Price history & market evidence
Price observations belong to this edition. Guide estimates, catalog references and completed sales are separate kinds of evidence.
| Grade | Amount | Evidence | Recorded |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10.0 | $834.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_10_0_valueguide | Date not recorded |
| 4.0 | $22.99 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_4_0_valueguide | Date not recorded |
| 6.0 | $41.76 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_6_0_valueguide | Date not recorded |
| 8.0 | $72.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_8_0_valueguide | Date not recorded |
| 9.2 | $100.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_2_valueguide | Date not recorded |
| 9.4 | $120.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_4_valueguide | Date not recorded |
| 9.6 | $705.00 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_6_valueguide | Date not recorded |
| 9.8 | $641.22 | PANEL_PROFITS · grade_9_8_valueguide | Date not recorded |
| RAW | $19.99 | PANEL_PROFITS · ungraded_valueguide | Date not recorded |
Reading this edition’s market
Compare the same cover, printing and grade before setting a bid. A raw guide or a higher-grade price does not establish a slab’s value. Include selling fees, shipping and the depth of completed-sale evidence when assessing an exit price.
The table includes 9 guide observations and 0 catalog references. These are reference values, not guaranteed sale proceeds.
Graded population
CGC records 1,648 graded copies for Black Lightning #1 (1977). Population is the number recorded by this grading source, not the total print run or all surviving copies.
Black Lightning
There's a new hero on the streets of Suicide Slum - the Black Lightning). Black Lightning is actually high school teacher and former Olympic athlete, Jefferson Pierce. Working at Garfield High School, Pierce learns that the neighborhood is in the grip of a criminal organization known as The 100).
Black Lightning confronts one of the 100's more disreputable pushers, Joey Toledo). After beating up Toledo's men, he grabs the drug dealer by the collar and pressures Toledo to tell him everything there is to know about the 100. He tells him to meet him at Garfield High's gymnasium at midnight.
Later, Black Lightning changes back into his civilian clothes and consults with his friend, Peter Gambi). He wants to clean up the streets, but he now regrets using the high school as his own personal battlefield. Black Lightning reflects upon the events that brought him to this point.
**Flashback:** Jefferson Pierce had only recently arrived at his alma mater Garfield High, after having worked as a teacher in New Carthage. He meets with Principal Chapin who reminds him of the glory days when Jefferson was the school's best athlete.
Later that day, Jefferson meets high school basketball star Earl Clifford. Clifford is arrogant, but affable, and jokingly remarks that he aims to become the "new" Jefferson Pierce. At that moment, Joey Toledo and several armed men bust into the gymnasium. They begin beating up on Jefferson, but Earl Clifford jumps in and lends him a hand. Working together, they run the thugs out of the school.
News of this incident reaches the office of the Whale) - leader of the 100. The Whale is reluctant to take direct action against Pierce, for fear of turning him into a martyr, but he instructs Joey Toledo to teach young Earl Clifford a lesson.
The 100 goons go to beat Earl up, but the boy runs away into the street and is struck by a vehicle. They decide to make an example of him and suspend his body from the basketball net in the school gymnasium.
Jefferson Pierce is beside himself with guilt. He goes to Peter Gambi's tailor shop and tells him what happened. Gambi tells Jefferson that the neighborhood needs a symbol - a man willing to take back the streets. He produces a costume, mask and wig. Jefferson Pierce becomes Black Lightning.
| Appearing1 = **Featured Characters:** * Black Lightning) **Supporting Characters:** * Peter Gambi) **Antagonists:** * The 100) ** Joey Toledo) ** Tobias Whale) ** Manny) ** Roscoe) * Merlyn) **Other Characters:** * Earl Clifford) * Julie * Principal Chapin) * Superman) **Locations:** * Metropolis ** Suicide Slum ** Garfield High School **Items:** * Electric Power Belt
| Notes = * The framing sequence for this issue chronologically takes place immediately following the main story. * Black Lightning) makes a chronologically earlier appearance in Black Lightning Vol 1 6. * The 100) appeared last in Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane Vol 1 130. * The Whale) appears next in Black Lightning Vol 1 3. * Issue includes a "Lightning Bolts" column, which serves as a newspaper article chronicling the death of Earl Clifford from this issue. * Includes Daily Planet column Volume 77, Issue 1. * This issue is reprinted in Black Lightning (Collected).
| Trivia = * Artist Trevor von Eeden was only seventeen-years-old when he began penciling this series. * Peter Gambi) is the brother of Paul Gambi), the tailor who designs the costumes for Flash's Rogues Gallery.
| Recommended = | Links =
Creative credits
Writers: Tony Isabella
Interior art: Trevor von Eeden
Color: Liz Berube
Source records & attribution
Panel Profits keeps each source identity attached to its edition record.
PANEL PROFITS: 2425800