Early life Jefferson Michael Pierce was born on September 12, 1974, to Alvin Pierce and an unnamed mother. At one point Jefferson was given a vaccine by his father, which Alvin later found out was tainted, this would eventually be how Jefferson would get his powers. Alvin was a reporter who was after Tobias Whale. One night, Jefferson watched as Tobias murdered his father. When Jefferson was twelve, he took part in a riot, which he was chased down an alley by two SWAT officers and accidentally set off his powers for the first time, knocking out both of the officers. He was then found in the alley by
Peter Gambi, who discovered Jefferson's powers and then began raising Jefferson.
Stopping Martin Proctor's plans Jefferson is living in Freeland and works as
Principal of the Garfield High School. He has retired from superhero life years ago, and is divorced with
Lynn Stewart, and also has two daughters,
Anissa and
Jennifer. When he lears that Anissa is in danger, he saves her using his powers in the process for the first time in a long time. After some consideration, and some conversations with his friend
Peter Gambi, he decides to take up the mantle of
Black Lightning again, acting as a superhero during the night and principal and parent during the day. Jefferson learns about the existence of a new
drug, called "green light", that is distributed by a criminal group called "The 100", headed by Tobias Whale. After The 100 killed two civilians, the local community march on the streets of Freeland, without police protection as requested. The 100 attacked the marching, but with only one casualty, as Jefferson was there and protected them. Following a fight with Anissa, who has superpowers like her father and is acting as a vigilante, he injures her and calls Gambi to take care of her, and she learns that Jefferson is the Black Lightning. Jefferson began training Anissa, to learn to control her powers. She eventually adapts the alias of "Thunder", and works on operations with her father. His younger daughter, Jennifer, learns that he is Black Lightning, and that she also has superpowers. Jefferson later learns that a government organization called the A.S.A. is behind the creation of green light drug, and wants to use it to create metahumans. It is headed by Martin Proctor, who is acting independently. Eventually Gambi kills him and Black Lightning exposes A.S.A. operations in Freeland.
Training his daughters War with Markovia Helping to stop the Crisis After
The Flash,
Nash Wells,
Frost,
Earth-90 Flash and
Vibe fail to stop the
Anti-Monitor's weapon, Nash brings Jefferson to
Earth-1 to help contain the energy of the anti-matter weapon. He does so, but Earth-90 Flash sacrifices himself and saves the universe from total destruction. Nash teleported them back to the
Waverider, where Jefferson meets
Clark Kent / Superman and the other superheroes. Unfortunately, the Anti-Monitor appears and destroys the rest of the universe, killing Jefferson too. After
Oliver Queen / Spectre sacrifices himself to restart the
Multiverse and merge other Earths including Jefferson's, he saves
Frost and
Mick Rory from a shadow demon. Afterwards, he joins
Kara Danvers / Supergirl,
Sara Lance / White Canary,
Clark Kent / Superman,
J'onn J'onzz / Martian Manhunter,
Barry Allen / The Flash and
Kate Kane / Batwoman to form the
Justice League. Following their meeting, he returns to Freeland.
Defeating Tobias Whale once and for all Following the dissolution of the A.S.A. and the War for Freeland, Jefferson began to mourn Henderson's death during the conflict. After doing so he decides to put an end on the ambitions of Tobias Whale, now Mayor of Freeland. He eventually fights him and kills him. He finally decides to go back to retirement from the superhero life.
Helping Barry Allen In compliance with the Injustice Protocols,
Barry Allen asks Jefferson to permanently remove his powers. He begins to, but stops when Barry mentions
Despero. Barry angrily lashes out at Jefferson, but is eventually convinced to stand down. Despero learns where Barry is and travels there, but is held off by Jefferson. == Alternate versions ==