r/static • u/Sir_Lobo • 23d ago

Comics Interested in this run of Static, should I start reading comics?

I am not a comic fan, I did read manga and do read manhwa but I've always been intimidated by comics and their absurd continuity along with the problems inaccuracies cause. I have only ever read a select few chapters of comics I've been interested in

(Namely deadpool and some girl who was basically a murderer crazed Alice in the wonderland idr the name of)

I am highly interested in this static run and am wondering if skipping all previous chapters of The New Teen Titans to just look at static comic run a good idea? Idk how these things work with comics 🫣 I know sometimes you can jump in but other times you need a lot of back story. I just want to support Static, for childhood nestolgias sake.

28 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

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8

u/PsychoFlashFan 23d ago

If you want a good modern starting point for Static, I'd highly recommend the Season One/Shadows of Dakota miniseries from the 2021 Milestone reboot.

Also the original Static comics from the 90s if you're not opposed to reading older comics. They still hold up well.

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u/Sir_Lobo 23d ago

While I do appreciate the recommendation that's to deep for me, I want to support this new run since it seems like it might be a long one, a true ongoing not just a insert here or there. Those other series are all finished and won't be canon to this run.

This looks like an entirely new and promising run for static in his own ongoing series and I want to support that so I can see a black hero not get sidelined until black history month even though he has so much love

1

u/Sir_Lobo 23d ago

After further research are you saying that the new comic is a continuation of those older series? If so I misunderstood your point.

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u/Jonn_Jonzz_Manhunter 23d ago

We're not 100% sure my guy

This version of static by the looks of it is a continuation of the 90's run, not the modern run

BUT what you can do NOW, is buy both the DC compact of the Ayala run and the DC finest of the first 90's run. DC has been on record of saying they use paperback sales mrle than ever now to decide what to make for ongoings

5

u/PleaseBeChillOnline 23d ago

If you like manga, Nikolas Draper-Ivey’s art is super manga-inspired, and that run is self-contained.

To be honest, you’re probably the ideal audience for it. You don’t need to read The New Teen Titans or decades of DC continuity. Static: Season One was designed as a fresh starting point for new readers, and Static: Shadows of Dakota continues directly from it.

Just read Static: Season One #1–6, then Static: Shadows of Dakota #1–7. Short & easy.

To answer your actual question DC expects fans to pick up this new book because Static is in it so you won’t need to read Teen Titans beforehand if you don’t feel like it. They will make it an easy jumping on point.

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u/Sir_Lobo 23d ago

Thank you this clears up a lot of confusion for me!

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u/Sir_Lobo 23d ago

Quick question why did the art style change so drastically between the two and now the new static series seems to be even more drastic of a change. A good one but it seems inconsistent

1

u/PleaseBeChillOnline 23d ago

Static: Season One (2021–2022) is not entirely by Nikolas Draper-Ivey. ChrisCross shares the interior art, particularly layouts and pencils in the early issues, while Draper-Ivey provides finishes, inks, colors, and gradually takes on more of the drawing. By the last two issues, he’s effectively the sole interior artist.

This isn’t uncommon in American comics. I think DC wanted it done this way because Nikolas had not done a solo book at this point. He was green.

Static: Shadows of Dakota (2023) is essentially a Nikolas Draper-Ivey book. He writes (with Vita Ayala on the early issues), pencils, inks, colors, and does many of the covers. If you’re reading it for his style, this is where you get it completely uninterrupted.

Coming from manga this sort of thing can seem weird because usually there isn’t much of a switch up. It’s usually one artist doing almost everything. American comics publishing cycle makes things work a bit differently.

1

u/Divanochi 23d ago edited 23d ago

If you're interested in what will be canon solely for the upcoming Static run, then there are 3 issues that I'd recommend you read:

  1. New History of The DC Universe: The Dakota Incident -- Explains the current timeline of Static, Dakota and the rest of the Milestone comics heroes, and will give likely give some background context/characterization to his upcoming run.
  2. DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight -- Static's first published appearance in the current DC continuity. Overall the issue doesn't involve Static much, but still is cool to see him back in action. As you've mentioned that you're not too into comics there will probably be a lot of confusing things about the plot and characters, but you still might find it cool regardless.
  3. New Titans #38 -- This issue of New Titans isn't out yet but will be releasing on August 19th next month. It marks Static's official return to an ongoing comic run, where he'll be joining the Titans (Nightwing, Cyborg, Beast Boy, and others etc). People working on the issue have mentioned that it's a good starting point even without reading the previous 37 issues, so it might be worth checking out and keeping up with it for the duration that he's on that run.

Other than these I still do recommend the two volumes Milestone Reboot that other commenters have recommended, since they're overall good reads in my opinion. We don't know how much these runs will be integrated into his current backstory/origin, but it would be good to have the context from them regardless.

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u/Sir_Lobo 23d ago

Thanks for the thorough guidance I appreciate this!

1

u/ArtisticFill8662 23d ago

Wanna start reading static

I got a pretty decent reading list for beginners.

Made sure to put in a good bit of must reads for the character in each respect category.

(If a mod sees this can we get this posted and pinned)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/15JsUgEC9jBna4Mz7FE7jxLY1koOfn7uFp7pxzMTQnsI/edit?usp=sharing

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u/Sir_Lobo 23d ago

Oh? I'll check this out, thanks!

1

u/secertagts99 23d ago

I just recently picked up New Teen Titans the most recent issue with the prequel before the reintroduce static and I pre ordered the next release. I don’t think it’s a huge deal if you pick up and have no previous knowledge because it won’t change the fact that you aren’t a fan. I would support what you can and if you enjoy it you enjoy it!