Jefferson Pierce, the father, educator, and superhero will reach a milestone of 50 years in comics in the spring of 2027. DC is celebrating the anniversary with DC Power: Black Lightning 50th Anniversary Special. The 48-page one-shot looks back at five decades of the electrifying hero with contributions from multiple creators. The special will be in stores in January 2027.

The main story is by Black Lightning co-creator Jenny Blake Isabella, Brandon Thomas (Black Lightning: The Standard), and Fico Ossio (Black Lightning: The Standard).

“In the main story, the celebration finds Black Lightning entrusted with protecting Metropolis while Superman is away. But as an old enemy plots his demise from the shadows, Jefferson will once again have to prove that protecting a community means more than simply winning the fight,” per the description. “Jefferson Pierce has saved the world countless times, but with another battle for its fate looming on the horizon, does he still have time to repair his relationship with his ex-wife, Lynn Stewart? As Jefferson considers what comes next for the two of them, his responsibilities as Black Lightning continue to pull him in every direction.”

Additional stories are by writers Danny Lore, Greg Anderson Elysée, and Al Letson with art by Karen S. Darboe, Darryl Banks, and Sedat Özgen. The special catches up with Black Lightning’s other relationships with family, old friends, and fellow superheroes. He will join the Outsiders for a fight, including Katana, the Signal, and Cassandria Cain. Jefferson will interact with his daughters, Anissa and Jennifer, aka the superheroes Thunder and Lightning. Readers will also see him with Mr. Terrific and Steel, in a special that “explores the responsibilities, relationships, and personal connections behind the hero.” Additionally, the special will cover his vision in DC K.O. that sees him getting closer to becoming a mentor for a young hero.

“I’m excited about the special,” Blake said. “As the old lady of the team, I get to work with a bunch of talented ‘youngsters’ who love and respect my creation. Plus, we have an alternate cover by my pal Trevor Von Eeden, the first artist who drew Black Lightning and who is justifiably considered a co-creator of the character and his world. I had a blast returning to these characters. It’s a book that brings the action, the drama, the sense of peril, and the fun. So much fun.”

“As much as it can be said that someone who doesn’t own a character can have a chosen successor, Brandon is mine,” Blake added. “Collaborating with Brandon was amazing. He gets Jefferson Pierce in a way only a few writers have. He’s an incredibly gifted, hardworking writer. I think the comics world is just beginning to realize how good he is.”

“I discovered Jenny felt this way a few weeks ago, well after we’d agreed to work together on this, and I was incredibly grateful and humbled by her support,” Thomas said. “It is without a doubt one of the kindest things anyone in comics has ever said about my work and my pursuit to serve and honor characters like Jefferson Pierce. Any opportunity I have to contribute something to his and his family’s legacy will be embraced to the fullest, and doing so alongside his actual creator is something I never imagined possible.”

“It was an honor and an incredible amount of fun, and I think that will show in the story. The theme is quite simply love – for his family, his history, and his presence within the DCU for 50 long years. Here’s to 50 more,” Thomas said.

The Black Lightning special has a main cover by Edwin Galmon and Andrew Dalhouse. Variant covers are by Fico Ossio and Tamra Bonvillain, Trevor Von Eeden and Chris Sotomayor, and there’s a glow in the dark variant cover by Cully Hamner.

DC Power: Black Lightning 50th Anniversary Special arrives in comic shops on January 27.