<Li> Peak physical conditioning </Li> <P> Black Lightning is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics . The character was created by writer Tony Isabella with artist Trevor Von Eeden, first appearing in Black Lightning #1 (April 1977) during the Bronze Age of Comic Books . While his origin story has been retconned several times, his current origin story states that he was born in the DC Universe a metahuman with superhuman abilities . Black Lightning is DC Comics' second African American superhero and the first black DC Comics hero to lead his own TV series played by Cress Williams . </P> <P> Born Jefferson Pierce, Black Lightning is originally depicted as a schoolteacher from the crime - ridden Suicide Slum area of Metropolis who acquires electrical superpowers from a technologically advanced power belt that he puts to use to clean up crime in his neighborhood . Over time, Pierce establishes himself as a successful superhero in the DC Universe, and later stories depict him as having "internalized" the belt's powers as a result of his latent metagene . Later retellings of Black Lightning's origins simplify his story by depicting him as metahuman with the inborn ability to manipulate and generate electricity . </P> <P> Tony Isabella, an experienced writer having done work for the Luke Cage character at Marvel Comics, was signed on to develop DC's first starring black character . He pitched the idea for Black Lightning and it was developed though only 11 issues were published in the first series due to the 1978 DC Implosion . However, the character continued to make appearances in other titles over the years, including a Justice League of America storyline in which Pierce is offered but turns down a position with the group . Elements of Black Lightning were controversial when the character first debuted . In the character's early days, Black Lightning was depicted wearing a combined afro wig / mask and affecting an exaggerated Harlem jive vernacular as part of his efforts to conceal his identity as highly educated school professional Jefferson Pierce . Black Lightning later becomes one of the founding members of the Batman - helmed Outsiders superhero team . </P>

Where did black lightning get his powers from
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