'curse'. Osiris decides that being unable to walk must be his penance. Osiris does so and is devoured alive by Sobek, who reveals himself as Famine, Horseman of Apokolips.
Despite his short time as a Titan, a memorial statue of Osiris has been erected in Titans Tower.[6]
Blackest Night
Osiris was later reanimated as a Black Lantern.[7] As part of DC's January campaign of bringing back 'dead comic ru-ns', the Black Lantern Osiris featured in the one-shot The Power of Shazam! revival. However, because Black Adam had magically restored Amon's body to its empowered form before its entombment, Osiris was able to resist the ring's control and ultimately severed his own connection, along with that of the Black Lantern Sobek by using his lightning which struck both him and Sobek, finally dying a hero.[8]
Brightest Day
Along with several other heroes and villains Osiris was brought back to life at the end of Blackest Night. Due to being dead during Osiris's tenure with the Titans, Superboy humorously asks Kid Flash who Osiris is, referring to him as "Black Adam Jr.". Osiris ignores his fellow Titans, simply stating that he wishes to return home.[9]
Following this, Osiris returns to Khandaq, vowing to restore the kingdom to its former prosperity. Osiris takes the petrified bodies of Black Adam and Isis and flies off to an unknown destination.[10] During a flashback, it is revealed that Osiris attempted to return to the Teen Titans, only to leave in anger after being told by Wonder Girl to turn himself over to the authorities for killing Persuader.[11]
Angered when he discovers that he does not possess the power to restore his loved ones, Osiris enlists in Deathstroke's new team of Titans hoping that the mercenary will be able to help him in his goal. During his first mission with the team, Osiris assists in the murder of Ryan Choi, the fourth Atom. During his confrontation with Choi, Osiris tells the hero that he is sorry that he has to kill him. After the mission, Osiris becomes angered at Deathstroke's choice to name the team after the Teen Titans, claiming that they do not deserve it.[12]
After the Titans' second mission, Osiris returns to his quarters, in which the statues of Adam and Adrianna are. He notices that Adrianna's statue has changed slightly, developing a crack in her cheek. Osiris sits and meditates, willing that Adrianna shows him the way. The White Lantern symbol appears above him as he does so.[13]
Osiris is soon after contacted by the Entity, who tells him to free Isis.[14] Just prior to being contacted by the Entity, Osiris enters into a verbal altercation with two of his teammates, Cinder and Tattooed Man, and ends up being cut across the face by the latter. Shocked after seeing that Tattooed Man was somehow able to make him bleed, a confused Osiris flies off into the sky, where he is eventually approached by the Entity. After learning that he must free his sister, Osiris muses that he may be able to rescue Black Adam as well, and claims that once his sister and Adam are freed, he will make the Titans regret mistreating him.[15]
During a battle with a drug kingpin named Elijah, Osiris again experiences a vision of Isis after Pisces knocks him out. She tells her brother that he is guilty for his hand in the murder of Ryan Choi, and that to free her, he will have to kill more people, making many more sacrifices. Osiris accidentally electrocutes Elijah after waking from his vision when he yells about Isis, and returns home to find that more cracks have appeared on Isis' statue. He then surmises that it was Elijah's death which caused the cracks, and states that he will indeed have to kill more people to free Isis from her prison.[16]
During a breakout at Arkham Asylum, Osiris is confronted by Killer Croc whom Osiris believes to be his old friend Sobek, who killed him, and brutally attacks him. Osiris kills a guard with lightning, although by doing so he releases all of the prisons' inmates.[17] While they battle, the new Batman arrives and see Osiris, realising that he has been working with Deathstroke's team.[18] Batman tries to get Osiris to explain his actions, but Osiris eventually escapes from Arkham Asylum and departs with Deathstroke's team.[19] Osiris travels to Philadelphia where he brutally kills several armed criminals until Freddy Freeman, the new Shazam, arrives.[20] Osiris and Freddy fight, with Freddy trying to convince Osiris to stop killing. Osiris tricks Freddy into thinking he has been convinced, then uses the magic lightning to steal Freddy's powers and gives them to Isis, restoring her. The Entity then speaks to Osiris telling him that his mission has been accomplished and his life has been restored. However, Isis' first words to Osiris when he returns to her are "What have you done to me?"[21] Osiris discovers that the deaths he caused have corrupted Isis' soul, causing her to fluctuate between her normal personality and a cruel callous one. While watching over her, he sees a news report on Khandaq being attacked by Qurac, and returns to find she has escaped.[22] Isis attempts to commit suicide by lightning to free herself from her corrupted soul, but Osiris shields her with his own body. When they awake, Isis discovers that the corruption has left her, but she still feels it inside Osiris, and it worries her.[23]
Later, Osiris attacks the Qurac soldiers alongside Isis; she learns that Osiris became more violent to killing soldiers. Osiris then join Deathstroke's Titans to attacks Justice League, where they were stopped by Isis and forced them to leave Khandaq. She further uses her rulership to withdraw from the United Nations, and says they will outlaw and recognize no power but their own or risk the starting of World War III. When they leave, Osiris is stunned when his sister, Isis tells him that he is no longer welcome in Khandaq because of his bloodlust.[24]
Upon returning to the labyrinth, Deathstroke reveals to them that his proceeding items were used to create a healing machine called "Methuselah" for his dying son Jericho. After healing Jericho, Deathstroke claims the machine can also resurrect the dead and can bring Black Adam as well. Osiris initially accepts, but after Cinder declares the Device a curse, he joins him and Tattooed Man in fighting the other Titans to destroy the device.[25] After Cinder sacrifices herself to destroy the device, Osiris leaves with Doctor Sivana in tow. He demands that Doctor Sivana create a new Methuselah Device to restore Black Adam, but Sivana asks in return that he helps him kill the wizard Shazam.[26]
The New 52
In 2011, "The New 52" rebooted the DC Universe. Amon Tomas is a young human recruited by the Sons of Adam, a terrorist group working on freeing Khandaq from Ibac's dictatorship. Due to his translating abilities he is tasked in reading an ancient spell to resurrect Black Adam. But before completing it, the military attacks them. Mortally injured, Amon makes his sister Adrianna complete the spell which revives Black Adam.[27]
DC Rebirth
During the 2016 "Shazam! and the Seven Magiclands" storyline, it is revealed that Isis and Osiris's (Adrianna and Amon)'s prior history as the super-powered Black Marvel Family was restored although they died under unknown circumstances years prior. Mister Mind and Doctor Sivanna would later attempt to recruit Black Adam into his Monster Society of Evil by tempting him with the power of the Darklands, which Mind claimed could resurrect those who've he tried to in the past, including Amon and Adrianna.[28]
Other characters named Osiris
Agent of the Overmaster
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a2/Osiris2dcu0.jpg/150px-Osiris2dcu0.jpg)
Osiris appeared in Justice League International vol. II #42 (March 1994) and was created by Gerard Jones and Charles Wojtkiewicz. He appeared monthly in that title and its companions, Justice League America and Justice League Task Force until August 1994.
Osiris is an Egyptian hero who wears a high-tech suit of golden armor and believes he is the god Osiris re-incarnate. He first appeared as an agent of the Overmaster and a member of the Cadre of the Immortal. After the Immortal's death, Osiris finally perceived the true threat of the Overmaster, he, Seneca and Mohammed Ibn Bornu allied themselves with the Justice League to stop the Overmaster.[29]
God of death
This Osiris appeared in the one-shot Sandman Presents: The Thessaliad #1 (March 2002) and was created by Bill Willingham and Shawn McManus.
Osiris is the Egyptian god of death, fertility, and resurrection. He is also the lord of the Egyptian underworld and was appointed to be one of three judges of the deceased, alongside Thoth and Anubis. In modern times, Osiris and the death gods Hel, Morrigan and Pluto conspired to steal the life force of a young girl named Thessaly, because of her status as the last Thessalian witch. Their scheme failed and the young witch dismembered the Ibis-headed immortal and scattered his body parts across time and space.[30][31]
Powers and abilities
As a ordinary human, Amon possessed no special abilities but he was a bass guitar player.[32] In the New 52, the character possessed an astute understanding of Egyptian and Kahndaqi mythology, granting him an understanding of Shazam's history (regarding it as legend). He also possess some magical potential due to the understanding, being the one to have succeeded in preparing a resurrection spell from the Book of the Dead to resurrect Black Adam.[27]
Powers of SHAZAM
Typically, Osiris's powers can change his form at will by saying the name of his benefactor ("Black Adam"), granting him a super-powered form typically granting him access to a portion of Black Adam's powers, which are stated to be derived from Egyptian deities. After his resurrection, his powers were enhanced to further levels.[33]
S | Stamina of Shu | Granting Amon superhuman stamina and acts as the counterpart of "Stamina of Allows" allowing him to fight indefinitely without the requirement to eat, sleep, or breathing and allows him to maintain his superpowered form indefinitely.[34][35] |
H | Swiftness of Heru | Grants Amon superhuman speed, reflexes, and flight, being the counterpart of Shazam's "Speed of Mercury".[35][34] |
A | Strength of Amon | Grants Amon superhuman strength. According to Atom, his strength level is at a Kryptonian-level.[35][33] |
Z | Wisdom of Zeuheti | Grants Amon enhanced wisdom,[35] acting as a counterpart of Shazam's "Wisdom of Solomon" although the specifics of Amon's usage of it has yet to be defined.[34] |
A | Power of Aten | Grants Amon various powers derived from the Egyptian Aten, being the counterpart of Shazam's "Power of Zeus"; it powers the lightinng provided by Amon's transformation and allows potential for arcane abilities.[34] Amon showcased some abilities in casting spells and magic when he attempted to resurrect his sister and brother-in-law.[33][34] |
M | Courage of Mehen | Grants Amon physical and magical invulnerability, acting as a counterpart of Shazam's "Courage of Achilles".[35][33][34] This power allowed him to resist the mind control abilities of the Black Lantern rings.[32] |
Power of Isis
While in his transformed form, Osiris can alternatively invoke "Isis", granting him similar abilities of power seen with the Power of Aten such as projecting powerful bolts of lightning onto even himself without risking transforming him back. The power of the lightning is capable disintegrating his opponents.[36] However, his most notable power that differs from his usual abilities includes being able to depower other beings using the powers of SHAZAM, as he demonstrated when he depowered Freddy Freeman of his Captain Marvel form to resurrect his sister, as reviving her required the power of a god.[33]
Other versions
Flashpoint
In the alternate timeline of the Flashpoint event, Osiris is a prince of Kahndaq and member of the H.I.V.E. council. He voted for using nuclear weapons to end the war in Western Europe between Aquaman and Wonder Woman, believing the death of his sister, Isis was caused by them. When Traci Thirteen battles the council, she is able to defeat him by casting spells ending in her saying 'Shazam!' causing Osiris to turn back.[37]
In other media
- A character inspired by Amon Tomaz named Behrad Tarazi appears in Legends of Tomorrow, portrayed by Shayan Sobhian as an adult[38] and by Bodhi Sabongui in flashbacks. He originally hails from a possible dystopian future in 2042, in which he possessed aerokinesis via the Air Totem before he was killed by A.R.G.U.S. After the Legends erase the dystopian future, a revived and altered Behrad joins them.
- Amon Tomaz appears in Black Adam, portrayed by Bodhi Sabongui.[39] This version is Adrianna Tomaz's teenage son who is a fan of superheroes and keeps Teth-Adam in his room, following him after his escape. Later, he finds out that Ishmael Gregor, his mother's partner, is actually the militant leader of Intergang, and escapes with Crown of Sabbac, but is captured. Upon being saved by Adam from being killed by Ishmael, he discovers that Ishmael's death allowed him to be reborn as the demon Sabbac. Amon, Adrianna and Karim rally the people of Khandaq to fight Sabbac's skeleton army while Teth-Adam and the Justice Society defeat Sabbac.
Collected editions
- Blackest Night: Rise of the Black Lanterns (collects The Power of Shazam! #48)
- Titans: Villains for Hire (collects Titans 24-27 and Titans: Villains for Hire Special #1)
References
- ^ 'Black Adam': 13-Year-Old Bodhi Sabongui Nabs Key Role in New Line's DC Movie (Exclusive)
- ^ Black Adam - Synopsis
- ^ Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Korte, Steve; Manning, Matt; Wiacek, Win; Wilson, Sven (2016). The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe. DK Publishing. p. 224. ISBN 978-1-4654-5357-0.
- ^ 52 Week 23 (October 11, 2006)
- ^ 52 Week 26 (November 1, 2006)
- ^ Teen Titans (vol. 3) #62 (October 2008)
- ^ Blackest Night #3 (November 2009)
- ^ The Power of Shazam! #48 (March 2010)
- ^ Blackest Night #8 (March 2010)
- ^ Brightest Day #0 (April 2010)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #24 (June 2010)
- ^ Titans: Villains For Hire Special #1 (2010)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #25 (July 2010)
- ^ Brightest Day #7 (August 2010)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #26 (August 2010)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #27 (September 2010)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #28 (October 2010)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #29 (November 2010)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #30 (December 2010)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #31 (January 2011)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #32 (February 2011)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #33 (March 2011)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #34 (April 2011)
- ^ Titans Annual 2011 (July 2011)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #37 (July 2011)
- ^ Titans (vol. 2) #38 (August 2011)
- ^ a b Justice League of America v3, 7.4 (November 2013)
- ^ Johns, Geoff (2020). Shazam! and the seven magic lands. Dale Eaglesham, Scott Kolins, Marco Santucci, Mayo Naito, Max Raynor, Michael Atiyeh, Rob Leigh. Burbank, CA. ISBN 978-1-77950-459-3. OCLC 1184122596.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ The Unofficial Osiris Biography
- ^ The Unofficial Osiris Biography
- ^ Sandman Presents: The Thessaliad #1 (March 2002)
- ^ a b Johns, Geoff (2010). Blackest night : rise of the Black Lanterns. New York: DC Comics. ISBN 978-1-4012-2789-0. OCLC 466340122.
- ^ a b c d e Wallace, Eric (2011). Titans : villains for hire. Fabrizio Fiorentino. New York: DC Comics. ISBN 978-1-4012-3048-7. OCLC 642843031.
- ^ a b c d e f "Shazam!: What's in a Name?". DC. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
- ^ a b c d e Manning, Matthew K. (2021). The DC Comics encyclopedia : the definitive guide to the characters of the DC Universe. Alan Cowsill, Jim Lee (New ed.). London. ISBN 978-0-241-43953-1. OCLC 1260845288.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Wallace, Eric (2011). Titans : family reunion. Fabrizio Fiorentino, Philip Tan, Cliff Richards. New York: DC Comics. ISBN 978-1-4012-3293-1. OCLC 704383227.
- ^ Flashpoint: The World of Flashpoint #1 (June 2011)
- ^ Agard, Chancellor (July 18, 2019). "How DC's Legends of Tomorrow is living its best life as TV's superhero underdog". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 18, 2019.
- ^ Kit, Borys (April 8, 2021). "'Black Adam': 13-Year-Old Bodhi Sabongui Nabs Key Role in New Line's DC Movie (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 8, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
External links
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