Many polls here in Comic Vine demonstrate Static is the most loved black superhero. But he's a teenage hero, so he can't join the Justice League. Other polls demonstrated Cyborg isn't a very well loved character and so many people don't like him being a founding member. So, my question is simple: why DC don't put Black Lightning (the mature version of Static) in the JL, changing his ridiculous name? BL has great powers, an amazing (and simple) costume and was the first black hero in DC history.

@justthatkid: The truth is nobody likes Cyborg the way he is, they want change his "costume", they want change his powers and some people want also change his personality. In short, people want Cyborg to be another character. And yes, "Black Lightning" is a stupid name and a shame considering the potential of this character.

@justthatkid: You know they changed his powers in the New 52, right? ask yourself why. Cyborg will get a title in July but unless they alter him completely, I doubt will be a success

His name is fine.

He's fine

Black Lightning is good name. I don't find anything wrong with it really. I always liked it.

Honestly I wouldn't have minded seeing Black Lightning in the Justice League if they were going to throw out Martian Manhunter to make it more diverse human wise. At least it'd make sense since Black Lightning is a League character and they aren't going to be using the Outsiders anytime soon.

The thing that I didn't like about Cyborg was because it messed with the Martian Manhunter's position on the team. He has always been that one character that was a face to the Justice League. Having him gone is like having an Avengers without Captain America, a Fantastic Four without the Thing, and a Doom Patrol without Robotman. Perhaps I am exaggerating. I don't care. I'm a Martian Manhunter fanboy. In addition to this it helped create the mess the Teen Titans are in today. Teen Titans got a lot robbed from them. Almost all iconic members are no longer associated with them. The only too I'd really say iconic members are Raven and Beast Boy. At least when they decided to mess with Cyborg they tried to make his changes beneficial.

Though I agree. I like Black Lightning. It would've been cool to see something big done with him.

Honestly, I would rather have Static Shock on the Justice League than Cyborg. Also, Cyborg and Static are the same age (I think).

@superadam: Static is a teenager, like Spiderman.

I thought Cyborg was still a teenager, though...

The name is good.

He's called black because he's black, right?

Black Lightning is a very dated name but I don't know what you would change it to ? I was watching Batman/Superman:Public Enemies and I was thinking how awesome BL looks and I wonedered why DC doesn't do more with him? He has potential, his mini series awhile back was good and he got no love in the New52 other than a co feature with Blue Devil ( another underused character). Black Lightning is yet another ball DC has dropped.

@wavemotioncannon: I think DC is scared by his similarity with Static. Virgil is definitely a better character, but he's a young hero and the JL is not The Avengers. On the other hand, Cyborg is a pretty mediocre character, no way he will shine in future, he's basically the robotic version of the Frankenstein monster.

@bigcimmerian: unfortunately

@wavemotioncannon: I agree. I really miss not seeing characters like him and Blue Devil pop up now and then. They are pretty much forgotten now it seems like.

Same with Black Manta DC and Black Panther from Marvel? xD

I find it funny and terrible at the same time, even though I like very much both Manta and Panther.

@crazyscarecrow:

I agree if not on JL maybe on others JLs. Too bad that JLA will about JL, if had other rooster probably he would see him on rooster. I agree with Martian Manhunter even thought New 52 JL (like some previous incartions of the team) has lot of powerhouses and Martian Manhunter it would be bit overpower team. New 52 Teen Titans Universe has lot of problems like The Team is the first TT but there is lot of writers that say that isnt true, they started with Young Justice characthers and not Original 5 Teen Titans, characther being bad written and previous Titans characthers no longer are Titans Characthers. Cyborg´s promotion was cool but they didnt use him as much, maybe that will change with his solo but he was huge untaped potencial.

@superadam:

Static (Vergil) is younger than Cyborg. I think he is 16 on N52

I would argue that Drake is just as iconic as Raven or Beast Boy to the roster, and when they actually tried to change Beast Boy, people complained.

In all honesty, unless you're on a companies premiere team, you're probably underused. If you're not a Leaguer/Avenger/Titan/X-Man, and don't already have a solid title to your name (or hey, maybe editorial just doesn't like you,) you're as disposable as a pedestrian.

Also, I don't think the name Black Lightning is dated. He's black, he's got electrical powers, and it sounds cool. It's not like he's got an afro and goes by the name "Soul Power." Even if that would be pretty cool to me...

If they were going to have him be part of a team, it might be more like The Outsiders anyway. I think he even led that team at one point.

However, I think they should focus more on his ability to use magic, black, lightning, and put him along with some other semi-mystical characters in a new Shadowpact, or something along those lines.

@bigcimmerian: Black panther it's ok, I mean, it's the name of the animal

@bigcimmerian: I can't remember where, but there was an animated movie that had him actually shoot black colored lightning. It was cool, and made his name make sense.

Static is owned by Milestone NOT DC. (It's like people don't pay attention or something)

@jonny_anonymous: Static is in the DC universe since new 52

@jonny_anonymous: I'm pretty sure DC Comics has the rights to the character, now.

@superadam: @moul:

EXCLUSIVE: Milestone Media rises again. Hudlin, Cowan and Dingle will revive company with eye toward characters of color - The Washington Post

@jonny_anonymous: Too bad

About that.They said in the CBR article that they'll still be working with DC on stuff.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=58666

"Obviously Milestone and DC have a great history together," Hudlin added. "We're going to be doing more projects together. but we're going to be doing business with a lot of different companies. Other publishers, other media companies."

@akintoussaint: As in DC will publish some of their books

Even if Milestone comes back, DC will still own Static Shock. I'm pretty sure both Milestone and DC are owned by Warner Brothers, anyways.

@superadam: Milestones specifically said they have the rights back to all their characters and will be looking to work with a bunch of different publishers so nope they aren't owned by WB.

Meh, the name's pretty good.

but then, how is DC planning on making a live action Static Shock TV series? If that's true, it looks like Static will be exiled from continuity.

There not, Milestone is.

@scouterv:

I kind agree with with Drake to Teen Titans since Dick graduated to Titans. But it´s never a good thing that a character stays on team for long time. But he and Raven and BB has the potencial to be other groups and solos.

@vitalius: I think Raven is better than Zatanna

@moul:

Ok good for you.

@crazyscarecrow: We don't need another magic team, we have JLD for that.

His name isn't ridiculous and BL is not interesting enough to be a main JL member.

African-American/ Negro/ Colored Lightning... I mean Black Lightning... should get a name change or make his powers related to dark matter so the "Black" in his name ceases to be a reference to his obvious racial group. That's just too tacky for 2015. Or even 1985 for that matter.

People don't like Cyborg just because he's not Martian. It's nothing to do with Cyborg, it's just blind Internet hatred spurred on by mob mentality.

@crazyscarecrow: Martian Manhunter...the Captain America if the JL? You mean the Ant-Man or something. Superman is Captain America.

@superguy1591: The way I kinda view the Martian Manhunter is he is the one character that is visually distinctive and is unique to the Justice League. Like you can't really have a Justice League team without him at least help finding it. Maybe Captain America is a bad example though Captain America is the heart and soul of the JLA much like the Martian Manhunter.

Like I said. I am a Martian Manhunter fanboy.

@moul: Simple. Change the name of JLD. Have them be original and not rely on the Justice League name in the title to the sell the book.

No that would be stupid. It sounds good and everyone is use to it. If there was such a big problem (there isn't) just change the look of his powers to look like the black light version of lightning.

Would you change Black Canary?

@crazyscarecrow: I think he should be in a team like the "The Defenders"

@dernman: I think they should change his costume. He seems Staic with that blue, black and yellow. Black Lightning should dress casual, with a hood

He is black and he is trowing lightnings. (c) Supergirl.
Therefore he is Black Lightning. It's that simple and makes sense.