Static Shock #6

From the Random Stack of Unread Comics.

Title: Static Shock
Issue: 6
Date: April 2012
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Scott McDaniel
Penciler: Scott McDaniel
Inker: Andy Owens
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Dezi Sienty
Editor: Harvey Richards
Cover: Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez, Le Beau Underwood

Apparently, I bought six issues of this when it was released as part of the New 52 in 2012 and only got around to reviewing the first five. Looking back at that fifth review, I can see why I wasn't so enthusiastic about reading more.

Unfortunately, a lot of the phrases I used for the previous issue, phrases like "too many plot elements", "not enough character development", and "convoluted mess" apply to this issue, but even more so.

I like Static Shock a lot, but this climactic episode of the ongoing storyline featured about 85 villains, guest appearances by Hardware and Technique, various alien species, an interdimensional portal, alternate timeline versions of characters, and a climactic battle where it was impossible to tell what the heck was going on. Okay, probably not actually impossible. More like not worth the effort, which is worse.

The opening bit with static hunting for the bad guys who have abducted his sister was pretty cool, and the ending epilogue bit did a reasonable job of setting up for more stories moving forward. Unfortunately, the series only went two more issues after this. It could have used some more time to move in some different directions after this opening storyline.

Rating: 4/10

Static Shock #1

Before we get started, let me point you in the direction of The Pull List, a new review blog by writer/artist Joe McGlone. With the "New 52" going on at DC, we're going to be reviewing a lot of the same books, so go check out The Pull List for another opinion on some of these new titles. Joe's also got a webcomic called Entripor that's definitely worth a look.

Title: Static Shock
Issue: 1
Date: November 2011
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Scott McDaniel, John Rozum
Penciler: Scott McDaniel
Inker: Jonathan Glapion, Le Beau Underwood
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Dezi Sienty
Editor: Harvey Richards
Cover: Scott McDaniel, Guy Major

Remember when superhero comics were, you know, fun? Well, take my word for it, there was a time where it wasn't just blood, gore, and a new universe-threatening crisis every month.

This book is a trip back to those times, and it's the best thing I've read so far in the DC Comics relaunch. Not because it touches on any deep philosophical issues or because it delivers shocking twists or somehow "deconstructs" the mythology of comics.

Because the characters are likable and the book is fun.

Super-powered teenager Static AKA Virgil Ovid Hawkins has arrived in New York City fresh from Dakota (and the universe of Milestone Comics). He's got an after-school gig at STAR Labs and he's already on the trail of some kind of sabotage plot. And a team of super-powered thieves are very unhappy to see Static poking his nose into their business.

Story has excellent pacing, a solid supporting cast, and a reasonable portrayal of a teenage hero who's not a complete loser when it comes to life in his secret identity, but who's got a good mix of teenage problems and superhero problems to deal with. I loved Static's confidence, and his touch of wit. Yes, the character is basically Peter Parker, but that's not a terribly bad model to follow. And it's been a long time since Peter Parker was actually a teenager.

Static's powers are also fun. There's a ton of technobabble, but it's at least reasonable enough that it doesn't detract from the story, and Static even tosses around some postitve/negative puns.

This is definitely light fare compared to books like Detective (my review here), Batgirl (here), and even Action (here). In fact, I actually think the plot would have worked even better without the one murder that occurred. There's room for a comic that doesn't pile up the body count. I'd love to see DC embrace that with this book.

Rating: 7.5/10