"I Am the Future:" Static Shock was a creation of Milestone Comics, a branch of DC Comics. A black teenager with electric powers, Virgil Hawkins, Static became such a huge hit, a cartoon was made about him, and was very successful. Tragedy struck earlier this year when Dwayne McDuffie, 49, Static's creator and head of Milestone Comics, passed away, and it was a huge blow to all of comics. Dwayne was integral to the DC animated universe, and wrote many great things in his career with DC. This issue serves as a fond goodbye.
Summary: Virgil and his family are waiting outside of a prison for his uncle to be released after being falsely imprisoned for ten years. He is, of course, innocent and he is an uncle that Virgil has always looked up to. After being arrested, Virgil did everything for his uncle to help get him free from prison. He even goes to the law offices of McDuffie, Cowan, Davis, Dingle- named after the four creators behind Milestone. After years, it had finally paid off. Not long after he gets out, while he and Virgil are jogging and discussing life, they are stopped by a car full of gang members. The leader is man who was actually responsible for the crime his uncle paid for. The leader is also a "bang baby"- people like Static, who got powers after an accident in the city- with a forcefield. Virgil is beaten up and his uncle taken. We see the events that led to the bad blood between the two men. Virgil becomes Static and goes after his uncle and saves him, maintaining his anonymity. After bringing his uncle home, for a "Welcome Home" party, Virgil tells his uncle about his secret life. His uncle is so proud of him, and is having a great time at the party, and dancing when he begins to fall, groans, and is dead before he hits the ground. He never made it to his 40th birthday. Turns out he had always had chest pains and just thought it was heartburn, and it was actually a heart attack. (This is very similar to what happened to McDuffie) After the funeral, Virgil realizes how to beat the gang leader. By changing the frequency of his powers he could short out the forcefield. Defeating the leader, and bringing him to justice, Static has a fond moment with his uncle a the gravesite. There are two backups that are absolutely beautiful here. The first is Dwayne walking through a comic shop while Static and another character of his, Rocket, eulogize the man, and welcome him to their world. The next bit is a collection of artwork and a nice story about him.
Low Points: When this thing was announced, I figured it would give away some of the sales to the family or something charitable, but no... did not happen.
Verdict: A. Great stuff here, and if you were a fan of his work, you should pick this thing. Its truly beautiful in places. How did you feel after finishing it, Vander Beek?
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