BLACK LIGHTENING: THE RISE OF THE RETIRED HERO
From the DC comics, Black lightening is an American superhero series developed by Salim Akil, airing on Netflix. The character of the same name is an African- American with two daughters, an ex-wife, and an Italian tailor. It stars Cress Williams as Black Lightening alongside Nefessa Williams, China Anne McClain, Cristine Adams, Marvin Jones III, Damon Gupton, and James Remar. The series sees the retired Black Lightening returns to being a hero and how this affects him, and his two daughters. Development on the series began in September 2016 when Fox ordered a pilot production commitment for Black Lightning. In February 2017, Fox passed on the series, with it being picked up by The CW with a new script for the pilot. The CW officially ordered the series in May 2017. The first season premiered on January 16, 2018, for a 13-episode run.
Jefferson Pierce, who retires from his superhero title Black Lightning nine years ago after seeing the effects on his family and their safety. After the rise of a local gang called 100 leads, he is forced to retitle himself as Black Lightning, fighting against his nemesis, corruption and crime for the community of Freeland.
The CW’s newest superhero drama is poised to be great. From the writing to the acting to the special effects, even down to the music, Black Lightning is the inclusive, representative superhero drama fans have been craving. After taken years the comic book world finally listened and delivered. And while photos and trailers featuring Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce suited up as Black Lightning have made the rounds since last year’s Comic-Con, the first look at his adult daughter Anissa Pierce (Nafessa Williams) suited up as her superhero alter ago, Thunder. She looks even more badass than Black Thunder. Retired superhero Jefferson’s older daughter Anissa is strong, confident and an out-and-proud lesbian, both in the comics and on the show: She’s one of only a very small handful of LGBTQ POC superheroes in all of DC Comics. Her no-nonsense attitude that will make you fall in love with her.
We are eagerly awaiting the release of Marvel movie, Black Panther this year, centred on a young African King who doubles up as a crime fighter. Then CW and Netflix introduced the series of Black Lightning, an African- American educator with electrical superpowers. It’s a nice change to see a back-to-back release of African- American led superheroes as compared to the popular super heroes from DC and Marvel.
