Warning: Spoilers for Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet #2!DC Comics' Milestone imprint continues to take a different approach to the star ofStatic Shockcompared to the cartoon. Static’s comic book debut came in 1993, but the animated series that popularized him premiered in 2000. DC doesn’t often let its onscreen media influence the comics,unlike Marvel. As a result, DCAU fans may be shocked at the differences between theStaticcomics and theStatic Shockcartoon.
Among the biggest differences betweenStatic Shockand Static is the character’s position on family, which readers are reminded of inMilestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet#2 by Joseph P. Illidge, Darryl Banks, Atagun Ilhan, Christopher Sotomayor, and ANDWORLD Design.
In the DC Animated Universe, Static loses his mom - Jean Hawkins, a paramedic - when she’s shot during the Dakota Riots. In the Milestone Universe, both during Milestone’s original run and its current revamp,Static’s parents are both still alive and raising him throughout his superhero journey, which proves to be an even more integral part of his character than the show.
Static’s Family Is Essential to His Character in the Comics
He’s Shaped By Having Both of His Parents, Unlike in the Show
The newShadow Cabinetseriestakes place after the events ofIcon vs. Hardware, which had major repercussions for the entirety of the Milestone Universe and, thanks to an invasion from Prime Earth’s Brainiac, the DC multiverse. During that breakdown of the multiverse,literal Nazis from the past crashed into Dakota City, firing rounds of bullets into Static’s neighborhood. On top of that, in between it all,he meets his nemesis Ebon, who nearly kills Virgil in their first encounter. During that sameShadows of Dakotaseries, his friend Quincy Davis, another Bang Baby, dies, wracking Virgil with guilt.
Milestone pivoting from Static’s more widely known cartoon origins by sticking to the lore of the original comics is far from a bad thing.
As a result, Static has become something of a recluse, at least when it comes to stopping crimes outside his city. When his friend and sidekick to Icon, Rocket, checks in with him, he shares the stress he’s been dealing with. The Brainiac invasion was his last straw, as the dangers of crimefighting got too close to his family.“I don’t want to live in a world without my family,“Static tells her, explaining how he needs to be by their side to protect them at all times, even if it means neglecting the rest of the world.
Is Static a Better Hero When He Has Both Parents in His Life?
Static’s Paranoia Might Be Holding Him Back
Milestone pivoting from Static’s more widely known cartoon origins by sticking to the lore of the original comics is far from a bad thing. It’s a matter of taste as to which origin story a fan may prefer, butthe difference shows the stark contrast as to how both versions of Static relate to themes of family. In the show, experiencing the loss of a parenthelps shape Static into a more optimistic, even quippy hero. Experiencing loss makes him fight harder to save people, all so no one has to experience the same kind of loss he did.
Static’s Nemesis Knows What Separates the Modern Version from His ’00s Cartoon
The biggest difference between Static and his 2000s animated counterpart lies in their motivations to be heroes. Does this hurt the 2023 version?
Similar to a Spider-Man or a Nightwing, actually losing his mother in the cartoon makes Static aspire to do more than just help his city, while almost losing his parents in the comics convinces Static to onlyhelp his city. The mere thought of losing his family causes Static’s inner turmoil, because he’s never experienced that kind of loss. Because of that fear, he’s convinced that he needs to go through extreme means to ensure he never has to experience that particular grief. The Static ofStatic Shock’stragedy shapes him into a hopeful hero, while the thought of tragedy makes Milestone’sStatichardened and paranoid.
Static Shock
Cast
Created by Dwayne McDuffie and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Static Shock is a 2D-animated superhero show centered around Virgil Hawkins, a 14-year old hero who uses his electromagnetic powers to fight crime. The four-season series is based on the Milestone superhero Static, and it takes place in the DC Animated Universe alongside other popular series like Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League: Unlimited.
