Jefferson Pierce leads the Justice League’s new metahuman outreach initiative, helping those with powers before they can cause harm to themselves or others–but everything changes when its his own daughter, Anissa Pierce, who comes to him for help. With Thunder’s dangerous new powers and the new Masters of Disaster jeopardizing the coexistence between humans and Metas, Black Lightning is on the front lines of a culture war brewing in the suburbs of Metropolis! Black Lightning #1 delivers a new status-quo and direction for the character in the “All In” phase of the DC Universe.

Written by Brandon Thomas, Black Lightning #1 is an interesting comic as it really focuses on an impact of the “Absolute Power” storyline that’s been teased elsewhere. At the end of that event, something has gone wrong in the metahuman population. Powers have been switched up for some heroes and there’s more metahumans emerging. Someone needs to deal and help those new individuals, and that’s up to Jefferson Pierce, Black Lightning!

The issue is a pretty solid start with a concept that’s easy to understand and a role that’s a natural fit for the character. He’s a teacher at heart and here he gets to do that while helping metahumans in need. It’s a concept that has been there in some previous comics but in the current “All In” era, it’s something that’s not really being seen elsewhere.

There is a bit of knowledge that’s needed with Pierce and his family. While most of it is explained well, there is some things with a daughter that doesn’t quite hit unless you really know the characters. Still, a father working with a daughter and caring for his family is an easy thing to connect with and the comic does that well.

The art by Fico Ossio is good. With color by Ulises Arrelo and lettering by Lucas Gattoni, it has its moments though there are some issues here and there where the art isn’t quite as sharp. Where it’s good, it’s really good, which makes the visual bumps stand out. Characters just don’t look all that good or that art doesn’t quite drive home the moment. But, there’s action that’s exciting and moments that really deliver a cinematic quality about them.

Black Lightning #1 is an entertaining start with a concept that needs to be filled in the “All In” storyline. It shows a lot of potential and picks up a plotline that has been mentioned but not really focused on. It has a lot going for it and should be interesting to see where it goes after the debut.

Story: Brandon Thomas Art: Fico Ossio
Color: Ulises Arreola Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Story: 8.15 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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