Like any awkward teenager, Virgil Hawkins worries about girls, pocket money and getting beaten up. But recently, he's had even more on his mind: his newfound super-powers, his secret identity and girls. On a night of terror dubbed "The Big Bang," Virgil received incredible electromagnetic powers. As an enthusiastic comic book reader, he knew just what he had to do, so his swashbuckling alter ego, Static was born. A wisecracking crusader in a city infested with superhuman crime, Static is about to learn the hard way, that as much fun as it is playing the hero, it's no game...

Rebirth of Cool collects together Static issues #1 to 4 and Static Shock: Rebirth of the Cool issues #1 to 4. When a mutagenic gas accidentally gave him superhuman abilities, Virgil Hawkins was reborn as Static, the electrically powered teen Super Hero. And while Static tries to balance the pressures of his school work, after-school job and family life, he also protects his inner city neighbourhood against villains including Holocaust and Commando X.

Having retired from crime-fighting at the tender age of 14, Static is astonished to be called back to arms by some of his fellow 'Bang Babies', all empowered in the 'Big Bang' battle. But even with the help of the mighty hero Hardware, can Static defeat Dakota's greatest superhero - now become its greatest villain?

If you fancy a sideways look at the superhero universe then you've found it with this interesting collection.

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Pete Boomer