Static Shock: Culturally, Historically, and Aesthetically Significant

Static Shock (also known as Static Shock: The New Kid) was an american superhero animated television series based on the Milestone Media/DC Comics superhero Static. It premiered on September 23, 2000, on the WB Television Network's Kids' WB programming block. It's a show that was and remains ahead of its time in many respects.

At a time when cartoons were not expected or encouraged to tackle real-life issues, Static -- much like the original comic character -- dove straight toward them. Whether those issues be gang and gun violence, homelessness, bullying, racism, mental illness, bigotry, or drugs, Static Shock included these elements in the plots of many of it's 52 half-hour episodes.

The show revolved around Virgil Hawkins (voiced by black actor and comedian Phil LaMarr), a 14-year-old male of the African diaspora,  who uses the secret identity of "Static" after exposure to a mutagen gas which gave him electromagnetic powers. Making history, it was the first time that an African-American superhero was the titular character of their own broadcast animation series. An important factor is the landscape of cartoons at that time. When Static Shock first premiered, cartoons with lead characters that were African American were not very common. The Proud Family and Fillmore are exceptions, but as a whole, there were not many shows that allowed for characters of color to shine, and that's what made Static so important. For superhero fans that were watching TV, Virgil was a character that they could relate to and aspire to be like. They saw him being worthy of standing with the greats. That had always been the point of the Milestone Comics he originated from: to make heroes for people who didn't see themselves very often in media.

The show made sure not just to entertain the kids watching, but also try to educate them a little. As such, one of the issues the series touched on was representation.

The episode that meaningfully explored this topic is Season 3's third episode "Static in Africa," which starts with Virgil Hawkins and his family taking a trip to the aforementioned continent. Specifically, the Hawkins family visits Ghana where they meet the local hero Anansi. The episode touches on Pan-Africanism and ethnic identity alongside a plot to stop an evil cat villain. Classic cartoon stuff, but at the end of the episode, Static and Anansi say their goodbyes, with Virgil thanking the latter for being a good role model. This effectively established Anansi as true black superhero.

This conversation between Virgil and Anansi is one that speaks to many members of underprivileged communities. Virgil is grateful to see Anansi, as he was never able to see an African-American hero back home in Dakota. Virgil was lucky to have his father around to serve as a role model and instill values, but not everyone was so fortunate. It's why Dakota has a problem with gangs and street violence.

One of the reasons this discussion is so effective is because it makes sure to also bring up the other side of the argument. Anansi himself says that heroes "come in all colors," and Virgil himself agrees with this. He can't discount that since he lives in the same world as Superman and Batman -- two heroes he's interacted with and respects. It's important to emphasize, however, that the "all colors" angle is used to still validate the importance of heroes of color. As Virgil says, it helps to make him feel valid and it makes him feel just as important.

In a meta sense, this conversation could also be interpreted as the importance of the show itself. Virgil didn't have a black superhero to look up to when he was a kid, but now he is that black superhero that other kids can look up to. He became the thing he never had. This becomes even more meta when taking in account the entire DC Animated Universe. In this case, Static Shock was the only show out of this universe to be fronted by a protagonist of color.

This was a well-written scene in a well-written episode from a well-written show. This one scene that barely lasts more than a minute does a good job of setting up a point and delivering on it. It explains simply and eloquently the importance of letting kids be able to see people that resemble them being heroes. It affirms that heroes come in every shade and from every place. The episode uses that point to strengthen its own argument. Just like Static himself, this scene succinctly articulates how anyone can be a hero.

Besides tackling different difficult issues, other episodes featured the subject of Hanukkah and Christmas celebrations.

The series was also marked by several crossover episodes with characters from the DC animated universe like Superman, Green Lantern, the Justice League, and the Batman Beyond cast.

Several episodes also featured guest voice actors, including basketballers (like Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone), the Backstreet Boys' A. J. McLean and Lil' Romeo (who performed a remixed version of the shows theme song).