DC superheros may have a tough time against Marvel on the big screen, but on the silver screen DC is putting up a fight. The past seasons of The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and Arrow have been well received by fans and critics, and the DC/CW block seeks to expand and diversify with yet another super-powered drama: Black Lightning.
Black Lightning was among the first comic book characters to be featured in their own series. Jefferson Pierce is an Olympic Decatholonist who grew up suppressing innate electrical abilities. In his original origin story, he comes back to the Southside of Metropolis (yes, THAT metropolis) and begins to fight the gang violence that is tearing his home apart. Though this is a very similar plot to Marvel's Luke Cage, Black Lightning has a family side that Luke Cage is light on. Pierce's daughters will be prominent in this adaptation, as "one is daughter hell-bent on justice and the other a star student being recruited by a local gang."
No stranger to television, the character of Black Lightning has appeared in several animated shows, from Young Justice to Batman: The Brave and the Bold. He has not been the lead in any previous show, however. Judging from the popularity of shows like Static Shock and Teen Titans, both with strong and well-developed black leads, it may be time for another character to have their time in the spotlight.
The CW show is being written and produced by Mara Brock Akil, who's past works include the Jamie Foxx Show, Girlfriends, and Being Mary Jane. She doesn't have much experience in the more action packed shows, but her ability to work with character interactions and emotional arcs is strong enough for sure. Cress Williams will be taking the titular role, and has an extensive repertoire of acting experience ranging from Prison Break to Grey's Anatomy and more. Whether or not the show holds up to the CW standard (which has been high as of late) we can only wait and see, but the stars seem to be aligning for the first mainstream black superhero TV show.
