With "Crisis on Infinite Earths" in the rear-view mirror, Black Lightning is now officially a part of The CW's Arrowverse lineup of DC superhero shows, alongside The Flash, Supergirl, DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman and the recently-concluded Arrow. This development opens a whole new world of possibilities for Freeland's resident vigilante, with post-"Crisis" episodes of Black Lightning building to the addition of another Arrowverse superhero team.
Of course, Arrowverse fans already have a few teams to root for, including the Legends, "Team Flash" and Supergirl's D.E.O. (Department of Extra-Normal Operations). Each plays a vital role in their respective series, so it only makes sense for Black Lightning to build towards the introduction of its own super team. Luckily, a team already exists in the comics that can easily transition to the show: the Outsiders.
Batman and The Outsiders
Though Batman is a founding member of the Justice League, he was also behind the formation of the Outsiders. Created by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo, the Outsiders debuted in 1983's The Brave and the Bold #200 before moving on to their own monthly series. Batman created the Outsiders during a period when he had a strained relationship with the Justice League.
As the name indicates, the Outsiders are a group of superheroes who aren't considered household names like Superman and Wonder Woman. Black Lightning, Katana, Metamorpho, Looker and Geo-Force comprised the original roster alongside the Dark Knight. The team has undergone various iterations over the years, with Batman's former sidekick, Nightwing, and Black Lightning's daughters, Thunder and Lightning, accepting membership.
A new version of the Outsiders premiered in the third season of Young Justice, which was titled Young Justice: Outsiders.
The CW's Black Lightning and The Outsiders
Of course, the Outsiders assembling on Black Lightning have no connections to Batman. Prior to "Crisis on Infinite Earths," Black Lightning had never met any other superheroes outside of Freeland. However, with the Arrowverse crossover placing all of The CW's DC heroes on Earth-Prime, Black Lightning can now interact with the likes of Batwoman and The Flash.
Black Lightning's Outsiders come together to invade the nation of Markovia, which has played a major role in Season 3. Jefferson Pierce's ex-wife, Dr. Lynn Stewart, was kidnapped alongside Tobias Whale and taken to Markovia, prompting a rescue mission. Black Lightning reluctantly works with the A.S.A. to bring Lynn back to Freeland, but only agrees to the team-up on the condition that he can put together his own handpicked team for the mission. Joining him are his daughters, Thunder and Lightning, Gambi, Jennifer's friend Brandon, Anissa's girlfriend Grace Choi, the young technopath Baron, Painkiller, former A.S.A detainee Erica Moran, Major Grey and Sergeant Grayle.
It shouldn't come as a surprise to find out that a majority of these characters have a history with DC's comic-book Outsiders. Not only were Thunder and Lightning members, but Grace Choi was too. Meanwhile, Brandon's Earth-based powers make him a stand-in for the Markovian hero, Geo-Force. Baron has the ability to communicate with technology, with the A.S.A. nicknaming him "Technocrat," or TC for short. Technocrat is another former Outsider whose real name is Geoffrey Barron, which is where Black Lightning's Baron gets his name. As for Erica Moran, she appears to be the female version of Eric Moran, aka Freight Train, who also has the meta-human power of kinetic energy absorption. And in another surprise twist, Gardner Grayle is the name of Atomic Knight from the comics.
This ragtag team of Outsiders functions well together, and successfully rescues Lynn from Markovia. Black Lightning is nearing the end of its third season, and there is no better way to go out than by adding another DC superhero team to the Arrowverse. All that is missing is for The CW series to officially use the "Outsiders" name.
Airing Mondays at 9 p.m. ET on The CW, Black Lightning stars Cress Williams as Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning, China Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce, Nafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce/Thunder, Christine Adams as Lynn Stewart, Marvin "Krondon" Jones III as Tobias Whale, Damon Gupton as Billy Henderson and James Remar as Peter Gambi.