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As a result of the New 52 in 2011, the entire line of DC characters was relaunched, incorporating properties belonging to the company's imprints: Wildstorm, Milestone, and Vertigo. As such, elements of this character's history have been altered in some way from the previous incarnation. For a complete list of all versions of this character, see our disambiguation page. |
- I work for a man like Lex Luthor so that someday in the future... you won't have to.
- — Black Lightning src
Jefferson Pierce is a high school teacher, and the vigilante known as Black Lightning. He is also a member of the Outsiders and the Justice League Reserves.
History
Origins
At first, Black Lightning operated in Los Angeles where he developed a partnership with Blue Devil.[3] He valued this partnership so strongly that he did not want to join the Justice League without Blue Devil.[4]
At some point, he was President Lex Luthor's Secretary of Education. [5]
He retired from being a vigilante and moved back to Cleveland, where he grew up, with his father so his father can spend his last years surrounded by friends and family.
After his father's death, he resumed his Black Lightning identity.[2]
The Outsiders
Batman approached him to help out the Signal and Orphan in their education.[6] With help from Katana[7] they took down Karma. This led to the reformation of the The Outsiders.[8]
The Outsiders were tasked by Batman to retrieve Sofia Ramos because Bruce wanted the Outsiders to help her after the death of her parents.[9] The team's attempt to rescue her from a kidnapping failed and she was taken by Ra's al Ghul.[10] Sofia worked with Ra's al Ghul,[11] but Black Lightning and Katana snapped her out of it.[12] Lady Shive informed Black Lightning that Ishmael was the one that bombed his school.[13]
After Jefferson and Shiva were ambushed by Ishmael, Kaliber, and Karma,[14] the Outsiders alongside Lady Shiva defeated Ra's al Ghul in an intense fight.[15]
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Doomsday Clock
Main article: Doomsday Clock Vol 1
After Superman is framed and rendered comatose, Black Lightning joined the group of heroes heading towards Mars to confront their mysterious enemy. The heroes meet and engage Doctor Manhattan, but they are easily defeated.[16]
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Electrokinesis: Jefferson is able to generate and manipulate electricity for various purposes. His body constantly generates large amounts of bio-electricity that runs through his body, whether he wills it or not.[17]
- Electro-Blast: Jefferson is capable of projecting the electricity he produces from his hands, as arcs and blasts.[1]
- Electromagnetism: Jefferson's control over electricity allows him to manipulate electromagnetism for various purposes.
- Enhanced Senses: Jefferson's powers allow him to tap into the earth's electromagnetic energy, allowing him to sense disturbances in it.[18]
- Enhanced Hearing: Jefferson was capable of "listening" to the electromagnetic frequencies put out from an alien device.[19]
- Enhanced Vision: Black Lighting can see the electric currents emanated by objects.[20]
- Force Field: Jefferson's bio-electricity activates his force field near instantaneously, when sensing threats approaching him.[17] He is able to create an electric force field capable of deflecting bullets[21] and absorbing energy blasts.[20] He can also create electrical field around enemies to bind them, so they can't move.[22]
- Super-Leaping: Black Lightning can use an electro-magnetic push against a metal surface to throw himself incredibly far distances (a move that was taught to him by Cyborg). While escaping the police, Jefferson used their police car to shoot himself a dozen blocks in the air.[21]
- Enhanced Senses: Jefferson's powers allow him to tap into the earth's electromagnetic energy, allowing him to sense disturbances in it.[18]
- Superhuman Reflexes: Jefferson possesses superhuman reflexes, as he has shown himself capable of dodging gunfire at close range.[23]
- Flight: Black Lighting is capable of self-powered flight.[24]
Abilities
- Acrobatics[1]
- Martial Arts: Before becoming a superhero, Jefferson was made to train by his father so he could be prepared for his role as a vigilante. Jefferson was trained by former super-villain Amberjack in hand-to-hand combat.[21] Jefferson was further trained in martial arts by Katana. His skills enabled him to best Tattoed Man in a fight.[25]
- Pedagogy: While not patrolling the streets of Metropolis, Black Lightning teaches in a school.[21]
- Political Science: Under President Luthor, Jefferson served as Secretary of Education.[5]
- Stealth: Jefferson was trained by Batman in stealth.[2]
Notes
- Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce) was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor von Eeden, first appearing in Black Lightning #1. However, in the rebooted Prime Earth continuity his first appearance as part of the DC Universe is in Marc Andreyko and Robson Rocha's New 52 DC Universe Presents series.
Trivia
- Jefferson is aware of Batman's true identity - Bruce Wayne.[26]
- Jefferson is a fan of Westworld.[27]
Recommended Reading
Related
- 97 Appearances of Jefferson Pierce (Prime Earth)
- 61 Images featuring Jefferson Pierce (Prime Earth)
- 9 Quotations by or about Jefferson Pierce (Prime Earth)
- Character Gallery: Jefferson Pierce (Prime Earth)
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 DC Universe Presents #13
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #1
- ↑ DC Universe Presents #16
- ↑ Justice League (Volume 2) #18
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 DC's Saved by the Belle Reve #1
- ↑ Detective Comics #983
- ↑ Detective Comics #986
- ↑ Detective Comics #987
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #1
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #2
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #4
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #5
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #9
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #10
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #14
- ↑ Doomsday Clock #9
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #3
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #14
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #15
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 DC Power: A Celebration #1
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #2
- ↑ Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #6
- ↑ DC Universe Presents #15
- ↑ Batman: Urban Legends #9
- ↑ Batman: Urban Legends #3
- ↑ Detective Comics #984
- ↑ Detective Comics #985
Outsiders member This character is or was a member of one or more of the teams known as the Outsiders. This template will categorize articles that include it into the "Outsiders members" category. |
Justice League member This character has been a member of the Justice League of America, or the Justice League in any of its various incarnations, sworn by a duty to act as guardians of America and the world by using their skills and/or superpowers to protect Earth from the clutches of both interstellar and domestic threats. |