Jefferson Pierce (UE-20)

"You're a hero. I've never claimed to be. But you try to do the right thing. There's good in the worst of us, and evil...in the best of us. When we know this, we're less able to hate our enemies."

- Percy Odell and Jefferson

Jefferson "Jeff" Pierce is a vigilante active in Freeland and the leader of his team.

Early life
At some point, Jefferson gained powers and became a Meta-Human. Later, he became the vigilante Black Lightning and led a team.

Since 1991, Jefferson has been the foster son of Peter Gambi.

Crisis on Infinite Earths
In 2020, Jefferson met Martian Manhunter whom restored his Pre-Crisis self's memory into this body. Later, Jefferson went to S.T.A.R. Labs to assist them. After a Shadow Demon tried to attack Mick and Frost when they are arguing who to defeat it, Jefferson arrived and vaporized it. Frost complemented about his suit and teamed up with them to fight more Shadow Demons. As the three of them worked together to fight one Shadow Demon, Mick asked where "Sparkles" is from which Jefferson answered and claimed his dislike on being called as Sparkles.

After the fight, Jefferson and some other heroes went to the Hall of Justice for an memorial of Oliver Queen. After the ceremony, Jefferson asked Barry Allen why they used a condemned building for the ceremony. Barry answered that it is not and told them this could be a base of operation of their team. Jefferson later questioned why they need it and how often does the world come to an end. Out of his expectations, the others looked down and he realized it happens frequently. Kate later told him that she was the "new kid" last year. Barry then shows them a table and chairs with their emblems on the back including Black Lightning's.

Returning to Freeland
After the Crisis, Jefferson returned to Freeland and asked Gambi of he remembers the original multiverse. However, Gambi does not as his memories were not restored by Martian Manhunter. Luckily, Jennifer Pierce does as she was in a safe place when the Crisis occurred.

War for Freeland
When Jefferson's ex-wife got abducted by Markovians, Jefferson was forced to bring his team to work with the A.S.A. in order to rescue her. During the mission, Jefferson met Gravedigger who was an American citizen until he was forcibly turned into a Meta-Human. During the fight, Jefferson found Tobias Whale and nearly lost control on stopping his escape. However, he was stopped by his teammates. Later, he went back on the helicopter and returned home.

However, the mission caused the Markovians to get angry and attacked Freeland.

During the war, Tyson Sykes was facing Jefferson after defeating Jennifer. After being outmatched, Jefferson retreated but Jennifer was abducted. Later, Jefferson returned to base and splitted the team to different parts of the city to bring the Meta-Humans away from Markovians' attacks and A.S.A.'s nuclear missile.

Soon, the team rushed to The Pit in order to prevent Tyson Sykes from getting the Meta-Humans powers. After they arrived, the ones stayed in the Pit were unconscious as Gravedigger has arrived and made them sleep. Surprisingly, several Markovians soldiers were about to kill Black Lightning and was stopped by Bill Henderson, who later got shot to death. After they mourned, Black Lightning split the team once again and he went to find Lynn. During the fight Tyson was able to make Grace fight Thunder and he escaped. Luckily, Lightning and Brandon figured out that volcanic-lightning can penetrate Gravedigger's magnetic field. However, they were overpowered and Black Lightning arrived for back-up. After Tyson was shot with Anti-Booster Serum made by Lynn, he was unable to use his powers and was knocked out by Jefferson. The Pit later exploded and Jefferson brought the team in the base away. Later, Jefferson convinced Khalil not to kill Odell and Khalil shot Odell at a non lethal position.

After the war, the team was invited to Gotham City for a trial against A.S.A.. After the trail, the A.S.A. was disbanded and Odell was arrested. However, Gravedigger survived the nuclear blast and was present at the trial. Jefferson then led the team out of the courtroom and returned to Freeland.

Powers

 * Electricity absorption
 * Electrokinesis
 * Electricity blasts
 * Electric vision
 * Electrical constructs
 * Superhuman speed
 * Superhuman strength
 * Accelerated healing factor
 * Vocal manipulation

Abilities

 * Master Hand-to-Hand Combatant
 * Peak of Human Physical Condition

Current Equipment

 * Black Lighting Suit