The Flash season 8: What we need from Black Lightning in Armageddon

Black Lightning’s back! Here’s how his return to The CW in The Flash: Armageddon could be exciting.

The Flash on is one of the longest running – and most popular – DC Comics shows in the history of both The CW and the superhero genre itself. It’s now eight seasons in and still appears to be going strong.

Without Supergirl and Arrow, The CW still managed to create a crossover-like event for the Arrowverse series. Instead of it involving multiple shows, however, it will be a five-episode event that takes place exclusively on The Flash. The good news is fans will still get multiple heroes. Among those characters are Batwoman, The Atom, and Black Lightning.

The latter’s return during The Flash: Armageddon is both shocking and not all at once. Black Lightning ended earlier this year after 4 seasons and 58 episodes. However, Jefferson Pierce is part of the network’s superhero team. The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover (that concluded in January 2020) ended with the surviving champions of the Arrowverse creating a team; a group that could be reassembled and called on in case of an emergency. Black Lightning was one of those heroes and this is certainly a world threatening emergency.

With Cress Williams back in the suit for Jefferson’s comeback in this week’s episode of The Flash, “Armageddon, Part 2”, how can his return be unforgettable?

What has Black Lightning been up to?

During the season finale of Black Lightning, Jefferson retired. He wanted to take time to focus on his relationship with his wife. Unfortunately, as the saying goes, “Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” Heroes never stay retired, especially not someone like Jefferson. He’d never sit back and let people get hurt when he could help. It makes you wonder if he actually stopped being a hero at all.

When Jefferson shows up in Central City, we should get a look at what he’s been up to. Since it isn’t his show, the recap should be quick, but thorough. Is he really done? Has he been mentoring his daughters Lightning and Thunder? Is the metahuman crime in Freeland still bad? All of these questions can be answered in a short amount of time.

Some people watching The Flash may have no idea who he is. Talking about what he’s been doing gives the non-informed viewer a chance to care about his character.

Are Lightning and Thunder in The Flash: Armageddon?

With The Flash: Armageddon being a big time threat, why not have more heroes? Lightning (Jennifer Pierce) and Thunder (Anissa) have proven themselves on multiple occasions. Anissa led a revolution on her own and Jennifer has beaten multiple people on her own. If things on The Flash are as bad as Barry Allen and Team Flash believe it to be, the more experienced superpowered people the better.

It isn’t just about power and experience. Both Anissa and Jennifer know how to follow orders. Jennifer may go off on her own at times, but she’s clutch. When things get bad, she always does the right thing. To top that off, she has the potential to be more powerful than Black Lightning. That’s something that could come in handy.

More Black Lightning on The Flash

As much as this writer wants to see Jefferson return in Black Lightning season 5, that isn’t likely to happen – especially since the Black Lightning spinoff Painkiller wasn’t greenlit. That said, if the veteran hero isn’t going to have his own show anymore, why not let Jefferson be a recurring character on The Flash (or indeed in the wider Arrowverse)?

Black Lightning’s character is incredible. He’s caring, wise, and can beat beings of multiple power ranges. He doesn’t need to be on every episode of The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman or any of the others. Just enough that people remember how great he is. Jefferson Pierce has been a hero and father longer than Barry. He could be someone thatthe Scarlet Speedster looks up to or goes to for advice. Not just as a hero but in all aspects of life.

Who knows, maybe coming back on The Flash more often could indeed lead to more appearances on The CW. Just because the show ended, doesn’t mean that the character has to be retired (even if that’s what Jefferson has seemingly done with his heroic days).

What do you think? How else could Black Lightning’s return on The Flash be better? Let us know in the comments below.