Book Review - Static Shock: Trial By Fire by Robert L. Washington III
It may be full of references to nineties culture but Static Shock: Trial By Fire is a refreshing take on the high school superhero.
While Peter Parker balancing life as both Spider-Man and a normal teenager has captivated comic book readers for decades, he is White, privileged and safe from gun crime and turf wars on school grounds. Static is not.
Virgil Hawkins suffers money woes and job issues much like Peter, but his story is shadowed by racism and a constant struggle to meet society's expectations.
In this collection, we see a young man actively learning to be a hero. I particularly enjoyed seeing Static develop his electric powers through trial and error, figure out scientific ways to overcome enemies and even improve his costume design.
Along the way he deals with a bully-turned-fiery gang leader named Hot Streak, a shape-shifting challenger called Tar-Mack and a self-service vigilante named Holocaust. Each skirmish reminds Static of his key qualities: perseverance, ingenuity and moral integrity.
Mind you, there are a couple of ways this comic left me flat. The romantic subplot was rote and there was a homophobic comment that dates the writing badly.
Nevertheless Washington's plot arc is solid, the character work progressive and Leon's artwork perfectly captures the era.
I would definitely recommend Static Shock: Trial By Fire to fans of the animated series and anyone looking for a super-powered kid who has to overcome more than most.