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Static Shock

My son likes to watch this and thus I am made aware of its content. It has an okay theme and sometimes they bring in Batman which I feel is a ploy to boost its popularity, but anyway, my major interest in it is the racial concerns. I have never seen a cartoon address racial social problems more than this one. In the story line Statics friend's father is a racist (not liking Blacks) and Static himself feels strained by the way society looks at Blacks (in the USA). In one episode he goes to Africa and says, (not word for word) "Back home I am known as a Black kid, but here I am just a kid". What do you think about this cartoon and its product?

Shock Static

My family enjoys this cartoon as well. It addresses some important social and moral issues without being "preachy." I believe the racial aspect is fairly accurate. In many other countries the color of a person's skin is secondary to the calibre of his/her integrity. It's nice to see an American kids' show have the guts to address this. The whole idea of the "Bang Babies", though, reminds me of X-Men Evolution. What teenager doesn't feel like a mutant at times?

Static Shock Reviews & RPGs PBP Anime / Comic

I love this cartoon. I think it teaches a lot of good things to children and I think also the race issue is a good one, actually is the first cartoon I have ever seen talking about those issues. I like it also because they try to make it as real as possible, Static's mom died so he still strugglin with her lost and trying to be a teenager and a super-heroe at the same time. Very good show.

Shock Static

I wonder if Anime lovers embrace this cartoon since they are always complaining that Western cartoons do not show emotion or bring up real issues, but Static does that and more.

Shock Static

Staic shock is a great cartoon.I also don`t really mind that particular episode because it really does fit into the plot.

Static Shock

Criminy.... You really got me tagged with this thread. I VERY much enjoy the cartoon Static Shock ( even though I haven't seen it played on Cartoon Network in my area for more than six months now ). The cartoon is slightly watered down from the comic that it originated from, but still a very good show. I enjoyed the original comics for several more reasons than the obvious ones that you can see by viewing the cartoon.

First, Static was a creation of an Independent comics group named 'Milestone Comics' which debuted in...umm...1993 or 1994...I think? The entire line of titles were created by minority artists, writers, colorists, and editors to be an outlet for creative comics from a minority viewpoint. The other titles included a Black Superman clonetype character named 'Icon', that had a latina teen aged sidekick named 'Rocket'; a Black Inventor who created an ionizing liquid shell armor, loaded with gadgets named 'Hardware'; a group of eight or nine minority teens that were gang members before the 'Big Bang' origin of the 'Milestone Universe', who stayed togther for mutual protection, as well as functioning as extended family to help each other through the pains of growing up in a ghetto environment, the group and that title was called the "Blood Syndicate"; an Asian research scientist who was the victim of a sabotaged lab experiment with nanites gone wrong, named 'Xombi'; and several other great titles. I think the 'Milestone Comics' group published a total of 12 titles, each very good in their own way, and very helpful in getting many minority creators their shot at working in the big time industry.

I was saddened when the Milestone Comics group was....bought out by DC Comics. I knew what would happen, before it happened. DC Comics bought the rights to the titles, and allowed them to continue publishing for a 6-8 month period before they absorbed the day to day operations. The new creative teams assigned by DC Comics were not solely minority artisans and as such the stories soon lost much of their ethnic flavor. DC also stopped allowing the titles to touch on subjects that they deemed too..... unsavory for wide market appeal. Gone were the stories of Icons sidekick Rocket dealing with her unwanted pregnancy, gone were the stories of Static dealing with his friends complaints about his 'dating a white girl' ( Freda, who was the first practicing Jewish character I had ever read about in comics), gone were the stories of gang-banging streetfights in 'Blood Syndicate' as well as the Milestone characters having to deal with the sudden death syndrome which threatened to strike out at ANY of the super-powered individuals who were created through the 'Big Bang'.

I still like Static, and its a credit to the universal appeal of the character as it was designed by the man who created it. In both the comic and the cartoon, Static is a young man named Virgil Hawkins that is an above average student trying to come to grips with growing up in a bad neighborhood, and then having to deal with the awesome responsibility of gaining super-powers. Much like Spider-Man, Static is a very enjoyable read into the life of a character that has realized that with great power comes great responsibility.

Hmmm...I think I will pay a visit to the cartoon network website and send them an email asking for more 'Static'. I do miss the show.....*grin* and I loved the hip-hop opening theme song for the opening credits of the second season episodes.

Static Shock

Found this cartoon to be interesting to say the least. I enjoyed the idea of an American cartoon maker creating something with emotion that addressed an issue. While I think the racial issues take to much of a role in the show, I like the over all animation and idea for the show. 'Static' is one of several people effected by this radioactive stuff, and he is the only one who uses his power for good. The other four form his nemesis which is essential for a good series to survive. Over all rating, 9 out of 10, and definitely a ten for originality.