5 Reasons to be excited about Black Lightning

CW’s newest superhero shows takes on Black Lightning, a character that hasn’t been seen on television shows yet – and we’re excited!

The excitement for CW’s Black Lightning turned up a notch when the cast and creators were part of a recent panel at Television Critics Association Press Tour. The premiere is less than a week away and we give five – but there are so many more – reasons that we’re pumped for the premiere of Black Lightning.

1. Representation

Looking at current superhero shows, the lead roles have not often been filled by POC. Black Lightning gives viewers a diverse show while also showcasing POC responsibly. This is a great moment for television and comic fans to also broaden their view of superheros if all they are used to is what is portrayed on their screen.

2. New Faces

This is not a show about Batman or Superman or any the other ‘man’ we have seen in various ways dozens of times before. It’s fantastic that we are getting to see the first live-action Black Lightning character. Black Lightning has really only appeared in comics and animated series.

There is whole comic world out there – even beyond DC and Marvel – and I get that Batman, Spider-Man and Superman are most popular. But it’s about time other characters get the opportunity to shine and inspire a new generation of comic fans.

3. Thunder and Lightning

Yes! Yes! Yes! I couldn’t be more excited for these two bad ass women. Jefferson Piece (Cress Williams) is Black Lightning, a retired superhero who is a metahuman. His two daughters are metahumans and we get to see them as Thunder (Anissa Pierce) and Lightning (Jennifer Pierce). They are unlike any superheros we have seen on our screens before.

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4. Show for adults

While Black Lightning is about superheros, it seems to have more of an adult tone to it. Jefferson Pierce is a principal of a charter school and is pulled out of retirement to help his community against a gang. With the focus on a father of teenage and adult children, there is room to grow the superhero audience.

What parent doesn’t feel like a superhero? There’s nothing that parents wouldn’t do for their kids and I am sure many of us wish we could harness electricity to keep our kids safe.

Joe West from The Flash is similar but he plays a supporting role and doesn’t have superpowers. But imagine if The Flash were told from Joe’s point of view. The tone would be different and that seems to be the way Black Lightning is going.

Next: Black Lightning takes some notes from Luke Cage and Black Panther

5. Potential for amazing crossovers

One thing CW has done well with its superhero shows (Supergirl, The Flash, Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow) is crossovers. Sometimes it’s between two shows or we get epic four-show crossovers that have huge consequences. Throw another superhero into the mix, and the potential is there for even more amazing stories.

What are you most excited about for Black Lightning? Hit the comments and let us know.

Black Lightning premieres on CW on January 17 at 9/8c.