Hot Off The Comics Press: Static Shock Special

February 2011 was one of sad loss for the comic book community with the untimely passing of Dwayne McDuffie. A writer for both print and television, McDuffie worked for Marvel and DC before he co-founding the minority-owned-and-operated company Milestone Media alongside Denys Cowan, Michael Davis and Derek T. Dingle. Well known by fans and highly regarded throughout the industry, McDuffie is perhaps best known for writing and producing animated series such as Justice League Unlimited and scripting the adaptation of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitley's All-Star Superman.

Although the characters from Milestone were published through DC, most of the characters created existed in their own continuity separate from the DC Universe. However one of McDuffie's characters Static Shock, co-created with artist John Paul Leon, was originally developed for Marvel but would become a member of DC's comic title Teen Titans. Created as a minority parable, Static aka Virgil Hawkins worried about all the teenage woes from money to dating as well as his electricity-based power-set. First conceived at Milestsone in 1993, Static would be folded into the DC Universe in Terror Titans #4 2008.

So as a fitting tribute, DC this week releases Static Shock Special #1 as a homage to the departed writer and to honour his legacy. Written by Felicia D. Henderson with art by Prentis Rollins, Milestone founder Denys Cowan and other alumni, this one-shot is a must buy commemorative issue for all those familiar with McDuffie's ground breaking work.

Also commissioned as an animated series and running for 4 seasons, Static Shock may be the creators most widely known character, but his innovative and award winning work across the entire medium will be sorely missed.