When we spoke with the Black Lightning cast at San Diego Comic Con, the actors made clear that Jefferson Pierce’s daughters, Anissa and Jennifer, would have large roles. However, we haven’t really seen much of them in the Black Lighting footage released so far. Today’s promotion is our first look, and it turns out this show is very much a family affair.
Not only do threats against Jennifer and Anissa prompt Black Lightning to return to vigilantism (he tells Lynn, his ex-wife, he’s suiting up again because of the girls), we see them use their powers in their own right as Thunder (Anissa) and Lighting (Jennifer). Family fights back.
In the footage, Jennifer hits a guy (the same one who appears to be affiliated with The 100 in previous trailers) at the school dance. Then Anissa says in a voiceover, “Help the community or we will all go down in pieces.” That same dude also confronts Anissa and then she kicks his ass in front of the whole school. Whether her father has trained her in hand-to-hand combat remains unclear, but her confidence suggests she is also familiar with her powers. Jennifer, on the other hand, appears to be just developing hers.
Black Lightning was a member of The Outsiders in the comics, and so was Thunder. Since Anissa is older and seems to have some field experience, it’s possible she is involved with a vigilante group of her own or at least interested in joining one. This could be where she meets Grace Choi, Anissa’s girlfriend in the comic books, who is confirmed to appear in the show.
Thunder can increase her body density, which gives her impenetrable skin and the powerto create shockwaves. Lightning has the same electromagnetic powers as her father. How will Black Lightning handle having to superpowered children when he doesn’t want to be a hero himself? We’ll have to wait until Jan. 16 to find out.
The last trailer borrowed Kendrick Lamar’s “Backstreet Freestyle” for intensity and this one takes “Fight Back Now” by Omega R.E.D. Listen to the record below and let us know if you liked the trailer in the comments. Black Lightning was created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden.
