2 out of 5

Nowadays, with event frenzy at a peak and the big two in a constant scramble for The Next Big Thing, it’s hard to look at any new title they offer (outside of their main character stable) without scrutiny.  Now, sure, this has somewhat always been the case, but the window for a title to prove itself.has significantly shrunk.  So you look at those new books and inevitably ask: How long will this last?

It gains another level of irony when it’s in retrospect, I.e. When looking at one of DCs many revamps from the past few years – their new 52 – and the start of a Ststic Shock aeries.  While Static’s fan support over the years has been fascinating, it couldn’t support this severalth attempt to reintegrate him into larger events: Static Shock lasted eight issues.

And, frankly, its easy to see why.

Scott McDaniel and John Rozum kick things off mid-chase, which gives Static the chance to narrate to us a bit about his electricity powers (and riding the science lingo a bit too hard) and his relocation to New York from Dakota, while the renegade ball of plasma he pursues causes havok and allows for some generic “new yorkers ain’t friendly” jokes.  It’s an acceptable intro, if rather standard.  But then a common mistake is made: upping the ante too soon.  Conspiracies!  People spying on other people!  Secret hideouts!  …Not to mention at least ten new characters to keep track of.  Even assuming you have some familiarity with Static going into this, for a number one issue, the forced conflict stuff is definitely overkill, and makes it really easy to over-indulge in horribly cheesy dialogue.

Art wise, there’s sort of the sense that DC was going for a younger market with this, with bright colors and some Power Ranger-Y suited baddies, but the visuals are still off for 2011, McDaniel drawing in an overly friendly style akin to early 2000s stuff.  I’m not a fan of Scott’s per se, but he has definitely proven his ability to be a kinetic artist..  His work here is streamlined down to simplicity, though, and with really flat coloring its something of a snooze to look at.

But, hey, retrospect; its 2017 as of now and we’ve had two DC reboots since.  Static Shock will, I’m sure, get more chances to make his mark.