Black Lightning No. 1
April 1977
Cover: Black Lightning vs. the 100 //Rich Buckler / Frank Springer (signed)
Story: [untitled] (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Tony Isabella
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Frank Springer
Letterer: P. G. Lisa
Colorist: Liz Berube
Feature Character: Black Lightning (Jefferson Pierce; intro and origin; last chronological appearance in flashback in last issue and issue #6)
Supporting Characters: MacNair Chapin (first appearance), Peter Gambi (last appearance in THE FLASH #?)
Intro: Earl Clifford (dies in this story), Julie (only appearance)
Villains: The 100 (last appearance in SUPERMAN’S GIRL FRIEND, LOIS LANE #130 (2)), Tobias Whale (first appearance; next appears in issue #3), Joey Toledo (first appearance), Manny, Roscoe (first and only appearance for both)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Jefferson Pierce, ex-Olympic athlete, comes back to a Metropolis inner-city school as a teacher.  When the 100 kills one of his students as retribution for him roughing up one of their pushers, he goes to tailor Peter Gambi for a uniform, adopts the secret identity of Black Lightning, and takes on the 100 himself.

Black Lightning No. 2
May 1977
Cover: Black Lightning vs. Merlyn //Rich Buckler / Frank Springer (signed)
Story: “Merlyn Means Murder” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Tony Isabella
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Frank Springer
Feature Character: Black Lightning (also appears in flashback, after and isochronally with flashbacks in issue #6 and preceding his appearance in last issue; origin retold in flashback)
Supporting Characters: Peter Gambi
Cameo appearance: Earl Clifford, Batman, Green Arrow, Aquaman (in flashback)
Villains: Merlyn the Archer (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #443; last appearance), Talia (last appearance in DETECTIVE COMICS #448; next appears in DC SPECIAL SERIES #15), Joey Toledo (dies in this story), the 100
Comment: This story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Black Lightning has a showdown with Joey Toledo and the 100, but Merlyn the Archer has been brought in to kill the Ebon Bolt, and Talia of the League of Assassins wishes in turn to kill Merlyn for leaving their organization.

Black Lightning No. 3
July 1977
Cover: Tobias Whale and 100 vs. Black Lightning with Clark Kent on TV screen //Rich Buckler / Vince Colletta
Story: “Every Hand Against Him” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Tony Isabella
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Black Lightning
GS: Clark Kent (Superman; last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #247)
Supporting Characters: Peter Gambi, MacNair Chapin, Lynn Stewart (first appearance; called Lisa in this story), Two-Bit Tanner (first appearance), Inspector Henderson (last appearance in ?)
Cameo appearance: Jimmy Olsen
Villains: Tobias Whale (last appearance in issue #1), Guzzo, Creegan (first appearance for both), the 100
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
 In this issue, Black Lightning gains a power belt that gives him increased strength and allows him to throw electrical bolts.
Synopsis: With Inspector Henderson pledging to bring in Black Lightning for his vigilantism, the hero takes on Tobias Whale himself.

Black Lightning No. 4
September 1977
Cover: Black Lightning, Jimmy Olsen, and Superman’s leg and cape //Trevor Von Eeden / Vince Colletta (signed)
Story: “Beware the Cyclotronic Man” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Tony Isabella
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Vince Colletta
Feature Character: Black Lightning
GA: Superman
Supporting Characters: Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #247), Inspector Henderson, Jim Corrigan (last appearance in SUPERMAN FAMILY #167), Lynn Stewart
Cameo appearance: Batman, Robin (in flashback)
Villains: Tobias Whale, the Cyclotronic Man (first appearance; Ned Creegan; last appearance, as Bag o’ Bones, in BATMAN #195), the 100, Andy Henderson (first appearance; Inspector Henderson’s son)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Tobias Whale hires the Cyclotronic Man to kill Black Lightning and Superman, both of whom he lures into the open by attacking Jimmy Olsen.

Black Lightning No. 5
November 1977
Cover: Jimmy Olsen, Cyclotronic Man, Superman, and Black Lightning //Trevor Von Eeden / Vince Colletta (signed)
Story: “Nobody Beats a Superman” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Tony Isabella
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Liz Berube
Feature Character: Black Lightning
GS: Superman (next appears in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #147)
Supporting Characters: Inspector Henderson, Jimmy Olsen (next appears in ACTION COMICS #476)
Intro: Ms. Swirynsky, Dr. Miles Randall (only appearance for both)
Cameo appearances: Merlyn the Archer, Joey Toledo (in flashback)
Villains: Cyclotronic Man (next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #?), Andy Henderson
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Black Lightning and Superman patch up difficulties and take on the Cyclotronic Man after the Man of Steel becomes convinced that his new friend is not guilty of murder.

Black Lightning No. 6
January 1978
Cover: Black Lightning vs. Steel-Fist Feeny, Syonide, and “Pajamas” //Rich Buckler / Vince Colletta (signed)
Story: “One Man’s Poison” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Tony Isabella
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Black Lightning (origin details revealed in flashback, his earliest chronological appearance, preceding and taking place isochronally with flashbacks in issue #2)
Supporting Characters: Two-Bit Tanner, Inspector Henderson, MacNeil Chapin, Lynn Stewart
Intro: Mr. Pierce (Black Lightning’s father; dies in this story), Mrs. Pierce (Black Lightning’s mother), Peter Gambi (also appears in flashback, his earliest chronological appearance)
Villains: Syonide, Francis “Steel-Fist” Feeny,  “Pajamas” (first appearance for all), Andy Henderson
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Black Lightning is captured by Syonide and his two partners, is about to be turned over to the 100, and learns that Peter Gambi may have killed his father.

Black Lightning No. 7
March 1978
Cover: Black Lightning vs. “Pajamas”, Syonide, and Peter Gambi (in silhouette) //Rich Buckler / Vince Colletta (signed)
Story: “The Conscience of the Killer” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Black Lightning
Supporting Characters: Peter Gambi (next appears in THE FLASH #350), Inspector Henderson, Jim Corrigan, Two-Bits Tanner
Villains: Tobias Whale, the 100, Syonide, Steel-Fist Feeney, “Pajamas”, Andy Henderson (last appearance for last four)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Black Lightning is bound for execution by Tobias Whale and the 100, with a trussed-up Peter Gambi by his side.

Black Lightning No. 8
April 1978
Cover: Black Lightning vs. Tobias Whale //Rich Buckler / Vince Colletta (signed)
Story: “Deadly Aftermath” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Tony Isabella
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Mario Sen
Feature Character: Black Lightning
Supporting Characters: Inspector Henderson, Lynn Stewart, Two-Bits Tanner
Cameo appearance: Peter Gambi (in flashback)
Villains: Tobias Whale (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #254), the 100 (next appear in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #257), Mr. Zell (first and only appearance)
Synopsis: Tobias Whale breaks jail and takes Inspector Henderson with him to bait a trap for Black Lightning.

Black Lightning No. 9
May 1978
Cover: Black Lightning, Inspector Henderson and Jim Corrigan, people of Suicide Slum, Annihilist (four vignettes) //Rich Buckler / Vince Colletta (signed)
Story: “Fear and Loathing in Garfield High” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Tony Isabella
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Coilorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Black Lightning
Supporting Characters: Jim Corrigan (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #260), Inspector Henderson, Two-Bits Tanner, MacNeil Chapin, Lynn Stewart
Intro: Dolores, Boone, Correno (only appearance for all)
Villain: The Annihilist (first and only appearance) and his robots (first and only appearance for all; some destroyed in this story)
Synopsis: A terrorist takes Lynn Stewart and three students hostage in Garfield High School, and Black Lightning and Jim Corrigan team up to take him down.

Black Lightning No. 10
August 1978
Cover: Black Lightning vs. Trickster and Black Lightning II //Rich Buckler / Vince Colletta (signed)
Story: “The Other Black Lightning” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Tony Isabella
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Carl Gafford
Feature Character: Black Lightning
Supporting Characters: Inspector Henderson, Lynn Stewart (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #260)
Intro: Black Lightning II (Jocko), Silvio Bewsima (only appearance for both)
Villains: The Trickster (between THE FLASH #256 / 286), Barbara Hanna and her gang (first and only appearance for all), a cult (first appearance)
Comments: Silvio Bewsima is named after comics artist Sal Buscema, and Barbara Hanna is probably named after the Hanna-Barbera animation company.
Synopsis: Black Lightning shows up at a circus to check out a performer using his name on the night that the Trickster and another party have chosen to steal a fabulous jewel in the show’s possession.

Black Lightning No. 11
October 1978
Cover: Black Lightning vs. thugs; Ray vignette //Rich Buckler / Vince Colletta (signed)
Story: “All They Will Call You Will Be Deportee” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Trevor Von Eeden
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Mario Sen
Feature Character: Black Lightning (next appears in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #256)
Intro: Garcia Chavez, Paco (only appearance for both), Inez (dies in this story)
Villains: Maj. Thaddeus Corpo and his gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: After this story Black Lightning teams with Green Arrow to fight Tobias Whale in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #256.
Synopsis: Black Lightning comes across a wetback-smuggling operation in Suicide Slum and helps an old man find his inner strength again.

Story: “The Rise and Fall of the Ray” (8 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Co-plotter, scripter: Roger McKenzie
Co-plotter, penciller: John Fuller
Inker: Bob Wiacek
Letterer: Shelley Leferman
Colorist: Mario Sen
Feature Character: The Ray (last appearance in FREEDOM FIGHTERS #?; next appears in CANCELLED COMIC CAVALCADE #1)
Synopsis: Recovering from a battle, the Ray manages to use his powers to douse a fire, but passes out from the strain and sinks into Gotham Bay.

World’s Finest Comics No. 257
June-July 1979
Story: “Death Ransom” (10 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: George Tuska
Inker: Bob Smith
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Black Lightning (last appearance in Green Arrow story in last issue)
Villains: Tobias Whale, Tabitha Katt (last appearance for both in Green Arrow story in last issue), the 100 (last appearance in BLACK LIGHTNING #8)
Comment: Story continues in part from Green Arrow story in last issue and continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Tobias Whale captures Black Lightning, thinking he can use him as leverage to regain his place in the 100.  But when his aide, Tabitha Katt, turns against him, Whale forges an alliance with the Ebon Bolt against the crime cartel.

World’s Finest Comics No. 258
August-September 1979
Story: “The Blood of the Lamb” (10 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Rich Buckler
Inker: Romeo Tanghal
Letterer: Albert DeGuzman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Black Lightning
Intro: Granny (dies in this story)
Cameo appearances: Superman, Lex Luthor, Clark Kent
Villains: Tobias Whale (next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #19), Tabitha Katt (last appearance), the 100 (next appear in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #20)
Comment: Story continues from last issue.
Synopsis: Black Lightning’s “alliance” with Tobias Whale is short-lived indeed, as the villain goes in search of Tabitha Katt and an innocent party gets in the way.

World’s Finest Comics No. 259
October-November 1979
Story: “The Last Hideout” (10 pages)
Editors: Jack C. Harris, Ross Andru
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Layouts: Marshall Rogers
Penciller: Michael Nasser
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Shelly Leferman
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Black Lightning (next appears in DC COMICS PRESENTS #16)
Intro: Bart Toomey (as a skeleton; dies before this story; only appearance), Benny Haslip, Mr. Haslip (only appearance for both)
Villains: Willy (dies in this story), Levy, Mohawk Shuck, Lucy, Benny Zaff, and their gang (first and only appearance for all)
Comment: Shortly after this story Black Lightning teams with Superman to fight an energy creature in DC COMICS PRESENTS #16, then helps the Justice League of America fight the Regulator in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #173-174.
Synopsis: Black Lightning tries to stop a gang of hoods from taking over a welfare hotel in their search for long-lost gangster Bart Toomey.

World’s Finest Comics No. 260
December 1979 / January 1980
Story: “Lure of the Magnetic Menace” (17 pages)
Editor: Jack C. Harris
Writer: Denny O’Neil
Penciller: Mike Nasser
Inker: Vince Colletta
Letterer: Karin
Colorist: Jerry Serpe
Feature Character: Black Lightning (last appearance in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #174; next appears in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #163)
Supporting Characters: Lynn Stewart (last appearance in BLACK LIGHTNING #10; next appears in DETECTIVE COMICS #495), Jim Corrigan (last appearance in BLACK LIGHTNING #9)
Intro: Jackie Parrish, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Parrish (only appearance for all)
Cameo appearance: Green Lantern
Villain: Dr. Polaris (between GREEN LANTERN #65 / 133)
Comments: This story was intended to be published originally in BLACK LIGHTNING #12.  It was later part of CANCELLED COMIC CAVALCADE #1.
 Shortly after this story Black Lightning teams with Batman to fight Senator Hargreaves in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #163.
Synopsis: Black Lightning fights Dr. Polaris while trying to help out a troubled boy who turns out to be Polaris’s nephew.

Detective Comics No. 490
May 1980
Story: “Lightning Strikes Out” (10 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: Pat Broderick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Bob LeRose
Feature Character: Black Lightning (last appearance in BRAVE AND THE BOLD #163)
Intro: Lincoln Trask, Wandine Trask (only appearance)
Villains: Jacques Cravin, Mama Mambu, Leon, and their gang (first appearance for all)
Comment: Story continues in next issue.
Synopsis: Black Lightning tries to help out a basketball player and finds himself enmeshed in a trap set by voodoo-wielding thugs.

Detective Comics No. 491
June 1980
Story: “Short-Circuit” (10 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: Marty Pasko
Penciller: Pat Broderick
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Letterer: Milt Snapinn
Colorist: Bob LeRose
Feature Character: Black Lightning (next appears in issue #494)
Other Characters: Lincoln Trask (last appearance)
Villains: Jacques Cravin, Mama Mambu, Leon, and their gang (last appearance for all)
Comments: Story continues from last issue.
 Black Lightning loses his electrical powers in this story.
Synopsis: With his electrical powers negated by a freak occurrence, Black Lightning must bring down Jacques Cravin and his mob.

Detective Comics No. 494
September 1980
Story: “Explosion of the Soul” (10 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: J. Marc DeMatteis
Artist: Gerald Forton
Letterer: Ben Oda
Colorist: Gene D’Angelo
Feature Character: Black Lightning (last appearance in issue #491)
Intro: Jonathan Davis (only appearance)
Villains: The Slime Killer (Davis), Willie Carrol, Fatboy Carter, the Steel Warriors, the E Street Jukes (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: Black Lightning takes on the Slime Killer, a vigilante who kills the evildoers in Suicide Slum.

Detective Comics No. 495
October 1980
Story: “Animals” (12 pages)
Editor: Paul Levitz
Writer: J. Marc DeMatteis
Artist: Gerald Forton
Letterer: Albert DeGuzman
Colorist: Bob LeRose
Feature Character: Black Lightning (next chronological appearance in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #10 (flashback))
Supporting Characters: Lynn Stewart (last appearance in WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #260; next appears in BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #14), Inspector Henderson (between SUPERMAN FAMILY #202 / 203), Jimmy Olsen (last appearance in ACTION COMICS #512; next appears in SUPERMAN #353)
Villains: Ice, Roger, Leon, the Duke Street Kings (first and only appearance for all)
Synopsis: A street gang takes six girls hostage during a Suicide Slum Olympics, and Black Lightning has to free them before Inspector Henderson and the police can move in.

Black Lightning’s later appearances:
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #10 (flashback)
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #1-3
BRAVE AND THE BOLD #200
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #4
NEW TEEN TITANS (1st series) #37
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #5-8
WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #300, 302
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #9-13
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS ANNUAL #1
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #14-27
DC COMICS PRESENTS #83
NEW TEEN TITANS (2nd series) #13
CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #3-5, 7, 9, 10
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS ANNUAL #2
BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #28-32
ADVENTURES OF THE OUTSIDERS #33-38
(The New Earth Black Lightning first appears in ADVENTURES OF THE OUTSIDERS #39.)

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