The character behind the television show Black Lightning was first written as a comic book character in the 1970s. Black Lightning debuted in Black Lightning #1, published by DC Comics in April 1977.
The hero was created by writer Tony Isabella and artist Trevor Von Eeden. His civilian identity is Jefferson Pierce, an Olympic athlete and high-school principal who becomes a costumed crime fighter with the ability to generate and control electricity. The character was notable as DC’s first major African-American superhero to receive his own self-titled series.
Black Lightning emerged during the Bronze Age of Comics, when publishers were introducing more racially diverse heroes and stories. The original comic series ran for 11 issues before ending in 1978 during the DC Implosion, a period when the company canceled many titles because of financial and distribution problems.
The television series premiered in 2018 and centers on Jefferson Pierce’s family, community and return to superhero activity. Its modern setting and expanded cast differ from the original comic, but the character’s origins remain rooted in the late 1970s.