Black Lightning is Jefferson Pierce, a super-hero with the ability to generate and control lightning. Originally he was a high school principal and Olympic-level athlete who became a vigilante to take down organized crime in Metropolis' Suicide Slum. Eventually he would become a member of Batman's team the Outsiders for many years, although he retired briefly to become Secretary of Education under U.S. President Lex Luthor. He returned to crime-fighting, though, as a member of the Justice League. His two daughters operate as the super-heroes Thunder and Lightning. Black Lightning was created by Jenny Blake Isabella and Trevor von Eeden, first appearing in Black Lightning #1 (1977).