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 #5

I had a bed feeling that this was going to happen sooner or later.

Title: Static Shock
Issue: 5
Date: March 2012
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Scott McDaniel
Penciler: Scott McDaniel
Inker: Andy Owens
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Editor: Harvey Richards
Cover: Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez

I know there were some issues with the creative team on this book, and I also know the book has been canceled. That's what happens when you're a few months behind on reading. John Rozum is no longer credited on the writing starting with this issue, and the writing took a serious nose dive. Probably not a coincidence, although this may have simply been the natural result of trying to incorporate too many plot elements without enough character development.

This issue is almost entirely taken up by squabbles and intrigues between a whole array of third-rate villains, and we're never given any reason to care.

The use of Virgil's sister as a generic damsel-in-distress doesn't help matters either, nor does the extended dream/flashback to Virgil's gang days, complete with stilted gangbanger jargon.

This issue seems to be the result of taking all of the weak elements that existed on the fringes of a pretty engaging story centered on Virgil Hawkins, and suddenly making those weak elements the main focus.

The only two redeeming points in this mess are that the opening fight scene still manages to be fun in the way that all of Static's fight scenes have been fun, and a brief glimmer of interesting personality from Guillotina (of all people).

Everything else is a convoluted mess.

Rating: 4.5/10

Static Shock #4

Title: Static Shock
Issue: 4
Date: February 2012
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Scott McDaniel, John Rozum
Penciler: Scott McDaniel
Inker: Andy Owens
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Dezi Sienty
Editor: Harvey Richards
Cover: Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez

Villain du jour is Guillotina. Aside from her silly name, her power is that she's covered in razor-sharp scales.

Static has a fun fight with her. As we've seen with this title, Static has a very Spider-Man vibe, cracking jokes while he thinks and improvises his way to victory. The only problem with this scene is that is has basically been done in each of the three previous issues. It's still fun, but it feels a bit meaningless.

We get some transitional scenes that keep subplots in motion without any real progress, and then it's back to brawling.

Unfortunately, Static seems to forget all of the tactical savvy he'd been using up to now, and just gets captured in short order to set up the rather cliched cliffhanger.

The problem with writing a comic that is fun is that sometimes it needs to have some originality here. This felt like the writers were running short on ideas and were just repeating what they had done previously.

Rating: 6/10

Static Shock #3

Title: Static Shock
Issue: 3
Date: January 2012
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Scott McDaniel, John Rozum
Penciler: Scott McDaniel
Inker: Andy Owens
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Dezi Sienty
Editor: Harvey Richards
Cover: Khary Randolph, Emilio Lopez

This issue is almost all action, and it continues to be classic superhero fun. Static's battles are interesting, and there is a variety of villains that he's facing off against, all with their own agendas and subplots.

I'm continuing to enjoy the portrayal of Virgil Hawkins. He's a great mix of youthful confidence with inexperience, and he's really likable as a result. He doesn't sink into angst the way some teen characters seem to, and his intelligence comes through along with his courage.

I did think that some of the high school scenes in which Virgil tries to infiltrate the local gang culture seemed a bit contrived. These supposed gangbangers are awful quick to accept a newcomer they know nothing about. But I was willing to accept it for the sake of story pacing and keeping things light and fun, which has been a strength of this book since the first issue.

I got the news today that Static Shock has been canceled as of issue #8, and that's a disappointment to me. Out of 52 new titles, this was one of the best for just plain fun (the others I put in that category are Action Comics and Superman). In fact, in my opinion, Static Shock has been a more satisfying read than probably about 45 of the New 52. It's even more disappointing that of the six canceled titles, two of them featured African American lead characters (this one and Mr. Terrific, which I have not read). Hopefully the remaining five issues of Static Shock will bring the story to a satisfying end point. I intend to stick with this title to the end.

Rating: 7.5/10

Static Shock #2

Title: Static Shock
Issue: 2
Date: December 2011
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Scott McDaniel, John Rozum
Penciler: Scott McDaniel
Inker: Andy Owens
Colorist: Guy Major
Letterer: Dezi Sienty
Editor: Harvey Richards
Cover: Chris Brunner, Rico Renzi

We launch right into the action with Static being ambushed by Virule, who nearly severs Static's arm with some sort of disc-projectile (with a one-atom cutting edge, as it turns out!). Fortunately, Static has some abilities that even he wasn't aware of, and he manages to escape the situation.

Most of the rest of the story is set-up for the rematch. There are a lot of villains, and a pretty large supporting cast, many of whom have their own subplots already in progress (taken, I assume, from Static's previous comics).

The book juggles a lot this issue, but manages to keep things fast-paced and fun. Even the things that I had problems with were good in their own ways. Sure, Static gets information about a super-powered gang from a gang-affiliated schoolmate a bit too easily, but it was still nice to see the teenaged superhero not being portrayed as horribly socially awkward in his secret identity. Virgil's confidence is a refreshing change from a lot of similar characters.

I also like the fact that Static's powers get some respect, both from the villains and from the plot itself. Having some doubts about how to handle Static makes the villains a lot more human.

We end the issue pretty much where we started, but the book was definitely entertaining.

Rating: 7/10

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