In addition to showering the freshman series with compliments, we’re right there with all of you when it comes to the raging debate regarding whether Black Lightning exists within the Arrowverse. Sure, showrunner Salim Akil has mused ever so slightly about establishing a Lightningverse of his own, but despite this particular show currently existing as a standalone, fingers remain crossed for Jefferson Pierce one day crossing paths with the likes of Oliver Queen and Barry Allen.
Well, in last night’s episode, “Lawanda: The Book of Burial,” speculation was further fueled when two name-droppings occurred in the very same scene. You see, when one of Jefferson’s daughters, Anissa, was hanging out at a bookstore, she happened to befriend another young woman that loved superheroes.
Aside from committing the atrocity that was folding a comic book in half and placing it in her pocket, the future Thunder’s new pal was seen to be indulging in a copy of DC’s Outsiders, whom, as you may know, was a group founded by Batman upon his departure from the Justice League many moons ago. Existing in various incarnations with and without the Caped Crusader, this eclectic group has actually included Black Lightning himself in both comics and animation.
In addition to that, Anissa was invited to a cosplay party where she was welcome to dress as any character – even Supergirl. That mention probably raised even more eyebrows, thus causing many of us to wonder if the Girl of Steel occupies the same Earth as these characters, or if she merely exists in pop culture like the Outsiders seemingly do.
Now, bear with us because here’s where it gets tricky.
To be honest, if Black Lightning exists on the same Earth as any other DC hero on The CW, it’s probably Supergirl on Earth-38. Just last week, Arrow‘s new splinter team of Black Canary, Mr. Terrific and Wild Dog jokingly referred to themselves as the Outsiders, and we doubt they were referencing a comic book.
But as we learned from Crisis on Earth-X, a Kara Zor-El exists in every multiversal designate. So, even if the series in question doesn’t take place on Earth-38 or even Earth-1, it could still be out there somewhere just waiting to take part in the next major prime time crossover.
Black Lightning airs on Tuesday nights on The CW.
