As a follow-up to Vita Ayala and Nikolas Draper-Ivey’s first Static Shock series, DC is releasing Static: Shadows of Dakota as a six-issue miniseries, giving fans a preview of the upcoming miniseries as part of its San Diego Comic-Con celebrations.
When Static Shock: Season One #1 premiered in September in 2021 it marked an electrifying return to one of Milestone’s greatest heroes and his reintroduction to the DC universe. The series began with the cataclysmic event known as the “Big Bang,” where young Virgil Hawkins was gifted the ability to manipulate electromagnetic energy. From there, Virgil really comes into his own as a superhero as he battles his old bully Francis Stone (now the fire mutant Hotstreak) while also getting a handle on his powers. The series ends with Static pulling off a rescue of the “Bang Babies” that signaled to fans he’d found the critical balance that truly makes him a superhero: Confidence and Compassion.
Coming soon, the six-issue miniseries Static: Shadows of Dakota marks a return to Vita Ayala’s series that follows through on its teaser from the closing pages of Static Shock: Season One #6. The final pages hinted at a new take on one of Static’s deadliest enemies from the animated series: Ebon, The Master of Shadows himself. Ebon has been long overdue for a comeback and illustrator Nikolas Draper-Ivey confirms with new character concept art that he’s on the warpath to look for his brother Adam Evans, aka the Rubberband Man. Ebon’s transmorphic shadow abilities allow him to quick-travel through phasing, absorb others, as well as shape-shifting. His shadowy powers also serve as the perfect rival for Static’s mutations with Static being a living conduit of light. Here’s the newly released cover art and concept art of Ebon:
The beauty of this series is how author Ayala and illustrator Draper-Ivey have managed to mix elements of the 2000’s Static Shock series with plot points from the original Static comic series while also putting a modern spin on its DNA. As a result, Static Shock as a superhero feels equally nostalgic and new. DC also released new concept art for Virgil’s new Season 2 look that pays homage to his 90’s costume design, having been made into iconic streetwear. Virgil’s Static uniform also gets a fashionable upgrade that fits the new modern direction of the series with a crisp hood-incorporated hat and a striking color scheme. Based on these combat illustrations, it looks like Draper-Ivery is continuing the minor anime influences that were present in the original Static Shock: Season One.
Static Shock is not the only important black character with electric superpowers, but he is a unique character with his own identity and electromagnetic variants. He’s a hero that never jumps straight into destroying his enemies. Instead, he offers them a helping hand. He never lets society’s narrative frame him and his fellow metahumans as monsters. He truly embodies truth as power. Vita Ayala’s masterful storytelling and Nikolas Draper-Ivey’s striking art style make Static: Shadows of Dakota a must-read follow-up for fans of the first series which solidified Virgil’s status as a reintroduced hero who deserves the main spotlight. The premise setting up Ebon’s return promises to shake up the Static Shock lore while marking a return to form for Milestone characters.
