Warning: Spoilers for Black Lightning #1!DC Comics is ready to revitalizeBlack Lightningfor a brand-new chapter. The character is experiencing something of a renaissance in the modern DC Universe. Aspart of its All In initiative, the comic book publisher has selected a handful of supporting superheroes to push to the forefront of its roster. Among those heroes is Black Lightning, who has been chosen to join thenew iteration of the Justice League.
Black Lightning#1 by Brandon Thomas, Fico Ossio, Ulises Arreola, and Lucas Gattoni is the first step in DC going all-in on the character. In recent months, DCreintroduced Black Lightning back into canonviarevealing his first meeting with Superman. Now, Black Lightning is presented unlike he’s ever been seen before ina brand-new miniseries that puts Jefferson Pierce’s family at the center.
Black Lightning#1 highlights the title character not only as a hero but as a father, presenting new challenges thatinstantly make this a must-read for any fan of the character.
Black Lightning#1 Is a Powerful Story About Recovering from a Traumatizing Event
Jefferson’s PTSD is the Core ofBlack Lightning#1
Black Lightning#1 is off to a raucous start largely due to the storytelling elements introduced in this issue. A lot is introduced here that’s not only compelling, but is likely to have major ramifications over the preceding issues, namely in regard toJefferson’s overarching PTSD over what happened duringAbsolute Powerby Mark Waid and Dan Mora. The fact that his personal conversation with his friend and ex-wife, Lynn Stewart, regarding his grief and guilt is what starts the issue suggests that it could be one of the bigger themes going into this new series.
The series could force Black Lightning to not only confront the grief he refuses to talk about, but also to redeem himself in order to find closure.
That PTSD comes back in a big way by issue’s end as Black Lightning watches his daughters fall again, diving at the chance to save them. The series could force Black Lightning to not only confront the grief he refuses to talk about, but also to redeem himself to find closure. These closing moments could be viewed as redemption, but as he deals with his daughter’s unexpected power upgrade afterAbsolute Powershook up powers across the DCU,saving his two daughters in a new way may finally help him move onfrom how he feels he failed as a parent on the day it mattered.
What Happens inBlack Lightning#1?
How DC Goes All-In On a Classic Hero
Black Lightning#1 directly follows up on the events ofAbsolute Power, whereAmanda Waller becomes a true supervillainwith an all-out assault on the world. She strips several heroes of their powers (some even switch powers) and captures them, even Superman. In the case of Black Lightning, he temporarily loses his powers and nearly loses his daughters, Lightning and Thunder. The threat has since been averted, Waller defeated, and Jefferson’s powers returned, buthe’s still visibly shaken by the events, as he recollects them to his ex-wife to kick off the issue.
Tony Isabella, the creator of Black Lightning, also receives a “special thanks” credit in this first issue!
The consequences ofAbsolute Powerare felt throughoutBlack Lightning#1, withthe bulk of the plot focusing on how random citizens are exhibiting powers and having dormant metahuman genes activated. This new development puts Black Lightning and Lightning in front of Isaac Mitchell, a Garfield High student who whould have spontaneously combusted inside the school had Black Lightning not intervened. He brings the boy to the Justice League’s new Watchtower to run diagnostic tests on him and train him to control his powers.
Absolute Power also affected Black Lightning’s daughters, with a struggling Anissa (Thunder) relocating to New Orleans after the fact - or so the Pierce family think. Anissa’s struggles reach their peak in the final pages when Black Lightning receives word of yet another surge happening in the Suicide Slums (or Southside Heights, as the iconic Metropolis neighborhood has been rebranded). This mysterious person has powers identical to Jennifer Pierce’s Lightning powers. Lightning and Black Lightning investigate, and are shocked to discover thatthe metahuman in question with uncontrollable powers is Anissa.
Black Lightning’s Family Suffers After the Events ofAbsolute Power
As Does the DC Universe as a Whole
Anissa’s power upgrade is going to be interesting to watch develop - not only because of how it affects Black Lightning’s daughter and his relationship with her, but in how it emphasizes the importance ofAbsolute Poweras an event.Absolute Poweris DC’s biggest event in years, not just in terms of gravitas, but in terms of consequences, as it even removedPrime Earth’s access to the multiverse. As evidenced by Jefferson’s PTSD, the effects of the event will dominate Black Lightning’s story going forward.
Black Lightning Gets a Redesigned Costume For His Brand New DC ALL IN Solo Series
After years of being largely absent from DC storylines — and years since having his own solo series — Black Lightning is back on the shelves!
The beauty ofAbsolute Power’s influence on the newBlack Lightningseries is two-fold. It showcases justhow interconnected the DC Universe is for every hero, and it bolsters the strength ofAbsolute Poweras a launching point for telling new stories. The best stories are those that can make other stories even better in retrospect, and vice versa.Black Lightningworks off the strength ofAbsolute Power, and seeing how Jefferson is affected byAbsolute Powerin turn strengthensAbsolute Powerin new ways upon re-reading the monumental event.
Black Lightning#1 Strikes in Unexpected Ways, Offering a New Take on a Classic Hero
The Series' Action Is Driven by Story and Character
What’s perhaps most impressive aboutBlack Lightning#1 ishow it entertains and grips the reader with very minimal action. It’s easy to miss on a first read, but save for flashbacks fromAbsolute Power, there are little to no action sequences in this issue. The story comes close to some blow-out battles but never quite gets into a full-blown action moment. A SWAT team nearly shoots down Isaac, but nothing happens when Black Lightning arrives. Readers get small glimpses of Lightning and Isaac testing their powers but very minimal action when Lightning and Jefferson track down Thunder.
In any other story, a lack of action might be a criticism, but inBlack Lightning#1, that lack actually strengthens the story. The hidden tension, be it through words and feelings unsaid or the diffused altercations, makes the story feel as if there’s always a pin waiting to drop, but it’s never clear when or if it will happen. That edge-of-the-seat feeling creates all the more excitement to keep reading future issues to see when that pin finally drops - because when it does, it will sound and look like an atomic bomb.Black Lightning#1 sets up the title hero for immense character growth that’s worth catching in real time.
Black Lightning
Cast
Black Lighting is a live-action Superhero and Sci-Fi drama that was developed by Salim Akil. It stars frontrunner Cress Williams as he takes on the mantle of Jefferson Pierce a high-school principle that used to be the enigmatic superhero Black Lighting. The series revolves around Pierce being forced to leave retirement and once again exploring his superhero persona.
