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Get to know Black Lightning

DC Comics’ electrifying superhero might grace the small screen soon

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    black-lightning
    By @KofieYeboah

    Look out for a new character in the world of comics. Luke Cage is already coming out soon, but it looks like there could be another black superhero who will grace the small screen.

    Meet or get acquainted with Black Lightning.

    Black Lightning might not be a recognizable character for casual superhero fans, but he was one of the first prominent African-American characters in the DC Universe. However, he doesn’t have a character bio page on the DC Comics website.

    According to a report from Deadline, DC Comics executive Greg Berlanti has joined forces with Hollywood husband and wife team Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil to revitalize the character. Mara Brock Akil is the creative mind behind TV series The Game and Being Mary Jane.

    This is exciting. I’m getting excited just typing this out.

    According to News Every Day, Black Lightning, aka Jefferson Pierce, is a former gold medal-winning decathlete residing in the slums of the fictional city of Metropolis. It was the untimely death of his journalist father that propelled Jefferson to use his innate electric-based abilities for good, which eventually spurred the superhero into action. He became a member of Batman’s The Outsiders before earning his reputation as one of the Justice League’s most prominent members. The character has also appeared on in some recent shows, including my personal favorite, Young Justice, in which Black Lightning teams up with Static (as in Static Shock) in an episode to help save the world.

    Even after they were done destroying the enemy, Black Lightning offered to be Static’s mentor. This would be a pretty cool premise, but the show stopped on a major cliff-hanger at the end of season two and I haven’t been the same since. The streets need a season three.

    He’s Justice League, too.

    While he’s not part of the original seven if you look at the Justice League roster, his name will be on the depth chart. He can be seen kicking butt for the squad in the movie Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths.

    Mentally prepare yourselves for the electric awesomeness that will be gracing your TV screens down the road, and remember:

    Also:

    That is all.

    Kofie Yeboah asks for Sweet Tea at every restaurant and recites approximately 2.5 Spongebob lines per hour.

    This Story Tagged: Superheroes DC Comics Black Lightning