50 Years Later, DC Is Giving A Beloved Justice League Hero Their Own Series
Mark has been a comic book journalist for over 15 years and has interviewed comic book creators like Gail Simone and Caspar Wijngaard. And when he's not writing, he's working on beating his record of 1,200 comics read in a year.
To many comic book fans, the Justice League is the best representation of a superhero team. They exemplify everything that is truth and justice by making sure that they don’t compromise their morals. This is difficult since they’re fighting the most despicable and selfish people in the universe. It's also an accomplishment since they have a ton of members with different personalities and superpowers. Nevertheless, they always manage to make it work.
One of the most powerful members of the Justice League is someone who often gets forgotten. His name is Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning. He’s powerful enough to hurt Superman, strategic enough to be one of the team’s leaders, and has a compassion that even Wonder Woman admires. Even though he’s on the team now, Jefferson has been a solo hero for most of his career. It may have been because he felt insulted by being tested to join the Justice League (Justice League of America #173).
It may seem hard to believe that Black Lightning has been around for close to 50 years. Because of his historical time in comics, DC is celebrating his 50th anniversary with a one-shot issue titled DC Power: Black Lightning 50th Anniversary Special. It will be forty-eight pages, feature a story written by Black Lightning’s co-creator Jenny Blake Isabella and art by Fico Ossio, and have a major impact on DC Comics.
Black Lightning's Story Is An Important One
Black Lightning's co-creator isn't the only writer joining the milestone event. Writers Danny Lore, Al Letson, and Greg Anderson Elysée are joining. There will also be art by Darryl Banks, Karen S. Darboe, and Sedat Özgen. On top of the grand list of creators, the issue will have a major impact on DC Comics.
Jefferson was one of the many heroes who fought for the Heart of Darkseid during the crossover event DC K.O. Like most of the people who competed, Black Lightning was given a vision about the future after Superman defeated Darkseid. While his vision hasn’t been revealed yet, it will be in Black Lightning’s 50th Anniversary Special.
Another part of this one-shot will be a focus on Jefferson’s personal life. Among them his complicated relationship with his ex-wife, Lynn Stewart. Even though they aren’t a couple, she’s been a huge part of his life. They even shared a kiss in the 2025 Black Lightning miniseries written by Brandon Thomas. However, joining the Justice League must have put a strain on what may have been them getting back together.
DC Shouldn't Waste The Opportunity For More Black Lightning
Jefferson has been on teams like the Outsiders, but he hasn’t had an ongoing series in years. With DC Comics promoting more Black characters like Steel, Vixen, and Static (who are all getting solo titles), the success of this special could put Black Lightning next in line. Part of the reason for Static getting a solo series could be due to the positively-received and high-selling one-shot, New History of the DC Universe: The Dakota Incident.
It’s shocking that Black Lightning didn’t get a ongoing series after his miniseries and The Power Company: Recharged. He’s a crucial part of Mark Waid’s Justice League Unlimited, but it’s not the same as having a title with his name on the cover. That will change once comic book fans show up and grab his anniversary issue.
Beyond everything else, this is an opportunity to show comic book fans that Jefferson Pierce and his daughters (Anissa and Jennifer) should be focused on. Bringing back the co-creator is a genius idea. She is part of the reason Black Lightning exists and will help bring him into a new era. Hopefully it’s one that leads to a new title and a spot in the DCU.
- Release Date
- 2018 - 2021-00-00
- Network
- The CW
- Showrunner
- Salim Akil
- Directors
- Oz Scott, Bille Woodruff, Benny Boom, Michael Schultz, Mary Lou Belli, Eric Laneuville, Jeffrey W. Byrd, Robert Townsend, Rose Troche, Tawnia McKiernan, Keesha Sharp, Mark Tonderai, Neema Barnette, Rob Hardy, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Tanya Hamilton
- Writers
- Charles Holland, Adam Giaudrone, Jan Nash, Lamont Magee, Pat Charles, Salim Akil, Jake Waller, Keli Goff, Jamon Allen Brown, Asheleigh O. Conley
-
Cress Williams
Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
-
Nafessa Williams
Anissa Pierce / Thunder / Blackbird
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