| Character Name: | Osiris |
| Publisher: | DC Comics |
| Debut: | Cameo appearance: Teen Titans #38 (September 2006) Full appearance: 52 #23 (December 2006) |
| Real Name: | Amon Tomaz |
| Species: | Human |
| Alliances: | Teen Titans Titans, Villains for Hire Black Marvel Family Black Lantern Corps White Lantern Corps Sons of Adam |
| Aliases: | Black Adam Jr. Heir of Black Adam |
| Supports: | Black Adam Captain Marvel / Shazam |
| Powers: | 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:
|
| Homeworld: | Kahndaq (current) Cairo, Egypt (formerly) |
| Iom Alter Ego: | Behrad Tazari Behrad Tomaz |
| Iom Alliances: | League of Legends |
Amon Tomaz (امون توماز: Arabic), known as Osiris, is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Making his full debut in 52 #23, the character serves as analogue to Captain Marvel Jr. / Shazam Jr, sharing a significant connections to the character Black Adam, who is depicted as both a villain and anti-hero.
The character is initially depicted as an Egyptian teenager enslaved by Intergang, an organized crime syndicate with ties to the New Gods of Apokolips. His sister, Isis, and Black Adam strive to free him, but he suffers severe injuries. Unable to heal him, Black Adam grants him power, transforming him into Osiris and joining the Black Marvel Family as Adam's protege. They face conflicts with the Teen Titans, Suicide Squad, and Amanda Waller due to their reputation and involvement in Kahndaq's affairs. Ultimately, Amon and Adrianna are killed by the Four Horsemen of Apokolips while discredited in the eyes of the public due to Waller's manipulations. In Brightest Day, Osiris is revived and seeks to resurrect his sister and Black Adam. Guided by the Life Entity in the White Lantern Corps, he joins Deathstroke's Titans, but his corruption and willingness to kill others are gradually revealed.
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 although his resurrection alongside Isis's own is reverted back to having been killed by the Four Horsemen of Apokolips.
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. Within the movie's version, the character is expressed as Adrianna's son rather than younger brother. In the movie, her brother was named Karim and was portrayed by Mohammed Amer.[1] [2]
During the development of the 52 series, Osiris character came into fruition later in the development process as the team behind the book sought to create a love interest for Black Adam (initially considering Power Girl and Hippolyta before settling on creating a new version of Isis) and later, a supporting cast for the character with Amon introduced as a brother-in-law.[3] As Osiris's character came into focus during the series, Geoff Johns created the Sobek character to act as a unique companion to the character, opting to dis-include another Marvel Family parallel character or another young superhero character.[4]
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.[5] He appeared extensively in the 2006-2007 weekly series 52 as a supporting character within Black Adam's portion of the story. The character is eventually killed off in the forty-third issue of the series, with his sequences involving his death drawn by Giffen. Giffen was noted to dislike the character and originally drew a short joke comic with Sobek's character humorously contemplating eating the character, unaware of the character's death scene.
In March 2010, Osiris would first briefly return briefly in the Blackest Night crossover event. As part of DC's January campaign of bringing back 'dead comic runs', the Black Lantern Osiris featured in the one-shot The Power of Shazam! revival.[6] Two months later, the character would make a full revival within the eighth issue of the Blackest Night main series.
Amon Tomaz was a teenager and the younger brother of Adrianna Tomaz[7] who grew up in Cairo and dreamed of becoming a musician. Tragically, both their parents were killed and they were kidnapped by the criminal cult of Intergang, where both were sold into slavery and extorted. Intergang intended to brainwash him and others into serving within their off-shoot branch, the Religion of Crime and Cult of Cain. Amon refused despite attempts of coercion by Whisper A'Daire through both mind control and torture. Frustrated with his repeated attempts of escape, she orders her men to beat Amon and forcefully make him a paraplegic as punishment. This act was witnessed by the Question and Renee Montoya, friends of Adrianna (now Isis) and Black Adam who knew of Isis's efforts to locate her missing brother and relayed their location. When Isis's power proved unable to fully heal his physical body, Adam bestowed the powers of Shazam upon the boy, saving his life and giving him a new path in life.
Now both the superhero Osiris and Prince of Kahndaq, Amon sought to prove himself a worthy hero and befriend others despite his affiliation with Black Adam, whose past history and methodology towards justice was considered extreme, criminal and his efforts to embrace a different perspective by Isis met with little optimism by various world leaders, politicians, and superhero communities. Amon first sought to join the Teen Titans but while met with skepticism by Captain Marvel Junior, he agrees to vouch for him only if he proved his intention pure with the rest of the world. The Black Marvel Family would later make an attempt to appeal to the public by revealing their normal ungodly state and restating their intentions. Initially successful, Osiris's membership with the Teen Titans is short-lived after an attack by Amanda Waller's Suicide Squad. When Persuader tortures Isis during the conflict, he is gruesomely killed by an enraged Amon. Broadcasting the death of the super-villain to the public and manipulating the image, Waller discredits both the prince and the Black Marvel Family, having counted on his unpredictable nature and adolescence to provide an opportunity.
Wracked with guilt over the killing, Osiris comes to view his powers as a curse and believe them also responsible for the decaying of Kahndaq, unaware of the Four Horsemen of Apokolips having targetted the Black Marvel Family and helping to discredit them. Amon initially sought to find Captain Marvel in th Rock of Eternity to help strip him of his powers but relents when his sister and brother-in-law convinces him otherwise. Still not convinced days later, Sobek urges him to turn back to normal. Upon doing so, he is surprisingly killed and eaten by Sobek, revealing himself as Famine. Despite his short time as a Titan, a memorial statue of Osiris has been erected in Titans Tower.[8]
Osiris briefly returned as a reanimated Black Lantern corpse.[9] Because Black Adam restored Amon's deceased body to its godly form to ensure a pleasant afterlife, he returned with the powers of a Champion (in which the Marvel Family were since depowered) and resists the ring's attempt of control. He comes into conflict with a reanimated Black Lantern Sobek but manages to kill him himself, dying as a hero both for himself and in the perspective of his people. Along with several other heroes and villains Osiris was brought back to life at the end of Blackest Night.[10]
Following the events of Blackest Night, Osiris appears briefly as he returns to Kahndaq. Vowing to restore Kahndaq to its former prosperity, Osiris takes the petrified bodies of Black Adam and Isis and flies off to an unknown destination.[11]
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.[12]
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.[13]
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.[14]
Osiris is soon after contacted by the Entity, who tells him to free Isis.[15] 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.[16]
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.[17]
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.[18] While they battle, the new Batman arrives and see Osiris, realising that he has been working with Deathstroke's team.[19] Batman tries to get Osiris to explain his actions, but Osiris eventually escapes from Arkham Asylum and departs with Deathstroke's team.[20] Osiris travels to Philadelphia where he brutally kills several armed criminals until Freddy Freeman, the new Shazam, arrives.[21] 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?"[22] 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.[23] 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.[24]
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.[25]
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.[26] 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.[27]
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.[28]
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 he tried to in the past, including Amon and Adrianna.[29]
Osiris was initial characterized as having a kind-hearted and trusting nature to the extent of being naive. He exhibits unwavering loyalty towards his brother-in-law Black Adam, older sister Isis, and his homeland of Kahndaq. Following their revival, the character undergoes a notable change in attitude, displaying a more anti-hero outlook and engaged in morally questionable and villainous actions driven by their determination to resurrect their sister. The character's jaded nature is attributed to corruption, potentially influenced by Blaze and the trauma of their initial death.
Throughout the character's history, similar to Black Adam, Osiris is regarded within DC Universe with skepticism in regards to his heroic intentions by both the superhero and world community alike, being a reoccurring conflict with the character. Heroes such as The Atom regarded his villainous turn as being a threat to the world at large. However, his reputation as a Prince of Kahndaq within the nation is often depicted to be positive.
Osiris's death has been depicted differently numerous times over the course of the character's history. The character was first killed off originally in the 43rd issue of the 52 series. The character would be resurrected in early 2010 within the Blackest Night crossover main series and remained alive until the New 52 reboot. Within the original version of the rebooted continuity, Amon Tomaz would later be killed by a stray bullet as he attempted to resurrect a recently slain Black Adam. DC Rebirth restored the character's prior history seemingly expressed from the original 52 series[30] but remained deceased, with no mentioning of the character's history reflected in the 2008 Titans series.
As an ordinary human, Amon demonstrated remarkable strength of will that allowed him to resist the brainwashing attempts of Whisper A'Daire, a member of the Religion of Crime and a former member of the League of Assassins. Despite facing repeated physical beatings, Amon's strong willpower enabled him to resist the manipulation and nearly escaped the Religion of Crime's imprisonment on multiple occasions. Amon was also a bass guitar player[31] and in the New 52, the character possessed a profound knowledge of Egyptian and Kahndaqi history, which provided him with a deep understanding of the legends surrounding the Wizard Shazam and his champion, Black Adam. Additionally, his extensive knowledge of magic allowed him to tap into his own magical potential. Notably, he successfully prepared a resurrection spell from the Book of the Dead, enabling him to resurrect Black Adam.
Similar to his mentor and brother-in-law, Amon possesses the capability to switch between his human form and a super-powered form. This transformation grants him access to a portion of Black Adam's powers, which are derived from Egyptian deities. Unlike the pantheon involved within the Marvel Family, those grated by the Egyptian deities are depicted to being of greater magnitude.[32] As a member of the Black Marvel Family, Amon and the other members share a collective reservoir of power. The strength of Amon's abilities is contingent upon the number of individuals within the Black Marvel Family who have also undergone their respective transformations.
Osiris's powers were enhanced after his resurrection, surpassing their previous limits. Due to the removal of Isis and Black Adam's power during a past storyline prior to Osiris's revival, he would also possess all of the collective power of Black Adam and Isis for a time although they began wanning. After Isis's resurrection, Osiris would only possess the collective power of Black Adam.[33]
| S | Stamina of Shu | The equivalent to the "Stamina of Atlas", The stamina attribute from Shu enables Amon to maintain his empowered state for an extended period without any time limitations. Additionally, the empowerment provides Amon with substance, eliminating the need for eating, sleeping, and even breathing. As a result, Adam can operate at peak efficiency, unaffected by the physiological requirements that typically apply to ordinary individuals.[34] | |
| H | Speed of Horus | The equivalent to the "Speed of Mercury", the Speed of Horus grants Amon super speed, enhanced reflexes, motor skills, and flight, enabling them to move at incredible speeds, react swiftly, perform precise maneuvers, and soar through the air. His speed ranks around at least 16,000 miles per hour (roughly Mach 20).[35] | |
| A | Strength of Amon | The equivalent of the "Strength of Hercules", this bestows Amon an exceptional level of superhuman strength. He gains the ability to exert immense physical power, surpassing the capabilities of ordinary individuals. With this heightened strength, they can effortlessly lift and manipulate objects of tremendous weight, overpower adversaries with ease, and deliver devastating blows in combat.[36] Osiris's strength level is comparable to that of a Kryptonian[37] and was capable of lifting at least 6,000 tons prior to his resurrection. | |
| Z | Wisdom of Zeuheti | The counterpart of the "Wisdom of Solomon", the Wisdom of Zehuti grants Adam perfect memory, strategic combat skills, exceptional mathematical aptitude, charisma in interpersonal interactions, limited clairvoyance for acquiring arcane knowledge and intuitive insights, as well as a natural fluency in all languages. Similar to the Wisdom of Solomon, the power is considered an active one a champion must channel to activate.[38] It also granted him a understand of architecture that enabled him to build hospitals.[39] | |
| A | Power of Aten | The eqivalent to the "Power of Zeus", this attributes fasciliates the transformation that grants Adam access to the full range of his powers, including the ability to shoot bursts of electricity and lightning. He also possesses a limited gift of teleportation, allowing him to effortlessly travel to and from the Rock of Eternity with a single thought. Notably, the Power of Aton empowers him with the potential to use magic and cast spells. This power is considered the most difficult, requiring the most study, focus and displine.[40] Amon possesses an affinity for magic and showcased some abilities in casting spells and magic when he attempted to resurrect his sister and brother-in-law.[41] | |
| M | Courage of Mehen | The equivalent to the "Courage of Achilles", the Courage of Mehen grants Black Adam peak physical defenses, rendering her nearly invulnerable. This heightened level of invulnerability provides significant protection against physical harm. Additionally, the empowerment grants Adam resistance to various elements, including heat, force, disease, and the effects of aging. This attribute allow Mary to withstand extreme conditions and maintain her health and vitality against formidable challenges.[42] Additionally, Amon possess a degree of magical invulnerability and has a high resistance to mind control, having resisted the Black Lantern rings successfully. | |
| Power of Isis | As a member of the Black Marvel Family, the character possesses a portion of power derived from the super-powered Isis. By invoking her name, he can perform various acts, including projecting lightning and depowering others using the Powers of Shazam. This power establishes a link between himself and his sister, strengthening their connection. | ||
| Living Lightning | In the New 52 onward, the character would a possession portion of the Living Lightning derived from his empowerment by Black Adam. Amon would potentially possess the same powers as Black Adam and Shazam, with magical abilities including lightning control, amplification of spells, further enhancement of strength, and enhances healing capabilities, among others.[43] [44] He could also potentially cast spells derived from the Wizard and previous members of the Council of Eternity, which are documented in the Book of Champions.[45] | ||
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.[46]
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.[47]
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.[48] [49]