Trademark
UnclaimedIsis is a DC Comics superhero identity originating in 1970s television and later associated with Black Adam, Kahndaq, and the Shazam mythology.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Isis is a fictional superhero character and intellectual property associated with DC Comics. The character began as Andrea Thomas, the central figure of the live-action television series The Secrets of Isis, which formed part of The Shazam! Isis Hour. Created for television by Marc Richards in 1975, Andrea was portrayed by Joanna Cameron as a science teacher who discovers an ancient Egyptian amulet during an archaeological expedition. The amulet enables her to invoke the powers of the goddess Isis, transforming her into a costumed superhero who uses scientific knowledge, moral judgment, and supernatural abilities to resolve threats. The original television incarnation was designed as a family-oriented heroine with an educational and socially constructive tone. Her powers included flight, superhuman strength and speed, telekinesis, control over natural elements, remote perception, and, at the highest level, the ability to affect the passage of time. She commonly activated her abilities through poetic spoken commands. The character was notable for receiving a television series of her own during an era when female superhero leads were comparatively uncommon in American popular entertainment. DC Comics introduced the television version in Shazam! #25 in 1976 and then published The Mighty Isis, an eight-issue tie-in comic series from 1976 to 1978. These stories initially followed the television premise but later expanded Andrea Thomas's personal and heroic conflicts beyond the boundaries of the show. The original continuity was effectively displaced by later DC continuity revisions, including the broad changes associated with Crisis on Infinite Earths. Isis was reintroduced to DC's modern superhero universe in the weekly series 52, beginning with issue #3 in 2006. This version was Adrianna Tomaz, an Egyptian refugee enslaved by Intergang and presented to Black Adam as tribute. After Black Adam freed her, he gave her an amulet once empowered by the Wizard Shazam. The artifact transformed Adrianna into Isis, a powerful magical champion. She became Black Adam's wife, Queen of Kahndaq, and a member of the Black Marvel Family alongside her brother Amon Tomaz, who became Osiris. The Adrianna Tomaz storyline connected Isis to major DC themes including liberation, authoritarian rule, international legitimacy, family loyalty, magical inheritance, and the consequences of political violence. Adrianna initially promoted the welfare of Kahndaq and the emancipation of enslaved children, while her public popularity contrasted with hostile portrayals by Amanda Waller's Suicide Squad and opposition from Intergang. Her death, followed by the death of Osiris, helped trigger Black Adam's global retaliatory campaign known as World War III. Later stories temporarily restored her through the efforts of Felix Faust, but manipulation and magical corruption caused her to become increasingly destructive before further intervention by Shazam-related heroes. The character has appeared in animated programs, live-action television, comics, video games, and film. Adaptations have varied substantially: Smallville used Isis as a possession identity for Lois Lane; Legends of Tomorrow introduced Zari Tomaz, a future hacker whose wind powers came from an elemental totem; and the 2022 film Black Adam portrayed Adrianna Tomaz, played by Sarah Shahi, as an archaeologist and resistance figure in Intergang-controlled Kahndaq. Isis therefore functions less as a single fixed persona than as a recurring heroic mantle linked to ancient Egyptian imagery, magical artifacts, female agency, and the Black Adam branch of DC's Shazam mythology.
History
Isis was created for American television by Marc Richards in 1975. The original character was Andrea Thomas, a high-school science teacher played by Joanna Cameron in The Secrets of Isis. During an archaeological excavation in Egypt, Andrea found an amulet associated with the ancient goddess Isis. By invoking the artifact's power, she could transform into a superheroine. The series positioned her as an intelligent, compassionate, and socially responsible hero whose scientific background complemented her supernatural abilities. The program was broadcast within The Shazam! Isis Hour, pairing Isis with Captain Marvel-related material. Fifteen episodes of The Secrets of Isis were produced for the original format, and Isis also appeared in several segments of the Shazam! portion. In 1977, the character received a separate broadcast slot combining new episodes with repeats. Her television profile made Isis one of the more prominent female superhero leads of the period. DC Comics adapted the character in Shazam! #25 in 1976 and launched The Mighty Isis soon afterward. The eight-issue series retained Andrea Thomas and the television premise but gradually introduced plots that went beyond the program, including conflicts involving Andrea's heroic identity and personal relationships. The original version was later superseded by DC's changing continuity and was not carried forward as a central figure after the company's major continuity revisions. Isis subsequently appeared in animated material, including Filmation's Tarzan and the Super 7 segment The Freedom Force in 1980 and a guest appearance in The Kid Super Power Hour with Shazam!. These adaptations broadened the character's association with ensemble superhero entertainment. A major reinvention occurred in DC's 52, beginning in 2006. The new Isis was Adrianna Tomaz, an Egyptian refugee enslaved by Intergang. Black Adam freed her and gave her a magical amulet connected to the Wizard Shazam. The amulet transformed Adrianna into Isis and gave her powers comparable to other champions of the Shazam tradition. She married Black Adam and became Queen of Kahndaq. Her brother Amon was later empowered as Osiris after suffering severe abuse and injury. Adrianna's political goals initially centered on improving Kahndaq and liberating enslaved children. Her public influence helped Black Adam and Isis gain international visibility, but their movement was attacked by Intergang and discredited by opponents. A series of schemes involving Apokoliptian forces produced famine, disease, and political instability in Kahndaq. Osiris was killed by Sobek, secretly one of the Horsemen of Apokolips, and Isis was killed by the Horseman of Pestilence. Their deaths helped drive Black Adam into the global retaliation depicted in World War III. Later stories used magic, necromancy, and the recovery of the Amulet of Isis to bring Adrianna back. Felix Faust manipulated both Black Adam and Isis, and her resurrection was followed by captivity and corruption. After escaping Faust, Isis joined Black Adam in a violent campaign against perceived enemies. Her increasingly destructive behavior led to confrontations with the Justice Society, Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel, and other heroes. The Wizard Shazam eventually petrified Black Adam and Isis. Osiris later restored Isis, but magical and spiritual corruption continued to affect both siblings. Subsequent continuity revisions altered or abbreviated these events, and in current continuity the character remains generally depicted as dead or unavailable. Other versions and adaptations have continued to reinterpret the identity. Smallville used the Amulet of Isis as the source of a possession plot involving Lois Lane. Young Justice included goddess and superhero-related versions. Legends of Tomorrow introduced Zari Tomaz and later Zari Tarazi, characters connected thematically and narratively to the Isis legacy through magical totems and alternate timelines. The 2022 film Black Adam brought Adrianna Tomaz into the DC Extended Universe as an archaeologist and resistance fighter rather than immediately presenting her as the fully empowered comic-book monarch. Isis has also appeared in DC Universe Online and in endings associated with Black Adam in the Injustice video-game series.
- 2022
Black Adam film appearance
[1]Adrianna Tomaz appears in the feature film Black Adam, played by Sarah Shahi.
- 2016
Zari Tomaz introduced
[1]Legends of Tomorrow presents a future character whose identity and elemental powers reference Isis-related mythology.
- 2006
Adrianna Tomaz introduced
[1]52 reinvents Isis as Adrianna Tomaz, Black Adam's wife and Queen of Kahndaq.
- 1980
Animated adaptation
[1]Isis appears in Filmation's The Freedom Force segment of Tarzan and the Super 7.
- 1976
First comic-book appearance
[1]The original television version appears in Shazam! #25.
- 1976
The Mighty Isis begins publication
[1]DC launches an eight-issue comic series based on Andrea Thomas and the television character.
- 1975
Television creation
[1]Marc Richards creates Isis for The Secrets of Isis, with Joanna Cameron portraying Andrea Thomas.
Products and positioning
A legacy superhero identity built around ancient Egyptian mythology, elemental magic, female heroism, and the wider Shazam and Black Adam mythology.
Live-action television series · 1975
The Secrets of Isis
The original television series introduced Andrea Thomas, a science teacher who transforms into Isis through an Egyptian amulet. The program emphasized heroic problem-solving, science, moral responsibility, and family viewing, and was initially broadcast as part of The Shazam! Isis Hour before receiving its own timeslot.
Comic-book series · 1976
The Mighty Isis
DC's television tie-in comic expanded the Andrea Thomas incarnation beyond the boundaries of the live-action series. The eight-issue run initially followed the show's premise and later explored personal relationships, identity conflicts, and stories not adapted for television.
Comic-book series · 2006
52
The weekly 52 series reintroduced Isis as Adrianna Tomaz. This version is an Egyptian refugee who becomes a magical champion through an amulet connected to the Wizard Shazam, marries Black Adam, rules Kahndaq, and plays a central role in the Black Adam and Osiris storyline.
Feature film · 2022
Black Adam
The 2022 film introduces Adrianna Tomaz as an archaeologist and resistance fighter in Kahndaq. Sarah Shahi portrays the character, who helps oppose Intergang and contributes to the film's expansion of Black Adam's supporting cast.
Brand decisions
2022
Adapt Isis for Black AdamProduct launchBackground
The Black Adam film required a version of Adrianna Tomaz suited to a contemporary cinematic setting.
Action taken
The film portrayed Adrianna as an archaeologist and resistance fighter in Intergang-controlled Kahndaq, played by Sarah Shahi.
Aftermath
The adaptation introduced the character to the DC film audience while retaining her connection to Kahndaq and Black Adam.
2006
Reinvent Isis as Adrianna TomazGeneration changeBackground
DC needed a modern incarnation that could operate within the contemporary Shazam and Black Adam mythology rather than simply repeat the 1970s television premise.
Action taken
The 52 series introduced Adrianna Tomaz as an Egyptian refugee who receives the Amulet of Isis from Black Adam and becomes a magical champion.
Aftermath
The reinvention linked Isis to Kahndaq, Black Adam, Osiris, Intergang, and several major DC crossover storylines.
Sources1 sources
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