Blue streaks of energy pulse through Jefferson Pierce’s veins in the new Black Lightning trailer, the first fresh batch of footage we’ve seen since San Diego Comic Con. We get our first look at Tobias Whale in action and learn a community member has died at the hands of The 100 gang, prompting Black Lightning to cancel his retirement. And even though he’s a 40 year-old hero, this trailer proves his powers at least rival those of The Flash.
Black Lightning has the experience and restraint that could make him one of the most powerful heroes in the Arrowverse. He’s got wisdom that twentysomethings like Flash, Arrow and Supergirl just don’t have. His powerset also has near unlimited capacity. He can fly (kind of) and manipulate energy to do just about anything he can conjure up in his head. We’ll have to see how far The CW takes it. In the comics, the combination of Black Lightning’s suit and natural powers made him a strong force. It’s clear The CW is taking both routes. Here, we see Jefferson with a decked out protective suit and the blue lighting in his blood.
The writers chose to make his blue veins visible, which suggests he may be able to actually turn into electricity, just as he does in the comics, making him almost invulnerable. Objects can pass through his body and at one point, he didn’t need air, water or food to survive. He can even take on an electrical form--traveling through wires as fast as a spark. From all the footage released thus far, it appears he can create magnetic fields and shields, as well as charge himself up to make his powers stronger. He’s also a formidable hand-to-hand combatant -- unlike The Flash, who wouldn’t be able to protect himself in a fistfight against the likes of Green Arrow.
“I save more lives as the principal at Garfield High than I ever did as Black Lightning.”
Black Lightning stands apart because he fights solely for the community. While villains may have a personal agenda, he’s doesn’t enter the fight because of his ego or vengeance and he’s certainly not seeking a fight. He’s on defense, trying to rid the city of The 100 gang, which is recruiting and endangering the young kids he’s trying to teach.
While Black Lightning isn’t part of the Arrowverse proper just yet, and has traditionally kept mostly to himself in the comics, we can’t rule out a crossover a few years down the line, once the character is more established. That leaves fans plenty of time to debate who would win in a battle between Black Lightning and the other characters on Arrow, The Flash and Supergirl.
Do you think Black Lightning is now one of the most powerful superheroes of any CW show? Let us know in the comments, and catch the series premiere on Jan. 16 at 9 p.m.
Black Lightning was created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eden. The TV series is written by Mara Brock and Salim Akil.
