- "It's a huge risk for me to be here. But that's how far I'm willing to go to set things right for Lynn, for all those kids, and for Freeland."
- —Gardner Grayle to Jefferson and Anissa Pierce
Sergeant Gardner Grayle is a former A.S.A. agent who joined Black Lightning's team.
Biography[]
Original multiverse[]
Early life[]
He joined the army and eventually ended up in the 75th ranger regiment prior to becoming an A.S.A. agent.[1]
Member of the A.S.A.[]
Anti-Monitor Crisis[]
During the Anti-Monitor Crisis, Gardner as well as everyone in the multiverse except for the seven Paragons, was killed in an antimatter wave by the Anti-Monitor on December 10, 2019,[2] only to be restored a month later, after the Paragons and the Spectre created a new universe.[3]
New multiverse[]
Gardner Grayle confronted Lynn Stewart after she left her bag containing Green Light at the A.S.A. facility. Returning the bag, he voices his determination to aid her in saving the meta-human children in the facility and his disparagement of being part of their actions. Hoping to make up for this, he joins Lynn in breaking out Tobias Whale and willingly becomes her test subject for a serum that can temporarily grant meta-human abilities. After taking the serum, Grayle turns invisible, proving her serum effective. After successfully breaking out Tobias, Lynn searches for Grayle before being abducted by Markovians.[4]
After learning of Lynn's abduction, Grayle is forced to use her phone to contact Jefferson and Anissa Pierce in order to inform them of her abduction and states that, despite searching for her, Sara Grey may need Black Lightning's aid. He then leaves in order to stage a meet between the two. After the two parties ultimately decide to work together, Gardner Grayle joins the team in infiltrating Markovia and rescuing Lynn.[5]
With The Freeland Resistance, Grayle fights to protect The Pit from the invasion of Gravedigger, but the foe causes them to faint with a single command of "sleep" and proceeds into the bunker.[6]
Powers and abilities[]
Former powers[]
- Meta-human physiology: Gardner Grayle was briefly a meta-human after taking Lynn Stewart's meta-human serum.
- Invisibility: After taking the serum, Gardner was able to turn invisible for an hour.
Abilities[]
- Peak of human physical condition: Gardner is in top physical condition from his time with the A.S.A.
- Master hand-to-hand combatant/martial artist: Gardner is a proficient unarmed combatant due to his training from the A.S.A.
- Skilled marksman: Gardner is quite proficient in the use of firearms.[7]
Appearances[]
Black Lightning[]
Season 3[]
- "The Book of Occupation: Chapter Three"
- "The Book of Resistance: Chapter Two"
- "The Book of Resistance: Chapter Three: The Battle of Franklin Terrace"
- "The Book of Markovia: Chapter One: Blessings and Curses Reborn"
- "The Book of Markovia: Chapter Two"
- "The Book of Markovia: Chapter Three"
- "The Book of Markovia: Chapter Four"
- "The Book of War: Chapter Three: Liberation"
Behind the scenes[]
- In the DC comics, Gardner Grayle is a superhero known as Atomic Knight and a member of the Outsiders.