Black Lightning is the first major African-American superhero to have been published by DC Comics. He debuted in Black Lightning #1 (April 1977), and was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden. DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... In comic books, first appearance refers to first comic book to feature a character. ... Tony Isabella (born December 22, 1951) is an American comic book writer and commentator, best known as the creator and writer of Black Lightning, DC Comics first major African American superhero. ... Trevor Von Eeden is an African-American (of Guyanese ancestry) comic book artist known for drawing Black Lightning, the first African-American superhero in DC Comics to have his own title. ... For the animated television series, see Justice League (TV series) or Justice League Unlimited. ... The Outsiders are fictional characters, a DC Comics superhero group. ... Comic book fiction traditionally features characters with superhuman, supernatural, or paranormal abilities, often referred to as superpowers (also spelled super-powers). ... Comic book fiction traditionally features characters with superhuman, supernatural, or paranormal abilities, often referred to as superpowers (also spelled super-powers). ... Hawaiian State Grappling Championships. ... Languages Predominantly American English Religions Protestantism (chiefly Baptist and Methodist); Roman Catholicism; Islam Related ethnic groups Sub-Saharan Africans and other African groups, some with Native American groups. ... For other uses, see Superhero (disambiguation). ... DC Comics is an American comic book and related media company. ... Tony Isabella (born December 22, 1951) is an American comic book writer and commentator, best known as the creator and writer of Black Lightning, DC Comics first major African American superhero. ... Trevor Von Eeden is an African-American (of Guyanese ancestry) comic book artist known for drawing Black Lightning, the first African-American superhero in DC Comics to have his own title. ...

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."^[1] 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.^[2] Tony Isabella (born December 22, 1951) is an American comic book writer and commentator, best known as the creator and writer of Black Lightning, DC Comics first major African American superhero. ... Luke Cage, born Carl Lucas and also called Power Man, is a fictional superhero appearing in comic books published by Marvel Comics. ... This article is about the comic book company. ...

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 cancelled in 1978 as part of a general large-scale pruning of the company's superhero titles known as the DC Implosion (which also cancelled the debut of Vixen, which would have been DC's first title starring a female black superhero). Issue #12 was published in Cancelled Comics Cavalcade, then formally published in World's Finest #260. Image File history File links Black_lightning_nowlan. ... Image File history File links Black_lightning_nowlan. ... Cover by Kevin Nowlan for Powerline #3 Kevin Nowlan is an American comic-book artist. ... Dennis Denny ONeil is a comic book writer and editor, principally for Marvel Comics and DC Comics in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, and Group Editor for the Batman family of books until his retirement. ... The DC Implosion is the informal label for the dramatic number of sudden cancellations among DC Comics publications in 1978. ... Vixen is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Comics universe. ... Cancelled Comics Cavalcade was a tongue-in-cheek publication reproduced in the offices of DC Comics in very limited quantity following the DC Implosion in 1978. ...

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, and a two-part story in Justice League of America in which the League invited him to join, but he turned them down. Worlds Finest Comics was a comic book series published by DC Comics from 1941 to 1986. ... The Justice League is a DC Comics superhero team. ...

In 1983, powers restored, he became a regularly-appearing character again as a member of the Batman-led superhero team the Outsiders. When The Outsiders ended, he returned to doing the occasional guest appearance. One such appearance, in 1988, resulted in increased powers. Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ... Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a DC Comics fictional superhero who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... The Outsiders are fictional characters, a DC Comics superhero group. ... Year 1988 (MCMLXXXVIII) was a leap year starting on Friday (link displays 1988 Gregorian calendar). ...

In 1995, a new series Black Lightning series began, 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".^[3] Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... Tony Isabella (born December 22, 1951) is an American comic book writer and commentator, best known as the creator and writer of Black Lightning, DC Comics first major African American superhero. ... Tony Isabella (born December 22, 1951) is an American comic book writer and commentator, best known as the creator and writer of Black Lightning, DC Comics first major African American superhero. ... Tony Isabella (born December 22, 1951) is an American comic book writer and commentator, best known as the creator and writer of Black Lightning, DC Comics first major African American superhero. ...

A "Black Lightning: Year One" mini-series was to be released in 2007, to be written by Jen Van Meter and illustrated by Cully Hamner.^[4] But it has been pushed back to 2008. The term Year One can just mean the beginning of something, but in political history it usually refers to the institution of radical, revolutionary change. ... Cully Hamner (born March 7, 1969 in Huntsville, Alabama) is an American comic book artist. ...

Fictional character biography

A gold medal-winning Olympic decathlete, Jefferson Pierce returned to his old neighborhood (the notorious Suicide Slum in the proud city of Metropolis) to become a high school teacher. Appalled by the violence he saw, Pierce tried to intervene on behalf of his students, but quickly learned that the 100, the local criminal organization, objected violently to interference. Peter Gambi, a family friend and tailor, designed the costume and electronic power belt of Black Lightning. Pierce donned a mask, an Afro wig, a hip way of talking, and Gambi's outfit to become Black Lightning, defender of the poor and underprivileged. Later, Black Lightning's belt was destroyed while he was impisoned by his enemies. He discovers he had internalized the electrical power and no longer needed the belt. The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913, adopted in 1914 and debuted at the Games at Antwerp, 1920. ... Suicide Slum is a notorious slum in the fictional city of Metropolis. ... For other usages of Metropolis, see Metropolis. ... The 100 and the 1000 are fictional organized crime groups appearing in DC Comics. ... Organized crime is crime carried out systematically by formal criminal organizations. ...

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 bystander during an altercation between Black Lightning and some gun-wielding thugs. After the return of his powers he joined the Outsiders. A psychosomatic illness is one with physical manifestations and supposed psychological cause, often diagnosed when any known or identifiable physical cause was excluded by medical examination. ...

Lex Luthor

Cover to Black Lightning v2, #1, Eddie 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. 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. Image File history File linksMetadata Blpierce. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Blpierce. ... Lex Luthor (Alexander Luthor) is a fictional DC Comics supervillain and is the primary antagonist of the Superman franchise. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... Year 2000 (MM) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full 2000 Gregorian calendar). ... ... Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is the job of having the ultimate executive responsibility or authority within an organization or corporation. ... Pete Ross is a fictional character who appears in the Superman comic books published by DC Comics. ...

A frequent guest starring character in several DC series, Pierce has appeared in Green Arrow (who had a one night stand with his niece). 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. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this comics-related article or section may require cleanup. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this comics-related article or section may require cleanup. ... Doctor Light is the name of several fictional characters in the DC Comics universe. ... The Outsiders are fictional characters, a DC Comics superhero group. ... Thunder is the name of three superheroes in the DC Comics Universe. ...

Infinite Crisis

See also: 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, and Lightning accepted, arriving at the Batcave 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 villainious AI from the inside. Infinite Crisis was a seven-issue limited series of comic books published by DC Comics, beginning in October of 2005. ... Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a DC Comics fictional superhero who first appeared in Detective Comics #27 in May 1939. ... OMACs are an organization of powerful cyborgs that exist in the DC Universe. ... OMACs are an organization of powerful cyborgs that exist in the DC Universe. ... Booster Gold is a fictional character, a superhero in publications from DC Comics. ... Michael Holt is a fictional character in the DC Comics Universe. ...

After the third Society of Super Villains was formed, Black Lightning began using his status as Luthor's Secretary of Education to gain information from supervillains. The Secret Society of Super Villains (SSoSV) is a group of comic book villains that exist in the DC Universe. ...

Outsiders redux

In Outsiders (vol. 3) #45, it was revealed three years after Joanna died, that upon initially learning of her death, Jefferson went after the corrupt busninessman 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 to the authorities. However, it is revealed that Deathstroke was responsible for Somers' death by firing a dart of toxin to Sommers moments before Jefferson's shot his lightning. Hence he was dead before he hit the ground. Jason Todd discovered the truth while eavedropping 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. Deathstroke the Terminator (Slade Wilson), also called simply Deathstroke (and originally simply the Terminator) is a fictional character, a supervillain in the DC Comics Universe. ... Jason Peter Todd is a fictional character published in stories by DC Comics. ... Lex Luthor (Alexander Luthor) is a fictional DC Comics supervillain and is the primary antagonist of the Superman franchise. ... Alexander Luthor, Jr. ... Iron Heights is a fictional maximum-security prison which houses the many Flash rogues and metahuman criminals of Keystone City and Central City when they end up captured. ...

Justice League of America

Most recently, Black Lightning has joined the JLA under the creative team of Brad Meltzer and Ed Benes, once again appearing with a modified costume. He appears to be primarily based in Washington DC again. Black Lightning assists the JLA with intelligence gathered from the criminal community. Many supervillains 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. Amazo is a fictional android from DC Comics. ...

Powers and abilities

At first, Black Lightning wore a belt that enabled him to surround himself with a protective electromagnetic force field and to generate, project, channel and absorb electromagnetic energy. In the course of his adventure and perhaps from using the belt for so many years, these powers became internalized, and he can now throw bolts of bio-electrical energy generated by his body. 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 an electro-magnetic force-field capable of stopping projectiles, however, this requires considerable effort and concentration.

Pierce also maintains his Olympic-level physical conditioning, giving him above average strength, speed and endurance. Under the Batman's tutelage, he has become a highly skilled hand-to-hand combatant.

Other versions

• Black Lightning has appeared in the Justice League Unlimited spin-off comic book. His appearances are in issues #15^[5] and #27.^[6]

Other media

• Black Lightning has never appeared in any of the many television series based on DC Comics superheroes. This is in itself 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 (apparently, Lightning could not be used on the show due to disputes between DC and Lightnings's creator Tony Isabella^[7]); Soul Power, who appeared in Static Shock and was originally intended to have been Black Lightning before problems similar to the Super Friends situation arose; and Juice in Justice League Unlimited, a thinly-veiled knock-off of Black Vulcan.
• 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 free food from the buffet table.
• Also the punk band 'Bring Back Jefferson' took their name because bassist Chris Knowles and drummer Anthony Watts discovered the character no longer had his own comic book, and thought he should once again have his own series.

Black Vulcan as he appeared in Hanna-Barberas Super Friends TV series in the 1970s & 80s Black Vulcan is a fictional African American superhero on the animated series Super Friends created by Hanna-Barbera. ... This article is about the Hanna-Barbera television series. ... Tony Isabella (born December 22, 1951) is an American comic book writer and commentator, best known as the creator and writer of Black Lightning, DC Comics first major African American superhero. ... Static Shock is an American animated television series produced by Warner Bros. ... Juice is a fictional African American character featured in the animated series Justice League Unlimited and is a member of the Ultimen. ... Justice League Unlimited (or JLU) was the name of an American animated television series that was produced by and aired on Cartoon Network. ... David Adkins (born November 10, 1956) who uses the stage name Sinbad, is an American stand-up comedian and actor. ... This article is about the television network. ... This article is about the American television series. ...

Footnotes

1. ^ Black Lightning entry at Toonpedia, by Don Markstein
2. ^ Tony Isabella interview at Worldfamouscomics.com
3. ^ Tony Isabella's post at Newsarama
4. ^ DC Nation: #31 DC Comics website, October 18, 2006
5. ^ http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=244875
6. ^ http://www.comics.org/details.lasso?id=309226
7. ^ LIGHTNING ROD How Black Lightning hurdled racism, knockoffs and wars between creators to become the new powerhouse of Justice League of America By Ben Morse Posted March 3, 2007

Resources

• DCU Guide: Black Lightning
• Toonopedia: Black Lightning
• Fanzing: Black Lightning history
• Black Lightning Index
• [1]

External links

• Fanzing: Diversity In The DC Universe: 1961 - Today
• Database and Cover gallery for both Black Lightning series