If you’ve been reading comics for a long time, then you probably know how much of a big deal The Black Lightning is. It’s one of the top-selling series of all-time, and it’s also the story of an unusually powerful young man with some of the most impressive powers ever seen.
Storyline
A new superhero based on a DC Comics character has hit television screens. Black Lightning may be the next big thing in the genre. But can it live up to its reputation?
It’s a tough balance for DC’s heroes to strike: they need to be good at their jobs, while at the same time letting their personalities shine through. Jefferson Pierce combines the best of both worlds. He has a sharp intellect, but is not afraid to let his guard down. This can be a problem when it comes to fighting crime.
In order to succeed, he’s recruited a slew of superpowered individuals. However, his efforts fall short. Fortunately, Black Lightning has his partner, Gambi, to keep him on track.
Gambi’s main role is as a mentor and operation manager. He’s also the mastermind behind Black Lightning’s most successful mission.
Characters
Black Lightning is one of DC’s first black superheroes. He first appeared in 1977-78 series. His origin was changed to that of a metahuman with electrical powers. After he joined The Outsiders in mid-1980s, his powers became weaker. In the 1995 solo series, he returned to electrical powers.
Black Lightning first appears in the back pages of other comics. He is a former Olympian. He started using electrical powers more in 1983. A decade later, he used his abilities to save his daughter and former student, Grace.
Initially, Jefferson only uses his metahuman powers to fight gangsters. Years later, he returned to superhero status, and took up the mantle of Black Lightning, to protect his daughters.
He was later recruited by Flash to help stop the anti-matter wave. Later, his ex-wife Lynn convinced him to retire.
Outsiders appearance in Batman: The Brave and the Bold
The Outsiders was a team of superheroes that worked in secret, working outside of the Justice League. The group was founded by Batman and comprised of members such as Black Lightning, Halo, Katana, and Metamorpho.
In the series, Batman recruited these superheroes to fight crime. They have been based in Gotham City, but the team has remained hidden from the government.
These members are influenced by the metahuman Sleez. One of the Outsiders’s missions is to investigate the Brotherhood of Evil, a group that traffics in metahuman clones.
Another mission involves investigating the strangeness of the multiverse, which is the home of a number of villains. There are also recurring enemies such as Windfall and Cryonic Man.
A new incarnation of the team was launched in 2005 with Starfire and Huntress joining. Some members have been killed, though some have been revived.
Virgil Hawkins’ powers
If you have read Black Lightning, you may have heard of Virgil Hawkins’ powers. He is a young man who has the power to control static electricity. Often he is the target of bullies. But he tries to use his powers for good, which helps him become a hero.
Virgil’s father knew about his son’s powers, and kept them a secret. His mother was not aware of him having them. As a result, he had a difficult time coping with bullies and other problems.
During a gang fight, Virgil was exposed to tear gas. The gas proved to be harmful. Some of the people exposed to the gas turned into monstrous creatures. After realizing the damage the gas caused, he decided to go to Cadmus Labs to recover his powers.
Career
Black Lightning is a superhero who has been around for a while. He was one of the first African-American superheroes in the DC Comics universe. His first appearance was in Black Lightning #1 in 1977.
After a brief stint in retirement, Black Lightning returned in 2004 to join the League of Legends against Sabboc. Later, he joined Metamorpho in the Fuse case, where they were able to defeat Tobias Whale.
Before Black Lightning, Jefferson Pierce was a high school principle in the Suicide Slum neighborhood of Metropolis. He was also a member of the Justice Society of America. In fact, he was the first black superhero in DC’s history.
Although he was known for his heroics, Jefferson’s personal life was a bit strained. He and his former wife Lynn were divorced. Their daughter Anissa moved in with her mother, and later enrolled at a pre-medical college.
