@@sleepinggorilla Static has four co-creators. Three of whom are still alive. One of them owns 50% of the Milestone property with the other 50% being owned by McDuffie's estate.
Coming from a young Black American man, I can say static really made me feel like superpowers came in all colors and I wanted to have them badly. Sam raimi spiderman filled the void in my middle child existence and Static shock showed me it was possible to live it out. Appreciate your videos Drake!
@@kingkong9892 I should try it. Some time ago, I had an itch to watch some of the old justice league cartoon. But I don't think HBO max is in Canada yet .
i love it the way the making him independant and how he encounter other heroes.... honestly love it stay that way... im more want to see he just not take offer join bigger team he just had good relation with big group just favour do his own thing....llike that animation series...
@@Salty010 Which is why he could've been the next spiderman he was like the neighborhood hero, but no dc doesn't know material when it is right in front of them.
Fun? Fact: because of the legal issues with milestone the young justice tie in comics had Icon and Rocket appearing in the beginning of a arc and then suddenly vanished halfway through, the cover even had to change Icon into Captain Atom after the original cover was already solicited
I never realized Static wasn't a DC character. I only remember him for the few times he showed up in the DC animated shows. Still miss Dwayne McDuffie. I never realized how much of his worked I grew up with.
Dwayne McDuffie also worked on Ben 10 for a long time to great success, and is missed by the entire community for his spectacular writing. He was later joined by Dan Riba and Butch Lukitch, who worked on the DC Animate Universe.
I loved static as a kid. One of the most impactful moments for me was when static goes to Africa, calls up Richie and asks "is this what it feels like for you all the time?" Blew my mind as a kid.
I was moved by the episode, in which Static and Timezone went back to the riot that led to the Big Bang, and, tried to save Calvin's mom. When they took a vote for the fan-seleccted episode, out of all the celebrity apearances and crossover episodes, that was the fan's choice.
It sounds like DC and the Milestone founders got greedy once McDuffie passed away. The character of Static is so beloved and influential, it's sad that basically an entire new generation is missing out because of it.
Thanks so much for bringing me into this one! It's always a treat to get to work with ya bud! For anyone who's interested, we're dropping a MASSIVE Dwayne McDuffie tribute video/bio-piece tomorrow that I think you're gonna love if you liked this video. Consider coming on over and subscribing so you don't miss it
Not to discount the research and effort Drake puts in but considering how shitty comic book Wikis are he could try half as hard and still be miles better
Also, i would LOVE to see you cover a full history of Milestone Media. Just the little bit that you presented here, makes me really interested in the rest of Milestone.
The reasons why your black friends had that extra layer because at the time there were not to many black super heroes and as a African American i was happy to
Blade, Falcon, Spike, Black Panther, Ultimate Spider-Man, Luke Cage, Green Lantern, Storm, Black Racer, Black Lightening, Static Shock, Cyborg. And this is off the top of my head.
One of my favorite scenes from the static shock show (note this was like 20 year's ago so my memory is probably a little off) was when static went to africa and met another black super hero at the end of the ep static told him he wished there was someone like him in the states so young black people had someone to look up to. The other hero looked at him and told him that there was and that he was that hero. The look of joy on Virgil's face from that made me so stupid happy.
On the animation side of things, we have Young Justice so far. I would not mind seeing more of Rocket. She could propel herself and create shields. Her powers just seem really cool.
I had no idea new comics were coming out for Static, especially the Milestone book coming out this week. Although, that is where you made a mistake in the video and failed to mention it was a digital first series, since I looked it up as comics coming out soon, and was confused since I didn't see it anywhere. Some looking and I found it: for those interested, the comics will be coming digitally first through most digital comics distributors, including comixology. The Milestone book is out this week, while Static and others will be out this April. Just spreading the word so we can all read these books and support the character. Lets let DC know that people want to see Static!
I lowkey want DCEU movies based on static, icon, etc. They get left behind so much and they really need to hit the big screen in order to change that. For example, xmen used to be more popular than the avengers. Milestone comics is extremely underrated.
The milestone owners, if they didn’t want to work with McDuffy’s spouse they should’ve worked out a plan to buy out her shares instead of creating another company out of spite. Super unprofessional. I wonder if McDuffy wanted his wife to take over if he ever would to pass? Or it happened because there was no legacy planning in place and it legally just went to her.
Other milestone Creators don't own milestone most of co founders sold there shares thats why Michael Davis has no say and DC doesn't invite him back to reboot
@@liveanddieinchicagoliveand7074 According to the lawsuit Cowan and Davis sold their shares to Dingle and McDuffie not DC. Dingle owns one half and McDuffie's estate owns the other. DC has a publishing and licensing deal with Milestone but Milestone owns owns the property.
Voice actor and comedian Phil LaMarr stated in an interview at a San Diego Comic-Con many many years ago that the reason for the shows cancellation is because the series kept getting denied a toy deal to help financially support the show. Static was suppose to have dolls and action figures made by Mattel and the deal somehow was sabotaged and fell apart and that also came from Milestone comics co-creator Michael Davis whose also stated that Virgil's family is based on himself, his sister, and some of his real life friend's and relatives. It doesn't surprise me at all that a Black themed property got shafted for merchandising treatment especially one that was a big hit with the children of the day.
I really loved Static Shock growing up, I remember I picked up the comics from my local library after falling in love with the TV show and they blew my mind. Even though I was a white kid from the suburbs the comics had so much a young teen could relate to and felt like it truly depicted the people and world around me that other comics just didn’t.
They even gave Miles Morales electric powers, can't tell me that was puuuurely just coincidence. I'm all for it! I LOVED Static growing up and this makes me really wanna revisit the old shows
I was a bit older when Static Shock was first released. Didn't care because I loved Milestone comics. Static, Icon, Rocket and Hardware were some of my favorites and I was glad when they got folded into DC continuity and loved seeing Icon knock Superman through the watchtower.
Do the History of Milestone Media! It's needed.... I did an episode about Milestone in my podcast, Hero Nation, but the word needs to get out about these great books! Also I think with HBO Max having Static Shock on it, a whole new generation is finding out about Static. When the DC Universe app was a thing, I introduced my family to Static Shock and that eventually lead to my son noticing him in the last season of Young Justice. Like you, I can't wait to see the new Milestone books and I'm really hoping to see if/when Blood Syndicate comes back.
Never watched Static cartoon but was a big follower of the comics when they came out. Have most of them in long boxes somewhere. Static, Blood Syndicate and Xombi were my favorites. Would love to see more videos of them!
@@kingkong9892 Well, the comic for sure, they've announced a movie, but with DC especially that's a crapshoot. Maybe it will get past pre-production, or maybe everyone will leave due to "creative differences". It's too early to say.
Static Shock was hands down my favorite superhero growing up. Probably still is, I bought New 52 Static, didn't like it but still kept up with the issues. Good to hear he's coming back
I would love to know more about milestone comics/static shock! I’m aware that the show tackled some serious subjects and was progressive but had no idea that the comic it came from was even more progressive than that.
Hey Drake I’ve binged every one of your videos I love your content and honestly it’s helped me by giving me something to look forward to watch I hope you keep up the good work
Static literally has the potential to be a household name. You seen what happened with a character like Black Panther? Well, Static has more appeal if they stick to the way he was portrayed on the show. Shit was clean 👌🏽
I love that you talked about Milestone Media. I loved their comics from Static Shock, Icon, Hardware and Blood Syndicates. I wrote a paper about Black Comic Books when I was in high school 15 years ago and it’s great Milestone is getting some recognition! I hope they can make a series with their original characters especially how Black Panther was a successful movie. Maybe that can be motivational.
Dwayne McDuffe man... one of the greatest losses of literature and film. He was responsible for millions of childhood, from DC Animated to Ben 10 and others.
One of the creators of Static the comic, Robert L Washington was practically homeless and died destitute. People also forget that in the 90's Marvel had to file for chapter 11 bankruptcy as the comic book craze bubble bursts. After learning Action Comics was selling for big bucks, people started collecting comics not realising the comics are not going to be worth anything except under certain circumstances.
Reginald conspired at McDuffie's funeral. "Classy." He also did not want Dwayne's white wife to be part of what he saw as exclusively as a black brand despite the fact Dwayne wanted kids of all colors to dress up as Static and have his characters be human more than just for a subset of fans.
I mean theirs nothing wrong with wanting a black brand and keeping it black and regardless kids of all colors would still be able to dress up as static because literally no one can stop them free will. Here's another NEW black brand who intends to stay that way black and unapologetically so blacksands entertainment on instagram and youtube.
@@NRG-REC I hope they give him no love interest honestly sick of couples friendships are fine(and it wouldn't go against the creators wishes I'm assuming the guy the original comment mentioned is a co creator). And it wouldn't matter that much in terms of black males and white women relationships because theirs literally thousands of shows and movies with black male and white love Interests it's kinda annoying hope shows and comics start showing more black women and non black men that's super uncommon.
@@cloudyheart5148 Reginald hudlin is not a co creator. He had nothing to do with the original milestone and was brought on now seemingly only because his influence in the entertainment industry gives milestone 2.0 more legitimacy since mcduffie is no longer with us. It's not about black or white relationships it's about destroying a canon relationship that is almost 3 decades old. The strongest and most influential in the static mythos. Like mary jane to peter or lois to clark, Frieda was a huge part of vrigils life in the comics, she was his best friend and confidant, the first person he told about his powers, taking that out because it's an interracial relationship is about as racist as it gets and this is coming from a black man in a wonderful relationship with a black woman. Futhermore To disregard relationships in general in his story would only showcase that they have no clue what static is meant to be. Static at it's core is about the teen experience, those awkward years where we're all still trying to figure ourselves and life out and dating goes hand in hand with that. I've read the first new issue and I'm already noticing some iffy things but I'm personally willing to withhold judgement until atleast the 5th issue.
@@NRG-REC this explains in a nutshell exactly why they made cyborg (that everybody loves) a eunuch. I hate cyborg and he should have been made fully human by now and still have a suit for being a hero.
Sadly even with a comic and movie, I remain pessimistic. Static has had comics like when they launched the new 52, and if I remember correctly it was getting moderate to low sales. Static has a core fan base don't get me wrong but I'm not sure how he's going to do in a solo book. As for the movie, I think if the story and plot is good it might be a hit, but I'm still pessimistic
Good job on tha video Mr Drake,pure nostalgia for me remembering Milestone comics from yester-year.I liked Static but my favorite comic from Milestone was Icon,I just loved the buddy teamup and chemistry between tha characters.And you're soooo right about comic-stores not ordering Milestone comics because they didn't have very many black customers,it happened to me,I didn't get bent out of shape because I knew it was a good business move.I didn't know tha Static cartoon series went on for 4 seasons,I only saw season 1.Would love to see you do a Milestone and Image comics history video.
Amazing video! Also, Blood Syndicate was mainly Spanish, Kobalt was Cuban and Xombi was Korean. Milestone was inclusive pretty much all over the board b4 Marvel and DC made that recent push. Cant wait 4 ur nxt videos!
It’s great static is coming back, but I’m kinda disappointed they changed his origins. Instead of a gang war, it’s now a Black Lives Matter movement.... it just hits different. :(
I resented Static Shock growing up being such a fan of the comics and seeing that they toned down the characters and themes to capture a younger audience. Although I am glad the show kept the character in the zeitgeist - I do hope future iteration is based more on the original series than the cartoon. Also thank you for knowing the character is Static, not "Static Shock"
I'm happy the universe is coming back but at the same time I don't feel like going through the drama of comic fans when the comics come out from both sides of the political spectrum and race.
Drake, thanks for the update in this beloved character. Please cover the other milestone characters because they came out at a time that I was not reading comics.
