 Von Eeden's best friend encouraged him to submit sample artwork to DC Comics; at the same time, Von Eeden was studying medicine at Columbia University.Trevor Von Eeden's comic book career began at age 16, when DC Comics editor Jack C. Harris hired him to illustrate prototype assignments with the "Legion of Super-Heroes" and "Weird War Tales".Soon after, Von Eeden was officially hired to design and draw the company's first African-American superhero to have his own title, Black Lightning.