This is a feature called "Nothing is Better." I have a feature called "Reason to Get Excited," where I spotlight aspects of current comic books that have particularly impressed me. I had started to expand it to older comics, but it just didn't feel right. I really think "Reason to Get Excited" should be reserved for current comic books. Therefore, this is the equivalent column for older comic books, "Nothing is Better," where I spotlight aspects of classic comic books that have particularly impressed me.

I continue a month of "Nothing is Better" by spotlighting Tony Isabella and Eddy Newell's brilliant examination of Black Lightning dealing with trauma in Black Lightning #5.

The second Black Lightning series debuted at the end of 1994 (I sometimes wonder how things would have been different if it had gotten the opportunity to launch earlier that year with the other #0 issues post-Zero Hour), and writer Tony Isabella (who created Black Lightning nearly twenty years earlier) very quickly established that this Black Lightning comic book would be a lot different than most other superhero comics on the shelf.

In the issue, Jefferson Pierce has moved to a new city, Brick City, and he is debating how best he can help people - as a teacher? as a superhero? as a fellow with some (Bruce Wayne supplied) money?

Ultimately, he decides that he is going to try to make some fundamental changes to the drug trafficking system in Brick City, beginning with a dramatic "hello" to the neighborhood in #1 (art by Eddy Newell and Ron McCain) ...

Isabella also slowly populated the supporting cast with various students and teachers at Jefferson's new school.

Like Walter Kasko, a well-meaning jock-type teacher who helps Jefferson rescue a teen named Lamar who had spurned a gang in Black Lightning #2...

Things seemed to be getting better when a teen girl draws Walter and the boy, Lamar, into Jefferson's classroom....

and then shockingly opened fire on the three of them, with Walter shielding Lamar with his body thereby getting riddled with bullets (Jefferson also suffered terrible gunshot injuries).

That led to the absolutely brilliant #5, where we see Jefferson recuperating, but mostly feeling sorry for himself and mourning Walter's death.

Newell inked himself on the issue, which was colored by Joshua Myers in a very clever fashion where the present day is shown in black and white (mirroring Jefferson's bleak outlook on life) and the flashbacks are in color...

One of the most striking pieces from the issue is when Jefferson's ex-wife visits and they discuss the Death of Superman. It was very clever of Isabella to show the impact such a major event had on Jefferson and the very real emotion he had to try to get to Metropolis to help somehow...

And Lynn, bless her, has a great outlook on how Jefferson just doesn't realize how special he is...

Throughout the issue, a mysterious doctor keeps staring in. Finally, he comes to Jefferson and reveals that A. he was Walter's partner (this was 1995, and it was sad how big of a deal it was to have even a dead supporting cast member be gay) and B. Walter knew Jefferson was Black Lightning, but he was willing to keep it a secret and the doctor will make sure that Jefferson tested negative on the metagene test.

In return, though, he wanted to know about his partner's death and it is just stunning...

Beautiful, huh? The move from black and white to color as Jefferson realizes he's ready to move on is so striking.

What a powerful issue. The whole (sadly aborted) Isabella/Newell run was excellent.

It sure would be nice to see a new Black Lightning series by them (or by Isabella at the very least).

Okay, folks, this is a feature that is a BIT less conducive to suggestions (as it really is about stories that spoke to me, ya know?), but hey, feel free to still send suggestions in to brianc@cbr.com! Maybe you and I have the same take on things and I'll use your idea! Also, I have to fill a month of these, so it would probably help to have some extra ideas!