Black Lightning gets an official teaser. After providing us with the first promo still featuring Cress Williams’ as the titular character all the way back on July, we now get another look at the latest superhero to join the CW block.
The project has already been in development for quite some time now, but it was not until 2016 when it finally took shape, with Warner Bros. TV aggressively selling the concept to several broadcast networks until The CW picked it up, adding to their growing DC superhero-centered show roster. Having said that, Black Lightning will be treated as a standalone series and is not considered to be a part of the Arrowverse block which consists of Arrow, Supergirl, The Flash and DC’s Legend of Tomorrow, although folks behind the new show are leaving the door open for any possible crossover opportunities down the line.
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Over a month before The CW debuts their newest superhero, we now get our first look at the Prison Break alum’s new gig as the special-skilled hero, who has the ability to harness and control electricity. The six-second clip debuted during the first part of the four-show, two-night Arrowverse crossover which will continue on Tuesday, November 28. In the teaser, we hear Jefferson Pierce saying “People out there need me. Black Lightning is back” while we see the titular character under the pouring rain, clenching his fist and his eyes glowing. It’s difficult to gauge where this fits in the show’s narrative, but if the voice-over and the shots are really coordinated with each other, it could be the pivotal moment where he decides to come out of superhero retirement and once again suit up as his alter-ego. Check out the full video above.
Black Lightning will tackle a different narrative thread compared to usual superhero offerings both on the big and small screen. Instead of focusing on how he got his power and learned to control it, the new CW series takes on a non-linear storytelling approach. Audiences meet Pierce living a normal life as a principal at a charter high school after he gave up the Black Lightning mantle nine years ago upon learning how his night job affects his family. He is, however, forced to suit back up when crime rates start to increase in his community. From the sound of it, the new project is taking on a more grounded story infused with your usual comic book tropes. The premise gives it the opportunity to use time lapses and get creative with their presentation of the character’s return journey to his crime-fighting days.
Williams will be joined in Black Lightning by a slew of supporting characters such as Jill Scott as the villainous Lady Eve, Marvin Jones III as crime boss Tobias Whale, Jame Remar as Jefferson’s mentor, Peter Gambi, Daniel Gupton as veteran law officer, Inspector Henderson and Chantal Thuy as Grace Choi.
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This year’s Arrowverse titled ‘Crisis on Earth-X’ wraps up on Tuesday with The Flash @ 8pm ET and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow @ 9pm ET on The CW.
