Static Shock was a Kids WB series about the Milestone Media and DC Comics superhero, Static. Static also known as Virgil Hawkins was a high schooler who got electromagnetic powers and used his abilities to save the people of Dakota City.
Static Shock was a part of DC’s Animated Universe (DCAU) which included shows like Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, Justice League, and Batman Beyond. This allowed for a slew of other DC characters to cameo in the series. Even more excitingly were the few real-life stars who found their way to Dakota City as well. Here are the top ten cameos throughout Static Shock.
10 Superman
Last but certainly not least is the Man of Steel himself. The season three episode “Toys in the Hood” shows the team-up between Superman and Static to defeat Superman’s nemesis, Toyman. It is revealed that this episode actually follows the events of Superman: The Animated Series’s episode, “Obsession” from five years prior.
Though this cameo was awesome, it wasn’t a true crossover as Static never appeared in the original episode. But it was great to see the two most iconic superheroes of their respective publishers come together on the small screen.
9 Batman And Robin
Just beating out Superman is the dynamic duo, Batman and Robin. This was the first introduction of Static Shock into the DC Animated Universe. The season two premiere followed Static as he teamed up with Batman and Robin to take down the Joker who came to Dakota City to recruit Bang-Babies.
The episode even has Static create an electric Bat-signal in the sky to summon the heroes later on in the episode. Batman would cameo in other episodes but nothing beats the first time.
8 Harley Quinn And Poison Ivy
Season three’s premiere episode, “Hard as Nails” was written by legendary Batman: The Animated Series writer/producer, Paul Dini. He was the co-creator of Harley Quinn, who fittingly cameos in this Static episode alongside Poison Ivy. The two Batman villains lure a meta-human girl named, Nails, to Gotham.
They exploit Nails's powers forcing Static to team up with Batman in order to save her. It’s rare to see villains cross-over and no one is more fitting than two of the Gotham City Sirens. This episode is also where Bruce Wayne and Virgil Hawkins learn each other's secret identities.
7 Green Lantern (John Stewart)
Static Shock was a revolutionary show, not only was it one of the first superhero shows to star a character of color, but it also featured a diverse cast and tackled important social themes. This is what makes the cameo of John Stewart (Green Lantern) all the more powerful as Virgil looks up to John as a fellow hero of color.
The story follows both heroes as they take down Green Lantern villain, Sinestro. This isn’t the first cameo by Green Lantern but it certainly was a powerful image to see a show focus on diverse characters, unlike the usual Superman and Batman.
6 A.J. McLane (Backstreet Boys)
Rounding out the bottom five is A.J. McLane from the Backstreet Boys. Static Shock was famous for having some cameos of real-life celebrities, some of which are further up on the list. Coming off their turn of the century albums Millennium and Black & Blue, the Backstreet Boys were bigger than ever.
As Static Shock was aimed at kids and teens it made sense to have a member of the pop group cameo on the show. Instead of voicing a hero, the pop star voiced himself. In the storyline, A.J. is saved by Static and signs a record deal with supporting character Adam Evans also known as Rubberband Man.
5 Steve Nash, Karl Malone, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady
Another awesome cameo with real-life characters were NBA players Steve Nash, Karl Malone, Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady. Though only Karl Malone was voiced by his real self, this episode reimagined the players as a covert superhero team called the Hoop Squad.
Each player was outfitted with a power suit and superhero names like Point Man, Center Force, Spin Drive, and Pulverizer. Static partners with the team to save Gear from an evil scientist named Dr. Odium.
4 Justice League
Just missing the top three are the Justice League themselves including Hawkgirl, The Flash, Martian Manhunter, Batman, and Green Lantern. They showed up in the two-part episode, “A League of Their Own” where the League takes on Brainiac with the help of Static and Gear.
It was awesome to see these young heroes fight alongside the Justice League. Green Lantern even suggests at the end that Static may join the team someday, foreshadowing the events of the Justice League Unlimited episode "The Once and Future Thing.”
3 Future Static
In the season four premiere entitled “Future Shock,” Static is helping Batman and Robin out when he is suddenly transported 40 years into the future during the era of the DCAU show Batman Beyond.
The plot has Static helping Terry McGinnis to save a captured hero, later revealed to be the Static of the future. This version is much stronger and rocks a sleeker suit, golden domino mask, and a goatee. There is nothing like being a cameo in your own show.
2 Shaquille O'Neal
Coming in second is NBA legend Shaquille O’Neil who plays himself in the season two episode “Static Shaq.” He is introduced by Virgil’s Dad as an old friend whom he had met at a basketball camp where Robert Hawkins was a counselor.
Static works alongside Shaq to defeat the Ruffpack and by the end, Shaq swears to keep Virgil’s identity a secret.
1 Lil' Romeo
The number one cameo goes to the rapper, Lil’ Romeo, who actually performed the theme song for seasons three and four. Romeo’s father, Master P, provided the music for the series as well. In the episode "Romeo in the Mix," Romeo goes to Dakota to shoot a music video and is accidentally captured while being dressed like Static.
After being rescued, Lil’ Romeo, Static, and Gear work together to save a group of kidnapped Bang-Babies. It was awesome to see the rapper of the iconic theme song cameo in the show and was particularly cool to see this teen star partner with a teen hero.