Static
(Static Shock animated series version)
Context
The Static Shock animated TV series was an adaptation of Milestone Comics’ Static run. It started airing in 2000.
It received excellent reviews, and an encouraging level of commercial success. This helped important author Dwayne McDuffie ’s profile, though Static as a character remained under-used.
These notes are very old – I want to say 2001, after the show’s first season.
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Background
- Real Name: Virgil Ovid Hawkins.
- Marital Status: Single.
- Known Relatives: Robert Hawkins (father); Jean Hawkins (mother, deceased); Sharon Hawkins (sister).
- Group Affiliation: None.
- Base Of Operations: Dakota.
- Height: 5’7” Weight: 109 lbs. Age: 14
- Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
Powers and Abilities
Static’s powers are electromagnetic in nature. They allow him to both generate/absorb electrical energy and levitate magnetic objects.
He also seems to be able to move around people. In DC Heroes RPG terms, this falls under Telekinesis since most people aren’t that magnetic.
Static can also stick people or objects against a wall with static cling.
History
Virgil Hawkins gained his powers in the Big Bang, a huge fight between members of Dakota’s street gangs. While not a gang banger himself, Virgil had been tormented at school by a bully. The leader of another gang offered Virgil a chance for revenge during the Big Bang : he gave him a gun to kill his tormentor. At the Big Bang, however, Virgil chose not to use the gun.
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As the fight began, police moved in. A stray shot opened canisters of a mysterious gas which were stored on the docks. This strange gas had apparently been planted by wealthy industrialist Edwin Alva. It caused strange mutations in a number of the gang members. These became known as Bang Babies.
Virgil passed out from the gas and awoke at home. He soon discovered that he’d been granted electrical and magnetic powers. He told his friend Richie, a fellow comic book geek, about his new abilities. They agreed it was natural for him to become Dakota’s newest superhero.
Description
Virgil has black hair in somewhat messy locs. He tends to dress in casual, colorful clothing.
As Static, he wears black pants, athletic shoes, a white t-shirt with a lightning bolt crossing a circle, a white partial face mask, yellow goggles (normally worn on his forehead), and a long blue jacket lined with yellow.
His powers have a light violet or light blue signature.
Personality
Virgil has a self-deprecating sense of humor. He often uses it to disarm bullies and others who mean him harm. His friendly, easygoing demeanor attracts a diverse array of friends. He’s whip-smart, excelling in his studies, especially science.
Virgil has great affection for his most immediate role model, his no-nonsense father, Robert. He is still adjusting to the death of hiss mother, Jean. Mrs. Hawkins was killed while performing her duties as a paramedic during a gang fight three years ago.
Virgil has a running verbal battle going with older sister Sharon, a college freshman who gives as good as she gets in the insult department.
Rebirth of the cool
Static’s personality is Virgil’s, with the volume way, WAY up. With all the phat stuff he can do, Static is having a ball being a superhero. But more importantly, he gets just as much out of selflessly helping people and making Dakota a better place.
And for Virgil, there’s yet another positive side effect to being Static : he has tons more confidence in his civilian identity than ever !
Simply put, he’s a hero — in and out of costume.
Quotes
“I’ll put a shock to your system !”
DC Universe History
In the DC Universe, Static would fit in well with Young Justice. Plus, as of this writing they look kinda pale…
Game Stats — DC Heroes RPG
Tell me more about the game stats
Static
| Dex: 06 | Str: 02 | Bod: 05 | Motivation: Responsibility of Power |
| Int: 07 | Wil: 05 | Min: 05 | Occupation: High School Student, part-time Burger Fool employee |
| Inf: 04 | Aur: 04 | Spi: 03 | Resources: 02 |
| Init: 018 | HP: 045 |
Powers:
Cling: 04, Energy Absorption: 10, Glue: 04, Lightning: 08, Magnetic Control: 09, Telekinesis: 05
Bonuses and Limitations:
- Cling is Usable on Others and At Range can only be used after Telekinesis or Magnetic Control is used.
- Energy Absorption can only be used on electrical energy.
- Minor Burnout on all powers except Energy Absorption.
Skills:
Acrobatics (dodging): 05, Charisma: 05, Scientist: 02
Advantages:
Buddy (Richie Foley), Gift of Gab, Confined Headquarters (Abandoned Gas Station of Solitude), Scholar (comic books).
Connections:
None.
Drawbacks:
Age (14), Secret Identity.
Equipment:
- Trash Can Lid [BODY 02. Static stands on this and uses it to fly around with his Magnetic Control, at a rate of up to 7 APs (his magnetic control minus his weight)].
- Flying Disk [BODY 02. This foldable disk is magnetic and Static uses it as a replacement for the trash can lid. It can fold up and fit in his back pocket].
- GOGGLES [Body: 01, Shade: 03, Do nothing: 01. Static’s goggles protect him from exposure to bright light].
- Zap Caps [BODY 02, Energy Absorption: 08, Bomb: 04, Charges: 01. These are grenade-sized batteries which can store Static’s lightning energy, created by Richie – use of one or more Zap Caps will restore Static’s powers if they burn out. They can also be thrown for a small explosion of electrical energy].
- Walkie-Talkie [BODY 01, Radio Communications: 04. Static and Richie use walkie-talkies to communicate].
Helper(s): Jackson, JD, Sébastien Andrivet.
Source of Character: Static Shock cartoon show.
Helper(s): Much of the descriptive text was taken from a defunct Warner Bros web page.