DC Comics Celebrates 50 Years Of Black Lightning With Anniversary Special In January 2027

By Chad Burdette

on October 22, 2026

For 50 years, Jefferson Pierce has been a father, an educator, a leader, and the electrifying hero known as Black Lightning.

This January, DC celebrates five decades of Black Lightning with DC Power: Black Lightning 50th Anniversary Special, a 48-page one-shot bringing together creators from across comics to honor Jefferson Pierce’s enduring legacy while continuing his story in the DC Universe.

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On sale January 27, 2027, DC Power: Black Lightning 50th Anniversary Special will feature a main story by Jenny Isabella (Black Lightning), Brandon Thomas (Black Lightning: The Standard), and Fico Ossio (Black Lightning: The Standard), with more Black Lightning stories by writers Danny Lore, Greg Anderson Elysée, and Al Letson and artists Karen S. Darboe, Darryl Banks, and Sedat Özgen.

The anniversary special also explores the many relationships that have defined Black Lightning across five decades, from family and old friends to fellow heroes throughout the DC Universe.

Jefferson fights alongside the Outsiders, including Katana, the Signal, and Cassandra Cain; crosses paths with his daughters, Anissa and Jennifer; and joins Mr. Terrific and Steel as the special explores the responsibilities, relationships, and personal connections behind the hero.

Black Lightning’s vision in DC K.O. also looms over the special, pushing Jefferson closer to a new role as mentor to a young hero.

Jenny Isabella, who is penning the main story said about returning to the character she created in 1977 with Trevor Von Eeden

“I’m excited about the special…As the old lady of the team, I get to work with a bunch of talented ‘youngsters’ who love and respect my creation.

Plus, we have an alternate cover by my pal Trevor Von Eeden, the first artist who drew Black Lightning and who is justifiably considered a co-creator of the character and his world. I had a blast returning to these characters.

It’s a book that brings the action, the drama, the sense of peril, and the fun. So much fun.”

On collaborating with Bradon Thomas, Isabella continued, saying:

“As much as it can be said that someone who doesn’t own a character can have a chosen successor, Brandon is mine. Collaborating with Brandon was amazing. He gets Jefferson Pierce in a way only a few writers have. He’s an incredibly gifted, hardworking writer. I think the comics world is just beginning to realize how good he is.”

Thomas added:

“I discovered Jenny felt this way a few weeks ago, well after we’d agreed to work together on this, and I was incredibly grateful and humbled by her support.

It is without a doubt one of the kindest things anyone in comics has ever said about my work and my pursuit to serve and honor characters like Jefferson Pierce.

Any opportunity I have to contribute something to his and his family’s legacy will be embraced to the fullest, and doing so alongside his actual creator is something I never imagined possible.”

“It was an honor and an incredible amount of fun, and I think that will show in the story. The theme is quite simply love—for his family, his history, and his presence within the DCU for 50 long years. Here’s to 50 more.”

DC Power: Black Lightning 50th Anniversary Special

In the main story, Black Lightning is entrusted with protecting Metropolis while Superman is away.

But as an old enemy plots his demise from the shadows, Jefferson will once again have to prove that protecting a community means more than simply winning the fight.

Jefferson Pierce has saved the world countless times, but with another battle for its fate looming on the horizon, does he still have time to repair his relationship with his ex-wife, Lynn Stewart?

As Jefferson considers what comes next for the two of them, his responsibilities as Black Lightning continue to pull him in every direction.

Main Story Creative Team