Black Lightning was created by writer Tony Isabella and artist Trevor Von Eeden and debuted in Black Lightning #1 in April 1977. He was inspired by the success of black superheroes at Marvel Comics, such as Luke Cage, Black Panther, and Black Goliath. However, he was not DC’s first black superhero; that honor goes to John Stewart, who became a Green Lantern in 1971.

Black Lightning’s real name is Jefferson Pierce, a former Olympic decathlete who grew up in the crime-ridden Suicide Slum of Metropolis. He was born with metahuman abilities to generate and manipulate electricity. Still, he learned to control them with the help of Peter Gambi, a tailor who befriended him after his father’s murder. Pierce became a schoolteacher and returned to Suicide Slum to help his community. He decided to become a superhero after a gang called the 100 killed one of his students, who worked for the crime boss Tobias Whale.

Pierce adopted the persona of Black Lightning, wearing an Afro wig and a mask to conceal his identity. He also used a power belt that amplified his electrical powers and allowed him to fly. He fought against the 100 and other villains like Syonide, Cyclotronic Man, and Merlyn. He also encountered heroes such as Superman, Batman, and Green Arrow.

One of the most notable aspects of Black Lightning’s character was his social consciousness and critical perspective on established superheroes. He refused to join the Justice League of America when they offered him membership, saying that they were out of touch with the problems of ordinary people. He also clashed with Batman over his methods and interference in Suicide Slum. However, he later became friends with Batman and joined his team of Outsiders, along with Katana, Geo-Force, Halo, Metamorpho, and others.

Black Lightning’s origin and powers have been revised over the years. In some versions, he is not a metahuman but an average human who gains his powers from his belt or an experimental serum. In other arrangements, he is a metahuman who internalizes his belt’s powers or has them activated by an alien weapon. In the current continuity, he is a metahuman who inherited his powers from his ancestors, who were enslaved people experimented on by a group called the ASA.

Black Lightning has two daughters who also have superpowers: Anissa Pierce and Jennifer Pierce. Anissa is known as Thunder and can increase her density and create shockwaves. Jennifer is known as Lightning and can generate electricity like her father. Both have been members of teams such as the Outsiders, the Justice Society of America, and Young Justice.

Black Lightning has appeared in various media outside of comics. He has been featured in animated shows such as Superman/Batman: Public Enemies, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Young Justice, Justice League Action, and DC Super Hero Girls. He has starred in his live-action show on The CW since 2018, played by Cress Williams. The show is part of the Arrowverse and has crossed over with other shows such as The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow.

Some little-known facts about Black Lightning are:

– He was initially going to be called Black Vulcan or Black Bomber.
– He was one of the first superheroes to have a beard.
– He once ran for president of the United States.
– He has a Ph.D. in education.
– He is an accomplished pianist.