BLACK LIGHTNING #1 (1977) DC COMICS
Our story begins with creative powerhouse Tony Isabella with an artist helping hand from artist Trevor Van Eeden. Isabella whose track record on Marvel’s Luke Cage makes him the perfect fit for this new title. Story has it that the character’s name came from a Wonder Woman cover displayed on DC big mucky-muck, Julius Schwartz’s (ahh bean soup!) wall. And luckily, according to the rumor mill, Isabella convinced DC to replace an incredibly problematic character called the Black Bomber with his Black Lightning. And for Black Lightning’s first appearance, Isabella sticks with the tried and true story of the kid from the bad part of town returns to his old stomping grounds as a teacher to help straighten out the old neighborhood. What I find interesting about this new character is the differences between the man and the superhero. Jefferson Pierce is an educated, well-spoken man who is not only proud of his making it out of the slums but has returned to help others. Black Lightning hides all this under a fake afro wig and speaks like we would expect a person from the streets to talk making his a definite sign of the times. I also like that Pierce seems to be taking the route being used by Green Arrow of recent. Thinking on the ground level instead of high in the sky like a Superman or Green Lantern might. What I believe is DC’s first black super-hero to have his/her own title is steeped in emotion and that’s what makes for a good story. I also can’t help if Black Lightning, who is operating out of an area that is implied to near Metropolis, will run into the Man of Steel at some point. I look forward to Black Lightning catching up with the shadowy 100. 9 out of 10 Grahams.
Why dig deep into the review archieves to an old 1977 review of a new title called Black Lighning? Since we have a new All In series of Black Lightning, thought it might be a good time to pull open the curtains of history and take a mildly deep dive of the character that just keeps popping up. So let me introduce you to Jefferson Michael “Jeff” Pierce through the art form of the comic review. The original Black Lightning title, as seen above, lasted 11 issues before abruptedly ending due to the ‘DC Imposion’ which prematurely ended a lot of titles. However, Black Lightning had proved to be well-liked. After this, he guest-starred in the original Justice League of America title refusing membership. He would then appear in World’s Finest and Detective Comics as well as joining the series Batman and the Outsiders. That was until 1995 and donning a new outfit, he got a new title.
BLACK LIGHTNING #1 (1995) DC COMICS
Welcome to the 1990’s! Jefferson Pierce is back with some new threads and a real new attitude. He also seems to have gotten some new power upgrades that I’m sure will be explaining in later issues. The one thing that hasn’t changed is the Black Lightning in on the ground fighting for the neighborhood people. Writer Tony Isabella is back with art duties being handled by Eddy Newell and Ron McCain. But make no mistake, this is a darker, harder Black Lightning. Maybe all that time with Batman in the Outsiders rubbed off on him. And while I was a big fan of the original series (and I do realize that times are changing), I’m not sure of this new and improved Black Lightning. And while Isabella’s story reflects the sign of the times well and Newell/McCain’s art is sufficiently gritty, some of the charm of the early stories is missing. Let’s see what happens next. 7 out of 10 Grahams.
During the following years, Black Lightning was all over the place. From being President’s Lex Luthor’s Secretary of Education, to a member of the Justice League, to his involvement in the Final Crisis. But that wasn’t all. In 2009, he was given a six issue mini-series highlighting his Year One adventures. In 2018, Tony Isabella returned with artist Clayton Henry for the six issue mini-series Cold Dead Hands as well as appearing in a one-shot team up with classic cartoon hero, Hong Kong Phooey! Oh, and don’t forget his CW television series or his appearances in video games and in various DC animation projects! But now it’s 2024 and Black Lightning returns with a new All In title.
BLACK LIGHTNING #1 (2024) DC COMICS
I’m not envious of writer Brandon Thomas. Aside from having a hero that not only has a super-powered family, he also has to incorporate the new All In universe into his story. Along with the fact that the character in question, has almost of 50 years of backstory and reboots. Artist Fico Ossio seems to funnelling the television version of Black Lightning in his costume design. But both seem to make the best of it, even with a definite Invasion! gene-bomb style underlying plot line going on in the All In series. This title seems to be trying to mix the best of the previous incarnations. We have school and teacher references all over the place. Thunder and Lightning are back. And, at least here, Black Lightning seems to be more of an independant contractor instead of a full blown JLA member. And like all the other #1 issues of the Black Lightning titles, let’s see what happens. 8 out of 10 Grahams.
