Supergirl creator developing a Black Lightning TV series

Another day, another superhero series developed by Greg Berlanti-but it’s a good thing, right?

Deadline is reporting that “Arrow”, “The Flash” and “Supergirl” producer Greg Berlanti is now developing a TV series based on the Black Lightning, a ’70s-era hero with powers of electricity. He has been a member of the Justice League and the Outsiders (and was Secretary of Education for a little bit, while Lex Luthor was president), and if it comes to fruition, his series would be the first network show to star a black superhero. Any dream casting choices?

When one of Pierce’s students is murdered, he adopts the costumed identity “Black Lightning” to fight against “street slime with delusions of grandeur” (Black Lightning Volume 2 #1) on his student’s behalf.

Based on comic book writer Tony Isabella’s famous hero, Black Lightning was one of DC’s first black superheroes and debuted in 1977. He’s a metahuman who can control electro-magnetic fields around his body, and can use it to stun or even kill as necessary. In the comics, he’s helped re-start Superman’s heart, and has also honed his combat skills under Batman’s tutelage. Lightning, recruited by the Justice Society of America-are also active vigilantes in the comics, and it looks like the TV series will be headed in the same direction. Although the project is still in the early stages of development, Berlanti is reportedly already attached to the series and is helping the husband-wife duo try to land the project at a network. The newly formed producing partnership is now pitching the project to networks, and there is no indication yet as to who might fill the titular role. But, anything is possible and we’ll bring you more information on the project as we know it. The story goes that Isabella was called in to overhaul a character called The Black Bomber – a white racist who turned into a black superhero.