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In 1993 a shift happened in the comic book industry with the launch of Milestone comics. Founded by Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, Christopher Priest, and Derek T. Dingle, these Black entrepreneurs aimed to fill a void by telling complex stories with a diverse array of creatives. The Milestone superhero universe is set in the fictional locales of Dakota City and Paris Island with a range of colorful and fun characters. Milestone’s run deserves to be celebrated for its innovative approach to storytelling, lasting impact on the world of comics, and their newest appearance merging into the DC universe.
Here are some of the brand’s most lasting titles.
Blood Syndicate
Written by Ivan Velez Jr., Blood Syndicate was ahead of its time, featuring morally ambiguous characters, complex team dynamics, and innovative story arcs. At the core of the original crew are Tech-9, Wise Son, Brickhouse, Third Rail, Flashback, Masquerade, Holocaust, Fade, and DMZ, along with Tech-9’s loyal talking canine, Dogg. Velez Jr. crafted a grounded and intense dynamic through the interpersonal relationships among members of the Blood Syndicate. They have groups within the group; they hook up, argue, and fight even to lethal means, but at the end of the day, all they have is each other and they make the most of it. The team dynamic showcases varying degrees of heroism as each member grapples with their newfound powers and the reality of their environment. Violent gang culture is ever-present, and the interactions between each member are seeped in tension.
At the epicenter of this world is the Big Bang, an incident that occurred at the Paris Island docks as a gang war erupted. Acting on orders from someone well above their pay grade, the police deployed an experimental gas they barely understood.
Within moments of the gas hitting the air, people in the vicinity, including the police force, started transforming in mind-boggling ways—melting, evaporating, elongating—an abomination of a scene. The majority of the people caught within this gas brutally died, but the rest were forever changed into what the public dubbed “Bang Babies.” The Big Bang challenges the reader to inspect how those above leave all below to suffer, who the real victims, are and how far is too far.
Hardware
Hardware, also known as Curtis Metcalf, is a super genius and former child prodigy who breaks the mold of the typical highly intelligent, tech-based hero. His unique background and origin, combined with his fighting style—a blend of high-tech weaponry with a brawler’s approach—set him apart. From hand cannons to a chained scythe and plasma whip, Hardware’s arsenal is both stacked and readily employed. His story begins in emotional turmoil, triggered by a profound personal betrayal leading him into a moral conflict that adds layers to his character arc.
Denys Cowan’s artwork significantly enhances Hardware’s badass factor. Intricate wiring and circuitry detail his suit, complemented by the metallic chrome finish on the armor and the sleek obsidian shell underneath. The contrast in stature between Curtis and Hardware is striking, as the hefty armor and obsidian shell gives him a statuesque and almost mythological presence. What stands out about Hardware are his inventive combat choices during battle while delivering classic superhero action at an action movie pace.
Static
Known as the titular character of the WB cartoon Static Shock, Static a.k.a. Virgil Hawkins is a witty teenager attending Ernest Hemingway High School with a love for science, pop culture and electromagnetic powers. Dwayne McDuffie’s physics background shines in these stories as Virgil grows, exploring the scientific innovation needed to realize his powers’ full potential. Virgil’s humor and nerdy personality shine at all times, whether in his own stories or in his appearances across other titles in the universe.
One of statics greatest attributes is his cool factor, Virgil’s style embodies ‘90s swagger, including an “X” hat and yellow trench coat over dark blue lightning-patterned spandex. Virgil’s style, abilities, constant quips, and scientific curiosity make him a timeless teen hero that is always a refreshing read.
Icon & Rocket
Written by Dwayne McDuffie; Icon and Rocket are an extraordinary duo formed by an unusual encounter. Raquel a.k.a. Rocket grounds Augustus a.k.a. Icon in the perspective of everyday people, while he steps into a mentor role.
Their relationship offers commentary on generational and socioeconomic divides, with Augustus being an out-of-touch millionaire and Raquel a high school kid from an impoverished area of Paris Island within Dakota City. Icon’s abilities derive from his natural physiology, including enhanced strength, flight, and energy manipulation. Raquel’s abilities stem from the inertia belt Augustus gives her, granting flight, force fields, and inertia manipulation. Those powers lend themselves to Noelle Giddings’ vibrant colors and M. D. Bright’s grand, operatic artwork.
Milestone Heads to the DC Universe
Although publications officially ended in 1997, Milestone has had small appearances of their characters across DC mass media, most notably Statics’s WB series Static Shock. Now Milestone is set to return properly with DC announcing “New History of the DC Universe: The Dakota Incident” a story written by seasoned creatives Joseph Illidge, Stephanie Williams, Morgan Hampton, and Nikolas Draper-Ivey.
This one-shot is an addition to the Mark Waid written “New history of the DC universe,” a four-issue miniseries that chronicles the DC universe from the golden age to present day. Don’t miss out on DC officially folding Milestone into main continuity on February 25th. Don’t forget to show love to the original stories too through the Milestone Compendium. And though Dwayne Mcduffie passed away in 2011, his legacy lives on through his awe-inspiring work with Milestone and so much more.
The post More Than Just Static Shock: Unpacking the Depth of Dwayne McDuffie’s Milestone Comics appeared first on Den of Geek.
