Black Lightning is the brand-new show on CW 11. It is the latest in the channel’s DCTV verse, what fans of the shows Arrow, The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl call the extended universe the characters live in. Though there weren’t any explicit hints to other specific heroes, there was a hint implying that this show takes place in the same world as Arrow and Flash.

Black Lightning isn’t your typical superhero show; no discovery of powers and trying to fit a new aspect of life with the old one. The show begins with Jefferson Pierce (played by Cress Williams) aka Black Lightning, with his powers already mastered. Rather than learning how to use them, we see him after his vigilante streak is done. It had been nine years since he used his powers (or put on a tight outfit) in that time he chooses a more peaceful way to improve society. He became a principal of a high school and has helped raise the graduation rate to the nineties.

But this is a small victory for the town of Freeland, where the show takes places. A violent street gang by the name of the 100 are taking control of the streets and the local police force is greatly incapable of dealing with them. They’ve made it clear that they don’t want the help of vigilantes. But the criminals ruling the streets and the cops after any costumed heroes isn’t the real reason he stopped. His now ex-wife, Lynn Stewart (played by Christine Adams) couldn’t stand to see him come home late at night, bloodied, beaten or shot anymore. After breaking his promise to her, she divorced him and he stopped for good that time. Now he wants to concentrate on raising his daughters. But with how unsafe his town is becoming, he may have no choice but to bolt head first into danger.

This is one of the better real-life superhero costumes I've seen

On an overlooking view of the show, it is a commentary on the current gap in the Black community, activism wise. There’s the older generation, represented by Jefferson, who had seen the Civil Rights movement at its peak. All the protests, riots, beatings and killings. After the movement plateaued there’s the new wave of Black activism, which we are currently in with such organizations as Black Lives Matter. This new uptake in activism is represented by his oldest daughter Anissa Pierce (played by Nafessa Williams) who in the first episode was arrested for protesting the 100 in the streets.

They bump heads in their stance on social issues. She wants to be out in the streets actively fighting against the ills of their city, whereas her father believes in the long run: teaching kids to be better and hoping they are. This conflict between them mirrors the same rhetoric within the black community, both have valid points and their methods work in different ways but the issues they face have no simple solution. The similarity is clearer when you consider how Black Lightning was more active back in the day. But the wounds he suffered made him stop for a while. Now new problems arise and he must step up again.

The show matches Marvel’s Luke Cage in terms of messages of black power. Both are the first African American superheroes of their respective comic company (Luke Cage came out in 1972 and Black Lightning came out in 1977.) Both face the troubles of gang violence and police misusing and abusing their power. And, thankfully, both don’t delude themselves by making it seem there are simple solutions to these problems. Since Black Lightning hasn’t been through its season yet, it would be unfair to compare the two.

But it’s important to remember that one doesn’t have to take away from the other and there’s no need to have them fight for who’s the top pro-black superhero show (though a fight between the two would be dope). This show is just the latest in the trend of Black superheroes getting their own screen time and it is a welcome one that I hope doesn’t end soon. Between this, Luke Cage and Black Panther coming soon (I honestly cannot freaking wait for it), 2018 is looking like a pretty cool year.

Black Lightning hits hard and fast, living up to its namesake. Not only do I recommend it, I also implore you to watch it. Live would be best (I know commercials suck) to help its ratings. Or watch it on the CW site, that way they know people are watching it. I hope you watch and share your thoughts on it!