The artist of Static: Season One has revealed new art teasing the series’ upcoming return with a new villain: Ebon. Series artist Nikolas Draper-Ivey is raising anticipation among fans for Static’s future, reincorporating a fan favorite costume.
Throughout the Milestone reboot’s debut series, Static: Season One, Virgil Hawkins received electromagnetic powers and learned how to use them to protect Dakota City. While teaming up with his friends and partnering with his family, Virgil became “Static.” Donning a costume that his sister Sharon made him, he transformed into the recognizable superhero. However, before he wore his official suit, he used a prototype version of the Static costume created by Curtis Metcalf AKA Hardware.
In a post that artist Nikolas Draper-Ivey shared to social media, Static is depicted wearing his first prototype costume, standing in front of his looming new villain Ebon. Previously, the shadow-based meta-human was introduced as a major threat in Static: Season One #6, written by Vita Ayala. Based on his brief scene, it seemed that the popular villain would reappear in the next season, announced in the final page of the first season finale. The new art provides an extended tease of the two powerful meta-human’s inevitable encounter. As Static: Season Two approaches for a summer release, Draper-Ivey has posted many teases for new stories through Instagram and Twitter.
Based on the art, it’s worth noting that Virgil has returned to his prototype armor, as he seemed to upgrade his suit in Static: Season One #6. Although Sharon’s costume seemed to prioritize aesthetic over practicality, it was a return to his signature look from the animated series Static Shock. The two new designs were popular among readers, as they both homaged Static’s past in different ways. However, Draper-Ivey has voiced some desire for yet another costume in the second season, sharing alternate Static designs with his followers.
As Static is set to fight Ebon, he might require a more battle-ready suit, like the one that Hardware had gifted him. Previously, Draper-Ivey alluded to another suit upgrade down the line in Season Two, which could hint that Ebon ruins his current costume in a fight. While Virgil is in-between uniforms, he could resort to the prototype suit. Fans who are familiar with Ebon in Static Shock recognize the extent of his powers, as he presents a greater source of danger than any villain that Virgil has faced at this point in the series. Static #6 teased that Ebon is looking for his brother, the popular animated series hero Adam Evans AKA Rubberband, meaning that his personal motivations will make him additionally threatening toward Static.
