Background
Static’s background has altered somewhat over the years. HE
ORIGINALLY was not a DC character, and instead, resided in alt-universe run by Milestone comics called the Dakotaverse. In this universe, he was a nerdy black kid who got
picked on by a Gang leader named Francis Stone. He had some protection from a friend named Larry Wade, who tried to convince Virgil to take revenge on Francis using a firearm during a planned gang fight on Paris island.
Virgil was initially convinced, but chickened out and tried to flee the scene when things turned violent. Unfortunately, the
police showed up and released a tear
gas laced with a mutagenic compound known as quantum juice. This compound was supposed to be used to track all the
gang members, but actually killed over 90% of those present and gave everyone
else powers. Virgil happened to get lucky and received electromagnetic powers.
Apparently already have a love for heroics he became a superhero named static,
often protecting people from the “bang babies” produced at the “big bang”
event.
Most incarnations of the character follow this general premise, with a few minor deviations.
Now in terms of why how became a "DC" character, it has mostly to due with Milestone facing financial troubles. See when Milestone Comics went under, DC decided to merge the Dakotaverse with the DC universe outright(they
had crossovers before that). They handwaved this as a character named Dharma merging both worlds together after gaining cosmic power and destroying most of the Dakotaverse by accident.
As far as comics are concerned Static always existed in
the DC universe after this retcon. Of course, other retcon events like flashpoint and convergence, also factor into Static's history, but his post-crisis integration is easily the most important.
Armor
Static uniform
Static's original uniforms were mostly homemade or
consisted of a jacket and pants combo with his emblem on them. In the n52 he
was given a new uniform by the hero Hardware. This uniform constrained
holographic displays, a communication device, internet access, map data, GPS,
and various misc apps. It can also create maps of areas via radar pulses and
track heat signatures. It’s also shielded against Static's own electrical powers and can fit inside a small handheld canister.
Weapons
Bo staff
A collapsible bo staff used for melee attacks
Zap caps
Explosive bombs that contain Statics EM energy. Gear uses
them mainly as weapons, but static has used them before as emergency batteries
to fuel his powers.
- Being given them and using them in ep 9 2:45
Pellets
Metallic pellets that can be charged with electrical
energy.
- Using them in Young justice s3 ep 16 15:13
Equipment
Static saucer
A metallic disk that Vergil often rides on while utilizing
his powers. It can fly freely in any direction and is
collapsible. In the cartoon, it’s stated to be comprised of a mylar compound.
Static can also control it from a distance, use it as a weapon, or use it to
block attacks.
New 52 static saucer(6 disk flyer)
Static gained a new static saucer after the new 52 reboot.
This version is comprised of multiple hexagonal disks that can be taken apart
or reconfigured into multiple shapes based on Static's needs at a given moment.
They can be called from a distance, used as projectiles or to block attacks like the
original version. The material these are made of is not specified, outside of
being a lightweight metal alloy.
Misc rides
Static can also control pretty much anything that’s metal to
ride on for flight. This includes trash can lids, cars, desks, chairs, and so
on.
Shock vox
Walkie talkies invented by Gear. They can be used to
communicate with him over long distances.
- Getting them in ep 4 5:43
Tracers
Travers invented by Gear that static can latch onto
opponents to track them.
- Explaining how one works in ep 27 13:00
Abilities
Taser punch
Static can electrically charge his body for amped up
physical attacks. His most common being a punch attack with a similar property
to that of a taser.
Taser cannonball
A powerful dashing attack where static rams into an opponent
while his EM aura is up.
Electromagnetic force bolts
Static can create powerful electrical discharges as a form
of attack. They can shock opponents, have physical knockback, and come in
various sizes and intensities. Static can create an electrical discharge from
any part of his body, but he’ll normally use his hands, or occasionally his
eyes.
Nova balls/Ball lightning
Powerful explosive electric balls. They take more stamina to
make but pack a bigger punch.
- Throwing one at some thugs in static is 1 pg 8 https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Static/Issue-1?id=79074&readType=0#8
- In Ep 4 6:28
- Throwing one at Ebon in ep 8 2:29
- Throwing one at junior in ep 11 9:25
- Throwing one in ep 13 10:44
- Throwing one at a robot in ep 30 11:21
- Throwing one at in ep 37 17:13
- Throwing one at ebon in ep 38 16:51
- In ep 49 17:30
- Creates a nova alls that spawns several mini balls in ep 47
8:02
Nova burst
An explosive energy wave that uses a bit of wire as a
conduit. It can harm opponents and or create a burst of light that blinds
them.
- In Ep 21 1:13
- Can be used to blind opponents in ep 21 17:52
Magnetic levitation and manipulation
Static can electromagnetically lift and manipulate objects.
Often throwing them as projectiles, and in some cases changing their shape to
bind opponents. While this power is used PRIMARILY on metallic objects, Static
can lift objects that are not metal. This includes organic beings,
solid stone, and so on. Though objects with naturally high levels of
insulations are more difficult to manipulate. This ability can also be used to
disarm or break any metallic weapons or tech an opponent has on their
possession.
- It being stated his powers work mainly on metal in ep 2 18:11
Manipulating metal objects
Non-metal objects
Bioelectric aura detection
Static can release a pulse of electrical energy that makes a
person's bioelectric aura visible.
- Making the electrical auras of several characters visible in
ep 36 18:33
Static cling
Static has the ability to alter a person's or objects' electromagnetic attraction to other objects or body parts. He uses this most often to
cling his opponents to walls or bind them, making it easier to detain them
until the police arrive. He can also do the opposite by making objects attract
to a person. Static
himself can also stick to walls with this ability, and uses it to stick onto
his flying saucers while flying.
Repulsion fields
Static can create a powerful EM burst that can damage and
knock opponents away.
Polarity movement
Static can also place positive electromagnetic charges on
objects or people. After which he himself can create a positive EM field that
can push them away. Logically I would assume he could also create a negative
charge from his body to move them towards his body.
Force fields
Static can use EM fields to create powerful shields that can
block bullets, physical attacks, physical projectiles, and energy-based attacks.
His shields are not infallible and it is possible to break through them with
enough physical force. He can also project them around other people or objects
should he choose. His shields are not perfect and can be overcome with
significant force.
His shields being overpowered
EMP creation
Static can create powerful EMP blasts that cover several
blocks that can knock out power and machinery. His powers, in general, can also
be used to short circuit machinery.
EM energy constructs
Static can shape the size and density of his EM power to
form different objects that he can use to interact with the world. Some common
ones include cages and nets.
Em vision/sense
Static with some effort can see on different wavelengths of
the EM spectrum outside normal visible light. UV particularly is confirmed.
Healing factor
Static has a healing factor in the new 52. Intaking EM
energy and electricity heals his wounds, upwards to fixing a severed arm and
reverting it to a mere hairline fracture in seconds under extreme circumstances.
Electricity absorption
Static can channel and absorb electricity from mechanical or
energy sources. This both replenishes his reserves and can be used as a means
to temporarily empower himself.
Plasma coil generation
In cases where for some reason a source of electricity or
power is incapable of being touched by static, he can use his ability to create
en EM plasma coil. This coil can siphon off the energy from a given source
while keeping Static insulated from harm.
Mind control resistance
Statics enhanced bioelectric aura interferes with most forms
of mind control originating from telepaths. It also has a tendency to short out
mechanical mind control devices places on him. He also can’t be telepathically
tracked and has resistance to the anti-life equation.
Electricity resistance
Static naturally has resistance to most forms of electrical
attack. Simply absorbing them harmlessly if they hit him.
- Not affected by jokers electric buzzer in ep 14 19:42
Microwave heat generation
Static can generate large amounts of heat with his EM
radiation. He can also heat water in a similar fashion if underwater.
EM wave manipulation
Static can alter the course of and influence any EM waves
used for communication in his vicinity. For example, he can listen in on
conversations, phone calls, or other sound waves by focusing the target waves
through himself or a metallic object. He can also amplify his own radio waves
and EM signals over large distances.
- Listening in on people from a distance using a metal object
to pick up and transfer sound waves Ep 2 9:32
- Sending the signal with the help of kid flash in teen titans
2003 is 84 pg 17 https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Teen-Titans-2003/Issue-84?id=21277#17
- Can play cds with his powers ep 2 2:00
- Can listen in on radio waves from transverse to hear
messages 10:20 ep 2
- Can send electromagnetic signals in the form of a phone call in ep 15 9:15
- Can pick up emergency radio calls with his powers ep 18 2:52
- Picking up sound waves from a conversation in ep 20 11:30
Wielding
Static can use his powers to weld and cut through metal
objects.
Machine manipulation
Static can control and manipulate various forms of machinery
with his EM powers. This includes moving robots, hacking open doors, turning on
lights, ect. Since Static also can provide power or empowerment to machinery with his powers.
- Can power machinery from a distance ep 1 15:44
- Powering a subway car 18:22 ep 3
- Powering a pair of lights 19:40 ep 3
- Hacking open an electronic door in ep 6 13”13
- Altering traffic lights in ep 9 13:10
- Controlling a robot in ep 33 2:58
- Can increase the shock vox's range with his powers in ep 27
4:14
- Controlling rat machines ep 21 17:56
- Empowering Batman beyond’s suite ep 40 18:30
- Taking control of a mall security system in ep 47 6:24
Stealth mode
If static sends a low-level charge through his suite it
provides an electrostatic interference that renders him invisible to most
security cameras.
Electrical impulse disruption
Static can use his powers to disrupt a bodies electrical
pathways. He’s also been able to knock people out multiple times with
electrical charges directly to the brain.
Electrical homing shot
Static can attach an electrical charge to an object, after
which em bolt shots will home on said object.
Notable misc
Other Misc
Feats
Strength
Speed
Endurance
Experience
Scaling
Weakness
Recharging
If Static pushes himself too hard he may lose power and have
to recharge from an outside source or wait to recover.
Water
Water can short him out specifically in the cartoon. In contrast, he's been able to use powers while submerged in the comics.
- Being shorted our in ep 7 12:39
- His shorting out weakness being mentioned in ep 9 6:29
- Getting hit with water, and the pulse afterward shooting of
most electrical devices in ep 9 16:03
- When being shorted out in the cartoon it has to be a lot of water, something like a rainstorm does
not affect him in ep 16 4:37
- Static in water with no issues in the comic in n52 is 5
https://readcomiconline.to/Comic/Static-Shock/Issue-5?id=19946#3
Insulators
Statics powers don’t work well against objects that are
insulated. Though Static himself has noted that a big enough electrical charge
can overtax any insulators. He's also been able to force some insulators to hold a charge and
or get around their protection if they aren't airtight.
Being shocked(In some circumstances)
Static is immune to most forms of electrical attack, but
there are some exceptions. Characters with abnormal electrical imbalances
have shocked him, and he has been shocked on a few occasions in the cartoon when taken off guard. A clone version of himself and some bang babies were also able
to harm him with an electrical blast, implying others with electrical powers derived from bang baby
juice can bypass his defenses.
misc