Warning: Spoilers for Black Lightning #3
TheJustice Leaguehas promised to unite all superheroes in its current era, but one hero’s sudden betrayal has thrown a wrench into that idea by dividing them.Black Lightninghas attacked the Trinity following a heated disagreement, tearing the team apart from the inside. His actions could be planting the seeds for DC’s ownCivil War, and the Justice League may never be the same as its members begin to turn on each other.
InBlack Lightning#3 by Brandon Thomas, Fico Ossio, Ulises Arreola, and Lucas Gattoni, Jefferson Pierce finally breaks through with his daughter,Thunder, whose rampaging powers have transformed her into a dangerous metahuman. He starts to calm Anissa down, only for the Justice League to intervene and teleport her to the Watchtower so they can contain her.
Black Lightning is rightfully furious about theJustice League’s controversial deed, and he storms into their base to give them a piece of his mind.This confrontation between heroes culminates in him betraying the Justice League, laying the groundwork for a war to break out within DC’s premier team.
Black Lightning Turns Against the Justice League to Avenge His Daughter
The Justice League’s Questionable Acts Push Black Lightning to His Limit
When Black Lightning arrives with a bone to pick with the Justice League, the Trinity -Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman- try to calm him down before the situation escalates.Jefferson argues that he could have handled Anissa’s powers, while Batman insists she would have caused major damage without her control band.The Justice League’s defense of their intervention is that they believe the public would have harmed Anissa and, by extension, the rest of Black Lightning’s family. Still wary of their intentions, Black Lightning starts to calm down and asks if he can speak with her, and this moment is where things go south.
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The Justice League refuses to let Black Lightning see his daughter, causing his anger with them to skyrocket.When he asks why they’re standing in his way, Batman simply says,“Because she’s dangerous, Jefferson. Just like you.“This comment pushes Black Lightning over the edge, and he snaps, charging up his powers to attack the Trinity. Superman once called Jefferson the team’smost important hero, so his betrayal is a major blow to their unity. TheJustice League has taken a dark turnas of late, and Black Lightning has finally had enough, setting up a larger conflict.
The Justice League’s Controversial Reboot Is Already Tearing It Apart
Black Lightning Is One of Many DC Heroes Opposing the Team’s Methods
Black Lightning is the first hero to take action against the Justice League, but he isn’t the only one to express concerns about the team’s new operation.InTitans#19 by John Layman and Serg Acuña, for instance, Killer Frost criticizes the mistreatment of former villains on theWatchtower. Likewise, the Titans' leader has called out theJustice League’s use of the Phantom Zoneas an unjust form of incarceration. With more and more heroes growing resentful towards theJustice League, it’s only a matter of time before a full Civil War breaks out now thatBlack Lightninghas lit the fuse.
