Black Lighting #1: “It Is Time That People Know That Black Lightning Is Back.”

Black Lighting #1 sets the new status quo for Jefferson Pierce and his family in the post-Absolute Power DCU. The issue begins with a recap of the Pierce family’s experience during Waller’s attempted power grab.

Thomas does a good job of showing the stress, feelings of failure and inadequacy that Jefferson feels as he chats with his ex-wife Lynn, before being called away on a developing situation that involves a student at Garfield High where he used to teach and serve as the principal. This also gives Ossio to give readers a good look at Black Lightning and Lightning’s new designs which work well for the characters and are a positive improvement over the previous ones.

The issue also helps to establish the new overall status quo for the DCU as readers are treated to The Shoebox, part of the new Watchtower. It is also refreshing to see the role Jefferson has undertaken as the lead superhero in charge of helping those whose metahuman gene has activated as a result of Waller’s machinations.

The groundwork for the larger, more personal story is also laid out as something is up with Anissa, both with her powers and relationship with Grace. It’s also nice that Jennifer is sharing the spotlight as she has been an under used character since her introduction years ago.

The art and colorwork are solid overall, though there are a few panels where the perspective makes Jefferson and other characters look a little strange in full body shots.