Black Lightning Pilot Ordered by Fox

Fox is bringing another superhero show to the small screen, with its new pilot order for Black Lightning, based on the DC Comics character of the same name, according to Variety. Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter, who are behind the CW’s The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, are onboard as executive producers. Salim and Mara Brock Akil are set to write the television adaptation. Black Lightning debuted in 1977 and was one of DC Comics’ first major African-American superheroes. It was created by Tony Isabella with Trevor Von Eeden. The show will focus on Black Lightning, whose alter ego is Jefferson Pierce, whohas been retired from being a superhero for a while, until his daughter and additional circumstances convince him to get back in the fight. So far, Fox has only ordered a pilot, but if it goes to series, it will be the first broadcast series to feature an African-American superhero as its lead. Black Lightning would also be joining Fox’s other DC Comics show, Gotham, which is going into its third season this fall.