Static Shock
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Tween-friendly 'toon brings diversity to superhero league.
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Static Shock
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What's the Story?
Virgil Hawkins' (voiced by Phil LaMarr) life changes forever after an explosion at a chemical plant gives him the ability to project and control electricity. He creates a superhero alter ego named Static and joins his crafty friend Richie (Jason Marsden) -- who later assumes his own powers and becomes a hero named Gear -- to wage war on other mutant citizens who are using their powers for their own gain against humanity.
Is It Any Good?
Based on a comic by Milestone Media, STATIC SHOCK was the brainchild of a group of writers and artists looking to give the legion of superheroes some diversity. Virgil, an African-American, is a relatable character for many tweens; he's had his share of troubles and has dabbled in some questionable behavior; in fact, his involvement with a gang is what led to his exposure to the mutated elements in the first place. Fortunately, when crunch time came, Virgil went against the temptation to capitalize on his powers and instead chose to use them for good.
It might be tough to convince your tweens that Static is in league with flashier -- and more heavily marketed -- heroes like Superman and Batman, but he is, in fact, a card-carrying member of the DC Animated Universe (a few episodes even feature guest appearances by cast members from other DC shows). But this "average Joe" is worth tweens' time -- hopefully they'll notice that, even with his powers, Static rarely jumps into the fray without the advice of his inventive best friend, who uses his science smarts to help plan Static's moves.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the impact of the violence in this show. Is it more or less than that of real-life explosions, battles, etc? Why? Families can also discuss being a good citizen. Do you think Static's efforts are always good for his community? Do any of his actions have a negative effect on people? How do everyday heroes like police officers and firefighters help their communities? How can common citizens do the same? What volunteer opportunities exist where you live?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 23, 2000
- Cast: Danica McKellar , Jason Marsden , Phil LaMarr
- Network: Disney XD
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Superheroes , Adventures
- TV rating: TV-Y7-FV
- Last updated: October 13, 2022
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
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