Black Lightning

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Black Lightning
Black Lighting on the cover of Justice League of America #12. Art by Alex Ross.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Black Lightning #1 (April 1977)
Created by	Tony Isabella (writer) Trevor Von Eeden (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Jefferson Pierce
Team affiliations	Justice League Outsiders U.S. Department of Education International Olympic Committee
Abilities	Electricity generation and manipulation, Limited flight Force field generation, Skilled martial artist Olympic level athlete

Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce) was one of the first major African American superheroes to appear in DC Comics.^[1] He debuted in Black Lightning #1 (April 1977), and was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden.^[2]

[edit] Publication history

The original candidate for DC Comics' first headlining black superhero was a character called the Black Bomber, a black hero who was actually a white racist and later described by cartoon and self proclaimed comics historian Don Markstein as "an insult to practically everybody with any point of view at all."^[3] When the editor who had approved the Black Bomber left the company before the character had seen print, Tony Isabella (whose previous writing experience included Luke Cage, Marvel Comics' first black superhero with his own title) was asked to salvage the character; Isabella managed to convince editors of his Black Lightning character which he had been working on for some time, mentioning that his characters along the way were merely stepping stones.^[4]

Black Lightning. Art by Kevin Nowlan.

Tony Isabella wrote the first ten issues of Black Lightning, before handing over to Dennis O'Neil. Only one O'Neil-scripted issue came out before the series was canceled in 1978 as part of a general large-scale pruning of the company's superhero titles known as the DC Implosion (which also canceled the debut of Vixen, which would have been DC's first title starring a female black superhero). Issue #12 was published in Cancelled Comic Cavalcade, then formally published in World's Finest #260.

Black Lightning made a number of guest appearances in various titles over the next few years, including a string of issues of World's Finest written by O'Neil, then shifting to Detective Comics and a two-part story in Justice League of America in which the League invited him to join, but he turned them down.

In 1983, with his powers restored, he regularly-appeared again as a member of the Batman-led superhero team the Outsiders. When The Outsiders ended, he returned to making occasional guest appearances. One such appearance, in 1988, resulted in increased powers.

In 1995, a new Black Lightning series began, with art by Eddy Newell, again written by Tony Isabella, who was fired after the eighth issue. After Tony Isabella left, the series was canceled after only five more issues. The reason for Tony Isabella leaving could have been because of editorial disagreements about the direction of the series. However, Isabella has since revealed that he believes the editor fired him because of a wish to bring in a new writer in order to "create his own power base at DC Comics".^[5]

A "Black Lightning: Year One" six-issue limited series, written by Jen Van Meter and illustrated by Cully Hamner^[6] is currently being released on a bi-weekly basis.

[edit] Fictional character biography

[edit] Year one

A gold medal-winning Olympic decathlete, Jefferson Pierce returned to his old neighborhood in the Southside (Suicide Slum) of the city of Metropolis, with his wife Lynn Stewart and his daughter Anissa to become the principal of Garfield High School. Southside as it was once known was where his father renowned journalist Alvin Pierce had been murdered. Guilt over this event was a factor in his decision to leave the city of Metropolis. Suicide Slum was being torn apart by a local organized criminal gang called the 100, shady corporations, and crooked local politicians like Tobias Whale. Peter Gambi, a family friend and tailor, had taught a much younger Jefferson how to suppress his inborn metahuman abilities so that he wouldn't accidentally hurt any of the people he cared about. Upon his return Gambi suggested to Jefferson that he should use his powers to help the neighborhood, and refers him to a plaque with the paraphrased Milo Sweetman quote "Justice, like lightning should ever appear to some men hope, to other men fear", the original text of which was "Justice, like lightning, ever should appear to few men's ruin, but to all men's fear. Of mortal justice if thou scorn the rod, believe and tremble, thou art judged of God." Appalled by the public murder of Earl Clifford, one of his more promising students, Pierce tried to intervene on behalf of the schoolchildren, but quickly learned that the 100 objected violently to any interference.^[2][7] Pierce adopts the costumed identity "Black Lightning". Years later, he would tell fellow African American superhero Mister Terrific that he chose the name Black Lightning because he "was the only one of us around" at the time, and he "wanted to make sure everyone knew who they were dealing with."^[8]

[edit] Outsiders

After his own series was canceled, Black Lightning lost his electrical powers, but continued fighting without them. The loss eventually turned out to be psychosomatic, a symptom of a crisis of confidence resulting from the accidental death of a female bystander named Trina Shelton during an altercation between Black Lightning and some gun-wielding thugs. Batman, wanting to recruit him to rescue Lucius Fox in Markovia, helped him regain his powers back, this will eventually lead him to join the Batman's Outsiders.^[2] During his time with the Outsiders, a group of villains called the Masters of Disaster captures Black Lightning at the behest of the parents of Trina Shelton to avenge the death of their daughter; however, upon learning that he still regrets what happened and was willing to be executed by them, they sacrificed their lives to save him. During INVASION, the Dominators detonated a Gene-Bomb that wreaked havoc with anyone possessing the metagene by making them lose control of their powers. Though Black Lightning survived this , a side effect of this is that he can now generate his electric powers without the need of his "power belt". After the break up of the Outsiders, Black Lightning moved to Brick City to continue his solo career.

[edit] Secretary of Education

Cover to Black Lightning v2, #1, Eddy Newell

When Lex Luthor was elected President of the United States in 2000, he appoints Jefferson Pierce as Secretary of Education, Pierce accepting as he concludes that he can do more good working within the system than outside it.^[2] He resigned amidst controversy over his "worst-kept secret in Washington" identity as Black Lightning, and his alleged inadvertent killing of a criminally-minded corporate CEO, for which President Pete Ross (who had since succeeded Luthor) then pardoned him.

Making frequent guest appearances in several DC series, Pierce has appeared in Green Arrow (who had a one night stand with his niece, a successful attorney named Joanna Pierce). Pierce helped Green Arrow track down Dr. Light in the Green Arrow "Heading into the Light" story arc. He also appeared in the new Outsiders, of which his daughter, Anissa (using the alias Thunder), is a member. He came to fight the new Sabbac and help his daughter alongside Captain Marvel Junior and the Outsiders. He had on an outfit that mixed his second outfit with the colors of the first. After teaming up with the Outsiders, incoming President Pete Ross asked him to resign as Secretary of Education and he did.

[edit] Infinite Crisis

In issue #5 of the Infinite Crisis storyline, it was shown that Black Lightning was one of the eight people Batman had considered to aid him in destroying the Brother Eye satellite, which controlled the OMACs. Booster Gold, who was not on the list of eight, but knew about the candidates from his knowledge of the future, contacted Lightning before Batman did, as historical data from the future had shown who had aided Batman. Lightning accepted, arriving at the Bat cave to await orders. He then forged an uneasy yet effective alliance with Mister Terrific, combining their powers of electrical manipulation and invisibility to technology to strike the villainous AI from the inside.

After the third Society of Super Villains was formed, Black Lightning began using his status as Luthor's former Secretary of Education to gain information from super villains.

[edit] Outsiders redux

In Outsiders (vol. 3) #45, it was revealed that three years have passed since Jefferson's niece Joanna Pierce was murdered, and that upon initially learning of her death, Jefferson went after the corrupt businessman Martin Somers, the man who was responsible. He had intended to wound Somers with his lightning shot, but apparently ended up killing him. Jefferson turned himself in to the authorities. However, it is revealed that Deathstroke was responsible for Somers' death by firing a dart of toxin to Somers moments before Jefferson shot his lightning. Hence, he was dead before he hit the ground. Jason Todd discovered the truth while eavesdropping on the assassin's conversation with Lex Luthor (who was really Alexander Luthor, Jr. in disguise) and contacted Nightwing with this information. When Nightwing and Anissa told Jefferson of this in prison, he disbelieved it and intended to pay for Somers' death. Anissa herself intended to break her father out of Iron Heights Prison. Upon learning from Todd that other inmates were about to carry out a contract hit on Pierce (whose identity as an inmate had leaked to unknown parties), the Outsiders resolved to assist her. They freed him from jail and with the audio recording of Deathstroke's conversation cleared his name.

[edit] Justice League of America

Years ago, Green Arrow brought Black Lightning to the attention of the Justice League of America, who extended an offer of membership to the protector of Suicide Slum. He turned down the offer, preferring to work as a loner and focus on street-level crime.^[9] Most recently, however, Black Lightning has joined the JLA, once again appearing with a modified costume.^[2] He appears to be primarily based in Washington DC again. Black Lightning assists the JLA with intelligence gathered from the criminal community. Many super villains still believe he is 'in' with Lex Luthor and are willing to cooperate. Jefferson also helps the team in a battle against Amazo. He was the first member of the League to respond to the recent attacks made by the Amazons of Themyscira, and he also saved the President of the United States in this event.

Black Lightning was the focus of the one-shot Final Crisis: Submit, in which he helped the new Tattooed Man and his family escape at the cost of his own freedom. He is subsequently shown in issue 4 of Final Crisis under Darkseid's thrall.

[edit] Outsiders

Recently, Black Lightning was recruited by Alfred Pennyworth to join a new version of the Outsiders. Unlike previous iterations of the team, these Outsiders must live "off the grid" and stay out of contact with friends and family for months at a time. It is confirmed that, due to this new commitment, Black Lightning has left the Justice League.

[edit] Black Lightning's daughters

Jefferson has had two daughters by his ex-wife Lynn Stewart, both of whom have followed in his footsteps and become superheroes. His oldest daughter Anissa Pierce has taken on the name "Thunder" and serves on his former team the Outsiders.^[10] And his sixteen year old younger daughter, Jennifer Pierce, was recently recruited by the Justice Society of America under the code name "Lightning".^[11] A version of Lightning first appeared in Kingdom Come a 1996 mini-series published by DC Comics.

In Justice League of America vol 2 #27, Pierce claims that people frequently ask him if he is the father of Static, much to his chagrin.

[edit] Powers and abilities

According to Black Lightning: Year One, Jefferson Pierce is a metahuman who was born with the ability to generate localized electromagnetic phenomena, by manipulating intense bio-electric fields generated by his body. This is a power that he internalized and kept hidden for much of the early part of his adult life.^[12] Exactly how much electrical energy Black Lightning can generate is unknown but he can easily stun or kill a man with his powers, and on one occasion he was able to restart Superman's heart after the Man of Steel had suffered from a near-fatal Kryptonite exposure. He can also generate a powerful electro-magnetic force-field capable of stopping projectiles, however, this act require considerable effort and concentration.^[2] He once demonstrated an electromagnetic repulsion field which granted him limited flight capabilities, though this particular ability was only demonstrated during the reality-altering Infinite Crisis event. Pierce also maintains his Olympic-level physical conditioning, giving him above average strength, speed and stamina. Under Batman's tutelage, he has become a highly skilled hand-to-hand martial artist and combatant.

[edit] Other versions

• Black Lightning has appeared in the Justice League Unlimited spin-off comic book. His appearances are in issues #15^[13] and #27.^[14]

In a looser sense, there a number of DC superheroes who are African-American males with electricity based power who might also be considered "versions" of Black Lightning, namely: Black Vulcan , Static , Thunderbolt, Soul Power and Sparky and Juice.

[edit] Other media

[edit] Television

• Black Lightning appears in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold episode "Enter the Outsiders" voiced by Bumper Robinson. He seems to be the lead of the trio comprising of him, Katana, and Metamorpho. They work for a sewer dweller named Slug at first, but turn on him when Wildcat convinces them to fight for good. Black Lightning later uses his electricity to save Wildcat's life with instructions from Katana when the elder falls victim to a heart attack. Black Lightning and his comrades are later seen training with Batman in the teaser of "Duel of the Double Crossers". Both the animted versions of Black Lightning and Static share a shout-out joke; both wear a blue and yellow outfit (trench coat & jacket). In addition, Static Shock once tries out costume in the first episode that looks similar to Black Lightning's, while Black Lightning in Batman: The Brave and the Bold jokes he needs more than a "little static shock" to defeat his enemies.
• Prior to appearing in Batman: The Brave and the Bold in 2009, Black Lightning had never appeared in any of the many television series based on DC Comics superheroes. This in itself is not unusual for a character of Black Lightning's relative obscurity, but is notable because at least three such series have contained specially-created black superheroes with electrical powers who weren't Black Lightning - series regular Black Vulcan in Super Friends (Hanna Barbara did not want to pay the larger licensing fee required to cover the royalty due to the creators, so decided to create its own version of the character^{[citation needed]}); Soul Power, who appeared in Static Shock and was originally intended to have been Black Lightning, but DC Comics would not permit the use of Black Lightning^{[citation needed]}; and Juice in Justice League Unlimited, based on Black Vulcan.

[edit] Comic Strip

• Black Lightning's earliest appearances outside of his own title in 1977 were in the World's Greatest Super-Heroes newspaper comic strip. There, he met Batman and other heroes before his rejection of Justice League of America membership.

[edit] Film

• Actor Terrence Howard has expressed interest in playing Black Lightning in a film adaptation, remarking, "I don’t think he’s really been explored."^[15]

[edit] Homages/parodies

• Sinbad once appeared on NBC's Saturday Night Live dressed as Black Lightning, crashing Superman's funeral. The other dignitaries and superheroes didn't recognize him, even though he claimed to have taught Superman how to fly. As the funeral breaks up, he is spotted grabbing the free shimp from the buffet table.

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Fanzing: Diversity In The DC Universe: 1961 - Today
• Database and Cover gallery for both Black Lightning series
• Tony Isabella at World Famous Comics
• Black Lightning at the Internet Movie Database