Black Lightning Premieres On The CW Tonight
The CW adds another DC Comics costumed crimefighter to its already superhero-heavy lineup with Tuesday night’s series premiere of Black Lightning. Corrina has posted her history with the character of Jefferson Pierce and I echo her excitement at seeing the character brought to the small screen. If your familiarity with the property is less extensive, or if you’re wondering how the characters and storylines have changed in the move from comics to television, the let us get you all caught up.
Who Is Black Lightning?
Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams, Hart of Dixie) is a divorced father of two daughters and charter high school principal. He used to be Black Lightning, a vigilante with the ability to harness and control electricity but retired a decade ago after seeing how his heroics impacted his family. His ex-wife, Lynn, is portrayed by Christine Adams (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.).
Jefferson is forced to take up the mantle of Black Lightning once again as the rise of the local gang The 100, led by corrupt former politician Tobias Whale (Marvin “Krondon” Jones III, in his first major role), leads to increased crime in the city, threatening Jefferson’s students and his daughters. Jefferson’s daughters Anissa–who shares her father’s metahuman abilities–and Jennnifer are portrayed by Nafessa Williams (One Life to Live) and China Anne McClain (Descendants 2), respectively.
Rounding out the main cast are James Remar (The Shannara Chronicles) as Peter Gambi, Jefferson’s mentor and “Q” to Jefferson’s “James Bond”, and Damon Gupton (Criminal Minds) as Henderson, a veteran police detective turned reluctant ally in Jefferson’s fight to take back the city from The One Hundred.
Black Lightning: In HIs Own Universe
In what has the most surprising announcement regarding Black Lightning, the series will not initially (if ever) be a part of the shared Greg Berlanti-produced “Arrowverse”. According to The CW executives at the 2018 Television Critics Association press tour, part of that decision was to allow Black Lightning the space to develop it’s own identity, though a possible future crossover has not been ruled out altogether. The fact that the show films in Atlanta, as opposed to Vancouver with the rest of the “Arrowverse” shows, likely contributed as well.
Check out the trailer below, tune in to the series premiere Tuesday night, and be sure to tell us what you think of Black Lightning on the GeekDad Facebook page.
