Lightning (DC Comics)

Not to be confused with Thunder and Lightning (comics).

Comics character

Lightning

Jennifer Pierce as Lightning, as she appeared in The Other History of the DC Universe #5 (July 2021). Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils), Andrea Cucchi (inks), and Jose Vallarrubia (colors).

Publication information
Publisher| DC Comics
First appearance| Kingdom Come #1 (1996)
Created by| Mark Waid (writer)
Alex Ross (artist)
Geoff Johns (writer)
Dale Eaglesham (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego| Jennifer Pierce
Species| Metahuman
Team affiliations| Justice League
Justice Society of America
Abilities|

* Electric generation and manipulation
* Flight
* Plasmakinesis
* Photokinesis
* Electric detection

Lightning (Jennifer Pierce) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Not pinpointed with direct reference, Lightning first appears in the miniseries Kingdom Come in 1996, written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Alex Ross. The character is given official introduction in Justice Society of America vol. 3 #12 (March 2008), written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Dale Eaglesham in the Modern Age of Comic Books.

Jennifer Pierce is a metahuman, the second child of superhero Black Lightning, and the younger sister of Anissa Pierce, the heroine known as Thunder. Forbidden to use their abilities until completing their educations, Pierce was put in contact and later becomes a member of the superhero team the Justice Society of America. Her father orchestrates this so Jennifer would not endure the hardships her sister did while transitioning into crimefighting. She possesses abilities similar to her father's of electrical generation and manipulation as well as flight. Thus far in her narrative, Pierce has not gained full control of her abilities.

Along with comic books, Lightning has made appearances in various television shows and the character was portrayed by China Anne McClain in the live-action Arrowverse series Black Lightning, and with Laura Kariuki taking over the role in the remaining episodes of the final season. McClain returned in the final episode of the series.

## Publication history

[edit]

Lightning first appears in the DC Comics miniseries Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross, a tale of a dystopian possible future. She is among the lawless generation of superheroes who arise after the retirement of Superman. Though not identified within the story, supplemental material in the collected edition of the series refers to her as "Black Lightning's metahuman daughter." During the course of the story, Lightning joins forces with Batman's covert team of heroes as they attempt to reclaim Earth.

A version of Lightning is later introduced into the mainstream DC Comics universe by Geoff Johns and Dale Eaglesham, debuting in Justice Society of America (vol. 3) #12 (March 2008).

## Fictional character biography

[edit]

Jennifer Pierce is the younger daughter of the superhero Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce) and his ex-wife Lynn Stewart. She inherits a metagene from her father which causes her to manifest superpowers when she becomes a teenager. However, like her father in his youth, she lacks the ability to properly control her electrical powers. This results in the shorting out of any electronic device that she touches. This side effect has left her feeling alienated and freakish among her peers, who have access to cell phones, televisions, the internet, and other conveniences of the modern world.[1]

Jefferson initially forbids his daughters from following in his footsteps as a costumed hero until after they complete their education. After seeing the rough road that his eldest daughter Anissa follows when she disobeys this order as the heroine Thunder, Jefferson decides that Jennifer will need guidance. He contacts the Justice Society of America, who are in the middle of a recruitment drive.

Upon joining the Justice Society, Jennifer immediately forms a bond with fellow teen heroines Stargirl and Cyclone. She also attracts the romantic interests of Jakeem Thunder, another younger member of the team. Jennifer is at first unsure of a superhero codename, believing that her sister will "kill her" if she adopts the name Lightning as a counterpoint to Anissa's own. Nonetheless, this is the name she eventually settles on when she first goes into battle with the JSA.

### Blackest Night/Brightest Day

[edit]

During the events of Blackest Night, Jennifer is seen desperately trying to fight off the Black Lantern invasion of Manhattan alongside her teammates. Lightning is shown on the cover of the JLA/JSA crossover, battling a crazed Alan Scott alongside her teammates and the Justice League. Writer James Robinson mentioned that he specifically wanted to use Jennifer, and that he considers her "a very underused, but great character".[2]

She later appears alongside fellow teen superheroines Stargirl, Supergirl, and Batgirl, as part of a team of heroines created by Wonder Woman to repel an alien invasion of Washington D.C.[3]

Lightning later plays a key role during the team's first encounter with the new villain Scythe, using her electrical abilities to help defeat him. When the JSA chooses to stay and help rebuild the city of Monument Point (which had suffered massive amounts of damage during the battle with Scythe), Lightning is attacked and nearly killed by a villain named Doctor Chaos, but she is eventually revived by Doctor Fate.[4] Chaos had been hired to evict all heroes from Monument Point.

When the members of the JSA arrive at the home of Anissa Pierce and her girlfriend Grace in an attempt to arrest the fugitive Black Lightning, Lightning sides with her teammates and engages in a brawl with her sister. It is revealed that there is apparently some friction between the two siblings, with Anissa stating that Jennifer was always considered the favorite while also expressing jealousy over Jennifer being allowed to pursue heroics at such a young age. Doctor Fate eventually breaks up the fight, and Black Lightning turns himself over to the authorities.[5]

### DC All In

[edit]

During the DC All In era, Jennifer is recruited into the Justice League following Amanda Waller's assault on the metahuman community in Absolute Power,[6] and is shown to have developed friendships with her fellow young Justice Leaguers Cyclone (Maxine Hunkel), Signal (Duke Thomas), Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes), Aquaman (Jackson Hyde), Stargirl (Courtney Whitmore) and Kid Flash (Ace West).[7] She also works alongside her father, sister, Grace, and new electricity-generating metahuman Isaac Mitchell.[8]

## Powers and abilities

[edit]

Like her father, Lightning possesses the power of electricity manipulation. She is able to generate electrical energy and project it as concentrated bolts from her hands. Lightning is also able to fly by generating a localized electromagnetic repulsion field. When manifesting her powers, Jennifer's body is surrounded by a glowing electrical aura with lightning-like spikes on her head and back. This effect is involuntary, though she has demonstrated the ability to revert to a more human appearance. She is also able to absorb electromagnetic energy from the atmosphere.

Still a young inexperienced heroine, Lightning does not have full control of her powers and will short out any electronic device or appliance she touches.

## In other media

[edit]

### Television

[edit]

* An adolescent Lightning appears in the "Thunder and Lightning" segment of DC Nation Shorts, voiced by Masasa Moyo.

* Jennifer Pierce appears in Black Lightning, portrayed by China Anne McClain as a teenager and Fallyn Brown as a child.[9][10] Late into the first season, her powers emerge amidst an argument with her sister Anissa Pierce. In the second season, Peter Gambi asks a psionic metahuman contact of his named Perenna to help Jennifer control her powers. By the end of the season, Jennifer acquires a super suit and adopts the codename "Lightning". In the fourth season, Jennifer explodes while traveling to the ionosphere. While her father Black Lightning successfully gathers all of the resulting energy particles so Gambi can restore her, an ionospheric entity (portrayed by Laura Kariuki) who stole Jennifer's DNA to create a body for herself and left her for dead emerges in her place and assumes her identity until Jennifer returns in the series finale to absorb the imposter and rejoin her family.
* Additionally, two alternate universe versions of Jennifer, Gen of Earth-1 and Jinn of Earth-2, appear in the episode "The Book of Resistance: Chapter Four: Earth Crisis", also portrayed by McClain.
* A young Jennifer Pierce makes cameo appearances in Young Justice.
* Lightning will appear in Super Powers.[11]

### Miscellaneous

[edit]

Lightning makes cameo appearances in DC Super Hero Girls, voiced by Kimberly Brooks.

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "The Unofficial Lightning Biography". www.dcuguide.com. Archived from the original on December 31, 2009.
2. ^ Rogers, Vaneta (April 26, 2010). "JAMES ROBINSON Plans for a 'Jaded' JUSTICE LEAGUE". Newsarama. Archived from the original on April 29, 2010.
3. ^ Wonder Woman #600 (August 2010)
4. ^ Justice Society of America (vol. 3) #44 - 47 (December 2010 - March 2011)
5. ^ Outsiders (vol. 4) #36 (March 2011)
6. ^ Black Lightning (vol. 3) #1 (January 2025)
7. ^ Black Lightning (vol. 3) #3 (March 2025)
8. ^ Black Lightning (vol. 3) #5 (May 2025)
9. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 2, 2017). "'Black Lightning': Nafessa Williams & China Anne McClain to Star as Jefferson's Daughters in the CW Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on March 3, 2017.
10. ^ DeCwikiel-Kane, Dawn (January 16, 2018). "Young Whitsett actress in today's premiere episode of 'Black Lightning'". Winston-Salem Journal. Archived from the original on January 16, 2018.
11. ^ Flook, Ray (February 24, 2025). "DC Studios Offers "Starfire," "Green Lantern," "Super Powers" Details". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on February 24, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Lightning at the DCU Guide

* v
* t
* e

Black Lightning

* Tony Isabella
* Trevor Von Eeden

Supporting characters|

* Grace Choi
* Peter Gambi
* Lightning
* Talia al Ghul
* Thunder

Antagonists|

* 100
* Tobias Whale
* Doctor Light
* Doctor Polaris
* League of Assassins
* Painkiller
* Sabbac
* Volcana

Teams|

* Justice League
* Outsiders

Locations|

* Suicide Slum

TV series|

* characters
* Jefferson Pierce
* episodes
* season 1
* 2
* 3
* 4

* v
* t
* e

Justice League characters

Founding
members|

| Pre-New 52/
Rebirth|

* Aquaman
* Batman
* Flash / Barry Allen
* Green Lantern / Hal Jordan
* Martian Manhunter
* Superman
* Wonder Woman

|

Post-New 52/
Rebirth|

* Aquaman
* Batman
* Cyborg
* Flash / Barry Allen
* Green Lantern / Hal Jordan
* Superman
* Wonder Woman

Recurring
members|

* Adam Strange
* Agent Liberty
* Amazing-Man / Will Everett III
* Ambush Bug
* Animal Man
* Aqualad
* Atom
* Ray Palmer
* Ryan Choi
* Atom Smasher
* Aztek
* Batgirl/Oracle
* Batwing
* Batwoman
* Big Barda
* Black Adam
* Black Canary
* Black Condor
* Black Lightning
* Black Orchid
* Bloodwynd
* Booster Gold
* Blue Beetle
* Ted Kord
* Jaime Reyes
* Blue Devil
* Blue Jay
* Bulleteer
* Captain Atom
* Captain Marvel / Shazam
* Catwoman
* Commander Steel / Hank Heywood III
* Congorilla
* Crimson Fox
* Detective Chimp
* Doctor Fate
* Doctor Light
* Donna Troy
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* Etrigan the Demon
* Fire
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* Kyle Rayner
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* Hawkgirl and Hawkwoman
* Shiera Sanders Hall
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* Plastic Man
* Power Girl
* Question
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* Ray
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* Robin/Nightwing
* Rocket Red
* Shade, the Changing Man
* Silver Sorceress
* Snapper Carr
* Starfire
* Stargirl
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* Mikaal Tomas
* Prince Gavyn
* Will Payton
* Jack Knight
* Steel
* Super-Chief
* Superboy
* Supergirl
* Swamp Thing
* Tasmanian Devil
* Tomorrow Woman
* Triumph
* Vibe
* Vixen
* Wonder Girl
* Zatanna
* Zauriel

Other
characters|

| Supporting
characters|

* Alfred Pennyworth
* Arella
* A.R.G.U.S.
* Carol Ferris
* Highfather
* Hippolyta
* Iris West
* James Gordon
* Jimmy Olsen
* Lois Lane
* Lucius Fox
* Pariah
* Perry White
* Steve Trevor
* Sue Dibny
* Vicki Vale

|

Allies|

* Amazonians
* Atlanteans
* Birds of Prey
* Doom Patrol
* Gotham City Police Department
* Justice League Dark
* John Constantine
* Deadman
* Detective Chimp
* Etrigan the Demon
* Swamp Thing
* Zatanna
* Justice Society of America
* Lantern Corps
* Guardians of the Universe
* Zamarons
* Blue Lantern Corps
* Green Lantern Corps
* Indigo Tribe
* White Lantern Corps
* Legion of Super-Heroes
* Marvel/Shazam Family
* New Gods
* Outsiders
* S.T.A.R. Labs
* Teen Titans
* Robin
* Starfire
* Beast Boy
* Cyborg
* Raven
* Young Justice

Neutral characters|

* Amanda Waller
* Black Adam
* Captain Cold
* Frankenstein
* Jonah Hex
* Killer Frost
* Larfleeze
* Lobo
* Harley Quinn
* Poison Ivy
* Star Sapphire
* Suicide Squad

Enemies|

| Central
rogues|

* Amazo
* Anti-Monitor
* Black Adam
* Black Manta
* Brainiac
* Captain Cold
* Cheetah
* Darkseid
* Deathstroke
* Despero
* Doctor Destiny
* Doctor Light
* Doomsday
* Eclipso
* Felix Faust
* Gorilla Grodd
* Joker
* Kanjar Ro
* Lex Luthor
* Libra
* Mongul
* Nekron
* Neron
* Ocean Master
* Professor Ivo
* Prometheus
* Queen Bee
* Queen of Fables
* Sinestro
* Starro
* Steppenwolf
* T. O. Morrow
* Trigon
* Ultra-Humanite
* Vandal Savage

|

Other
supervillains|

* Amos Fortune
* Black Hand
* Blockbuster
* Brain Storm
* Circe
* David Graves
* Deadshot
* Doctor Polaris
* Doctor Sivana
* Epoch
* Funky Flashman
* Gamemnae
* General Wade Eiling
* Gentleman Ghost
* Gog
* Hyathis
* Imperiex
* Key
* King Kull
* Ma'alefa'ak
* Magog
* Manchester Black
* Manga Khan
* Manhunter
* Matter Master
* Maxwell Lord
* Merlyn
* Morgaine le Fey
* Nebula Man
* OMAC
* Paragon
* Per Degaton
* Ra's al Ghul
* Rama Khan
* Red King
* Reverse-Flash
* Shaggy Man
* Siren
* Solaris
* Solomon Grundy
* Sonar
* Starbreaker
* Weapons Master
* Weather Wizard
* Wizard

Organizations|

* Aryan Brigade
* Axis Amerika
* Brotherhood of Evil
* Cadre
* Crime Syndicate of America
* Darkseid's Elite
* Fearsome Five
* Female Furies
* Injustice League
* Kobra
* Lantern Corps
* Black Lantern Corps
* Orange Lantern Corps
* Red Lantern Corps
* Sinestro Corps
* League of Assassins
* Legion of Doom
* Manhunters
* Parademons
* Phantom Zone Villains
* Rogues
* Royal Flush Gang
* Secret Six
* Secret Society of Super Villains
* White Martians

Alternative
versions|

| Alternate versions
of the Justice League|

* Extreme Justice
* Just'a Lotta Animals
* Justice Guild of America
* Justice League 3000
* Justice League Dark
* Justice League Elite
* Justice League Europe
* Justice League International
* Justice League Queer
* Justice League Task Force
* Justice League United
* Justice Legion Alpha
* Justice Lords
* Super Buddies
* Super Jrs.
* Young Justice

|

Others|

* Superman
* Wonder Woman

In other
media|

| DC Extended Universe|

* Superman
* Batman
* Wonder Woman
* Flash
* Aquaman

|

* Category

* v
* t
* e

Justice Society of America

* Gardner Fox
* Sheldon Mayer

Initial members|

* Atom (Al Pratt)
* Doctor Fate (Kent Nelson)
* Flash (Jay Garrick)
* Green Lantern (Alan Scott)
* Hawkman (Carter Hall)
* Hourman (Rex Tyler)
* Sandman (Wesley Dodds)
* Spectre
* Johnny Thunder and Thunderbolt

Other members|

* Amazing-Man (Markus Clay)
* Atom Smasher
* Batman
* Black Adam
* Black Canary
* Dinah Drake
* Dinah Laurel Lance
* Captain Marvel
* Citizen Steel
* Crimson Avenger
* Cyclone
* Damage
* Doctor Fate (Hector Hall • Kent V. Nelson • Khalid Nassour)
* Doctor Mid-Nite
* Charles McNider
* Beth Chapel
* Pieter Cross
* Dyna-Mite
* Hawkgirl
* Kendra Saunders
* Shiera Sanders Hall
* Hourman
* Matthew Tyler
* Rick Tyler
* Huntress (Helena Wayne)
* Jade
* Jakeem Thunder
* Jesse Quick/Liberty Belle
* Judomaster (Sonia Sato)
* King Chimera
* Liberty Belle
* Lightning
* Magog
* Manhunter (Kate Spencer)
* Miss America
* Mister America (Jeffrey Graves)
* Mister Terrific
* Michael Holt
* Terry Sloane
* Obsidian
* Power Girl
* Red Tornado
* John Smith
* Ma Hunkel
* Robin
* Sandman (Sandy Hawkins)
* Star-Spangled Kid (Sylvester Pemberton)
* Stargirl
* Starman
* Jack Knight
* Ted Knight
* Thom Kallor
* S.T.R.I.P.E.
* Superman
* Kal-El of Earth-22
* Kal-L of Earth-2
* Wildcat
* Ted Grant
* Yolanda Montez
* Tom Bronson
* Wonder Woman
* Diana of Earth-2
* Hippolyta

Enemies|

| Golden Age|

* Black Dragon Society
* Evil Star
* Injustice Society of the World
* Brain Wave
* Fiddler
* Gambler
* Harlequin
* Huntress
* Icicle
* Per Degaton
* Shade
* Solomon Grundy
* Sportsmaster
* Thinker
* Vandal Savage
* Wizard
* Psycho-Pirate
* Ultra-Humanite
* Wotan

|

Silver and Bronze Ages|

* Baron Blitzkrieg
* Darkseid
* Crime Syndicate of America
* Epoch
* Eclipso
* King Kull
* Kobra
* Kung
* Mordru
* Nebula Man
* Secret Society of Super Villains
* Spirit King
* Stalker
* T. O. Morrow

Modern Age|

* Anti-Monitor
* Atomic Skull
* Axis Amerika
* Black Adam
* Blackbriar Thorn
* Cheetah
* Crime Doctor
* Doctor Destiny
* Doctor Polaris
* Extant
* Felix Faust
* General Wade Eiling
* Gentleman Ghost
* Gog
* Hugo Danner
* Isis
* Kulak
* Major Force
* Mammoth
* Mekanique
* Mirror Master
* Roulette
* Sabbac
* Zoom

Related teams|

* All-Star Squadron
* Freedom Fighters
* Infinity, Inc.
* Justice League
* Seven Soldiers of Victory
* Squadron of Justice
* Young All-Stars

Storylines|

* America vs. the Justice Society
* The Justice Society Returns
* The Lightning Saga
* Brightest Day

Publications|

* All Star Comics
* America vs. the Justice Society
* Last Days of the Justice Society of America
* DC Comics Two Thousand
* Earth 2
* The New Golden Age

Related articles|

* Earth-Two
* List of Justice Society titles

In other media|

* Justice League: The New Frontier
* Smallville
* Absolute Justice
* Young Justice
* Legends of Tomorrow
* Stargirl
* Justice Society: World War II
* Black Adam

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