Black superheroes are the new, well, the new Black.
On the heels of Marvel Comics announcing their first Black [teenage] Iron Man in July, followed by news that actress Zendaya would play Mary Jane, FOX is announcing a partnership with DC Comics for its first Black superhero drama, created by Salim and Mara Brock Akil and Greg Berlanti.
The Hollywood Reporter says the projects will be produced in association with Warner Bros. TV, the overhead company that spearheads Berlanti and the Akils current television deals. The television production company has committed to the pilot production of the show, named after its comic book persona, Black Lightning, says THR.
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Black Lightning debuted in 1977 as one of DC Comics first “major African-American superheroes.”
According to THR:
Black Lightning was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden and debuted in 1977. The hourlong drama will center on Jefferson Pierce, who hung up his suit and his secret identity years ago. However, with a daughter hell-bent on justice and a star student being recruited by a local gang, he’ll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend Black Lightning.
If the pilot performs well, which we hope it will, Black Lightning will be the network’s first African-American superhero to hit the airwaves.
No pilot date has been released at this time, but we’re so ready!