Static Shock – 15powerplay

Richie, jealous that Virgil’s the one with superpowers and not him, encounters a Fagin-like vagrant called the RAGTAG MAN, who has the ability to give temporary powers to others. Richie uses his dose to be the superhero he’s always wanted to be, but unfortunately, the dosages are addictive. Static must convince Richie of the dosages’ negative side-effects before it’s too late.

Media by Bird Boy
Review by Matt Zimmer

Voices:
Phil LaMarr as Virgil Hawkins/Static
Jason Marsden as Richie Foley
Kenny Blank as Jump
T’Keyah Crystal Keymah as Teen Girl #1
Ricahrd Libertini as Ragtag
Lara Jill Miller as Teen Girl #2
Jean Smart as Mom
Philip Tanzini as Run

Richie finds out that superpowers come with a price in this drug allegory.

Richie really wants to be a superhero and Virgil catches him pretending to be one and laughs. Richie storms off and brushes by an old man. The next day he realizes he has the power to move things with a force field.
He names himself Push and decides he and Static could be partners. After his first save he notices his powers are wearing off. He looks for the old man again who tells him that he is called Ragtag and has the ability to give and take away powers. Richie begs him for another energy boost and he complies.

Virgil confronts Richie about where he is getting his powers and Richie throws him against a wall. When his powers run out a second time he goes back to Ragtag who tell him he has to do a favor if he wants his powers back this time. The favor: he has to help two other kids he's given powers to rob a museum. Richie has second thoughts and alerts Static.
They defeat the kids and go back to confront Ragtag. Ragtag tries to drain Static's powers but Richie stops him. Richie decides he doesn't need to be a superhero to be Static's partner and he and Virgil make up.

Even though the episode IS a drug allegory I have to say I was pleased at how subtle it was. It could have hammered it's point home but the viewer seeing Richie going to any lengths to get his powers back says more than any outright preaching could have done. Viewers will note that
Push is the precursor to Gear. Ragtag is a great villain and it's a shame he wasn't used more on the series (he had a cameo in “Attack of the Living Brain Puppets”).

The animation in the episode was nice as well. The explosions were all very well done and Ragtag has a great character design. This was a really good episode and showed that the second season of the show was off to a good start.

Story: ****
Animation: ****
Average: ****