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Sep 13, 2011 DC New 52 By Jeremy Nisen

In setting up the new status quo for Static, the electro-magnetic powered youth from the Milestone line of comics, as well as the star of a well-received cartoon, Static Shock #1 does a fine job. In generating interest beyond that, Static Shock #1 is surprisingly average.

Virgil O. Hawkins, aka Static, and his family have relocated to New York, and the intelligent, teenage quipster Hawkins captures a nice Spider-Man vibe in stretching his super-powered muscles as he flies around the city. Also very enjoyable are his science-related tidbits; very reminiscent of “Flash Facts” spouted by DC stalward hero The Flash, as he applies and provides exposition for the science of his superspeed.

The mentor relationship with fellow Milestone refugee Hardware is cool, as is the lab assistant job Hardware has set up for Static. Most of the dialog is good, and the characterizations of Virgil even more so: the teenager that can fly (and access the NYC subway system) wants to get a car, wants to fit in at his new school, seeks to escape the torture that his sister puts him through. All good stuff.

I was nonplussed by some of the art. I like Scott McDaniels’ stuff generally. His Nightwing stuff is some of my favorite comic art ever. Part of the appeal is his loose, exaggerated line. The action scenes are dynamic and show off the best of McDaniels, but the family time stuff, wherein nobody is wearing a mask, has some odd facial constructions that temporarily took me out of the story.

So that was a little disappointing, but more disappointing was the generic villain group (color-coded guys on hoverbikes) and the generic posturing of the villainous types. After reading John Rozum’s recent Xombi, I was expecting to be blown away. (I did, however, enjoy the offhanded reference to Hawkman living in New York City as well by the villains; it enhanced the feeling of interactivity, almost “Marvel” style). I can’t say Static Shock #1 is bad by any means, but it did not live up to the expectations I had. It’s good enough to try a second issue, but not enough to get excited about yet.

[SPOILER ALERT] Finally, while I admire the “New 52’s” penchant for cliffhanger endings (notably Detective, Animal Man, Justice League, and Batwing), a gruesome “dis-arming” of young Static at the end was not especially compelling. (www.dccomics.com)

Author rating: 6/10