Objectively, the most important thing to know about DC Entertainment's Black Lightning — plucked from relative obscurity to be developed as a TV project at Fox — is that he was the first African-American character to be given his own series by the publisher, with the 1977 launch of the short-lived Black Lightning series. Subjectively, however, the most important thing about the character is that the hero originally had the most cynical, inventive method of keeping his secret identity from being discovered; respectable schoolteacher Jefferson Pierce kept his identity hidden by wearing an afro wig and talking jive as Black Lightning, safe in the knowledge that living up to the stereotype would throw the majority of onlookers off the trail of who he really was. Intentionally or otherwise, it was a gimmick that commented on the racism implicit in the media's treatment of African-Americans that was sadly dropped early in the character's existence. Writer Tony Isabella — … [Read more...] about Get to Know Black Lightning: DC’s Groundbreaking and Oddly Unknown Superhero
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DC TV Watch: ‘Black Lightning’ Drops Major Comic Book Easter Egg
Welcome back to The Hollywood Reporter's weekly DC TV Watch, a rundown of all things DC Comics on TV. Every Friday, we round up the major twists, epic fights, new mysteries and anything else that goes down on The CW's Arrow, The Flash, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl and Black Lightning and Fox's Gotham. Note: Legends of Tomorrow and Gotham did not air new episodes this week. Black Lightning Lightning and the thunder | Imagine Dragons' recently released catchy song that's been playing everywhere couldn't have been timed any more perfectly to the debut of Black Lightning. Only three episodes in and Jefferson's (Cress Williams) daughter Anissa (Nafessa Williams) has already figured out how to control her powers through breathing. It only took one night at an abandoned junkyard of practice before she was easily kicking an old washing machine like it was a stray pebble in her way. She's excited about her superstrength, and viewers don't have to suffer through any crisis … [Read more...] about DC TV Watch: ‘Black Lightning’ Drops Major Comic Book Easter Egg
Greg Berlanti’s DC Comics Drama ‘Black Lightning’ Scores Pilot Order — at The CW
Greg Berlanti has just scored his fourth pilot order of the season and his second at The CW. DC Comics drama Black Lightning has moved from Fox to The CW with a formal pilot order, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The drama, written by The Game's Mara Brock Akil and her husband/producing partner, Salim Akil, landed at Fox in September following a multiple-network bidding war. Lightning becomes the latest Berlanti-produced comic book series to jump networks to The CW after Fox passed on Archie Comics take Riverdale and Supergirl moved from CBS for its sophomore season. One of DC Comics' first major African-American superheroes, Black Lightning was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden and debuted in 1977. The hourlong drama will center on Jefferson Pierce, who hung up his suit and his secret identity years ago. However, with a daughter hell-bent on justice and a star student being recruited by a local gang, he'll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and … [Read more...] about Greg Berlanti’s DC Comics Drama ‘Black Lightning’ Scores Pilot Order — at The CW
Black Lightning Finally Gives Anissa Her Costume in “And Then The Devil Brought The Plague: The Book Of Green Light”
Pictured: James Remar as Gambi While I can understand why this episode could be seen as boring or too info-dumpy for some, it gave me some much-needed development for Tobias as both a villain, but also a human being. Plus it had Anissa in that costume which in this week of celebrating black excellence, was a welcome addition. ****SPOILERS AHEAD**** Jefferson For the first time this season we are truly seeing the limitations of Jefferson’s body when it comes to being Black Lightning. It is super unrealistic for a man who hasn’t fought crime in nine years to get back into it and have no side effects. Especially since, as we are shown, Jefferson’s powers are still evolving, he learns how to fly this episode, which means pushing his body further and further at an older age. We see his powers making him irritable and violent, but we also see him, essentially, short-circuit and collapse mid-conversation with Gambi. Lynn once called Jefferson’s attachment to … [Read more...] about Black Lightning Finally Gives Anissa Her Costume in “And Then The Devil Brought The Plague: The Book Of Green Light”
‘Black Lightning’: TV Review
The four series that make up The CW's collective DC Television Universe culminated their fall with an unexpectedly successful multinight crossover that delivered a lot of heart and comedy across shows that have, for the most part, been overwhelmingly dark, tormented and muddled in recent seasons. Legends of Tomorrow, the show in this group that I liked the least when it premiered, has become perhaps my favorite by virtue of my accepting its silliness.It could be argued that what The CW needs least is another superhero show, much less another murky superhero show.The pleasant surprise, then, is that Black Lightning, based on yet another DC Comics property, is smart and relevant and full of an attitude that's all its own. It takes its characters and their world seriously, but thus far doesn't take itself too seriously. And, best of all, it's ostensibly entirely separate from Legends of Tomorrow, The Flash, Arrow and Supergirl, so the risk of time-consuming crossovers or key plot points … [Read more...] about ‘Black Lightning’: TV Review