DC Studios, Stop Ignoring Milestone And Greenlight A Static Shock Movie Already
By Rachel Davis
Yes, it's easy to view Static through a Spidey-centric lens. However, young Virgil deserves recognition even without his direct connection to the famous web-slinger. Over on Twitter, fans never stopped sharing why they love "Static Shock." Sure, there's fan art that poses him beside Miles Morales, Jaime Reyes, and Peter Parker. But there are also clips reminding social media users about what makes the original animated series so special. Virgil and his stories address topics of racial inequality in simple and digestible language for all ages. His comics address similar issues in more depth too. But any live-action depiction of Static would no doubt draw inspiration from both sources.
But Static's more than a "teachable moment." He's a compassionate person, and that's why fans love him. Let's not forget about his supporting cast! In later projects, Static became a member of the Teen Titans, but in his most recognizable media, he works in tandem with Richard Foley (Jason Marsden), his best friend. Richie's an Irish-American without metahuman abilities who dons the super moniker Gear. He starts the series as Virgil's Guy In The Chair — like Ganke for Miles Morales – and transitions to a fieldwork crime fighter. (Yes, he's a standard tech bro but that doesn't make him any less fun.) Also, there's Static's arch-nemesis, Ebon, aka Evans (Gary Anthony Sturgis). Ebon is a Bang Baby gang leader made of pure consuming darkness. Imagine if Peter Pan's shadow went feral but in live-action?! The special effects could be killer and bring some grounded darkness to the DCU.
Much like Virgil, there'd be nothing a Static Shock film couldn't do.
