DC Comics Presents #16 (December 1979)

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.

"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.

"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. 

The Metropolis Zoo learned the hard way that a Dinosaur Island exhibit was a bad idea.

Ugly old buzzard, ain't it? Superman flies to engage the monster, noticing that it's trying to ignore him...and it's going straight for Black Lightning. Superman hits the creature with a Mighty Punch. The pterodactyl falls to the ground...and seemingly sinks into it. The Metropolis Marvel can't detect the creature with his X-Ray vision, nor can his super-hearing pick up any noise from the creature. It's like it merged with the concrete down below. 

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.

"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.

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!

Batman and the Outsiders #15 (November 1984)

With the Summer Olympics in full swing, I had remembered that I had a comic that featured a group of superheroes having an epic battle at the event. I had wanted to look at this comic last year, but since the Olympics were delayed, I had to hold off on it. This is also another opportunity to talk a bit about another team that had not appeared in this blog before: The Outsiders.

The Outsiders are a long-running DC superhero team. The original incarnation of the group first appeared in the final issue of the original The Brave and the Bold comic: The Brave and the Bold #200 (1983). The group would get their own book, which lasted 46 issues. The book, alongside The New Teen Titans and Legion of Super-Heroes, was given the "Hardcover/Softcover" treatment. Basically, the comic would be printed in higher-quality paper and distributed to comic shops first ("hardcover"), then a year later, reprinted in standard paper and put on newsstands ("softcover"). 

The Outsiders have become a long-running team in the DCU, having several series. They also have appeared in media outside of comics, like the Brave and the Bold animated series and the Black Lightning live-action series. So, with that out of the way, let's look at Batman and the Outsiders #15!

The cover is a Jim Aparo piece, and it's pretty good. It depicts Maxie Zeus and two of his New Olympians standing on a Olympic medal platform. I bet that dude on the right is doped all the way to Hades and back. Can we get the IOC on this?!

"Going for the Gold!"
Writer: Mike W. Barr
Penciler: Trevor von Eeden
Inker: Trevor von Eeden
Colorist: Adrienne Roy
Letterer: Ben Oda
Editor: Mike W. Barr
Executive Editor: Dick Giordano

The story begins with Halo lighting the Olympic torch. Let the Olympic Games begin! However, we're getting a most...unusual new event for this year's Games...Superheroes vs. Supervillains! Batman and his Outsiders are facing off against Maxie Zeus and his New Olympians.

If you've ever watched Batman: The Animated Series, you may be familiar with Mr. Zeus. I don't think he's ever fought Wonder Woman, though. Considering she knows the actual Greco-Roman gods, I can imagine her literally laughing him into prison.

Anyway, it's revealed that Maxie has a hostage: one Lacinia Nitocris. Batman demands he let her go, but Maxie's like, "Naw, but she won't be harmed." President Ronald Reagan calls Batman over and asks him to try and settle this without bloodshed. Batman agrees, then casually smacks down a Secret Service agent who had his gun out. 

The New Olympians represent some of the old Greco-Roman pantheon: Nox (goddess of darkness), Diana (goddess of the hunt), Proteus (a shape-shifter), Antaeus (a demi-god son of Poseidon who liked to rassle people) and Vulcan (god of fire). The stadium is evacuated, and the fight is on!

Geo-Force engages Antaeus. The Markovian Prince takes down the giant, but Antaeus gives him a wallop to the back for his trouble. Diana challeges Katana to a swordfight. Halo and Nox fly to a construction site. The challenge is to try and do some tightrope walking on a high cable. Nox nearly falls, and angrily rebukes Halo for trying to help her. 

Halo's attempt results in her falling, but being a clever girl, Halo realizes that the challenge was to cross the cable without flying. There's a loophole in that. As such, the blonde energy manipulator uses her tractor beams to help her cross.

(clever girl)

Vulcan clears out the soccer field so he and Proteus can face Black Lightning and Metamorpho in a game of handball.

And of course, the ball has to be spiky. 

Anyway, Metamorpho and Lightning get to action. Meanwhile, at Gotham Community College, young lady known only as "Miss Howard" is getting some happy news. She's getting the Langston scholarship!

Okay, back to the Olympic superhero action. We see the heroes continuing on their events. Antares walloping Geo-Force. Diana and Katana's swordfight continues with neither combatant being willing to yield. Nox challenging Halo to parallel bars, because...who knows. Batman, who is watching this with Maxie Zeus and Lavinia, finds a piece of paper in Zeus's assistant Argus's pocket.

"Rendezvous at Pantheon"

Batman decides to take his leave. Zeus is like "You can't leave, I didn't command you!", and Batman's like, "I'm Batman, I do whatever I want because I'm Batman." Zeus sics Diana and Antares on the Dark Knight. As Antares leaves, Geo-Force notices that he feels a little stronger. He then realizes something. Like his mythological namesake, Antares draws strength from him every time he touches the ground. And since Antares is jumping in the air, well...

Diana sics some wolves on the Caped Crusader, because she has those, but Katana uses a bit of archery to stick their collars to a wall. An impressed Diana is like "that shot was awesome", and Katana accepts her compliment with a Mighty Backhand. Antaeus tries to ambush Batman, but Geo-Force makes sure that's not a problem. The Markovian monarch then notices that Zeus has fled the coop, Lavinia in tow.

Batman then swipes a police car. I'm guessing the Batmobile was in the shop today. Batman realizes what the note means, and summons Halo. The lightcaster then uses her powers to KO Nox. Black Lightning and Metamorpho take down Proteus and Vulcan. Meanwhile, Batman arrives at a certain home.

Yup. Remember, Maxie Zeus is a loony-tune who thinks he's Zeus. It makes sense he'd have a hideout that references the Ancient Greeks. In this case, at hideout whose address is 144 Corinthian Road. Corinthian is a style of architecture, and the original Pantheon was 144 feet high and 144 feet wide.

So, what is this all about? Well...

Yes, Zeus has a daughter. Her name is Medea. Ain't she cute? Batman tries to sneak her out, but she actually gets the attention of Zeus's hired goons. Batman naturally beats up the goons, because that's what he does. Zeus arrives and tells everyone to knock it off. You see, he kidnapped our Miss Nitocris because...he wanted to give his daughter a mother.

Yeah, in the comics, Zeus had lost his wife through unrevealed circumstances, and the grief made him go nuts and become the looneybug he is today. Although considering the current state of DC "canon", God knows if that's even canon anymore. I hate current DC so much. Lacinia is like "You could have just asked, ya toga-wearing dipstick", and Zeus is like "Imma GAWD." It would have been so funny to see Zeus get a judo chop in the throat here.

Anyway, with that, Lacinia agrees to take Medea in...which is odd, but probably a good idea. Kid could use a sane parent, after all. And with that, Zeus basically tells his hired goons to let the heroes go. They are being observed by a pair of figures on a mysterious satellite. 

Ah, I'm sure that won't lead to anything. The cops corral Zeus and his hired goons. Black Lightning rightfully points out that Zeus attacked the Olympics and threatened people. He threatened the life of an Olympic athlete. All because he wanted to give his daughter a mom. Batman agrees that yeah, Zeus was a jerk, but he gets why. Yeah. This ending is weird.

I thought this was a rather fun issue, but I do think it could have been better in some places. I think it's fun seeing a group of superheroes battling supervillains in the form of Olympic athletic contests. Maxie Zeus was the perfect villain to use here, as his whole gimmick was he thinks he's Zeus. It fits considering the Olympics' history. The ending is weird and feels really anti-climactic.

Trevor Van Eeden is the artist here, and I have to admit, I'm not too fond of his art here. It feels a bit unfinished to me. It's like Eeden didn't get the time to turn in some great art, and that's a shame. 

This comic has not been reprinted in trade as far as I know, so you'll have to look in your local comic shop's back issue bins for it. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, wear a mask, and get vaccinated! See you next time, where we join the Avengers in their continuing battle against Immortus...

Black Lightning #1 (April 1977)

Black Lightning. One of DC's very first African-American superheroes, he watched over the streets of Metropolis's roughest neighborhood while Superman defended the world from massive threats. He is also one of the few superheroes to have a family of his own, with two daughters that became superheroes in their own right: Thunder and Lightning. Although, considering DC's New 52 reboot and Rebirth half-boot, I don't think they exist in the DCU anymore.

Black Lightning has been around for quite a long time. He actually is celebrating his 40th Anniversary this year. Neat, huh? Star Wars isn't the only thing turning the big 4-0 this year. So, in honor of that, and his TV series coming up, I thought it'd be nice to take a look at the very first issue of his first comic series.

The cover is drawn by the late Rich Buckler, which considering his recent passing, is another appropriate reason to look at this comic. It's a basic cover, depicting the titular character beating up some street criminals. It is a well-drawn cover, and it is rather accurate as he does do this in the story.

"Black Lightning"
Writer: Tony Isabella
Artist: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Frank Springer
Colorist: Liz Berube
Letterer: P.S. Lisa
Editor: Jack C. Harris

The issue begins with our hero beating up some punks.

 

Look at that suit. It's so gloriously 1970s, with the high collar, low cut, and the afro. He's after a man named Toledo, who sends more thugs to get beaten up by the metahuman superhero. One tries to hithim with a wrench, but he gets a fist for his troubles.

Toledo and some of his men try to shoot at him, but Lightning uses his Olympics-honed athletic abilities to dodge the bullets and take out the thugs. Lightning gets his hands on Toledo and introduces himself.

Lightning tells him he wants information about "The 100", a criminal organization that Toledo works for. Toledo exclaims that that they'll kill him if he talks. Lightning threatens to do the same unless he does talk. He demands Toledo come to the Garfield High School gym at midnight with the info, or he'll basically show hi what happens when lightning strikes twice. Toledo agrees, but makes a plan for it.

Lightning heads towards a tailor shop near the school, and greets Peter Gambi, the man inside.

It's revealed that Peter is the tailor that made Black Lightning's suit. Lightning compliments Peter for the good work he did on the suit, saying no one recognizes him in it. He takes off his mask and afro to reveal Jefferson Pierce, Garfield High School teacher and former Olympian decathlete. I do like that the afro is a wig, as alongside the mask, it provides additional protection of Pierce's identity.

The story then flashes back to two weeks earlier, in which Jefferson Pierce has taken a job as a teacher at Garfield High. He's being shown around by Principal MacNair "Mac" Chapin. Mac shows a trophy case that has Pierce's trophies and collegiate and Olympic medals. Wouldn't Pierce have donated those to the school to fill that case? A proud Mac expressed great happiness at Pierce teaching at the school as he could set a great example for the kids there.

Pierce then sees a student trying to buy some drugs, and he deals with it.

That afternoon, Pierce goes to the brand-new gym, and meets Earl Clifford, star basketball player, track runner, and basically the young man seen as the next Jefferson Pierce. Pierce playfully challenges him to make six basketball shots in a row. Clifford agrees, but the ball gets shot, and the perpetrators reveal themselves.

It's Toledo with two mooks. Ah, 1977. Where gangsters could walk into a high school with their guns out. They are basically not very happy with Pierce telling one of their "salesmen" to take a hike, as it were. As such, they plan to give Pierce a painful lesson in minding his own business. Earl Clifford knocks Toledo in the head with a basketball, allowing Pierce to knock out one of the thugs. Toledo goes after Clifford, but Pierce comes to the rescue, sending the three criminals running. Toledo and his boys report back to their boss.

The boss responds with talking about the ocean, how it can be calm, but its anger can be incredibly destructive. He comments that he misses the ocean, but he will always carry a part of it with him. He then shows he is rather angry about Pierce's actions.

Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to Tobias Whale. Whale is furious that a teacher was able to send members of the 100 scurrying like rats. Toledo asks for another chance, saying that he'll present Whale Pierce's head on a platter. Whale nixes it, saying that would only make Pierce a martyr, and give people motivation to fight the 100. Instead, they should make Pierce cower before them. He orders them to attack him through his students, as they are Pierce's weakness...

That night, Toledo and his men spot Earl Clifford walking down a street. One of the men asks to talk to Clifford, but Clifford greets him with a punch. They give chase, and end up accidentally running over and killing Clifford. The mooks are shocked by this, as they just wanted to beat him up. Toledo reminds them that Whale ordered them to remind Pierce that the 100 are not to be messed with. As such, he figures a dead student would be a perfect message.

The next day, a girl runs up to Pierce and tells him there's something in the gym. The teacher heads towards there, and is horrified by what he sees.

Earl Clifford trussed up on a basketball backboard like Jesus on the cross. Pierce runs out of the school and heads towards Peter's tailor shop. Peter comforts him by telling him about how Pierce's mother raised him right above the shop, and she'd be proud of all he's accomplished. He also gives Pierce a dose of reality by saying that roughing up one pusher wasn't going to send the 100 packing, especially since the neighborhood was essentially run by them or some other crime boss.

Pierce counters that someone has to fight them. Peter tells him Pierce has his back. But there is a problem. If Pierce takes on the 100, he'll have more Earl Cliffords on his hands. Peter suggests that he instead become a symbol, handing him a costume he made. You know, since this story was set in Metropolis, maybe Peter was inspired by Superman a little bit to make that costume, even on a subconscious level? Pierce tries on the suit.

As I said before, his original costume is just so gloriously 1970s, the high white collar, the low cut of the suit, and of course, the afro. There definitely is a Blaxploitation influence in the costume. The newly-costumed Black Lightning then hunts down Toledo, and this is where the flashback ends. Peter reminds him it's almost midnight. Meanwhile, at the Garfield High gym, Toledo is making preparations for Black Lightning's arrival.

In case you're wondering, the man with the bow? That's Merlyn. Yup, one of Green Arrow's arch-nemeses.

Peter gives Black Lightning a special belt, saying it'll help him get an edge on the 100. I like to imagine that Peter and Jefferson figured Toledo would try something like an ambush, so they made some preparations of their own in the form of the special belt. Lightning leaves, thinking about Gary Cooper in the film High Noon, which makes me think that in canon, Jefferson Pierce should be considered a fan of classic films, like the Scott Lang Ant-Man in the comics. He's ready to take on Toledo and the 100.

Black Lightning #1 is a pretty good story. Much like Marvel Premiere #15, the debut of Iron Fist, most of it is told in flashback. This first issue does everything I feel a first issue should. It gives us an idea of who Jefferson Pierce is, a bit on his backstory that can be expanded on later, a villain for him to fight, and an idea of what he can do. He doesn't quite have his lightning powers yet, but it is shown that he can brawl if he needs to. Trevor Von Eeden's art is very well-done and nice to look at. It's a good origin, with a bit of Blaxploitation in vibe.

Next time, in honor of the big Defenders series coming up, I'm going to take a look at the Defenders as they battle the Six-Fingered Hand...

Black Lightning Trailer, My Thoughts

Black Lightning. One of DC Comics's first African-American superheroes, he first appeared in Black Lighting #1 (April 1977), written by Tony Isabella, and featuring art by Trevor Von Eeden.

So, who is Black Lightning? Well, Black Lightning is actually Jefferson Pierce, an Olympic decathlete turned principal of Garfield High School in the district of Metropolis called Southside, but more famously known as Suicide Slum. In response to the Slum being torn apart by crime and corruption, Pierce used his hidden metahuman power to generate electricity to become its protector.

Over the years, Pierce has been a member of the Outsiders and the Justice League. His daughters, Anissa and Jennifer, have become superheroines as well, Thunder and Lightning. However, with the reboot of the New 52 and the half-boot of Rebirth, it's likely they have been wiped from canon.

Black Lightning is also getting another honor: He's become the latest superhero to be given a live-action adaptation for the CW, home of the Arrowverse. And here it is for you!

The trailer begins with the year "2005" appearing. According to the synopsis, in this series, Black Lightning had retired around this time. I'm guessing we're getting a glimpse of his last battle before he retired. The scene is accompanied by a woman's voiceover describing that he was a hero who kept the streets safe. We also see what appears to be a wounded Jefferson Pierce in a bathtub. The voiceover is revealed to be one of Pierce's daughters. I think it might be Anissa.

I wonder who that guy in white Black Lightning was facing was?

We see a woman pleading with the wounded Jefferson to let someone else fight the 100. For those not in the know, "The 100" are a criminal organization in the DC Universe. He then agrees. I'm guessing this is how he retired, and the woman is clearly his wife.

Flash-forward to 2017. We see Jefferson Pierce being a father and principal. I'm guessing he's that "cool" principal everyone likes. I love that the school is revealed to be Garfield High. Accurate to the comics, very good.

Things have not been good in the city, though (I doubt this series will be set in Metropolis). Since Black Lightning retired, violence has gone up. There's a lot of anger in the city, it's a powder keg ready to blow. We see Jefferson working on a new suit, which looks kind of cool. This does lead me to wonder, though. In this series, are Jefferson's powers innate, or are they from the suit? Because if they are innate, we could see his daughters develop powers in the future. Would make for some interesting stories.

And it looks like that may happen, based on the brief glimpse we get of one of Black Lightning's daughters' hands glowing.

Really neat to see him fight some criminals. And there's a funny moment with Jefferson sharing a laugh with Anissa and Jennifer.

This was a cool trailer! I think this'll be a great series! Shame it's not part of the Arrowverse, I'd love to see him interact with Flash and Arrow and the Legends of Tomorrow. Ah, well. Still looking forward to it.