Black Adam: the Dark Age # 1 (of 8)

Black Adam may have lost his powers and is now being hunted by the entire world but he is still as determined and ruthless as ever and is plotting to regain what he has lost. This is a dark and gritty miniseries that in many ways, reads like a superhero version of the war on terror. JSA members track a supervillain-version of Osama bin Laden through a strife-torn Middle East, divided by ethnic strife and filled with violence and misery. Adam in turn, shows a Taliban-like fanaticism as he and his small band of followers stay just one step ahead of their pursuers, committing unthinkable acts for unfathomable reasons. Adam comes off as a truly intimidating bad guy, one who does not need powers or super weapons to get things done and who is oblivious to any moral code except his own. The JSA members, the token good guys in the story, are all depicted well as they try to navigate through an unfamiliar environment. The art fits the story perfectly although at times, it is obvious that the creative team is wallowing in the gore. They just have to show that knife blood cutting into the guard's throat! Clearly, DC can't just resort to another gigantic fight scene like they did during Black Adam's last rampage. But hopefully, they can give us something more subtle but just as compelling. This gets four and a half out of five stars.