Black Lightning
General Info
| Genres | Action & Adventure, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Drama |
|---|---|
| Music By | Kurt Farquhar |
| Tagline | High voltage action |
| Starring | Cress Williams, Nafessa Williams, Christine Adams, Marvin 'Krondon' Jones III, James Remar, Chantal Thuy |
| Languages | en |
| Produced By | Gabrielle Greig, Jamila Daniel, Lamont Magee, Brusta Brown, John Mitchell Todd, Carl Ogawa, Adam Giaudrone, Bille Woodruff, Jennifer Lence, James Spies, Charles Holland, Salim Akil, Greg Berlanti, Mara Brock Akil, Sarah Schechter, Victoria Thomas, Tara Feldstein Bennett, Chase Paris |
| Release Date | 2018-01-16 |
| Running Time | 45 |
| Screenplay By | Tony Isabella, Trevor Von Eeden |
| TV Series Name | Black Lightning |
| Content Rating | 7.09 |
| Distributed By | The CW |
| Original Title | Black Lightning |
| Country of Origin | US |
| Number of Seasons | 4 |
| Number of Episodes | 58 |
| World Premiere Date | 2018-01-16 |
| Production Company Name | Warner Bros. Television, Akil Productions, Berlanti Productions |
| Production Company Website URL | http://cwtv.com/shows/black-lightning |
Trailer
Episodes
Overview
As the seasons progress, the struggles of the Pierce family become a major focus, especially when Jefferson's daughters, Anissa and Jennifer, gain powers of their own. The series successfully integrates current social issues such as racism, gang violence and injustice into its supernatural narrative. Black Lightning cultivates a densely layered atmosphere that encourages discussion outside of superheroes, while still maintaining thrilling action sequences typical of the genre. It is a compelling insight into the duties and burdens of a hero, the importance of family, and the struggle for social justice. With its fascinating mix of realism and fantasy, Black Lightning is a quintessential Arrowverse watch.
Plot
Years ago, Jefferson hung up his superhero mantle for the sake of his family and decided to hide his identity in order to maintain normality in their lives. But when The One Hundred, a violent criminal gang, begins terrorizing Freeland, Jefferson is forced to break down his boarding house.
His decision is further fueled by the unsettling parallels that draw his daughters, Anissa and Jennifer, into his secret past by showing off their superhero abilities. Anissa takes on the nickname "Thunder" and Jennifer becomes "Lightning", both join their father on his crusade.
The series aptly integrates action with deep social issues such as racism and prejudice. It provides a clear narrative through a predominantly black cast and enhances the conversation about the experience of the black community in America.
Throughout the series, the heroic family faces various enemies, including the sinister crime lord Tobias Whale and the corrupt government organization ASA, which plans to harness metahuman powers. Balancing their personal lives with their superhero duties, they endure conflict, strife, and adversity as they fight injustice to achieve harmony in Fryland. At its core, Black Lightning is more than just a superhero series. It delves deep into the fabric of family bonds, patriotism and resilience to create a multi-layered story of emotion, action and social relevance. Jefferson Pierce isn't just Black Lightning; it is a symbol of community strength and resistance to systemic and social failure.
Production
During the creation of the show, the creators tried to bring a new perspective to the superhero story, especially paying attention to the African-American family. Inspired by the original DC Comics character of the same name, Black Lightning was conceived as an exploration of community, family dynamics and resilience in the face of adversity.
Selim and Mara Brock Akil helmed the production, with Greg Berlanti of CW superhero show fame serving as an executive producer along with Sarah Schechter. Filmed primarily in Atlanta, Georgia, the series shares the same universe as Berlanti's other shows, although it was originally presented as a separate entity.
Cress Williams was cast as Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning, marking an important moment as he became one of the few African-American leads in a superhero franchise. Her performance received widespread critical acclaim, buoyed by the performances of the rest of the star-studded cast.
Black Lightning was praised for its mature story, character development, unique visual style and inspired touch of realism. These factors, along with high production values, helped the show stand out in the increasingly crowded space of the superhero genre, emphasizing creativity and attention to detail. Black Lightning's work is a great example of how to effectively adapt a comic book series by adding new, modern themes, and this approach has garnered massive popularity and critical acclaim.
Release
The first season consists of 13 episodes and counting. The series has received positive reviews, with viewers enjoying its mix of action, drama and social and political commentary. Its release was a milestone in the portrayal of African-American superheroes on television.
Set in a community struggling with rising crime and corruption, Black Lightning sees the compelling protagonist Jefferson Pierce return to his role as Black Lightning's vigilante. The series relentlessly explores themes of justice, family, and power through intricate characterization and thrilling battle sequences.
In addition to its US release, the series also received international attention and was available on Netflix for viewers outside the US. Three successful seasons and a final fourth season after the end of 2021. on May 24, Black Lightning cemented his place in the Arrowverse. A Painkiller spin-off film is reportedly in the works, based around the series' supporting protagonist. Although the show has ended, the themes and characters continue to make a lasting impression on the superhero genre.
Reception
The series is also known for its social commentary, tactfully tackling issues such as gang violence, corruption and systemic racism. Black Lightning is often seen as a refreshing take on the superhero genre, focusing on real issues rather than purely fantasy elements.
However, some critics feel that the series sometimes lacks special effects and has problems with pacing. Despite these criticisms, Black Lightning is still praised for its honest portrayal of a superhero who is both the savior of his community and a devoted gentleman to his family.
Basically, Black Lightning is a powerful example of a combination of social dialogue and superhero fantasy that not only entertains the audience, but also provides food for thought.
Cultural impact
In a larger context, it fits the larger cultural moment of black superheroes in mainstream pop culture, following the path blazed by Black Panther. But while Black Panther is a large-scale, high-stakes story set in a fictional African country, Black Lightning takes a different approach. Based on reality, the show is set in Freeland and depicts the challenges and issues facing the African-American community. Black Lightning also breaks away from traditional superheroism by playing a retired adult superhero returning to the superhero life. This narrative choice has been praised for its depth and complexity, adding a generational factor that includes his daughters also gaining superpowers.
The soundtrack, infused with contemporary hip-hop and soul, further emphasizes the show's roots in African-American culture. This choice enhances the viewer experience and helps convey the authentic struggles and joys of the community to the audience.
By presenting superhero history through a realistic and culturally specific lens, Black Lightning opened the door to more structured storytelling in the superhero genre. He set a precedent for diversity and representation by highlighting the role of black superheroes not only in comics, but also in mainstream media and popular culture.