Double-Sized Issue Reviews!

This article contains spoilers for Black Lightning #1 (2024) by Brandon Thomas and Fico Ossio 

A new Justice League has formed in the wake of Absolute Power, setting the stage for Jefferson Pierce’s recovery in the absolute aftermath. Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning, has been battling with mental illness caused by the attack of Amanda Waller’s Amazo army. It is because of where he was during the attack—using his powers to fly through the sky with his daughters, Anissa and Jennifer (Thunder and Lightning), when their powers were stolen. They were all sent plummeting, completely helpless. This event has caused Jefferson to deal with post traumatic stress disorder, causing constant flashbacks and fear.  

For anyone who does not know, PTSD is a serious mental health condition caused by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It can cause flashbacks, fear, among other things—often sending people back into fight-or-flight mode as they relive a trauma. Personally, I prefer the term “PTSI” for post traumatic stress injury, because it is an injury that happens to the brain and should be treated like such. Not much different than a sprained ankle. But whichever phrase you subscribe to, this specific mental illness is rarely explored in comics, especially when heroes are going through traumatic events on a daily basis. Struggling with the weight of being unable to save civilians, staring into cosmic level events, yet our heroes tend to let it wash down their backs. I know DC did try to tackle this issue with Heroes in Crisis (2019), but the editors got to the story and made it less about the illness and more about furthering DC’s overarching storyline. Nevertheless, it is important to discuss. It is a real problem which reflects real life. And now we have a hero with whom we can relate. This is the purpose of comics, something far beyond entertainment. 

I think we have a solid foundation for Jefferson Pierce’s growth in the coming issues, and seeing how he deals with his trauma. There’s something to be learned here. Meanwhile, his daughters are also dealing with the same trauma in their own ways. Trying to show their father they are strong on their own—potentially sending the message that they can catch themselves if they need to, while not always relying on his protection. 

Again, I think this issue did well in setting Black Lightning’s role in this new age of DC Comics. He is still a mentor, but an injured one. Honestly, not much different than a fire captain or fire chief. He is still helping people, but needs to focus on helping himself. 

Overall, another great pull from DC. One of my current new favorites. Definitely worth picking up and reading. I give it 4 stars!