Static: Shadows of Dakota #2 is published by DC Comics, written by Vita Ayala and Nikolas Draper-Ivey and illustrated by Nikolas Draper-Ivey.
Issue #2 is available 8th March 2023 either directly from DC Comics online or from your local comic book store, digital copies will be available to download from the usual content providers.
Synopsis
As if vigilantes hunting down Bang Babies in the streets wasn’t enough, Virgil learns that his young friend Quincy is manifesting powers, making him their next target! Meanwhile, down in the shadows Ebon is investigating a connection between the vigilantes and the disappearance of his brother, Rubberband Man.
Review
In this issue we are greeted in rather a gruesome way to a scene of a torture of what it looks like one of the Bang Babies, but who?
Virgil is keeping a watchful eye on young Quincy keeping him safe from those who are watching, to Quincy Virgil just wants to hang out, play computer games in the local arcade and just chill but to Virgil it’s more a case of keeping him safe and under his wing that is more important. An event is about to start across town, the opening of a new community centre for those who are deemed “different” by society the Bang Babies, this is run by Virgil’s father who wants to help those who need it most especially as there are those around that want to harvest their powers instead of nurturing it and allowing them to grow.
An event unfolds that will need those special beings to dig deeper than ever before, this will need more than even Virgil and his Static powers.
Personally I am really enjoying this series and how it is naturally growing as the issues pass, the writing from Vita Ayala and Nikolas Draper-Ivey is at a high level of quality making the story relatable but at the same time allowing the reader to get lost in the fantasy of it all. Most comics seem to hit you right away with the action, Static has hit the right formula allowing the story to organically grow using the previous issues to set the ground work and then this issue begin to set the fuse and stand back for the explosion of action.
For a comic to work you need the story and artwork to work together and there would be no better way than to have the illustrations and co writing coming from the same person, Nikolas Draper-Ivey not only illustrates the book but he is also the co writer allowing him to instantly know what the book needed by weaving the artwork and writing together creating a well rounded book that has the basis to become iconic.
Verdict
A full mark 5⭐comic right through the book each page is a masterpiece, the story is heartfelt as well as heart pounding, a great job by all of the creative team involved.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐