#hotstreak

Static #2 “Everything But The Girl”

Heroes & Villains The DC Animated Universe - Paper Cut-Out Portraits and Profiles

Hotstreak

Francis Stone was a vicious bully and a gang leader.  He seemed to hold particular animosity toward his classmate, Virgil Hawkins, whom he picked on mercilessly.  Indeed it was this bullying that led to Virgil's brief involvement with a rival gang so to garner protection from Francis.

With tensions boiling to an all time high, the various street gangs of Dakota converged on the dockyards for an all out brawl. In the midst of this conflict, Francis, Virgil and many others were exposed to the mysterious Quantum Vapor.   This bestowed the various individuals with metahuman powers.  Francis obtained pyrokinesis, the ability to generate and mentally control fire.  

Adopting a new alias as Hotstreak, he plagued the city of Dakota as a super villain and came into frequent conflict with Virgil (who had become the electrical superhero, Static).  Along with activities as a solo villain, Hotstreak also acted as a member of the Meta-Men, the Meta-Breed and periodically partnered with Ebon. Hotstreak and Ebon eventually turned on one another, fighting over a serum that could potentially amplify their powers. The battle resulted in an explosions aboard a boat and it remains unknown whether or not Hotstreak survived the ordeal.

Static helpin out Hotstreak with some spelling!

I did like how Static had to reframe the situation as being between 'villain Hotstreak and hero Static' rather than staying in the mindset of 'Francis the bully and his target Virgil' over the course of "Aftershock". Since it involves a sewer main, I didn't exactly take screencaps of the climatic battle, but I am impressed by both Hotstreak trying to negate Static's powers as well as Static countering that they're in a city, so there's always metal in the vicinity. It's important for villains to have some level of competence, otherwise it starts feeling either like the heroes are being petty or they're unfairly favored by the narrative.

The subplot regarding Alva Industries was fun to watch, but there wasn't a lot to screencap as it largely featured Static sneaking around offices and having a close call with a glass cell with noxious fumes. I think the show struck a good balance between letting there be answers early while also keeping it clear that Static isn't yet ready for that level of villainy in episode two (and his hiccup with the data can also be chalked up to his inexperience).

Francis smooching Virgil behind campus before class 🔥💕⚡️