Do You Want To See Static in the DCU?

[Young Avenger]

When I read though the reports of DC panels of various cons this subject usually comes up. Apparently, Dwayne McDuffie wants to incoprated him into the DCU but doesn't know how. I also read that he almost made Titans OYL but was dropped. It seems to me that DC and the character's creator wants to use him. So do you want Static (and any other Milestone character for than matter) in the DCU?

[Nick Kal]

I'd love to see him in the DCU. He'd make a great addition... but having both him and Black Lightning would be redundant... It's bad enough that minority characters aren't used well, but to have the same powers... I feel like he'd be looked at as another Black Lightning... which isn't what he is. But if he came in and was a Titan I would be all for it!

[TCJohnson]

Apparently, Dwayne McDuffie wants to incoprated him into the DCU but doesn't know how. I also read that he almost made Titans OYL but was dropped. It seems to me that DC and the character's creator wants to use him. So do you want Static (and any other Milestone character for than matter) in the DCU?

Actually, Dwayne McDuffie does not. It is Geoff Johns who wanted Static in Teen Titnas for a while now, not McDuffie. This is what McDuffie has to say on the matter:

"It's been over three years since anyone from DC Comics has spoken to me about using Static in the DCU. Dan DiDio and I had a single, preliminary discussion. I heard nothing else from DC until I was called on the phone a few weeks later by someone introducing herself as 'the editor of Static Shock.' I informed her that this seemed premature, as no agreement had been made between DC and Milestone. Since that call, I've heard nothing further on the matter from Dan or anyone else at DCU.

"Despite what has been reported here and elsewhere, there are no current negotiations for the use of Static in the DCU, nor has DC made any serious attempt to reopen negotiations."

McDuffie will not let them use Static unless he has some creative control. DC, on the other hand, does not want to work with McDuffie. McDuffie tried several times to get in touch with DC to do some work and he never got a phone call back. He even tried to get a job writing the JLU for Johnny DC (based on the cartoon he was the story editor and producer for.) DC turned him down.

[Nick Kal]

That's awful. McDuffie is a class act and DC should be more gracious with him. His JLU work was outstanding.

[Gozwald73]

I would love to see him team up with Black Lightning. BL is such an underused and underrated character, he needs some time in the spotlight. Hey maybe they could team up with JJ Thunder and the new Cap Marvel for a special?
;)

[mr_evilweed]

I'd have to say that Static in DCU would be nice to see. I dunno how'd they'd bring him in, maybe as Black Lightning's son or something, or have a Bang Baby arc in Teen Titans but it's be good to see him rescued from oblivion.

[caats19]

i wouldn't mind seeing static. have a mini under the tuteledge of black lightning

[Lonewalker]

Hell. Yes.

We had a brief "ultimized" run over at my site, but it died. Static is a very enjoyable character.

[saintsaucey]

I loved the Static Shock tv show such an original idea all his villians were self contained and had one origin. The deffinantly need to do this character justice by making him a part of the Dc universe. Gear was great as well.

[Rockscissorspaper]

Nope.

Hopefully one day Milestone will get out of whatever deal they have with DC and then I'd like to see Static and the other characters return...in their own universe.

[ratzo]

The more I read statements from Dan Didio or Geoff Johns or whoever about wanting Static in the DCU, the more convinced I am that they're jealous of McDuffie for developing an original character that has had such big mainstream success, in both comics and television. Instead of coveting other people's creations, they should work harder at creating original characters that will stick around for longer than 15 minutes, to paraphrase a recent Didio quote. And no, "legacy" characters don't count.

Static is fine where he is; he doesn't need to be part of the DCU.

[CjP]

The more I read statements from Dan Didio or Geoff Johns or whoever about wanting Static in the DCU, the more convinced I am that they're jealous of McDuffie for developing an original character that has had such big mainstream success, in both comics and television. Instead of coveting other people's creations, they should work harder at creating original characters that will stick around for longer than 15 minutes, to paraphrase a recent Didio quote. And no, "legacy" characters don't count.

Static is fine where he is; he doesn't need to be part of the DCU.

uh.... huh?
DC has characters going back to the early 30's, over half thier stable comes from the 70's or earlier... (pfft on 'legacy don't count' you can't massage the data to suit your argument). Superman's logo and the Bat-symbol are two of the most recognizeable icons ever... DC is owned by one of the largest corporations on the planet... and they're jealous of McDuffie? O-kay.

[jaguarshark]

McDuffie will not let them use Static unless he has some creative control. DC, on the other hand, does not want to work with McDuffie. McDuffie tried several times to get in touch with DC to do some work and he never got a phone call back. He even tried to get a job writing the JLU for Johnny DC (based on the cartoon he was the story editor and producer for.) DC turned him down.

Are you... are you serious? I hope there's more going on there that we don't know about. I mean, if Paul Dini tried to get a job writing 'Batman Adventures', I think he would've gotten it. Having said that, I do love Beechen's work on 'JLU', so maybe it's for the best. That still sounds pretty crazy, though.

Actually, speaking of 'Justice League Unlimited', are they going to keep printing that now that there's no cartoon to tie it in with? All the other DCAU titles had reasonably short runs, for memory, so I'm a little worried.

[ratzo]

DC has characters going back to the early 30's, over half thier stable comes from the 70's or earlier...

Exactly. So why should Didio and Johns be so nakedly covetous over a relatively younger character whose success, considerable as it is, can't hold a candle to Superman and Batman? Could it be because DC in general has had a tough time creating new, original characters that have not only stuck, but have thrived in other media? Could that be the reason why we're seeing so many "legacy" characters - Firestorm, Atom, Manhunter, hell, half of the JSA - because a character with a pedigree, albeit one stolen from a previous incarnation, is more palatable to Fandom Assembled than a brand new character, created entirely from scratch, like, say... Static?

[CjP]

Exactly. So why should Didio and Johns be so nakedly covetous over a relatively younger character whose success, considerable as it is, can't hold a candle to Superman and Batman? Could it be because DC in general has had a tough time creating new, original characters that have not only stuck, but have thrived in other media? Could that be the reason why we're seeing so many "legacy" characters - Firestorm, Atom, Manhunter, hell, half of the JSA - because a character with a pedigree, albeit one stolen from a previous incarnation, is more palatable to Fandom Assembled than a brand new character, created entirely from scratch, like, say... Static?

um... dunno about the 'nakedly covetous' part, I never even knew it was an issue till I saw the post here. I do believe that DC has both the money and the clout that if they wanted Static *that* bad, they would get him. Regarding your point about 'thriving in other media', what has Static done besides cartoons? Probably a comic I'm guessing, maybe some Happy Meal™ toys... again, I have to plead ignorance. And as far as brand new characters goes, most of the fallout from IC is about either introducing new characters, or revamping old ones, to the point that the 'main' title of post-IC (52) makes it's main selling point the *lack* of the 'Big Three'.

[ratzo]

I never even knew it was an issue till I saw the post here.
This is not the first time in recent months that Didio has talked about wanting Static in the DCU.

I do believe that DC has both the money and the clout that if they wanted Static *that* bad, they would get him.
Don't believe it. If McDuffie doesn't want to play ball with DC, it won't happen. It's that simple.

Regarding your point about 'thriving in other media', what has Static done besides cartoons? Probably a comic I'm guessing
Static was one of the flagship Milestone titles from the 90's, Milestone being a multicultural line of comics published by DC and co-founded by McDuffie. Earth X artist John Paul Leon was the original series artist.

as far as brand new characters goes, most of the fallout from IC is about either introducing new characters, or revamping old ones, to the point that the 'main' title of post-IC (52) makes it's main selling point the *lack* of the 'Big Three'.
Jury's still out on those new Chinese heroes in 52.