By Scott Braden

Many new titles, characters, and publishers were introduced to the comic book market in the early 1990s. While many are gone, some have left lasting impressions, like high school kid Virgil Hawkins who became the electrifying Static.

The quick-witted kid became Static after the Big Bang event transformed a number of citizens from the fictional city of Dakota into superpowered beings. He was written by Dwayne McDuffie and Robert L. Washington III with art by John Paul Leon, Steve Mitchell, and Shawn C. Martinbrough. The young hero helped to protect his city from villains like Hotstreak and Holocaust.

The comic was not just another superhero story; it also focused on kids growing up and issues that were important at the time. Some have said that the first year of the title was the best superhero monthly comic at the time.

Last week, we presented Part 1 of this story. Now, here's the second of our four-part look at the first year of this compelling, original character.

Static #4
DC Comics; Milestone Media; September 1993
Trial by Fire Part Four – Playing with Fire

Picking up where the last issue left off, Static talks with Holocaust. On the surface, it seems that Holocaust wants Static to understand that he either takes or “he'll be took,” that the rich are only rich because of their “birthright” and luck, not because of brains or talent.

It comes down to one thing: Holocaust wants Static to watch his back. To that end, Holocaust shows Static his gratitude by introducing him to his women, and presenting a life that the young hero could have.

The next panel finds Static (flying) and Holocaust (relaxing in his limo) entering Don Giacomo Cornelius' mansion at 1:15 in the morning. Holocaust starts using his fire powers on the thugs, before Static interrupts and says he'll take care of them (in a more humane way). Holocaust then screams that Cornelius' family got most of their wealth “off the backs of my people.”

After leaving the compound in flames, Static makes his way to Frieda's home, where he finds her in the arms of his friend, Larry. After blowing up at his discovery, he leaves while remarking that he can't “trust anyone else around here.”

The next day, Hawkins is woken up and confronted by his mom and his sister about losing his job. To his surprise, his mom has Sharon take over his job and informs him that if he finds “something to do with himself, to let her know.”

Hawkins then hangs out with his friends and finds out that Larry and Frieda have been an item even before they met – and that everybody knew but him. The scene then changes to Hawkins' bedroom, where he gets a call from Frieda trying to explain herself, which pushes him over the edge.

On the way out of the house, he tells his mom that he's going to see a man about “a real job.” Next, we find Static next to Holocaust's SUV, where he is taking care of business and laying waste to mobsters everywhere. Once they get inside Don Cornelius' mansion, Holocaust decides to hurt the mobster's young son – at least that's the intent until Static steps in, saves the day, and says his piece.

After a less-than-friendly send off by Holocaust, he then talks to Larry in his bedroom, who tells him that he doesn't have to lose his friendship with Frieda because of the couple.

Meanwhile, as he picks up the phone – it's Frieda – his mom asks him whether the job he talked about earlier was “no hoodlum kind of job.” He says no, and she replies: “Good, we raised you better than that.”

Static #5
DC Comics; Milestone Media; October 1993
Louder Than a Bomb Chapter One – Megablast

Page one finds Hawkins right smack dab in the middle of a race riot between blacks and Jews. While trying to separate the warring parties, he creates a repulsion field to keep everybody away from each other until they calm down.

Flashback to Hawkins at his favorite comic book store playing a roleplaying game with friends when one of them remembers that he has a date with Daisy Watkins. After saying that he didn't remember any date, Daisy walks in, confronts Hawkins, and leaves in tears. Processing that she really wanted a date with him, Hawkins then hears about the riot at Temple Beth Ad and, next thing he knows, he's running crowd control – superpowers style.

Fast-forward to a Jewish rabbi and a black pastor holding hands, jointly lecturing and pointing out the useless of continued violence. Afterward, the rabbi and the pastor meet with Static and ask him to speak at an assembly against Commando X and his recent bombings – the reason for the riot. Static at first doesn't know what to say – then accepts.

Segue way to Hawkins in school, where after some small talk between Larry and Frieda, our hero uses his electromagnetic powers to activate the sprinkler system after Commando X attacked his school. Later, at a restaurant, Hawkins and his friends debate Commando X and his tactics, when he tells Frieda and everybody else that Static will be at the peace rally on Saturday.

Finally, the big day comes, and Static gets ready for his big speech, when all of a sudden Commando X makes himself heard at the assembly – putting Static on the defensive. Then, Commando X unleashes a plethora of bombs on the peace rally – leaving Static seemingly helpless!

Static #6
DC Comics; Milestone Media; November 1993
Louder Than a Bomb Chapter Two – War at 30 Frames Per Second

As Static fights to save the people assembled at the peace rally from Commando X, he remarks: “Listen X, we came here to get a little peace – not wind up in little pieces.” He then uses his electromagnetism to have the stadium chairs scoop up the bombs and move them safely away. Static then chases after Commando X – until he loses his magnetic field after Commando X touched something that just blew up (that's his power).

Static then flies atop the loud speaker and says: “Commando X! I don't care if you can hear me or not – we are at war! Armageddon is in effect! There will be no late pass! Whatever it takes, you're going down!”

Then, at the Dakota Library, Hawkins and Frieda talk about the peace rally and the fact that a lot of people would have been hurt if not for Static. Hawkins also finds out that Commando X is a black militant zealot named Howell X, and that he's been sending op-ed letters to both of Dakota's newspapers, The Chronicle and The North Star. Hawkins also learns that Howell X had a public access TV show, and calls the cable company to get a tape.

At home, he watches the tape to get leads on Commando X's next target. On the tape, he finds one show referencing “pigs” – so he knows he's after the S.H.R.E.D. and anti-gang unit, G.R.I.N.D., at the old downtown precinct. Getting into costume, Hawkins becomes Static and heads towards trouble. Near the precinct, he finds some cop effigies that are set to explode. He then sends them flying and the bombs safely explode several stories higher in the air above the cops.

The next day at school, Hawkins, Frieda and Rick talk about the success found in both the Jewish and black communities. Hawkins and Rick also talk about what happened to Daisy, and how our hero should apologize – and he does, while also inviting her to a matinee. And as luck would have it, she agrees to the date.

Later, at home, Hawkins discovers that the tapes were made at the Rockdale Housing Apartments – or better known as the Rock. At the complex, he comes across Howell X, and pretends to be a fan. Hawkins learns that Commando X has planted some more bombs, and is offered the chance to get out all the statements to the media. The last image is Howell X offering Hawkins the phone.

Scott Braden is an Overstreet Advisor and former Gemstone Publishing staffer. We'll have Part 3 of this feature on Static's first year next week.