Written by Jen Van Meter.
Art by Cully Hamner; Laura Martin; Travis Lanham; Sal Cipriano; & Steve Wands.
Re-Issue Cover Art: Cress Williams as Black Lightning {CW Television Series}.
SUMMARY:
DC Comics released the original six-issue mini-series in 2009, which was subsequently collected as a 144-page trade paperback that same year. Popularized by the CW’s live-action TV series, this re-issued edition was released in 2017-2018.
Returning to the Southside neighborhood (aka ‘Suicide Slum’ in Metropolis), former U.S. Olympian-turned-educator Jefferson Pierce brings his young family (wife Lynn and nine-year old daughter Anissa) home to live with his mother in Pierce’s childhood home. His new job as a high school principal in a gang-infested, urban war zone mirrors a mysterious vigilante’s work protecting nocturnal Southside from thugs representing the ominous ‘100.’
Despite help from his loyal friend, tailor/tech wiz Peter Gambi, Pierce’s crusade against Southside injustice runs afoul of both the Metropolis police and The 100. A constant threat of grisly violence impacts both Pierce’s family and the skeptical kids under his supervision, as he gradually draws closer to The 100’s macabre kingpin. Gaining the trust of the Man of Steel, not to mention a familiar Metropolis cop, Black Lightning uncovers a grim, long-hidden truth dating back to the assassination of his own valiant father years before.
In the end, it’s up to a defiant Pierce to face both corpulent business tycoon/mobster Tobias Whale and a secret monstrous threat that even his electrifying powers may not be enough to vanquish. No matter the steep odds, Black Lightning intends to redeem his beloved Southside’s future or die trying. Guest stars include Clark Kent/Superman, Lois Lane, & Talia al Ghul.
REVIEW:
It’s a great read! Ignoring the ‘secret origin’ of Pierce’s super-powers, writer Jen Van Meter instead concocts a satisfying exploration of the ‘why’ behind Jefferson Pierce’s crusade as Southside’s guardian. Van Meter also delivers terrific work depicting the changes in how Pierce’s extended family reacts to his hellbent mission after dark. Including the shadowy villain’s origin, the presence of another sinister force behind his perennial arch-nemesis, Tobias Whale, also proves an inspired touch.
Working in equal tandem with Van Meter is the art squad’s consistently likable visuals. What this art team brings to Black Lightning’s saga is a fresh look that would help bolster any ongoing series. Accordingly, Black Lightning: Year One should be deemed a welcome prequel from DC Comics.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In a full-page format, each of Cully Hamner’s six covers precede its issue.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
