Product Review

The first six episodes of the Emmy and Humanitas Award-winning animated series Static Shock (2000-2004) are collected on this single disc compilation. Adapted from the much-lauded Milestone Comics title by Dwayne McDuffie, the series deviates slightly in awkward high schooler Virgil Hawkins's transformation into electrically charged superhero Static (another change is the fact that Virgil's mother is dead as of episode 1, "Shock to the System"), but the episodes maintain the original comic's sophisticated blend of action and socio-political issues, which are well handled by the writers and vocal cast. The WB DVD is rounded out by a map of Static's Midwestern hometown of Dakota (home to many other Milestone characters too) and a look at his crime-fighting equipment, among other special features. --Paul Gaita