DC Comics has released Static Shock: Rebirth of the Cool #1 for free on DC Universe Infinite with registration. Coinciding with Black History Month, fans can revisit the earlier incarnation of Milestone’s Static on the digital comics platform.
As Milestone invites old and new readers alike to the imprint’s ongoing rebooted series, such as Static: Season One, fans haven’t had many opportunities to discover the original versions of the Dakota superheroes. With the recently released Milestone Compendium One, they can finally access the initial runs of Static, Icon, Hardware, and a few others. Unfortunately, many Milestone comics still have yet to be reprinted. However, DC’s digital comics platform DC Universe Infinite has a large library of issues that are no longer available.
The 4-part issue miniseries Static Shock: Rebirth of the Cool served as a soft reboot of the hero from the 1990s, integrating the animated series’ title, logo, and costume design for teenager Virgil Hawkins’ reinvented alter ego. The first issue is now available on DC Universe Infinite as a part of DC’s Book Club, which features a different comic every month. With February commemorating Black History Month, Static Shock: Rebirth of the Cool #1, DC is also tributing black superheroes. The issue from November 2000 was written by the late Dwayne McDuffie with art by the late John Paul Leon.
Following Virgil’s retirement from the superhero life at 14 years old, he has to return to the fight and protect Dakota City from “bang babies,” meta-humans who were given their powers during the Big Bang. With an appearance from Curtis Metcalf AKA Hardware, Static goes up against a superhero who has turned into a villain. As Static continues to be reinvented for modern audiences in the ongoing Static: Season One, fans can now explore the inspiration for the series.
Before Static Shock: Rebirth of the Cool, Virgil had worn a very different costume from the one he became known for throughout the animated series, involving blue tights and a baseball cap. Rebirth of the Cool allowed McDuffie and Leon to reimagine elements of the superhero for the first time in comics since the 90s title, considering aspects of the version in the DC Animated Universe. By this point, Static had become more realized as a character, beyond an initial concept. For unfamiliar readers, Static Shock: Rebirth of the Cool #1 is the perfect entry point into the Dakotaverse.
