First announced in August’s fan-centric “DC Fandome” event during the Milestone Media segment, the confirmation of African-American actor and producer Michael B Jordan’s [Fantastic Four, Creed, Black Panther, Creed 2, Just Mercy] involvement as a producer was recently confirmed by THR. The film adaptation of the electrifying African-American teenage superhero “Static” will be the first Black DC superhero movie in almost 20 years.

Of the auspicious project, Michael said; “I’m proud to be a part of building a new universe centered around Black superheroes; our community deserves that,” He further emphasized that his banner “Outlier Society is committed to bringing to life diverse comic book content across all platforms and we are excited to partner with Reggie and Warner Bros on this initial step.”

“Static” (1993-1997) was one of Milestone Media’s premier characters back in 1993. Starring in the self-titled “Static #1”, adolescent Virgil Hawkins, who through a series of events, acquires vast electromagnetic powers to become an urban superhero in his hometown of Dakota. Milestone Media itself was under the umbrella of DC Comics, and consisted of many Black creators who maintained ownership of their characters. Sadly, Milestone Media abruptly dissolved with only 47 issues of “Static” published during its tenure.

The character would quickly outshine his contemporaries like Icon and Hardware however, as he went on to make cameos in DC Comics proper, and even landed his own animated series “Static Shock” which ran for 2000 to 2004 (52 episodes over 4 seasons). He was also recently a tertiary character in the third season of “Young Justice” (Outsiders).

Static last appeared in comics in “Static Shock” (2011) during the first wave of DC’s New 52 reboot comics (alongside other Nubian crime fighters Batwing and Mister Terrific). It only lasted a paltry 8 issues before being unceremoniously cancelled. Static is scheduled to re-emerged once again in DC Comics with his Milestone/Dakota brethren and sisters in February 2021.

In the past, Black superhero movies were woefully underwhelming at best and a pathetic mockery at worse, much like pre-Wonder Woman female superheroes films. From original creation “Meteor Man” (1993) starring Robert Townsend, to superhero parody “Blankman” (1994) starring Damon Wayans, Michael Jai White’s “Spawn” (1997), Shaquille O’Neal’s “Steel” (1997), Wesley Snipes’ “Blade Trilogy” (1998-2004), and the ill-advised Halle Berry “Catwoman” (2004), Black superheroes didn’t really resonate with the Afro-diaspora or mainstream audiences.

Things changed when “Black Panther” was release in February of 2018 to resounding global praise and adoration from fans, movie critics and Nubians worldwide. The film grossed over $1.3 billion at the box office, cementing a sequel slated for 2022 until the untimely passing of lead actor Chadwick Boseman on 28 August 2020 to colon cancer. By year’s end we were also introduced to the animated masterpiece “Spider-man: Into The Spider-verse” (2018), starring Miles Morales (voiced by Shameik Moore), which too garnered praise from the Black community, movie critics and general audiences; earning over $375 million dollars.

Here’s looking forward to another entry on this winning streak. (*See I didn’t make a lightning pun*)

Hailing from the eastern-most Caribbean island of Barbados, Fabian Wood has long since been fascinated by the power of storytelling to inspire and invoke emotions – whether in film, comics, or videogames. No longer content to be just an avid comic book reader and videogamer, he’s eager to exercise his literary acumen as an aspiring writer and reviewer.