Characters / Static

The Titular Hero

Static

Static (Virgil Ovid Hawkins)

First Appearance: ''Static (1993) Issue #1"

A high school student in Dakota City. As a result of accidental exposure to an experimental mutagen in an event known as the Big Bang, he gained the ability to control and manipulate electromagnetism. He used these powers to become a superhero named "Static".

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• Ironic Nickname: Static, ostensibly, refers to static electricity. It can also mean something fixed or stationary, lacking movement or vitality, or showing little change. Virgil is none of those things in the comics.
• Secret Identity: Static's identity is kept secret from everyone except Frieda Goren.
• Secret Identity Vocal Shift: Static's powers alter his voice to help conceal his identity.
• Shock and Awe: Though rather than simply electricity, Static manipulates electromagnetism. He commonly dips into Lightning Can Do Anything, which makes sense, considering it is one of the four fundamental forces. With enough control and creativity, there isn't much the electromagnetic force can't do.
• Shout-Out: As mentioned above, Static's namesake and original catchphrase is derived from James Brown's 1989 hit "Static".
• Sky Surfing: He flies on objects like trash can lids and manhole covers. Though he eventually created his own personal flying disk.
• Spider-Man Send-Up: Though his actual powers and design aren't especially similar, Dwayne McDuffie saw Static mainly as the Milestone universe's equivalent character: a clever, wisecracking teenager who has to face real problems, keep his identity concealed, and juggle his home life with his superhero life while operating in a big city.

Villains

Hotstreak

Hotstreak

^{Click here to see him Pre-Big Bang} 

First Appearance: ''Static (1993) Issue #1"

Hotstreak (Martin Scarponi/Biz Money B.) was one of the gang members at the docks when the Big Bang occurred. After being exposed to the gas, Martin became Hotstreak. His powers are Super-Speed, along with the ability to generate fire from friction.

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• Angry White Man: He grows up to be one in Milestone Forever and provides the trope page.
  Firebrand: "Damn it, Static! My life ain't no joke! The whole world is set up to hold back the white man. It's time you had to pay!"
• Barbaric Bully: He beats up Virgil out of jealousy over Freida and for intentionally getting his nickname wrong.
• Beard of Evil: He sports a goatee as Hotstreak and is a racist gangbanger.
• Berserk Button: Do not get his nickname wrong or that will earn you a beating.
• Lean and Mean: As Hotstreak, Martin is much thinner than his burly Pre-Big Bang self, presumably from burning plenty of calories thanks to his Super-Speed.
• Logical Weakness: If Hotstreak is unable to move then he can't generate any heat.
• Personality Powers: It's quite appropriate for a teen with temper problems to have powers involving speed and fire. Doubling so as he grows up to be an Angry White Man in Milestone Forever.
• Playing with Fire: As a side effect of his Super-Speed, Hotstreak can generate heat from friction and can shoot fire or throw superheated projectiles.
• Politically Incorrect Villain: He's racist towards Virgil for being black and his chronological first appearance has him refer to the latter as a "monkey". He's even revealed to be affiliated with a white supremacist group called the Sons of Odin during the "What Are Little Boys Made Of" arc, where he's shown to be homophobic as well and calls Static the N-word. In Milestone Forever, where he changes his codename to Firewheel, he goes full Neo-Nazi by speaking negatively of Jews as well as gay people and black people.
• Required Secondary Powers: Hotstreak prevents himself from being burned by his own friction by redirecting the heat outwards as fire attacks. Lampshaded by Static as he restraints Hotstreak in their second "fight".
• Super-Speed: He can move and run at immense speeds, and can generate heat for offensive purposes from the friction.
• Teens Are Monsters: He's a teenage bigoted gangster who became much worse after gaining superpowers.
• White Gangbangers: Hotstreak is white and both act and talk like a stereotypical gang banger.