Tag: Khalil Payne

Black Lightning Scoop: Khalil Payne’s DC Comics Inspiration Revealed

We might not be seeing Jennifer Pierce and Khalil Payne rekindling their love on The CW’s Black Lightning any time soon.

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But… we’ve at least gotten confirmation that the character of Khalil is inspired by an actual villain from the Black Lightning comic book.

According to the description on official promotional photos released by The CW, Khalil, played by Jordan Calloway, is the television version of Painkiller, a short-lived supervillain created in the ’90s who had the ability to anesthetize his opponents.

Black Lightning — ” Shadow of Death: The Book of War” — Image BLK113c_0061b.jpg — Pictured: Jordan Calloway as Khalil/Painkiller — Photo: Bob Mahoney/The CW — © 2018 The CW Network, LLC. All rights reserved

Painkiller debuted in Black Lightning Vol 2 #2 (1995) and was created by Tony Isabella and Eddie Newell. In the comics, he has the metahuman ability to anesthetize his targets or dull their senses. He has great strength and fighting abilities. He also has dreadlocks with knives on the tips that he uses as weapons.

Black Lightning airs its season finale this Tuesday at 9pm ET on The CW.