Why Black Lightning needs to stay separate from the Arrowverse

Black Lightning mentioned a couple of Arrowverse characters, despite showrunners previously saying it was separate. If this is a hint that it’s actually part of the universe, it’s a bad idea.

When Black Lightning was first announced as a new CW show, fans wondered whether there would be any five-way crossovers with the other DC shows. Then it was confirmed that the new series would be completely separate from the rest of the Arrowverse. There would be no crossing over and for me that was a good thing.

In the last episode, Vixen and Supergirl were both mentioned. Instantly fans started to wonder whether this meant the series was part of Arrowverse after all.

It’s worked on its own

There’s no need to pull Jefferson Pierce and his daughters into the rest of the DC universe. Black Lightning has already proven it can stand on its own two feet. Not only has it offered something slightly different in terms of story, but it’s also put the emphasis on superheroes of color and strong women.

Adding it in with the rest of the Arrowverse would minimize all the work the series has done on its own already.

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The focus would shift

Photo Credit: Black Lightning/The CW, Carin Baer Image Acquired from CWTVPR /

Right now the focus is on the personal lives, but also how they’re accepting their powers. Jefferson has stepped back up as Black Lightning, sacrificing his marriage for the sake of the area; Anissa jumped straight into helping people; Jennifer has the initial though of wanting to be normal. The focus is on their personalities. There’s the element of reality within a superhero show.

This focus would shift if they became part of the Arrowverse and started crossing over. There would be more focus on the meta human element, as someone would want to explore this more. Focus would shift more onto fighting the supervillains, rather than dealing with one problem at a time–and the personal fight between Black Lightning and Tobias Whale.

The Arrowverse lost the element of reality and grounded-ness with the introduction of other Earths. We don’t want this to happen with Black Lightning.

Leave the questions of other heroes out of the equation

If the shows all became part of the same universe, there would be questions about why one superhero can’t step in to help. Why can’t The Flash speed his way through and clean up Green Light? Why can’t the Green Arrow take down everyone person by person?

Black Lightning — “The Book of Little Black Lies” — Photo: Annette Brown/The CW via CWPR /

Right now, Black Lightning doesn’t have to worry about another meta human or vigilante stepping in and causing problems. He’s the main hero (although soon with his daughters) and that’s the way it needs to stay.

No issue of other worlds causing problems

Remember when Diggle’s baby was a girl? That changed thanks to Barry changing time and causing issues. Then there was the time Damien Darhk brought meta humans from another Earth to create issues for Barry (and Oliver). There is nothing like that with Black Lightning remaining separate.

There’s no need for us to stay up to date with every single Arrowverse series. We don’t have to worry about missing a major plot point somewhere that affects everyone else. And there are no ridiculous storylines just for the sake of it because they can do it!

Just keep Black Lightning the way it is. Have those mentions of Supergirl and Vixen as mentions of fictional characters, the way Grace Choi had a copy of the Outsiders comic. Keep the real elements to the series and allow Jefferson and his daughters to grow on their own.

Next: Black Lightning: Dealing with Jennifer's raw emotion makes it stand out

Would you like to see Black Lightning become part of Arrowverse? What would you like to see happen moving forward? Share your thoughts and opinions below.

Black Lightning airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

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