Back in the 1970s, Tony Isabella created Black Lightning for DC Comics. Ever since, there has been a dispute between them over who has control over the character, and Tony has objected to others writing the character (with the exception of Mike Barr in Outsiders). This has led to such unpleasantness as “Black Vulcan” on Superfriends, a similar character whose look and powers are just dissimilar enough that they wouldn’t have to pay Tony royalties. In the early 1990s, Tony finally managed to get Black Lightning relaunched and then was fired from the book.
In the years since, Black Lightning rarely appears, probably because the editors would rather not displease Tony…and when he does, the character bears little resemblance to the strong-willed Baptist guy who worked his way out of the slums, won the Olympic decathlon, became a teacher and fights crime on the streets. In recent years, he has become Lex Luthor’s Secretary of Education, channeled the electrical energy of the Earth, been an absentee father of a supposed daughter in “Outsiders” and now has become a cold-blooded killer.
All of which has led to Tony Isabella making a statement on Black Lightning on his message board.
Tony was the first professional I interviewed for Fanzing, and while I seriously doubt he could ever wrestle the character away from DC I’ve always hoped that DC would give Tony control of Black Lightning for one more ongoing book.