Warning: contains spoilers for Dark Knights of Steel #1!
In Dark Knights of Steel, Superman finds his way to a medieval Earth where familiar DC favorites are recast in the Middle Ages - Batman is a young prince and John Constantine is an oracle - but perhaps the most unique transformation is that of Black Lightning, who is a king, pursuing a mysterious agenda against Superman and his family. The first issue is on sale now in print and digital.
A trailblazing character, Black Lightning first appeared in the first issue of his own title in 1977. Created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden, Black Lightning is Jefferson Pierce, a school teacher born with the ability to control and manipulate electricity. In addition to a solo career, Black Lightning has been a member of the Outsiders and the Justice League, serving as a charter member of the former. Over the years, Black Lightning has become a fan-favorite character and has appeared in other media, including his own television show, which ran for four seasons on the CW. The character has not regularly been seen in the comics for some time, but returns in Dark Knights of Steel, an out of continuity story set on a medieval Earth ruled over by Superman and his family. The issue is written by Tom Taylor with art and colors by Yasmine Putri and letters by Wes Abbot.
Dark Knights of Steel flips the script on Superman’s origin. Jor-El and a pregnant Lara both escape Krypton, landing on Earth during the Middle Ages. Unaware they would have fantastic powers under Earth’s yellow sun, Jor-El accidentally kills a party sent to investigate their landing; at the same time, Lara gives birth to Kal-El. Meanwhile, in the distant Kingdom of Storms, Kal-El’s birth has triggered horrifying visions in a young John Constantine. As Constantine lays writhing on the ground, his mind overwhelmed, dictating his visions to the royal scribe, the king arrives—and readers see it is Black Lightning. He is concerned over Constantine’s visions and tells the scribe to write down everything the boy says. As Constantine comes out of his trance, he tells Black Lightning the end is near.
The new status suits Black Lightning well. As the first Black DC hero to star in his own title, he blazed a trail for others to follow, and with his powers over electricity, the name of his kingdom is fitting as well. Thanks to John Constantine, Black Lightning is now aware of the arrival of Superman and the House of El. He is understandably concerned, and readers get the impression he will take steps to counter Jor-El’s influence. Constantine’s visions were intense, promising bloodshed and destruction. Black Lightning’s duty as a king is to safeguard his people and Superman’s arrival is a potential threat. What steps will he take to protect the Kingdom of Storms? Or, in a more diplomatic maneuver, will he ally himself with Jor-El, creating a powerful alliance that could rule the world.
Black Lightning is a classic DC hero, a stalwart of multiple teams, and a trailblazer. He does not always get the recognition he deserves, but in Dark Knights of Steel #1, he is the ruler of his own kingdom—and maybe even the key to saving the world.
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