On January 16th, 2018 lightning struck the CW TV network, actually, it was Black Lightning. Jefferson Pierce, one of the first African-American superheroes in comics, finally got his live-action debut on a network that has been bringing DC Comics characters to life.
Jefferson Pierce, portrayed by Cress Williams, has retired from the superhero life when we meet him. He has become a high school principal that does everything he can to guide the youngsters in his care, primarily African-American, toward a better future for themselves and their community. He is also a father, who although is divorced from his wife, takes care of his two daughters one who is a medical school, and one who is a student at the high school he’s principal off. He’s also a community leader and social activist, trying to maintain peace with the gangs that run the community he lives in.
However as the episode progresses we see that his decision to stay out of the superhero life, has brought deadly consequences to his community. A new gang called The 100 rules the community through fear, intimidation, and money. Even Pierce’s family isn’t immune from the ugliness of the 100 gang. Along with the increased violence from the Gang, patrol officers, of the fictional Freeland Police Department, have become as corrupt in their own way as the gangs. They use underhanded tactics to enforce the law and some officers are even seen bending the rules or violate the rights of others just to supposedly did their job. Profiling, intimidation, and excessive force seem to be a norm at times.
However not all police officers in the Freeland Police Department are bad eggs, there are a couple including Inspector Henderson, a bring over from Black Lightning’s old days in Metropolis, are shown as good cops in a bad situation. And this is the world our hero lives, works, and raises a family in.
This character started as almost a social experiment into having a minority character in the DC Comics universe. Jefferson Pierce, an Olympic athlete, college-educated man, and the superhero were shown in different aspects of his life during his storylines in DC Comics. However, the first episode of Black Lightning TV series actually portrays Jefferson Pierce as an integrated human being. as superhero, educator, and father, Cress Williams as Black Lightning shines through and his different areas of this character’s history shines through.
Although it might be easy to write off as a Social Justice Warrior commercial, there is actually a strong sense of individual responsibility, community responsibility, and striving for the common good. Also, this being a take on what may be the ultimate urban superhero, it would be very easy to see Cress Williams Black Lightning alongside Ben Affleck’s Batman. Although two different screen based universes for DC Comics Black Lightnings grounding, pardon the pun, in an urban reality but with superpowers, would fit in well with the world-weary Dark Knight who’s now beginning to understand the concept of Hope.
Here’s hoping the creators and network behind such an auspicious debut, can’t keep up the rhythm, pacing, and enjoyment of such an electric TV show.