Even superheroes age. Well, at least Black Lightning — who’s told he’s “getting too old for this” following one intense battle — does.
For a lot of comic-book tales, that would be true of the storylines as well, but this new CW series serves up a refreshing take on the African-American crime fighter known as Black Lightning, first created in 1977.
While the show is from Greg Berlanti — who oversees the CW hero-verse of “Arrow,” “The Flash” and “Supergirl” — it’s a more gritty crime story than glitzy fantastical realm.
Cress Williams stars as the electricity-powered title character. When the show begins, Black Lightning has disappeared and is believed dead by some. Where is he? Living as high school principal Jefferson Pierce, he believes he is saving more lives as an educator than he did zapping bad guys.
Pierce is interested in saving his community, but harsh reality has begun to encroach upon the safe space he’s created at his school. When his teenage daughters, Jennifer (China Anne McClain) and Anissa (Nafeesa Williams), have a run-in with local mobsters — The 100 Gang — Jefferson finds himself unable to settle the dispute with just his wits.
At first, he attempts to use his powers only out of necessity. He is, after all, a middle-aged man. Jefferson is also trying to reconnect with his ex-wife, Lynn (Christine Adams), and he yearns for a normal family life. The two split when she felt he was using his powers more for vengeance than helping people.
But he’s also seeing his educational efforts not turning out the way he hoped. One former student is a gang leader, smooth on the outside but ultimately vicious. Another finds her daughter ensnared by the gang.
Eventually, you know Black Lightning will be back, but it’s not that simple. When he reappears, there is debate whether the community needs his vigilante style. This is something the series has in common with Netflix’s “Luke Cage.”
The show’s supervillain is Tobias Whale, who heads The 100 Gang. Whale, who killed Jefferson’s father, is played by L.A. rapper Marvin “Krondon” Jones III.
Created by Salim and Mara Brock Akil, “Black Lightning” has its own style, and the superhero bits are almost the least of it. The show is a lot about negotiating between the life you aspire to and the dangers of the world.
Williams brings a solid, vulnerable presence to Jefferson, a guy who has been behind a desk for nine years — and it shows.
After storming a bad guys’ building as Black Lightning, he’s offered a ride to the top by an elevator operator.
“I’m going to take the stairs,” he replies. “I’m just getting back into this, and a brother needs all the exercise he can get.”
Actually, it seems like Black Lightning is just hitting his prime.