EW has an exclusive preview at DC ComicsBlack Lightning: Cold Dead Hands, which hits stands Wednesday.
Unlike the TV show, this version of Jefferson doesnt have two daughters.
However, Black Lightning isnt the only character who receives an update.
Credit: DC Comics
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: I would like to start with Tony.
To me, its a six-issue series because I hope to do more.
DC reached out to me a few years back.
DC Comics
CLAYTON HENRY:DC reached out me about the book through an email.
It was perfect timing.
I actually had to do a tad bit of research.
DC Comics
To be honest with you, I dont read a lot of comics.
Were dealing with police violence.
Were dealing with crime.
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Were dealing with education.
Were dealing with racism.
All of those are part of the story.
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They enrich the story without making the comic books all about the issues.
Were not following all of the steps of the previous continuity.
So, theres like a big double page spread shortly after the first issue opens up.
DC Comics
Do I have to worry about them, too?
Are they going to perceive me as the bad guy here?
Hes got all of that going on, so its a lot of emotions to deal with.
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Its all happening one panel after the other.
So, its tough to juggle all of that.
In addition to Jeff being younger than hes usually portrayed, the other big design change is Tobias Whale.
Thats what we gave Clayton and Clayton gave us this really imposing, scary Tobias Whale.
HENRY:It was interesting.
I remember one of the notes Tony had when we were designing him.
I was like, I live in Miami.
Ive seen LeBron James.
Which I thought was weird because LeBron and Cleveland and Miami and the whole thing.
This book debuts ahead of the new TV show.
Ive had phone conferences with Salim and Mara.
DC flew me to Burbank to meet with the writers.
Both the comic book and the TV series are working with the same core values for the character.
It looks great, but Id be insane to want to draw that every page.
Black Lightning is a guise he takes on is a reluctant hero.
Thats the core value.
Black Lightning: Cold Dead Hands #1hits stands Wednesday.
