A Long-Overdue Return to One of DC’s Most Relatable Heroes
A Proper Home for Static’s Early Adventures
As a longtime fan, I can’t overstate how good it feels to finally have DC Finest: Static – Playing with Fire on my shelf. Prior to this release, readers were limited to Static: Trial by Fire, which only collected issues #1–4. This volume goes much further, presenting a more complete and satisfying look at Static’s earliest stories in one consolidated paperback.
That matters, especially for collectors and readers who want a focused Static experience. While the Milestone Compendiums have their place, they intersperse Static’s issues with Icon, Hardware, and Blood Syndicate. For better or worse, that breaks narrative momentum. DC Finest: Static keeps the spotlight exactly where it belongs: on Virgil Hawkins.
Virgil Hawkins: A Timeless, Relatable Hero
Virgil remains one of the most relatable teenage superheroes DC has ever published. Re-reading these stories took me right back to discovering Static in 1993, and it’s impressive how well the character still holds up decades later.
It’s hard not to draw comparisons between Virgil and a certain wall-crawling arachnid. There are strong echoes of Untold Tales of Spider-Man and Ultimate Spider-Man here, particularly in the way school life, friendships, bullying, and responsibility collide with superheroics. That’s largely thanks to Robert L. Washington III, who absolutely nails Virgil’s voice. The humor, insecurity, and emotional honesty all feel genuine, never forced.
Storytelling That Still Resonates
Written by Robert L. Washington with art by John Paul Leon, Playing with Fire delivers a strong coming-of-age superhero story. Yes, it’s firmly rooted in the 1990s, but the themes remain timeless: feeling like a geek among your peers, being a fish out of water, and dealing with bullying and self-identity.
The book balances social commentary, reflection, and teen angst remarkably well. These stories never feel preachy, but they’re also not afraid to engage with real-world issues, which was always a defining strength of Milestone Comics.
John Paul Leon’s Distinctive Art Style
John Paul Leon’s artwork deserves special mention. His style is rough, angular, and occasionally scratchy, but it fits the tone of the book perfectly. There’s a rawness to the visuals that complements Virgil’s internal struggles and the grounded feel of the stories. It’s not polished superhero gloss—and that’s exactly why it works.
Final Thoughts
DC Finest: Static – Playing with Fire is a very welcome release. While I’d still love to see a full-series hardcover omnibus someday, this collection is an excellent step in the right direction. It’s accessible for new readers, nostalgic for longtime fans, and proof that Static remains one of DC’s strongest young heroes.
If you’ve been waiting for a clean, Static-focused collection that does the character justice, this is absolutely worth picking up.
And be sure to check out our review on the McFarlane Toys Static Trail by Fire figure!
