Warning: Spoilers for Black Lightning #1!The next big star of DC's younger generation has been crowned courtesy of Wonder Woman. As far as female superheroes go within the DC Universe and, frankly, every superhero community, Wonder Woman has been the bar that's been strived for dating back to her first appearance in 1941. Wonder Woman isn't just one of the first female superheroes, she's the female superhero.

Wonder Woman uses her high position in the DC Universe to co-sign Lightning, the daughter of Black Lightning, in Black Lightning #1 by Brandon Thomas, Fico Ossio, Ulises Arreola, and Lucas Gattoni. It's a moment that happens off-, but it's a moment big enough to warrant multiple mentions in the same comic.

Clearly, DC doesn't want audiences to forget or take Wonder Woman's endorsement for granted. It could be the first step into her godfathering Lightning as the brand's next big female star.

For more of Diana, check out Tom King's current ongoing Wonder Woman series at DC Comics!

Wonder Woman Praises Lightning, the Daughter of Black Lightning

What Does Lightning Do to Earn the Endorsement?

Wonder Woman's endorsement is uttered in Black Lightning #1, where the title character rants to his ex-wife, Dr. Lynn Stewart, in her office about everything he wishes he was able to do during Absolute Power. Absolute Power is the latest DC event where Amanda Waller overtook the world and nearly defeated superheroes worldwide. In the aftermath, Waller's global domination was enough to unite heroes worldwide. Namely, it brought the Justice League out of hiatus with a new roster and Black Lightning being among its newest .

As such, his new position allows his daughter, Lightning, access to the Justice League, its Watchtower, its resources, and, of course, its . While speaking to his ex, Jefferson Pierce mentions in ing that Wonder Woman had complimented his daughter the other day, nearly causing Lightning to faint. Considering that Lightning would bring this up in a later in a phone call with her sister, Thunder, it certainly left an impression. Mentioning this off- moment twice in the same comic also indicates that the creative particularly wanted to highlight the moment in the minds of readers.

Who is Lightning (AKA Jennifer Pierce)?

Origins and Powers, Explained

Lightning (not confirmed to be Jennifer Pierce, as she's unnamed in this story) makes her first on- appearance in Kingdom Come #1, introduced as the daughter of Black Lightning and Jonni Thunder, having ed Batman's Silent Calvary. However, her debut was non-canon, as Kingdom Come is an Elseworlds tale from Earth-22. Lightning (as Jennifer Pierce) wouldn't make her official, canonical DC Comics debut until 2008's Justice Society of America #12. The issue showcases 16-year-old Jennifer as one of the new recruits considered for a rebranded JSA.

Mister Terrific, Stargirl, and Cyclone visit the home of Lynn and Jefferson Pierce (who, at the time, had relocated to Chicago from Metropolis' Suicide Slums) who have personally requested for Jennifer to the JSA. The reason is two-fold for Black Lightning. The first is that he hadn't allowed his other daughter, Thunder, to become a superhero until she graduated high school, falling in with the Outsiders before receiving her parents' approval. Jefferson didn't want Jennifer to make the same mistakes that Anissa did growing up.

The other reason is that as Jennifer's powers are beginning to manifest, Jefferson just doesn't have the same level of patience as compatriots within the JSA to help her adjust to the change. He wants them to train her properly. Speaking of, Jennifer's powers are, like her father, electricity-based. Unlike her father, she's able to produce an electrical field around her personified by an electricity form that generates throughout her entire body, lasting five to 10 minutes at a time.

What An Endorsement from Wonder Woman Means from DC Comics

The Heroic Approval Goes a Long Way

All of this context can bring readers back to Wonder Woman and how she personally approves of Lightning as a superhero. Audiences do not get the chance to see the moment that impressed Diana of Themyscira, nor do they get exact context as to what it is that Jennifer does exactly that impresses the Amazon so strongly. However, the fact that Wonder Woman is able to validate Jennifer's approach as a hero cannot be overlooked, especially looking at how it follows a precedent regarding Diana's past endorsements.

Wonder Woman's presence alone is enough to elevate anyone she is ing. Robin mantle, shaping them as heroes. Wonder Woman's influence and endorsement on other heroes not only helps shape them into better heroes, but elevates them in the grand scheme of the DC Universe.

Wonder Woman Endorsing Lightning Could Propel Her Into the Future of DC

Leading the Next Generation of Heroes

All of this could prove to be big news for Lightning as she embarks on the next chapter of her journey. Although she has existed in official DC Comics canon for just over 15 years, she is still relatively new in her superhero career, still a young woman working alongside her father. However, in those 15 years, she has come a long way from being merely a rookie member of the Justice Society of America, who needed her father's blessing and inquiry to be on the team in the first place.

Now, she is working closely with the universe's biggest superteam, already gaining the quick of a key member and former leader of that same team. Lightning is already in a position to thrive as a superhero, but with Wonder Woman's endorsement and , she could soar among the top brass of DC's next generation. It comes with perfect timing, too, as DC is in the beginning stages of an all-new era, the All-In era. The new initiative isn't just DC going all-in on changing the status quo, but going all-in on pushing new heroes into higher positions.

This includes younger heroes, as Lightning is already positioned higher on the DC totem pole than she's ever been before thanks to Black Lightning #1, specifically by way of Wonder Woman's endorsement. This could open the door for an actual appearance from Wonder Woman in future issues, or even Lightning appearing in the Amazon's current ongoing. Still, above all else, being able to stake a claim in receiving Wonder Woman's validation in the hero community elevates Lightning and her potential as DC's next big thing.

Black Lightning #1 is in stores now from DC Comics