He’s back, for the very first time! Who is Anansi The Spider? Your Major Spoilers review of Static Team-Up: Anansi #1 from DC Comics Milestone awaits!
STATIC TEAM-UP: ANANSI #1
Writer: Evan Narcisse
Artist: Charles Stewart III
Inker: Jose Marzan Jr.
Colorist: Luis Guerrero
Letterer: Andworld Design
Editor: Marquis Draper
Publisher: DC Comics Milestone
Cover Price: $3,99
Release Date: June 13, 2023
Previously in Static Team-Up: In a story set before the events of Static: Shadows of Dakota, the Static Shock animated series fan-favorite African superhero Anansi pays a visit to Dakota City, investigating a supernatural disturbance… but he’s going to need Static’s help to explore the occult side of the Milestone Universe!
A TRUTH THEY CANNOT IGNORE
In Ghana’s Kyabobo National Park, a young ranger named Joseph is surveying the land when he is suddenly confronted by strange bee-like creatures called Mmoboro. Before they can tear him apart, though, he is saved by African hero Anansi, who uses his magic to whisk them away, simply by telling a story. The hero explains that all stories were born in Africa, the motherland of all humanity… but some travel far afield. Case in point? Virgil “Static” Hawkins, who is attending a Juneteenth celebration with his family when he gets a call about a missing superhuman Bang Baby. Having sworn to help and protect his fellow accidental superhumans, Static gets involved only to find that his friend DeVonte has been kidnapped by a strange cult that serves a being known as The Unseen, but is saved by Anansi! The duo combines science and magic to track down DeVonte, tracing him through a teleportal to Sierra Leone, where The Unseen makes his appearance… and threatens not only DeVonte, but the heroes of Dakota and Ghana.
THE RETURN OF DOCTOR NEMO
This iteration of Static has never met Doctor Nemo, the man who crafted the Quantum Juice that empowered him, but as a long-time reader, seeing Nemo gave me a bit of a start. The battle with the Star Chamber is exciting, but my favorite parts of the issue are when elder here Anansi gives Static a pep talk. Heroes like him have always been part of stories, Anansi explains, and in some eras might have been called gods! As they work together, though, Static gets to show off his skills, returning the save and allowing them to work together. I don’t remember whether the Static Shock episode Static in Africa (which introduced Anansi some 20 years ago) went exactly like this, but the plot comes together well. Not only that, but Stewart and Marzan make Anansi’s design work in a less stylized art aesthetic, making his action sequences particularly good looking.
BOTTOM LINE: I CAN HEAR THE VOICE OF CARL LUMBLY
For my tastes, Static Team-Up: Anansi #1 is a success merely because it so successfully captures The Spider and his unique story-based magic, but strong art and a well-done script make it well worth your time and earn 4 out of 5 stars overall. Even if you don’t remember the cartoon, this book serves as an updated version of the classic summer annuals of my youth while exemplifying solid, entertaining comics for modern audiences.
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STATIC TEAM-UP #1
The hero of Dakota is out of his element, but the story and his guest star are delightful, and the resolution satisfying.
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Writing7
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Art8
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Coloring8
