Warning: Spoilers for Static: Shadows of Dakota #6!
Ebon, one of Static’s most dangerous enemies, just got even worse thanks to an invasive upgrade. Ebon was originally created for the Static Shock animated series, but only recently has been inserted into the character’s official comic-book canon. Now that he’s back, Ebon has only gotten more brutal than before, especially now as he searches for his missing brother, Rubberband Man.
Desperate for help, Ebon extends a plea bargain to the title character in Static: Shadows of Dakota #6 by Nikolas Draper-Ivey, Vita Ayala, and AndWorld Design. Knowing that Virgil’s young friend Quincy, a Bang Baby himself, was captured and killed by the same task force that has Rubberband Man, Ebon tries to strike an alliance. To convince his reluctant enemy, Ebon uses his powers to go directly inside Virgil’s mind, forcing him inside his own to show Static the terrible memories he’s experienced.
As if the act itself isn’t terrifying enough, the process sounds like a painful one. When Ebon forces his way into Static’s mind and forces Static to enter his, Virgil speaks of a “burning ice seeping into my chest, creeping into my mind.”
Shadows of Dakota Continues to Modernize Static’s Rogues Gallery
That feeling turns out to be the shadowy figure himself. Staying true to his powers of shadow manipulation, Ebon eases into his nemesis’ mind like a shadow before proceeding to show him all the horrors he’s either personally experienced or seen done to others in the darkness. This is yet another way that the series attempts to update classic Static characters for the modern audience, especially considering this isn’t the first character in Static’s rogues gallery — nor the first character from the animated series — to get such a modern update.
In canonizing another cartoon character for the comics, D-Struct, the series also puts a dark twist on his presentation and abilities. Meanwhile, Anansi, also created for the cartoon, gets his own subtle modifications as he enters the same universe of the comics. Ever since officially and canonically being introduced to Static, Ebon just got darker and scarier and continues to do so at every turn. In their first encounter in the comics, Ebon nearly kills Static, suffocating him through his Void. And that was when the two were clearly on opposite sides.
Here, by trying to get Static on his side and to see things his way, Ebon still puts Static through a painful process simply because his powers are naturally rooted in causing pain. Ever since debuting in the cartoon, Ebon himself was naturally pain-inducing and scary. Now, out of all the sinister things he’s been capable of doing to Static in the past, this is something else to add to his arsenal that takes him to an entirely new level.
Check out Static: Shadows of Dakota #6, available now from DC Comics!
