Series Review
Marvel's 'Black Lightning' is social commentary dressed up in a cape
This series makes a valiant attempt to move away from the trappings of the superhero genre and address real issues
The CW channel is responsible for giving the world The O.C. and within its current universe includes slightly dark and often humour-driven interpretations of DC universe creations such as The Flash, Supergirl and the millennial redo of the Archie comics that is Riverdale.
I mention this only to explain why the channel's critically acclaimed adaptation of '70s DC title Black Lightning is an anomaly within the CW universe. It is also in some ways restricted from being a darker and more grotesque and violent comic adaptation in the vein of the Marvel Universe offerings such as Jessica Jones and Luke Cage.
The show stars Cress Williams as high-school principal John Pierce, the great moral hope of the town of Freeland, who preaches the powers of education as a means of overcoming the threats of overwhelming gang violence and police brutality.
But he also keeps a secret identity as vigilante Black Lightning, a persona he is forced to bring out of retirement to protect his family and community under threat from a gang called the 100, who are under the leadership of arch-villain Tobias Whale (played by rapper Krondon).
WATCH | The trailer for Black Lightning..
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