The new Justice League Unlimited is up and running and Black Lightning has volunteered for a rather intriguing role.
Helping Jefferson Pierce scout new metahumans needing help to deal with their powers is youngest daughter Jennifer, the superheroine Lightning.
And aiding on the home front is ex-wife Lynn, owner of a good listening ear.
As for their eldest girl Anissa, what’s she’s doing in New Orleans, no one knows.
‘You didn’t let what happened to us just completely mess you up.’ Anissa aka Thunder is referring to whatever happened after the family of heroes were attacked by Amanda Waller’s Amazon androids during the Absolute Power business. The girls fell through the air and whatever happened is not revealed, but the remark implies it messed her up.
The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, and I’ll be back next time to see how it resolves. Maybe we’ll also find out what had Jeff so distracted at various points. I’ve been a Black Lightning fan since his first series, through his numerous looks and phases. I didn’t get into the TV series, but it looks like comic book Lynn has had a rewrite to match the screen version, being a scientist now rather than a lawyer. Thunder and Lightning I’ve barely seen since that dull Outsiders book they were in, but quite liked them so I’m happy to see them here. It’s refreshing that all four family members obviously get along and love one another, with the nearest thing to tension being Jeff’s overprotectiveness.
I like the latest Black Lightning costume, which is a little TV, a lot Lightning Lad, and the haircut and beard look good on our hero in civvies, but not with the goofy-eyed mask. Still, Black Lightning overall looks great as drawn by Fico Ossio and coloured by Ulises Arreola. The characters have personality, the action is open, the colours bright and beautiful. Ossio seems more comfortable with the frenetic moments over the quieter ones, but there isn’t a great disparity in quality.
It’s fascinating to see writer Brandon Thomas move Jeff and co away from the usual street level environment, even if I am a tad surprised that he’s now flying – how long has that been a thing? I mean, if Electric Superman could use his powers to soar – some mumbo jumbo about electro-magnetism – why not Black Lightning? I was just surprised.
Black Lightning’s new League role makes sense, he’s a teacher by profession and will be instructing people in how to use their emergent abilities. This issue the gig even mixes with his day job, with new energy wielder Isaac a pupil at his own Garfield High. Mind, I don’t think this was a wise comment.
Too much information!
Jeff’s stomping ground of Suicide Slum has been officially renamed Southside Heights, which I can see a city council keen to gain investment doing. Of course, it won’t take, but points for trying.
Thomas packs a lot into this issue, economically and entertainingly introducing cast and situations, and I’d say it works. My only niggle is that he doesn’t explain how Jeff’s powers are doing what we see them doing, such as stopping a train. Probably electromagnetism again, but it’s good to be clear.
Talking of clear, the letters of Lucas Gattoni are a pleasure on the page, while Ossio and Arreola’s cover is a colourful, attractive three-shot. Nice logo, too.
So, I’d say this first new issue of Black Lightning has sizzle. How about you?
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
I enjoyed this issue a lot. Black Lightning’s current look definitely seems styled after Cress Williams portrayal of him on the TV show.
The flying thing had me confused too. I think that’s brand new, though I do wish they had explained it.
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I’ll try the show again at some point… I’m still working my way through The Flash and Supergirl!
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Nice review! I’m looking forward to reading this in a bit. Black Lightning was ultimately my favorite of the CW shows, for a couple of reasons. A) It often had adults making reasonably adult decisions. Sometimes they were unwise, but they had a grown-up perspective that a lot of the other CW shows lacked — while still having plenty of youth in the cast as well. And B) Black Lightning saved some room in the budget for some great music. Any music supervisor that introduces me to a song as great as Betty Davis’s “They Say I’m Different” has my eternal gratitude.
So I’ll definitely be reading this book. And as for Anissa… why would anyone need a REASON to be in New Orleans? That city is its own reason.
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(Oh, and the Anon was Rob S, on a different computer!)
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I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans, and I can certainly see a city in the DCU without constant supervillainy having appeal for a young hero who’s been through too much.
The BL TV show sounds better and better, thank you!
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I have been a BL fan too since the original issue one too. I just accepted the novel uses of his powers this time as either an upgrade since his powers returned or his imagination at what he should have always been able to do jump started by almost watching his daughters die. It was drawn and written so flawlessly I almost don’t need an explanation.
I’m sorry the girls didn’t power swap though. I always found Thunder boring in personality and power and Lightning excellent at both so it would have made big sis at least visually interesting.
And hey, maybe Lynne got scientist powers from some D level mad scientist when powers were sent to the wrong people!
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That’s it, Lynn has powers… I’m going to be watching her closely. A DC family of superheroes could be huge fun.
I’m good with Jeff’s powers developing, but I do like these things to be acknowledged on panel.
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Being a die hard Star Trek fan taught me how to explain plot holes in anything.
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Ha, that makes sense!
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I’ll read this when it hits trade, but making the comic more like the TV show can only be a good thing, ’cause it was amazeballs.
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I really need to watch this show!
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I really enjoyed it, though I do wish they’d made mention of the Doom Patrol and their work in a similar role to find new metas and help them discover and manage their powers.
You’re right that I was a bit confused by the use of his powers, but AP did establish that some powers returned changed, so maybe there is a kind of TK involved. Of course, the Lazarus rains did something similar last year.
I love this character and am hoping this book succeeds.
I disagree with you about the art, but I won’t get all negative about it here.
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No fear Hector, always feel free to say if you don’t like something. Your opinion should be heard as much as mine.
And yes, the DP should have had a mention, it’s not like we’ve not seem them on the new satellite.
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