It’s the fact that he’s such a fanboy for Black heroes.
I remember the episode where he meets Anansi, and he blatantly states that it was nice to see a hero who looked like him doing good. Because there wasn’t a lot of them where he came from.
Here’s the dialog:
Static to Anansi in “Static In Africa”
Virgil: I never knew how important it was to meet a role model like you.”
Anansi: “Role Model?”
Virgil: “Yeah, a Black superhero. I dunno, it validates me somehow.”
Anansi: “Heroes come in every color my friend.”
Virgil: “I know, it’s just sometimes I wish there was a Black superhero back home for folks to look up to.”
Anansi: “Oh but there is, and he is my hero too.”
Notice how Virgil said “Validates”
I remember the episode where Static not only admitted to being a Green Lantern fan (which was Fallen Hero) but he also admitted that sometimes he pretends to be Green Lantern when no one was around (and this episode was called “Jump”)
And then there was “Blast From the Past” where he met Soul Power and gained a huge respect for a Black hero (and his sidekick) who came before him.
I know we all say “Representation Matters” but Static Shock actually showed why it matters, and showed it through the eyes of a superhero less.
And Dwayne McDuffie didn’t bother to mince words, or downplay Virgil’s blackness, or his need for validation through positive representation, for the sake of “colorblindess.” And it’s so nice to see that, especially now when we we’re older and more consciously aware of racial issues.
Lady Jace Of The Fae 