Warning! Spoilers for Static: Season One #2
As Milestone Comics ramp up to the inevitable crossover between the superheroes of the Dakotaverse, they should embrace the manga style of Static: Season One. Artist Nikolas Draper-Ivey is bringing his creative inspiration into the world of Virgil Hawkins, making the title stand out from mainstream comics.
With the return of Milestone Media, series such as Icon and Rocket, Hardware, and Static are establishing their own individual voices to coincide with their protagonists. Each title focuses on a different perspective within the city of Dakota, from the teenage hero Static, to the young woman Rocket, the ancient alien Icon, and the scientist turned vigilante known as Hardware, among others. Accompanying the heroes’ first seasons are various artist’s distinct styles, including Icon and Rocket artist Doug Braithwaite and Hardware artist Denys Cowan. However, when the heroes eventually converge down the road, the cinematic art of Static would be fitting for a crossover.
When artist Nikolas Draper-Ivey was announced to illustrate Static: Season One with layouts by ChrisCross and a story written by Vita Ayala, longtime fans knew they were in for a treat. Unlike any mainstream title, Draper-Ivey has incorporated the stylings of manga into the teenager superhero. Static’s vivid sense of action helps capture the wide spectrum of the bang babies’ powers, as each teenager who received different abilities from the Big Bang. Every panel conveys clear movement, making Static read like an animated series. Although each Milestone series does well in differentiating one from the other, the bold manga style of Draper-Ivey could theoretically make the whole label stand out from every other title in comics.
Previously teased during DC FanDome, the Dakotaverse heroes will soon make their way into one another’s series. Possibly following each title’s first season, a crossover story should expand on Static and take a note from Draper-Ivey. By following his artistic lead, the Dakotaverse would benefit from a greater sense of cohesion, and make a team-up story feel like a more natural extension of the books. The differences between the titles are a strength, but with the action-heavy art as seen in Static: Season One, it would be a missed opportunity for manga to only inspire one corner of Dakota.
Since many fans were introduced to Static through his animated series Static Shock, the animated sensibilities of the series feel natural to his world. Given that an animated team-up film with the Milestone heroes has also been announced, with Nikolas Draper-Ivey attached in the creative process, the further incorporation of manga into the Dakotaverse should be an easy decision. Static was the entry point for many readers into Milestone Comics, so it's fitting for Virgil Hawkins' world to influence the label.