Scan barcode
colindalaska's review
1.0
For a start of a new series this is terrible, especially as this is part of the New 52.
An origin story would have been nice.
An origin story would have been nice.
calfaile's review
2.0
As a new reader, I didn't find the introduction to be smooth. It was only on the second read that I finally felt like I was getting it. altogether, one of the more mediocre new 52 titles
ashkitty93's review
3.0
The majority of the tone felt right (at least compared to what I remember from the Static Shock tv show when I was a kid) but the opening was jarring. As a reboot, I was expecting if not an origin story then some kind of foundation in the beginning but we don't get that with this. Readers get thrown straight into the deep end and left to figure out things like why Virgil's sister has a clone and, if you're unfamiliar with most Static villains, who all these people are. I also wondered why Richie doesn't make an appearance. Sigh.
The unfortunate thing, aside from the fact that this version of Static was canceled after 8 issues (all of which are collected herein), is that while I followed along pretty well for the first few issues, later on it got a bit disjointed and confusing. Meh. And the pseudo-Joker guy: is it the Joker or not? We'll never know. Thanks, cancellation.
The unfortunate thing, aside from the fact that this version of Static was canceled after 8 issues (all of which are collected herein), is that while I followed along pretty well for the first few issues, later on it got a bit disjointed and confusing. Meh. And the pseudo-Joker guy: is it the Joker or not? We'll never know. Thanks, cancellation.
vulco1's review
5.0
Static is great! Fun, fast read. Gooduseof science (better than most other superhero comics).
littlecat's review
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
I havent read any Static comics before, I seen the cartoon, and I really liked that, this... didnt quite work for me. It starts right in the middle of it and doesnt build its story in a very interesting or enjoyable/readable way. I found the villians kind of meh, and the comic is mostly focused on that instead of the clichee but at least to me kind of nice indulgent family drama.
And I guess I just miss, him being in Dakota, the sense of community was important to my enjoyment of his story and thats pretty out of the story here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Kidnapping
youngj's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Kudos to the new team for penning a new Static adventure, praise to them for the things I liked and no shade to or harshness intended fo the things I don't. Different strokes as they say...
Plenty of action and adventure. I dig the new suit and flying discs that change shape based on his needs. The tech upgrades made possible by his ally Hardware and his internship at S.T.A.R. Labs is interesting, and Virgil/Static is just as devoted to his family as he ever was.
</But as a longtime reader of at least half of the original 90s run by McDuffie, I admit, I miss Virgil's friends and his dedication to the community of Dakota and the overall magic that the cartoon and original run had. Virgil/Static still cares about people no matter where he is but it just feels weird with him in NYC. The villains are whatever, although the reveal that the Pale Man is an undercover cop struggling with his identity possibly due to watered-down Joker Gas (?) was mildly interesting. But the Piranha crime boss is meh (and overuses the word punks a lot for my taste idk it just stood out), and all of the villains ... they just take up space to me. They're so uninteresting to me that I can't really describe them. I don't mean that to be a cop-out on being specific or constructive but it's just my impression after reading the book. It feels like all this super-mob stuff is just busywork.>
Admittedly I didn't read the early Teen Titans tie-ins. </I heard Static's last adventure before this book took a toll on him. Things get a little interesting with Sharon and the fact that she's got a clone but neither knows which is the original anymore. It would've been interesting to read more of how this impacted the Hawkins family with the superhero stuff being the B-plot, it's not balanced that well for me.> Also, the writing team doesn't know Hardware, he doesn't speak like he usually does and feels like a totally different character which really bugged me.
I like how they integrate Virgil's past in Dakota although it comes too late for me and maybe the story would've benefited from those reflections and reveals coming in earlier issues. Static is still a big nerd and it's fun to read his thoughts as he uses his cleverness to solve crimes, and it's cool seeing him feel more comfortable in his own skin having lived in Dakota, that was fascinating.
All in all the book was fine and I think the NYC adventures carry it and get a little better later when things get more personal for his family. They tried new things it's just for me they didn't all work. </I honestly think that if the Hawkins family dynamics took center stage as the investigation into Sharon's clone which then bleeds into the NYC underworld gaining power it would have made for a more interesting book.> Not to be funny but I think the book lacked some of Static's classic soul. He fights villains, sure, but his personal life is just as if not more interesting than him being a superhero. Glad the book exists and there are still things to enjoy about it. If you're new to Static entirely, you might even love it.
Plenty of action and adventure. I dig the new suit and flying discs that change shape based on his needs. The tech upgrades made possible by his ally Hardware and his internship at S.T.A.R. Labs is interesting, and Virgil/Static is just as devoted to his family as he ever was.
</But as a longtime reader of at least half of the original 90s run by McDuffie, I admit, I miss Virgil's friends and his dedication to the community of Dakota and the overall magic that the cartoon and original run had. Virgil/Static still cares about people no matter where he is but it just feels weird with him in NYC. The villains are whatever, although the reveal that the Pale Man is an undercover cop struggling with his identity possibly due to watered-down Joker Gas (?) was mildly interesting. But the Piranha crime boss is meh (and overuses the word punks a lot for my taste idk it just stood out), and all of the villains ... they just take up space to me. They're so uninteresting to me that I can't really describe them. I don't mean that to be a cop-out on being specific or constructive but it's just my impression after reading the book. It feels like all this super-mob stuff is just busywork.>
Admittedly I didn't read the early Teen Titans tie-ins.
I like how they integrate Virgil's past in Dakota although it comes too late for me and maybe the story would've benefited from those reflections and reveals coming in earlier issues. Static is still a big nerd and it's fun to read his thoughts as he uses his cleverness to solve crimes, and it's cool seeing him feel more comfortable in his own skin having lived in Dakota, that was fascinating.
All in all the book was fine and I think the NYC adventures carry it and get a little better later when things get more personal for his family. They tried new things it's just for me they didn't all work.
birdmanseven's review
2.0
I came in to this relatively blind, having only seen bits of the cartoon forever ago. Unfortunately, like most the New 52 reboots this was not a good introduction to the character. You are really tossed in without much time devoted to introducing the characters or setting. Ironically, issue 7, where Marc Bernardin takes over serves as a better launch, but the book was cancelled after issue 8. I'd read this character again, hopefully next time they'll do it right.
We discussed this further on Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP8x0L5YSWg&t=82s
We discussed this further on Comic Book Coffee Break: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP8x0L5YSWg&t=82s
luciereads's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I didn't know what to expect with this. It was a fun read although pretty confusing because most things weren't explained very well tbh. I thought having watched the show and read the original series would maybe fill in the gaps, but they really didn't...
I didn't know what to expect with this. It was a fun read although pretty confusing because most things weren't explained very well tbh. I thought having watched the show and read the original series would maybe fill in the gaps, but they really didn't...
axs5609's review
4.0
Fast-paced story, with plenty of teenage wit and snark, and science thrown in for good measure. A little scattered, but an enjoyable work for the casual reader
montgomerypierce's review
4.0
I'm actually a bit disappointed that the New 52 Static ended up getting canceled after the eighth issue. For the problems that it had (this not being an origin story, but rather starting you right in the middle of Virgil already having become Static and relying on backstory/flashback moments to give that to you, for example) this volume was beyond enjoyable and had a lot of promise. Namely, with exploring Virgil's identity and how that slots in with him being both Static and a brother/son just trying to do the best by his family. To say there's familial baggage in this is an understatement, but I think that works to the volume's strengths, rather than to its detriment. Most prominent is how Virgil's relationship with his sister(s) interplays with the overall plot involving the Darkstar labs, and how that's central to his motivation for these first 8 issues.
This volume was layered, witty, and emotional. It reminded me why I loved watching the cartoon as a kid, and I would have loved to see where it ended up going.
This volume was layered, witty, and emotional. It reminded me why I loved watching the cartoon as a kid, and I would have loved to see where it ended up going.
More...