Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Black Lightning: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown January 2, 2025

While Warner Bros. proper released the complete first season of Black Lightning on Blu-ray, the reigns for subsequent seasons passed to The Warner Archive Collection. Thankfully the change seems to be in department only, as the series' second and third seasons feature the same high quality AV presentations as the first season. Extras are still slim but that's par for the course for releases of Arrowverse titles.

Click here to read Michael Reuben's excellent review of the series' first season, which he calls "an inventive addition to its superhero lineup that respects the conventions of the genre while adding a distinctive new flavor to DC's ever-expanding TV roster." Adding "Black Lightning doesn't shy away from contemporary hot-button issues... good dramatists make creative use of the era in which they work. Salim Akil and his team have skillfully reimagined Black Lightning for today's world, and the results are satisfying, memorable and highly recommended."

In Season Two, Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning for his ability to absorb, channel and control electricity, continues to bring his super-powered fight against crime and corruption to the 100, a local criminal empire led by the villainous Tobias Whale (Marvin "Krondon" Jones III), as well as the local government of the ironically named Freeland. With the help of his daughters, Anissa (Nafessa Williams) and Jennifer (China Anne McClain), Jefferson and his family carve out a corner of protection in the DC multiverse for the citizens of Freeland, and find their fight drawing more and more unwanted attention from the ruthless and scheming of the city's underbelly. Cress Williams stars as Lightning, along with Christine Adams, Damon Gupton, James Remar, and Jordan Calloway.

Episodes include:

1. The Rise of the Green Light Babies - Jefferson finds his job at Garfield in jeopardy, Lynn seeks a way to help the children in the pods, and Jennifer's powers manifest in scary new ways.

2. Black Jesus Blues - A teen escapes from her pod and wreaks havoc in Freeland. The Pierces help Issa understand his powers. Anissa makes a romantic connection.

3. Master Lowery - As Jefferson adjusts to his new role, Tobias turns up the heat on Khalil, Anissa vows to save a church clinic, and a stranger reaches out to Jennifer.

4. Translucent Freak - Henderson searches for a way to keep Tobias in custody. Tired of her dad's rules, Anissa moves out. Gambi uncovers a plot to attack the clinic.

5. Requiem - Devastating news leaves the Pierces shaken. Anissa witnesses a strange phenomenon at the clinic. Lynn and Dr. Jace make a bid to save the pod kids.

6. The Perdi - While Lynn agonizes over the incident at the lab, Anissa makes more unsettling discoveries in South Freeland. Khalil balks at an order from Tobias.

7. The Sange - In search of the missing baby, Black Lightning follows the silver trail to Looker's property. Jennifer helps Khalil with his Tobias problem.

8. Exodus - A risky move by Khalil forces Jennifer to use her powers in public. Meanwhile, Tobias and the Pierces race to find the missing duo.

9. Gift of Magi - As Jennifer tends to an injured Khalil, the Pierces -- and Cutter -- scour the surrounding area. Tobias makes an offer to a young tech prodigy.

10. Angelitos Negros - Lynn joins the search and makes a heartfelt plea to Jennifer. Tobias sics Todd on the briefcase's firewall. Jefferson brokers a deal with Henderson.

Black Lightning: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Warner Archive's release of Black Lightning: The Complete Second Season and Complete Third Season feature excellent 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentations that are every bit as striking as their first season predecessor. Colors are stylized but gorgeous, with vicious reds, chilling blues and sickly greens bathing the screen in evocative splashes of emotion. Primaries pack plenty of kick and skin tones remain lovely and lifelike throughout, while black levels are rich and perfectly inky, as if they've dripped off a comic-book inker's brush. Crush is present but not remotely a distraction, and blocking, banding, noise and other issues are nowhere to be found (outside of a few problematic CG-laden effects sequences). Detail is top notch too, with razor-wire edges free of artifacts and halos, beautifully resolved fine textures, and a mounting string of flawless closeups, midrange showdowns and wide establishing shots. Black Lightning is easily one of the best looking Arrowverse series in terms of cinematography and, now, its Blu-ray releases.

Black Lightning: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Seasons Two and Three also boast complimentary DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround tracks, both of which add plenty of thunder to Black Lightning's fight against crime. Dialogue is clean, clear and intelligible at all times, with precision-crafted prioritization and terrific dynamics. Music is especially engaging, joining punches and energy blasts in pound-for-pound LFE representation. The soundfield is extremely active too, utilizing the rear speakers to nice effect both in terms of ambient environmental support and more aggressive and enveloping action beats. Directionlity boasts dead aim, channel pans are slick and smooth, and the entire soundscape pulls together to create an immersive, altogether electrifying adventure.

Black Lightning: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Whale of a Villain (HD, 7 minutes) - Executive producers Pat Charles and Salim Akil discuss Tobias and his compatriots.

• Come Visit Georgia (HD, 7 minutes) - Shooting in and around the state of Georgia.

Black Lightning: The Complete Second Season Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Though the series was cancelled, there's still a lot to love here for Arrowverse fans who've never given Black Lightning a try. Backed by a solid season of episodes, an excellent video presentation and a strong DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, the only disappointment to be found here is a small selection of extras. Recommended.