First Look at BLACK LIGHTNING, The CW’s New DC Superhero

Filming is now underway on Black Lightning, the new DC Entertainment pilot from Greg Berlanti, Salim Akil, and Mara Brock Akil. Originally picked up by Fox, the pilot later moved to The CW, joining Berlanti’s four other DC shows. Now, we have a first look at the character.

The CW has released a first-look image of actor Cress Williams suited up as Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning. The costume was designed by Laura Jean Shannon, whose past credits include Iron Man and The Jungle Book.

Salim Akil had this to say about what the Black Lightning character stands for, as well as the new costume. “I knew way too much about the world as a young boy growing up in Richmond, California. I was no stranger to violence, death, hopelessness or the feeling that no one cared about what was happening in my life. Comics were a great way for me to escape. I was about 13 when Black Lightning was created, and finally there was a Black Super Hero that gave a damn about our neighborhood and our lives. Resurrecting him at a time in our society when a sense of hope is lacking… Black Lightning will be that hope. And in updating the suit, it will signal to a new generation that it’s time to harness and release our power, and become our own Super Heroes.”

Check out the image below, and stay tuned for more as we have it. If The CW picks up the Black Lightning pilot, it will likely air sometime next fall.