WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Batman & the Outsiders #9 by Bryan Hill, Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini & Clayton Cowles, on sale now
Black Lightning is one of the moral lynch-pins of the DC Universe. A school principal and dedicated civil servant even outside his superhero responsibilities, Jefferson Pierce is seen as an inspiration by many of his fellow crimefighters -- especially by younger heroes Signal and Orphan, who've been working alongside him as members of the Outsiders.
But even the strongest morals can be tested, which is what's happening in Batman & the Outsiders #9. Lady Shiva just offered Black Lightning the chance to get revenge against an even bigger villain. If successful, Lady Shiva's mission to seduce one hero to the dark side might be enough to bring down Batman's entire team of allies.
THUNDEROUS FURY
Following the sudden attack on his school and the death of his friend Tina McClintock, Black Lightning is more upset than any of the Outsiders have ever seen him. Batman asks him to take some time away from the field, hopefully giving him time to grieve so that his rage won't overtake him. Katana asks him to embrace the anger, but to not let it consume him. Batman and Katana both believe that Ra's ultimate plan is to take Black Lightning and corrupt him into someone who would become a killer.
By striking at one of the moral cores of the heroes, he could weaken the resolve of all of the Outsiders. Considering how much more aggressive Signal and Orphan have been getting recently, it would be a terrible blow to the assembled heroes if Jefferson gave in to the dark side. But Katana seems to be getting to him, at least for now. However, as they turn in for the night, Jefferson is given a huge temptation to go over to the dark side for revenge as Lady Shiva is waiting in his room to make him an offer.
SHIVA AND LIGHTNING
Shiva seems to confirm Batman's findings, that it was an agent of Ra's who killed Tina and bombed the school. Shiva also seems to believe that with Lightining's help, the two of them can do what Batman never would, and actually kill Ra's Al Ghul. If Jefferson really wants revenge for the death of his friend, now is his best (and probably only) chance to take it. Considering that Shiva was last seen in the previous issue discussing plans with Ra's, it's likely that she is still working for Ra's, making this plan an attempt to use Jefferson and lure him into a trap where his spirit is broken and his allies can be targeted.
Losing Black Lightning's moral core would be devastating to the Outsiders right now. Cassandra and Duke are both being actively targeted by Ra's, and they aren't confiding in Batman out of fear of how he'll react. They'd likely see someone as morally pure as Black Lightning giving in as a sign to let loose. Katana and her own new student Babylon could also be affected by this choice. With the war between justice and doom about to be decided due to the actions of Lex Luthor and Perpetua, it wouldn't be out of the realm of possibility for Black Lightning giving in to lead to the collapse of the defense of Gotham, just when the city most needs it.