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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 the vigilante known as Black Lightning, and the principal of Garfield High School. He is also a member of the Outsiders II and Justice League Unlimited.[3]
History
Origins
At first, Black Lightning operated in Los Angeles, where he developed a partnership with Blue Devil.[4] He valued this partnership so strongly that he did not want to join the Justice League without Blue Devil.[5]
At some point, he was President Lex Luthor's Secretary of Education.[6]
He retired from being a vigilante and moved back to Cleveland, where he grew up, with his father so that his father could spend his last years surrounded by friends and family.
After his father's death, he resumed his Black Lightning identity.[2]
The Outsiders
Black Lightning has misunderstandings with the Outsiders
Batman approached him to help out the Signal and the Orphan in their education.[7] With help from Katana,[8] they took down Karma. This led to the reformation of the Outsiders.[9]
The Outsiders were tasked by Batman to retrieve Sofia Ramos because Batman wanted the Outsiders to help her after the death of her parents.[10] The team's attempt to rescue her from a kidnapping failed and she was taken by Ra's al Ghul.[11] Sofia worked with Ra's al Ghul,[12] but Black Lightning and Katana snapped her out of it.[13] Lady Shiva informed Black Lightning that Ishmael was the one that bombed his school.[14]
After Jeff and Shiva were ambushed by Ishmael, Kaliber, and Karma,[15] the Outsiders alongside Lady Shiva defeated Ra's al Ghul in an intense fight.[16]
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Doomsday Clock
Main article: Doomsday Clock Vol 1
After Superman was framed and rendered comatose, Black Lightning joined the group of heroes heading towards Mars to confront their mysterious enemy. The heroes met and engaged Doctor Manhattan, but they were easily defeated.[17]
Powers and Abilities
Powers
- Electrokinesis: Jeff 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 to do so or not.[18] Thanks to the aid of a machine invented by Batman, Jeff’s powers have been further enhanced more than even he had ever expected.[19][20] Jeff's control over electricity is so great that he is able to restrain the powers of other electrokinetics who cannot control their powers and risk overcharging themselves.[3]
- Electro-Blast: Jeff is capable of discharging his stored electrical energy by projecting it as powerful arcs and blasts.[1]
- Energy Transference: Black Lightning can recharge electrical devices and machinery through blasts of his electricity.[21]
- Electromagnetism: Jeff's control over electricity allows him to manipulate electromagnetic fields for various purposes. He is capable of magnetizing cars in mid-air and can even throw them back at enemies.[21] He was even capable of stopping a train by creating a giant electromagnetic field around it with his energy.[3]
- Enhanced Senses: Jeff's powers allow him to tap into Earth's electromagnetic energy, allowing him to sense disturbances in it.[22]
- Enhanced Hearing: Jeff was capable of "listening" to the electromagnetic frequencies that were emitting from an alien device.[23]
- Enhanced Vision: Black Lightning can see the electric currents emanated by objects.[21]
- Force Field: Jeff's bio-electricity activates an electromagnetic force field near him instantaneously when sensing threats approaching him.[18] He is able to create an electric force field capable of deflecting bullets.[24] He can also create electrical fields around enemies to bind them so that they cannot move, or to keep a person safe.[25][3] Black Lightning is even able to create force fields powerful enough to hold back explosions.[26]
- Interstellar Travel: Jeff can surround himself and others in an electromagnetic force field that allows them to travel throughout space unharmed.[3]
- 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.[24]
- Enhanced Senses: Jeff's powers allow him to tap into Earth's electromagnetic energy, allowing him to sense disturbances in it.[22]
- Energy Absorption: Jeff is able to drain electrical energy from other sources or metahumans as long as he has direct access to it.[21]
- Flight: Due to his control over electricity, Black Lightning is capable of self-powered flight and can propel himself through the air at immense speeds.[27][3]
- Technopathy: Black Lightning can tap into and manipulate electrical systems at will. He was capable of patching into the intercom of a train and projecting his voice through it.[3]
- Superhuman Speed: Due to the electricity flowing through his body, Black Lightning is able to move at superhuman speed.[28] When flying, Black Lightning can also propel himself through the air at incredible speeds, allowing him to fly to and from locations in moments.[3]
- Superhuman Durability: Jeff is capable of resisting tremendous kinetic impact forces that could easily crush or kill a human without suffering any serious external or internal injuries. He was able to survive a massive fall from mid-air in the sky, and was only stunned for a brief moment.[3]
- Superhuman Reflexes: Jeff possesses superhuman reflexes, as he has shown himself capable of dodging gunfire at close range.[29]
- Electro-Blast: Jeff is capable of discharging his stored electrical energy by projecting it as powerful arcs and blasts.[1]
Abilities
- Acrobatics[1]
- Martial Arts: Before becoming a super-hero, Jeff was made to train by his father so he could be prepared for his role as a vigilante. Jeff was trained by former super-villain Amberjack in hand-to-hand combat.[24] Jeff was further trained in the martial arts by Katana. His skills enabled him to best a leader of the Magic Assassins in a fight.[28]
- Pedagogy: While not patrolling the streets of Metropolis, Black Lightning teaches in a school.[24]
- Political Science: Under President Luthor, Jeff served as Secretary of Education.[6]
- Stealth: Jeff was trained by Batman in stealth.[2]
Notes
- Black Lightning was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor von Eeden, first appearing in Black Lightning #1. However, in the Prime Earth continuity, Black Lightning first appeared as part of the New 52 DC Universe in DC Universe Presents #13 by Marc Andreyko and Robson Rocha.
Trivia
Recommended Reading
Related
- 123 Appearances of Jefferson Pierce (Prime Earth)
- 101 Images featuring Jefferson Pierce (Prime Earth)
- 12 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
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 Black Lightning (Volume 3) #1
- ↑ DC Universe Presents #16
- ↑ Justice League (Volume 2) #18
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 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
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #3
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #13
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #14
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 DC Power: A Celebration #1
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #14
- ↑ Batman and the Outsiders (Volume 3) #15
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #2
- ↑ Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #6
- ↑ Detective Comics #986
- ↑ Batman: Urban Legends #9
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 Batman: Urban Legends #3
- ↑ DC Universe Presents #15
- ↑ Detective Comics #984
- ↑ Detective Comics #985
  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. |
 This character has been a member of the Justice League of America, or simply 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. |