Warning: spoilers ahead for Batman and the Outsiders #17!
Black Lightning is currently at a crossroads in DC Comics. The Outsiders are coming to an end, and Jefferson Pierce is not the same man he was before he joined Batman’s secret team of heroes. He’s learned more about himself and his powers, gaining a new outlook and self-awareness about where he currently stands in the world, as well as where he one day could be. He’s also made some incredibly powerful enemies as of late. So will Black Lightning take the next step up and be a hero alongside the Justice League? Is that something he even truly wants?
Batman and the Outsiders #17 is written by Bryan Hill with art from Marcio Takara, beginning with the end of the team. In the aftermath of their battle with Ras Al Ghul, the team is taking some much needed downtime, reevaluating next steps and what they should all respectively do going forward at a ranch owned by Batman. For Black Lightning, this means taking a hard look at recent events, considering whether he can truly go back to his life as a teacher after everything that’s happened to him (including making himself an enemy of Al Ghul himself).
While Pierce ponders, Katana appears at his side, and Black Lightning shares some of his thoughts with her. Given that Batman himself confirmed that Pierce should be standing next to Superman and Wonder Woman given his power levels, Jefferson is seriously looking at his future as a superhero for the first time in his life. He’s realizing that with the power he wields, he could take the next big step in his career to help change and protect the world alongside the best of the best: the Justice League.
While Black Lightning can certainly see a future happening with the Justice League, he still doesn’t know if that’s what he truly wants. Katana replies, sharing that now that Al Ghul has returned to the shadows for the time being, the Outsiders has fulfilled its mission and the distractions are gone. Now, the heroes can finally start dealing with their innermost thoughts and true natures. Katana’s path is clear, as she’s planning to take a journey to master her new power and flaming sword. She invites Pierce to join her so that he might be able to master his own nature as well. As the issue ends, it’s revealed that Pierce does indeed join Katana as a means to figure out what his future should be.
While some fans might be slightly disappointed that Black Lightning has chosen to take some time to do some deep soul searching with Katana, this is probably for the best. Black Lightning’s opportunity for the big time will no doubt come in DC Comics’ near future, but instead of that move just all of a sudden happening, Pierce is going to dwell on it, making sure that joining the ranks of the League is something he truly wants from his future. Pierce waiting is absolutely true to his character, as he’s always been somewhat cautious as a hero, holding a modicum of self-doubt as to his worthiness. Here’s hoping that Black Lightning will figure it out soon, as his fans know that he’s already more than worthy to fight alongside the Justice League.
