Buzzing with the sound of action, and coming off the amazing episode “The Resurrection And The Light: The Book of Pain,” Black Lightning concludes it standout debut season next week. Kurt Farquhar talks about his influential musical history and the huge impact that Black Lightning is having both on his career and for the African-American community at large
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image credit: CW
Hey O&G fans, CW has released the first image of Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce, the network's next DC TV show, Black Lightning.
The suit was designed by Laura Jean Shannon, who has also created costumes for other comic-based properties such as Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and Iron Man.
Along with the image was an official synopsis for the show: "The first African-American DC Super Hero to have his own stand-alone comic title, Black Lightning is based on the character created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden in 1977. Jefferson Pierce made his choice: he hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago, but with one daughter hell-bent on justice and the other 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."
Black Lightning is currently in production in Atlanta.
image credit: cully Hammer DC
Greg Berlanti's proposed Black Lightning TV series has landed a pilot commitment through FOX according to Variety. Berlanti will produce the pilot along side Sarah Schechter, with husband and wife duo Salim and Mara Brock Akli writing.
The story is said to focus on an older retired Jefferson Pierce aka Black Lightning, who is pulled out of retirement when his unnamed daughter starts seeking Justice.
Fox also committed to a pilot based on Marvel's X-men Universe and airs Gotham based on the world of Batman as well as Lucifer based on the Vertigo Title. No release date or cast has been announced for the title.
source: Newsarama and Variety
For a couple of months, singer/actor Tyrese Gibson has taken to social media, campaigning for a role in DC Cinematic Universe. Tyrese is mainly asking to play Green Lantern’s John Stewart. While I think Tyrese will make a good John Stewart. I feel a few more DC Characters are a better fit for him. We usually see Tyrese playing more comedic roles like in Furious 7 etc. However fans shouldn't forget he has done dramatic roles such as Four Brothers and Baby Boy. I think Tyrese needs a character that can explore his dramatic chops and give him more range as an actor. Check out my five picks and tell me which character in the DC Universe you think would be good for Tyrese.
1. Black Lightning
Black Lightning is one DC Comics first black characters. Jefferson Pierce was a gold winning Olympic athlete. He grew up on the Southside of Metropolis called Suicide Slum. Pierce is a meta human with ability to generate electromagnetic fields and create force fields as well. Black Lightning was also a member of the Justice League. He has had many interactions with Batman and Superman.
Black Lightning
How Can DC Incorporate Black Lightning To The Cinematic Universe: The best way to incorporate Black Lightning, would for DC to use the story of Lex Luthor as President of the United States. In the comics, Luthor appointed Jefferson Pierce as his Secretary of Education. We can use that as the door to introduce Pierce and explore his relationship not just with Luthor but Metropolis. DC later can do a quick miniseries or one shot special showing the back-story of Black Lightning, and how he protects the city of Metropolis from the gang The 100. Lightning has enough character development, personal rogue gallery, and story for Tyrese to sink his teeth into. He is not a comedic guy, but he is a bad ass and a very intelligent one at that.
2. Steel
John Henry Irons is a weapons engineer for Amer Tek Industries. He is responsible for creating the BG-60 powerful energy cannon. When it fell into the wrong hands, he left for Metropolis and took a job as a construction worker. One day on the job at a construction site John fell off the skyscraper where he was rescued by Superman. Steel doesn't have any powers but is very skilled in technology. He has a suit of armor that not only enhances his strength but endurance as well. His signature modified hammer has the ability to hit harder than an ordinary hammer, have independent flight and has an analysis system to detect stress points of targets. Like Iron Man in Marvel, Steel has a variety of armor each with its own modification. While Steel might not have an enriching backstory as Black Lightning or other heroes on this list. He still is a solid addition to the DC Comics.
Steele
How Can DC Incorporate Steel in The Cinematic Universe: The best storyline to introduce Steel will be the Death of Superman. That storyline is the first time Steel encounters Superman. The Death of Superman storyline is when Superman saved Steel from the construction building. That scene can be put in as a nice easter egg in any movie actually. Another way is to introduce the BG-60 Cannon weapon and AmerTrek Industries. Let’s use Lex Luthor as the man responsible for its improper use. Have Steel feel responsible and suit up to take down the crooks and Luthor. There are many ways to introduce Steel into the universe. Tyrese has enough experience to really nail the character. To be fair the bar isn’t set very high and he won’t have to do much with his performance. At this point any actor can beat Shaq’s performance as the character.
3. Mr. Terrific
Michael Holt has been called the 3rd smartest man on Earth in the DC Universe. Michael has a very natural aptitude for solving complicated problems and possesses a great memory. He also has T-Spheres which are robotic spheres that is able to project lasers grids, holograms and manipulate electronic devices. The mask he wears protects him from harmful chemicals, contains a communicator, and can be used to project holograms of himself. Finally, Mr. Terrific is one of the only heroes that can go undetected from all forms of electronic frequency and devices.
Tyreese Mr Terrific
How Can DC Incorporate Mr. Terrific in The Cinematic Universe: The best way to introduce Mr. Terrific is through Bruce Wayne. In the comics Michael Holt and Bruce Wayne are friendly business rivals. Holt is a self made millionaire with a technology firm entitled Cyberwear. The company was brought by Wayne Tech. On the superhero spectrum Batman seeks the help of Mr. Terrific during Infinite Crisis to take down the Brother Eye Satellite. What I would like to see from Mr. Terrific is something that makes the character appealing. Mr. Terrific has strong views on religion. Holt has seen a lot of death during his life. He doesn't believe in souls, reincarnation, or the afterlife. I think with Holt’s views DC can do something no superhero film has done. His back-story of losing his family is great for Tyrese to show his dramatic acting chops. Also giving Tyrese a character, which is not popular in his views of religion, will not only challenge him as actor but the audience as well.
4. Bronze Tiger
Ben Taylor has a lot of rage issues. He grew up in a black neighborhood in Central City. At the age of ten he killed a robber attacking his parents. After that incident he trains in martial arts to try to overcome his demons. He travels to the far East and meets teacher O-Sensei where he learns his craft. Eventually Bronze Tiger joins the League of Assassins and Suicide Squad. Bronze Tiger has no powers; however he is a skilled fighter.
Bronze Tiger
How Can DC Incorporate Bronze Tiger in the Cinematic Universe: The best way to introduce Bronze Tiger will be the Suicide Squad. However, I think Common might have that role. Bronze Tiger can also be introduced if they have the League of Assassins on the big screen. Tyrese will have to show his physical acting chops by learning martial arts.
5. ICON
Icon will be a stretch mainly because Tyrese will really have to buff up for the role. He would have to be on Dwayne Johnson’s level of physicality. Icon has been around since 1839 when his starliner malfunctioned. When the life pod landed it landed on a plantation in the south. The pod changed the appearance of the passenger to the first life form it saw. He then was adopted and kept changing his appearance to resemble offsprings of the life form. ICON has many powers such as super strength, reflexes, stamina, speed, flight, senses, healing factor, and energy generation.
How Can DC Incorporate ICON in The Cinematic Universe: The best way to introduce Icon is to show he’s been on Earth way before Man of Steel. However, this will eliminate the whole purpose of Superman being the first alien. If they decide to do a Final Crisis movie arc then that is when ICON can show up. Icon is not in the New 52 so there is not much material on him right now.
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