Review: Static: Shadows of Dakota #2

Milestone Comics and Dakota’s favorite son returns in Static: Shadows of Dakota #2. Static’s search for the series of missing bang babies has taken a personal twist.

In this issue, Static gets to channel his inner Batman aka doing detective work and roughing up low-tier henchmen. He adds his own flavor by cracking wise during his fight as well. To start, everything looks to be going according to plan.

But when a new, mysterious figure literally oozes onto the scene, things take a dramatic turn. Static has a more “we are the world” view and this new figure is more “me against the world”. They have an intense interaction that is visually stunning, a game-changer for the direction of the story, and easily the highlight of the issue.

The dialogue is extremely sharp. There’s an interaction featuring a nonchalant policemen refusing to help a desperate family that, at first glance, can be seen as a bit too on the nose and easily dismissed but it’s all part of a potentially deeper and more sinister plot. In DC’s Dakotaverse, Bang Babies are people who survived a massive and deadly riot (“The Big Bang”) and were granted superpowers. Similar to mutants in the Marvel Universe, Bang Babies are feared and persecuted. Static is one of them and that’s why protecting them means so much to him. Nikolas Draper-Ivey and Vita Ayala masterfully shift the tone from light to dark. The writing of the dialogue in the fight between Static and his powerful mystery opponent is realistic and gritty. This man is powerful, he’s dangerous, he’s scary…and he’s kinda cool.

The art in the issue also needs to be talked about. This is a bold creative work. Nothing standard or cookie-cutter here. There is a stylistic theme running throughout the book but there are subtle changes from one page, and sometimes even on panel, to the next. There are interesting opposing shots, some looking like traditional comic book panels, others like film storyboards mixed with a dash of anime even a little noir throw in for good measure. Artist Nikolas Draper-Ivey (pulling double duty) can’t be accused of playing it safe. Even of the art style isn’t or you, one must appreciate the boldness of it all.

Static’s is tested mentally, physically, and emotionally in this issue. The question of What makes a hero? Or even a villain is raised. This could be a major turning point in the life and career of this young superhero.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 4.5 Stars
Coloring – 4 Stars

Overall – 4.5 Stars

Written by; Nikolas Draper-Ivey and Vita Ayala
Art by; Nikolas Draper-Ivey
Colors by; Nikolas Draper-Ivey and Wil Quintana
Letters by; Andworld Design
Published by; DC Comics

Author Profile

Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.