“DC Comics/Entertainment and Black Lightning creator Tony Isabella have reached a mutually-beneficial agreement on Tony’s past and future contributions to the company,” the statement said. “DC is pleased it will again have access to Tony's talents and insights. Tony is thrilled to be once again associated with one of the top entertainment powerhouses of our era. This is good news all around.”
Isabella maintained that he created Black Lightning before he was hired by DC Comics, and that the character was not created under a work-for-hire arrangement. Black Lightning #1 was published in 1977, with art by Trevor Von Eeden, and was one of DC Comics first black superheroes. A new collection of Black Lightning was released by DC in April last year (see “DC Spring Collections Round-Up”).
Black Lightning is currently being adapted into a TV series for the CW (see “'Runaways,' 'Black Lightning,' and 'The Devil'”). Cress Williams has been cast as the lead character (see “'American Gods,' 'Black Lightning,' 'Castlevania,' 'MST3K,' 'Inhumans,' Fox's Untitled Marvel Series”).
