Today’s review will be focusing on one of the hottest DC Comic titles that have come out in recent years. The series was part of Milestone Media’s triumphant return to the Comic Book Industry, bringing talented creators such as Vita Ayala, Reginald Hudlin, Denys Cowan, ChrisCross, and Nikolas Draper-Ivey to create new stories focusing on Milestone and their iconic heroes. I previously reviewed the first issue of this series, and now I am reviewing the hardcover collection of STATIC: Season One.
Our story begins with a bullied teenager named Virgil Hawkins, Virgil is in the streets with other people participating in a Black Lives Matter protest, where, like others, he wanted to make his voice heard, their world was turned upside down when the police used an experimental form of tear gas on the protestors, and it changed their lives forever. Some were maimed, but others got stunning new abilities! Virgil gained the ability to channel and manipulate electromagnetic fields. What will he do about the anger that has built up inside of him and the bullies who have also gained new powers just like him?
This hardcover book collects Issues One through Six, the best thing I love about Static (both the hero and the series) was that like Spider-Man, he was a hero that people could relate to and stood out from the others. He was a teenager who was a nerd but had a strong sense of what was right and wrong but was struggling with personal feelings and wanted to make his presence known to the world. This series stays true to the core of Milestone and doesn’t stray off the path of addressing social issues (such as Police Brutality, inequality, and racism).
Vita Ayala did a great job of adapting Static’s backstory and exploring the origin of his electromagnetic powers and exploring today’s issues that have plagued society and the black community. I love how Ayala put focus on Static’s relationship with his family, they found out early on about his new power and were supportive. Another thing I have enjoyed about Virgil was his approach to science and technology, it came in handy when it comes to fighting other metahumans. As far as his other relationships are displayed, they mirror the 90s television series, take for example, Virgil, and his sister Sharon. They may act like your typical brother and sister but deep down, they care for each other and she is supportive of him. It was nice to see Richie and Frieda back, especially when they were in action when they helped Static near the end of the story.
Speaking of television counterparts, seeing Hotstreak in action again made me nostalgic, that presence of arrogance and immaturity was in fine form whenever he made an appearance. Speaking of Hotstreak, I was happy to see Static’s other rogue gallery make an appearance in the final fight in the first story arc. Finally, as far as the pacing goes, it wasn’t great. I’m not saying it is a bad thing. However, the antagonists came off as one-dimensional at times, but I think it was the fault for it being confined to a limited series.
For the artwork, I still believe that ChrisCross and Nikolas Draper-Ivey are one of the hottest comic book creative teams on the market. Right off the bat, it is Draper-Ivey’s fusion of styles that makes the book stand out above what the publisher currently offers. His use of textures and patterns in the book gives the book an ultra-style to it, with a mangaesque look. The characters are well-designed and have well-defined identities, especially love the detail in their hairstyles too. The action sequences are drawn well in each panel, and the depiction of Static’s electromagnetic powers on full display was gorgeous.
Static: Season One is available now in Digital and at your local bookstore. Be sure to check out Static: Shadows of Dakota. A review for that title is coming soon! Be sure to read check out my review for Milestone: Infinite Edition.
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Final Grade:
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