Static: Shadows of Dakota

[BlackClaw]

Since Nikolas Draper-Ivey is going to be co-writing this time I'll give it a try. And I guess this is going to be eight issues and not six.

The first time the art was really good, and Nikolas Draper-Ivey's art is what really got me to read it. And as it turned out the story was rather "regular" to me. Of course, I was never much of a fan of Static to begin with, not even "back in the day" or whatever. I'm not that big on teen characters - even though I can't wait to see Tiffany Fox.

But yeah, since he's co-writing this time, the combination between that and his art is enough for me. (I kind of wonder if it's going to be "free" again, with the DC Universe Infinite membership. Probably not... )

I love his manga and anime influences: things like Akira and Samurai Champloo... In live-action (Tokusatsu) I see that he liked Shin Ultraman, so he's a kindred spirit.

Anyway, some new art...



Yes, Warner Bros. should animate this.

I hope there's a third limited series and Nikolas Draper-Ivey gets to go full "mangaka" and gets to write and draw it.

Oh damn if Ebon is behind that explosion then he’s really not playing around in this universe.

[Agent Z]

Will Ebon be able to shift between human and shadow form in this version?

[J. D. Guy]

Will Ebon be able to shift between human and shadow form in this version?

I wouldn't be surprised to see that he can switch freely in this book.

As it is, I'm of the opinion that him not being able to (as opposed to simply not wanting to) doesn't really make much sense or add much to his character. I like the idea of the flexibility, as well as the agency being able to control his form affords Ebon's character.

[Mantis-Ray]

I wouldn't be surprised to see that he can switch freely in this book.

As it is, I'm of the opinion that him not being able to (as opposed to simply not wanting to) doesn't really make much sense or add much to his character. I like the idea of the flexibility, as well as the agency being able to control his form affords Ebon's character.

I assume that was to emphasize that Ebon has no other life than being a gangbanger especially in the final episode where he attributes his normal human form to weakness and desperately desires his powers back to maintain his strength. I guess it also helps that he is a pretty one-note guy and doesn't really express any aspirations or hopes other than supervillainy.

Also very excited for this. First volume was fun and now that the set-up is out of way we can get even more kickass stuff in short order. Can't wait to see Ebon stomping house.

[Frontier]

Honestly I kind of prefer Ebon being in his shadow form 100% of the time.

[lemonpeace]

I like the idea of a progression with regards to his shadow form. him being stuck in that form could be an interesting piece of pathos for him earlier on but it would be awesome if as he grows more comfortable and natural in his dark villainous nature he can freely choose when to change but ultimately default to his shadow form as a show of power. the episode where the bang babies lost their powers was a pivotal defining episode for Ebon and Hotstreak as iconic villains; Ebon was really defined to me by that choice. i don't think we get that if he can just control it off rip, and I don't think him just being stuck in it will be enough either. If Hotstreak is the evil Bakugo to Virgil's Midoriya, then Ebon should be the Shigaraki to them all.

[J. D. Guy]

I assume that was to emphasize that Ebon has no other life than being a gangbanger especially in the final episode where he attributes his normal human form to weakness and desperately desires his powers back to maintain his strength. I guess it also helps that he is a pretty one-note guy and doesn't really express any aspirations or hopes other than supervillainy.

Also very excited for this. First volume was fun and now that the set-up is out of way we can get even more kickass stuff in short order. Can't wait to see Ebon stomping house.

In this case, I feel that could have been done in the cartoon while still letting him have the ability to freely change his form, with the enhanced nuance of him simply choosing to never do so due to the pride and ego and self-worth issues inherent in him feeling himself to be superior in his Ebon form and inferior otherwise. Would have also laid forth a nice contrast to Talon/Teresa (so her development wouldn't have been so last-minute), who can't change forms but would want to and even abandon this life of villainy she's only in because she feels she has no choice but to be given the circumstance of her non-human expression of her Bang Baby powers.

And as for cartoon Ebon's one-note-ness, yeah, he was pretty one-note in practice, particularly with the show's lack of emphasis or acknowledgement of Ivan's relationship with Adam (and vice versa). I'm pretty sure, though, that Nikolas Draper-Ivey is very much averting that in his depiction of Ivan/Ebon here (regardless of whatever role Adam will actually play with Ebon's Shadows of Dakota character and story). Aside from being visually more interesting for Ebon/Ivan to be able to do so, I think freely-controlled transformations will be one of the reasons NDI's take on Ebon will be more nuanced and deep while still going hard in the way his cartoon-self is known (and relished) for.

[Frontier]

I know for sure I'll still read him in Gary Sturgis' voice...

[BlackClaw]

I know for sure I'll still read him in Gary Sturgis' voice...

Hopefully they’ll bring him back to play Ebon if they do any new animated Static projects.

[matt levin]

Glad it looks so nice. but the story? but the story--
sigh... guess it's wait, hope, and see.

[John Venus]

This series has the best artwork I've seen out of all the DC comics I've read. I hope some hire up at DC notices this and green lights another Static Shock movie or tv show.

Can't wait to see what they do with Ebon.

[SonOfBaldwin]

i really REALLY love these visuals



if DC continues to let Milestone do it's thing, I think we could be looking at what might go down as THE definitive Static run of the modern era! super happy to see Nikolas Draper-Ivey step into the writer role this time around, I'm intrigued to see how he's gonna flex his creative muscles now that he's the co-storyteller, not just the artist. I hope he was paying close attention to Vita Ayala, her writing laid an excellent foundation in season 1. extremely hyped for Ebon and I love the gravitas he's being presented with; makes be excited to see what his brother will be like if/when he's introduced. this is gonna be great!

Olivier Coipel is a MASTER. This art is OUTSTANDING.

[nj06]

The art looks great and I'm glad to see Ebon again!

[Hypo]

https://twitter.com/NikDraperIvey/st...44520145653760

[J. D. Guy]

https://twitter.com/NikDraperIvey/st...44520145653760

Nikolas Draper-Ivey has mentioned a few times that one of his ideals/goals is to make a work that'll scream "Animate me, now!"; from the looks of this, since he's going even harder on the Anime-influenced art style, I think he's succeeding.