Jefferson is still Black Lightning, but he is also Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, Sandra Bland and every single black person who has ever known the fear of being black and confronted by the police for something you haven't done.

The earnestness of the family-values messaging is often endearing, as expressed in fleet lines and long pauses...the violence does not rank as gratuitous because, as an action show, Black Lightning very much needs it.

It had that nice balance of being a super hero show, it was able to hit some current day issues, but it never got to the point of being too preachy.

It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it's refreshing to see this level of positive representation in the world of superheroes - not just for the hero himself, but for his family and the community he speaks for.

... it's already managed to distinguish itself not only from the Arrowverse (which includes shows like Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl), but also from Marvel's Luke Cage, the series that's usually mentioned in the same breath.

Just when you start to think the superhero genre has squeezed every last drop of magic juice from its countless movies, TV series and spinoffs, along comes Black Lightning...

The escapism is augmented by a sincere attempt to tap into the social tensions convulsing the United States.

For now, Black Lightning remains a welcome bright spot in the doldrums of January and an intriguing attempt to recharge superhero TV.

Black Lightning situates itself in the real world and acknowledges that America and all its social mores are still happening at all times, whether or not you're choosing to look. Like Luke Cage, but in a less preachy way than Luke Cage.

Black Lightning alters and even elevates the television superhero landscape in a welcome and necessary way.

Take a deeper look and you'll see a show that doesn't get lost in the fantasy of superhero television and takes the responsibility of portraying being black in America seriously.

Just as we were reaching superhero saturation on the big and small screens, here comes a highlight. worth rallying around.

Cress Williams is superb in the lead role, as Jefferson's power, like his anger, bubbles underneath the surface.

Black Lightning puts an emphasis on his community, making the show a welcome addition to The CW lineup specifically, and to superhero television as a whole.

Right now, Black Lightning is not only the most important superhero television show on the air, its already one of the most enjoyable, and I encourage fans who love the other CW comic book shows to do themselves a favor and check it out.