'Black Lightning' is CW Network's biggest premiere in 2 years

The CW’s latest superhero series Black Lightning is looking to be both a critical and ratings hit for the network, and the pilot boasted the network’s highest-rated premiere in two years.

TV Line reports Black Lightning’s pilot episode, “The Resurrection,” scored 2.31 million total viewers and a very solid 0.8 demo rating, the network’s best series premiere in two years behind the launch of Legends of Tomorrow (3.2 million/1.2 demo rating).

Based on the DC Comics property, Black Lightning tells the story of Jefferson Pierce, who retired as Black Lightning after the life of a vigilante became too much of a burden on his family life. Almost a decade later, Jefferson, now a high school principal, must don the costume yet again to fight the evil gang known as The One Hundred. The series premiere has met with overwhelmingly positive reviews.

Airing Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW, Black Lightning stars Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning, China Anne McClain as his younger daughter Jennifer Pierce, Nafessa Williams as his older daughter Anissa Pierce, Christine Adams as Lynn Pierce, James Remar as Peter Gambi, Damon Gupton as Henderson, Marvin “Krondon” Jones III as Tobias Whale and Chantal Thuy as Grace Choi.

Meet CW's latest superhero ‘Black Lightning'

The CW has had great success with its superhero shows which include Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of Tomorrow. the network is now adding a new African American hero to its lineup and he's called Black Lighting!

The CW has released the first photo of Cress Williams in costume as the titular hero in “Black Lightning,” the DC comic book drama pilot.

Based on the comics of the same name, the series will follow Jefferson Pierce (Williams), who hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago. But with a daughter hell-bent on justice and a star student being recruited by a local gang, he’ll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend — Black Lightning.

The superhero’s suit is designed by Laura Jean Shannon.

The husband-and-wife team of Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil wrote the pilot, which comes from Warner Bros. TV and will be executive produced by the Akils along with Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter.

“I knew way too much about the world as a young boy growing up in Richmond, California,” Salim Akil said in a statement. “I was no stranger to violence, death, hopelessness or the feeling that no one cared about what was happening in my life. Comics were a great way for me to escape. I was about 13 when ‘Black Lightning’ was created, and finally there was a Black Super Hero that gave a damn about our neighborhood and our lives. Resurrecting him at a time in our society when a sense of hope is lacking… ‘Black Lightning’ will be that hope. And in updating the suit, it will signal to a new generation that it’s time to harness and release our power, and become our own Super Heroes.”

Created by writer Tony Isabella and artist Trevor Von Eeden, Jefferson Pierce is one of the first major African American superheroes to appear in DC Comics. The character debuted in 1977 in a self-titled series that ran for 11 issues.

Four other DC comic book adaptation series already exist on The CW, “Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Legends of Tomorrow” and “Supergirl,” all executive produced by Berlanti as well, though it’s unclear at this point if “Black Lightning” would join the so-called “Arrowverse” or exist in its own world.

[SOURCE: SF GATE]

Vixen: The black superhero show you didn't know about

You probably haven't heard of Vixen a show that airs on on CW Seed. The show features a black female superhero from Detroit via Africa.

It is based on the DC Comics character Mari McCabe / Vixen, a costumed superhero crime-fighter with the power to mimic the abilities of any animal that has ever lived on Earth. The series is set in the Arrowverse, the same fictional universe as Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow. The six-episode series concluded on September 29, 2015. On January 10, 2016 it was announced that The CW renewed Vixen for a 7 episode second season, set to premiere in 2016.

Check out the first episode here: http://www.cwseed.com/shows/vixen/vixen-season-1/?play=24dac429-d147-4492-bbe9-818188019537