Static Shock – 19sunspots

The Dakota City area is bombarded with sunspots, a phenomenon which boosts Static’s powers to an uncontrollable degree. His attempt to burn off his excess energy works all too well: Static ends up powerless just as a group of old Metahuman foes, led by Hotstreak, stir up the old trouble pot once more.

Media by Bird Boy
Review by Matt Zimmer

Voices:
Phil LaMarr as Virgil Hawkins/Static
Jason Marsden as Richie Foley
Kevin Michael Richardson as Robert Hawkins
Michele Morgan as Sharon Hawkins
Crystal Scales as Daisy Watkins
Danny Cooksey as Hotstreak
Lawrence Hilton Jacobs as Driver

While learning about the phenomenon known as sunspots, flares on the surface of the sun Virgil hears a distress call. As he is going out he realizes that his powers have increased and is having difficulty controlling them. He and Richie surmise it's because of the Sunspots.
Meanwhile Hotstreak returns to school supposedly rehabilitated. Static powers are increasing and weird magnetic happenings are noticed by first
Sharon and then his entire class. Soon after however he realizes he's lost his powers.

He finds life as just Virgil again pleasant. Daisy is no longer mad at him because he doesn't have to skip out on her anymore. Then he sees
Hotstreak bullying a kid and when he interferes Hotstreak goes on a rampage. He and Richie try to fool Hotstreak into thinking Static still has his powers using Zap Caps but when they run out Hotstreak learns the truth and gives chase. Static then manages to recharge himself thanks to a rooftop fan and douses Hotstreak with water from a water tower. He's back to being Static again now that the sunspots are gone but now his name's Mud with Daisy again.

This was a pretty good episode. Nothing Earth shattering happens during it but it's sometimes nice to take a break from that entire world saving stuff. Unfortunately since nothing really exciting happens the episode itself is kind of boring.

There were two great things about it though. First Virgil's Ben
Stein-like teacher is a riot. And second the animation was really good this episode. Nice and rubbery and as usual great character expressions.
The episode itself is rather forgettable but it's pleasant to watch anyways and far from bad.

Story: ***
Animation: ****1/2
Average: ***1/2