The pilot episode of Black Lightning is in full production and The CW has just released the first image showing the full costume of DC Comics superhero, Jefferson Pierce who is being played by Cress Williams (Hart of Dixie.)
Pierce used to be the watchman known as Black Lightning, but hung the suit up long ago to dedicate himself to his family. When his daughter is recruited by a local gang, Pierce decides to put the suit back on to save her, bringing back one of the most beloved heroes back to action.
Greg Berlanti, Salim Akil, Mara Brock and Sarah Schechter are executive producers of the series. In addition, Akil is serving as the director of the pilot episode and has talked a little about this new series: “Being a child who grew up in Richmond, California, I was no stranger to violence, death or the feeling that nobody cared about what was happening in my life… For me, comics were a good way to escape. I was about 13 when Black Lightning was created, and I finally saw a black superhero who cared about our neighborhood and our lives.”
This superhero was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor De Eeden, and made his first appearance in Black Lightning #1 during 1977 and became the first African American superhero of DC Comics that had its own independent comic.
However, this series will not be set in the same universe as Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow, known as The Arrowverse. Berlanti said in January that “If we’re lucky enough that that exists, that that show exists, I don’t think those worlds will cross over.” Bittersweet words for the fans, but as we all know, TV can change from one second to another.