TV’s first black lesbian superhero, Thunder, to appear on CW series ‘Black Lightning’

When the superhero series “Black Lightning” debuts next week on The CW, expect his daughter to steal some of his thunder.

FIRST BLACK LESBIAN SUPERHERO

That’s because she will be TV’s first black lesbian superhero, and she will have a girlfriend. That’s right. She will not be in the closet, but her fabulous outfit will be. Check out her gold garb in the photo.

“Black Lightning” will premiere Jan. 16.

ALSO READ: 9 queer moments in entertainment in 2017

“Black Lightning” is based on the eponymous DC comic book character, who fights crime with superhuman powers that let him control electricity.

Thunder will make history next week when she debuts as the first, black lesbian superhero on TV in “Black Lightning.” Photo: CW

DC COMIC BOOK

Black Lightning” was DC Comics‘ first African-American superhero when it debuted in April 1977 with its own imprint.

Cress Williams (“Hart Of Dixie,” “Friday Night Lights,” and “Living Single”) plays Black Lightning and his alter ego, Jefferson Pierce.

ALSO READ: Surge of Power, first gay superhero in a movie, returns in sequel

RETURNING TO FIGHTING CRIME

Nine years after retiring from fighting crime to focus on his family and career, Pierce finds himself forced back into superhero duty when his daughters, Jennifer (China Anne McClain) and Anissa (Nafessa Williams), are threatened by a local gang.

Jennifer — Lightning — has electric abilities like her dad and the power of flight.

ALSO READ: Meet America Chavez, Marvel’s queer Latina powerhouse

Anissa — Thunder — can become temporarily invulnerable and generate massive shockwaves.

Anissa will also get a love interest, half-Amazonian, Asian-American character Grace Choi, played by Chantal Thuy.

About the author

Phillip Zonkel

Award-winning journalist Phillip Zonkel spent 17 years at Long Beach's Press-Telegram, where he was the first reporter in the paper's history to have a beat covering the city's vibrant LGBTQ. He also created and ran the popular and innovative LGBTQ news blog, Out in the 562.

He won two awards and received a nomination for his reporting on the local LGBTQ community, including a two-part investigation that exposed anti-gay bullying of local high school students and the school districts' failure to implement state mandated protections for LGBTQ students.

Share This

Share this post with your friends!