Black Lightning Review: Justice like Lightning

A few year years back I watched the premiere of The CW’s Arrow and was not impressed. Ever since then, despite the popularity of the network’s DC Comics’ superhero series, they never drew my interest. In the age of complex, anti-heroes like Batman, Wolverine, and Daredevil, I just was not that into the network’s focus on one-dimensional characters, whose powers, let’s face it, are not particularly incredible. So when I heard that the network was going to air a series focused on Black Lightning, I was similarly unexcited. However, unlike the Arrow and the Flash, back in the day when I used to collect comic books as a kid, I actually bought five or six of the original Black Lightning series, and so had some history with the character, and from what I saw in the trailers for the series, it looked to be a legitimate rendition. As a result I decided to shelve my CW-superhero hate and give it a try. I am glad that I did.

[SPOILER ALERT]

Black Lightning, the television series, more or less, follows his comic book origins although the names of some places and characters have changed. Jefferson Pierce, played by Cress Williams, was a superstar athlete and scholar at his high school, whose gifts took him college and elsewhere after graduation. But he returned to his hometown to help in its development. That development, however, has been hampered by a crime wave perpetrated by a gang known as the 100. Rather than use his powers however, Pierce focused on reform through education, as the principal of his former high school. However, due to events out of his control, namely the kidnapping of his two daughters Anissa played by Nafessa Williams, and Jennifer played by China Anne McClain forced him to return to his superhero fighting ways as Black Lightning.

The series premiere sets up the future of the series perfectly, as it provides an array of information that can be developed into future stores. For instance, it reveals that Black Lightning had previously been active in the city several years back but suddenly and mysteriously disappeared. That backstory could be a whole series in and of itself. The premiere also teases us with other information such as, what took him away from his hometown originally? How did he originally discover and use his powers? What does his ex-wife, children, and others know of his powers? And what is the connection between – and the old man who owns the tailor shop and Pierce. Naturally, if you read the comic books you know the answers, but for the television series these issues give the creators multiple story arcs they use during the season beside any one-off episodes stories that might be of interest. Indeed, if the series gains popularity, it has enough content to creatively produce a long multi-year run. Moreover, I am sure there will be a number of Arrow-Flash-Black Lightning cross over stories in the future.

The issue is if it will gain that necessary audience to survive the television wars. From the first episode, there does not seem to be any reason why not. It has a great cast that provides the quality acting necessary for any superhero series. It has set group of likable characters with much room for development, as I stated above, and it’s use of sci-fi effects is appropriate and not overemphasized. Moreover, as the first superhero series starring an African American lead and predominantly African American cast; it definitely has the chance to attract a more broad and diverse audience.

What do you think? Will Black Lightning strike true?