Today in Black History Month in Comics:
The hero Static from the Milestone Media Universe is one of my favorite characters. Much like Spider-Man, Static is the "every man" type of hero. Unlike Batman, Icon, Professor Xavier, or Black Panther Static is extremely tangible and relatable. Not to mention he's powers, adventures, and cast made for a great read every month.
So enter issues 25. Virgil/Static and his girlfriend Daisy decide to have sex. Which many teenagers, myself included, have done since the day has been old. Now the creative staff handled the build up and story with amazing care. Unlike other comics at the time and before, this wasn't a grab to get sales or show T&A. In fact, the plot point wasn't super major to many of us, until DC Comics made it major.
Dwayne McDuffie made a post of how he got wind DC didn't want to use the original cover because it was too controversial. And I suppose to some, two teens kissing and condoms (at least they are being careful) on the ground might be "too much." I'd agree if they were in a state of undress or Daisy was drawn like a pin up doll or some object to be drooled over by gross men.
But it wasn't like that at all.
And to further add insult to injury, Legionnaires no. 16 had a picture of Dream Girl (I believe the Legionnaires were teens/young adults as well) with her ass sticking out and a "come here big boy" look on her face. The two males on the cover, zero sex appeal. Mind you, Legionnaires didn't need it, but yet it was there.
So Static had two covers, the first showed them kissing and the second the full cover. And throughout the whole issue and afterwards, nothing went beyond PG. It did show the extreme double standards in comics and society at large. And despite all this, Static and the Milestone Media continued to be amazing and in my opinion, one of THE greatest universes in comics.