In 1978, DC Comics unveiled a series known as DC Comics Presents. The book told stories of Superman teaming up with various characters from throughout the DC Universe. The series lasted until 1986, lasting 97 issues and four annuals. One of the notable issues is #87. A tie-in to Crisis on Infinite Earths, it introduced Superboy-Prime, who would go on to be one of the antagonists of Infinite Crisis. Even though the original series was cancelled in 1986, the name would still live on in various ways. In 2004, DC brought back the title as a series of one-shots to pay tribute to Julius Schwartz. And in 2010, DC used it for a series of 100-page comics that reprinted older stories.
The comic we're going to look at here is a team-up between Superman and a character whose profile had grown in recent years: Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning. Let's look at DC Comics Presents #16!
The cover is a Ross Andru and Dick Giordano piece. I like it. It depicts our two heroes trying to fight an energy monster. Superman can't touch it, so it's up to the Olympian/teacher-turned superhero to save Metropolis!
"The De-Volver!"
Writer: Dennis O'Neil
Penciler: Joe Staton
Inker: Frank Chiaramonte
Letterer: Ben Oda
Editor: Julius Schwartz
The story begins on a subway in Metropolis. The form of public transportation, not the sub shop. Someone decided to help themselves to some free money by holding the car up.
Luckily for the passengers, one of them is Jefferson Pierce, aka the lightning-lobbing metahuman hero called Black Lightning. Who was riding the train in his costume.
He was there because he had picked up word about a series of subway robberies. The former Olympian engages the robbers. During the fight, one of the passengers, a girl named Trina, is caught by a stray shot. Sadly, Lightning can tell she's not going to survive. But there's another problem. The train's controls were also wrecked by a stray bullet, and as a result, the train is out of control.
However, this is a Superman team-up book, so of course Big Blue is going to be there to save the day.
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| "Here I come to save the daaaaay..." |
The Man of Steel has managed to stop the train, then takes his leave. Lightning tries to comfort Trina's boyfriend, but in his grief-fueled rage, the boy tells the metahuman hero he hates him. Later, Black Lightning switches back to his civilian clothes as schoolteacher Jefferson Pierce. Pierce recognized the two teenagers. They were students of his, and the boy was named Hugh Bryant. He recalled that Trina was a bit of a wild girl and Hugh was a quiet studious boy. Opposites attract indeed.
He figures since he's in the area, he'll pay young Mr. Bryant a visit. He was hit pretty hard by Trina's death, so he figured some kind words from a teacher couldn't hurt. And I can imagine that Pierce blames himself a bit for her death. He arrives at Bryant's apartment only to find himself getting a big kiss from a fist.
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| "Gnarrk wants his money!" |
The Neanderthal-looking man and Pierce end up brawling in the hall.
To end the brawl, Pierce literally kicks the Neanderthal out of the building. Pierce comes down and tries to find him, but he seems to have vanished.
Unknown to the hero of Suicide Slum, the ancient ancestor of man is hiding nearby, and begins a transformation...
Black Lightning returns to Hugh's apartment to look for any clues as to where Hugh went off to. However, it just raises more questions. There's soup heating on the burner. Why would a Neanderthal be heating soup? I don't know, Jeff. Maybe he was hungry. Anyway, Pierce realizes that the Neanderthal was wearing what looked like the tattered remains of Hugh Bryant's clothes. Lightning realizes he may need some...Super-Help.
As such, he heads to the Daily Planet. Clark Kent is there, and upon seeing Lightning, takes to the air so he can become Superman. The two then hear a call on the police band. A flying monster is rampaging in Suicide Slum.
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| The Metropolis Zoo learned the hard way that a Dinosaur Island exhibit was a bad idea. |
The two heroes learn from a kid witness that the creature came from the direction of Bryant's apartment. The two head there, and there's no trace of the boy. Superman does find a couple of interesting clues: a 10,000-year-old arrowhead, a piece of petrified wood...and a strange green alien device.
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| "Superman, I think that's a LEGO set." |
Looks like some kind of mutant microscope to me. Superman theorizes that Hugh Bryant was an alien...and alien that is de-evolving. Yeah, because neanderthal man evolved from pterosaurs.
You know Supes, it's likely that Bryant is a shapeshifter. It's not like the DCU doesn't have an alien race whose whole hat is shapeshifting or anything. I mean, I get that the gadget that Supes finds may not be something from Earth, but it's not like he revealed that. Anyway, Bryant attacks again.
Yup, he's now mutated into some sort of energy being. De-evolving my eye. Superman tries to fight the creature, but his Mighty Punches have no effect. His fist can't connect with the creature. Superman can't punch it, but it can grab him.
The monster manages to grab both Superman and Black Lightning. It vibrates their bodies, threatening to shake them apart. It's here that they're told the origins of Hugh Bryant. He's an alien exile who came to this planet when it was still young. It used its power of shapeshifting to pose as a plant. He continued living on Earth for millennia, hiding among the dominant lifeforms. It's lived as plants, dinosaurs, and finally, man.
Despite this, Hugh was a lonely being. He then met Trina, and for the first time in his immortal existence, he found himself in love. And sadly, Trina's death was his first taste of heartbreak. And he's not taking it well. Lightning notices that metal objects are flying around like they're being affected by magnets. The teacher theorizes that Bryant in this form is generating a magnetic field. He tries to use his own powers to disrupt the field. It works, and Bryant returns to his human form.
Superman asks why he hasn't left Earth. Bryant explains that he's trapped by Earth's gravitational field. He wants to go home as he realizes that he's lonely now. Superman takes him up into space. The story ends with Bryant thanking Superman as he assumes his energy form and flies off.
This was...not very good. It really wasn't. The best way I can describe this is that it feels like a first draft. I was left with a ton of questions after this.
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| As do I, Cell. As do I. |
Why was Bryant exiled to Earth? I mean, there was story potential there. Was he a criminal? Was he just exiled because someone in power in his homeworld was being a petty jerk? How did he go so long without making any sort of friends or loved ones? How did Superman determine he was an alien? Yeah, I got that he found the alien device, but the story didn't indicate that he examined it at all. He just looked at it and said "Yeah, he's an alien". For all he knew, it was just some weird sculpture! Also, Trina was the first time he ever fell in love? If we can presume he took human form when modern man first emerged, that meant he's been living among humans for quite a long time. He never knew love until now? Yeah, this raises issues.
The one positive I have for this story is that it's fast-paced and it's got plenty of action. And I liked the art. Joe Staton turns in some perfectly fine art that does the job.
If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2018 trade paperback Black Lightning: Volume Two. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, wear a mask, and get vaccinated! See you next time!
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