In 2018, a new superhero will emerge on the CW. Black Lightning, the latest show from Arrowverse executive producer Greg Berlanti, premieres Tuesday, January 16 at 9/8c, following the mid-season premiere of The Flash.

Black Lightning isn’t like the CW’s other superhero shows, where the protagonists are all in their prime. The new show centers on Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning, a hero with the power to control electricity. He used to be a superhero, saving people and fighting for justice, but he’s retired. Jefferson is a father and the principal of a local high school, trying to do even more good as a role model than he was as a superhero.

Watch the Trailer for Black Lightning>>>

But when his daughters get dragged into trouble with the city’s vicious gang, the One Hundred, Jefferson may have to dust off his suit and return to his old ways as a powerful superhero.

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Here are photos from the pilot episode, “Dark Matter of My Brain,” that introduce all of the major characters.

Cress Williams as Principal Jefferson Pierce

BLK101b_0114r.jpgBlack Lightning

BLK101d_0100r.jpgNafessa Williams as Anissa Pierce

Anissa is Jefferson’s older daughter, a med student who also works part-time as a teacher at her father’s high school.

BLK101a_0047r.jpgChina Anne McClain as Jennifer Pierce

Jennifer is Jefferson’s younger daughter, an intelligent, athletic, independent high school student who finds trouble when she gets mixed up with Will and Lala (also pictured), members of the One Hundred gang.

BLK101i_0200r.jpgJames Remar as Peter Gambi

Peter is a tailor and one of Jefferson’s oldest friends, a mentor who knows his secret identity.

BLK101i_0312r.jpgMarvin”Krondon” Jones III as Tobias Whale

Tobias is Black Lightning’s archenemy and the leader of the One Hundred.

BLK101j_0354r.jpgAre you excited to check out the CW’s new superhero drama?

Black Lightning premieres Tuesday, January 16 at 9/8c on the CW. For more TV news, follow BuddyTV’s Facebook page.

(Images courtesy of the CW)

John Kubicek

Senior Writer, BuddyTV

John watches nearly every show on TV, but he specializes in sci-fi/fantasy like The Vampire DiariesSupernatural and True Blood. However, he can also be found writing about everything from Survivor and Glee to One Tree Hill and Smallville.