DC Animated Universe
Advertisement

Robert Hawkins was the father of Virgil Hawkins, Dakota's superhero Static.

History[]

As a kid, Robert was a big admirer of the superhero Soul Power and bought the hero's comic book. He greatly regretted the day his mother made him throw them away.[3]

He became a successful football player during his college years. His speed gained him the nickname Streak, but unlike his teammate Rashid Randall, Robert never made a future as a sportsman.[2] Robert may have served an unspecified time in the Marines, as he keeps in touch with a colleague from the services.[1] He married Jean, a paramedic, and became a social worker. He became the manager of the Freeman Community Center. He also worked as a counselor at basketball camps, at one of which he met a young Shaquille O'Neal.[1]

He led a happy life with Jean, and the couple got two children: Sharon and Virgil. The family was torn apart when, during the Dakota riots, when Jean was hit by a stray bullet in the crossfire. Robert managed to see her one last time before she died.[4] This only encouraged him to do more for the community. His dislike of gangs also grew, and he tried to get as many kids to stay away from them.[5]

He was a socially active man. After the Big Bang, he was very concerned about its effects on the rival gangs of the city, and demanded action from the mayor.[6] It wasn't the last time he found the city council unwilling to cooperate. At Christmas, he and Reverend Anderson organized a shelter for the homeless of Dakota.[7]

Due to his distrust towards meta-humans and gangs, Robert was initially hesitant to trust Static to being a good guy, and believed he could become a thug just any day. Over time, Robert began to see the potential of Static as a young superhero who could serve as a symbol of hope. It also helped that his daughter had a relationship with superhero Rubberband Man, seeing Rubberband Man redeem himself and become a better person also improved Robert's opinion on Static.[8]

Late in the series Robert was kidnapped by a scientist named Omnara and planned to use him as a bargaining chip to blackmail Static. Upon being kidnapped, Robert realized that Static is his own son, as it was the only reason he'd be kidnapped to be used as leverage against Static, he also figured out that Richie had to be Gear. After being rescued by Static, Robert decided to allow Virgil and Richie to continue being Static and Gear under the condition that Sharon also had to learn the truth, though he quickly changed his mind after Sharon complained about metahumans again.[9]

Background information[]

In Milestone Comics, Robert Hawkins wasn't that big of a character compared to the show. He was at work most of the time; almost all of Static's home life is filled by his mother and sister.

Appearances[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Uhley, Len (writer) & Sichta, Joe (director) (February 16, 2002). "Static Shaq". Static Shock. Season 2. Episode 4 (airdate). Episode 17 (production). Kids WB!.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Goodman, Robert (writer) & Goodman, Robert, Semper Jr., John, (teleplay) & Chele, Victor Dal (director) (May 1, 2004). "Linked". Static Shock. Season 4. Episode 10 (airdate). Episode 48 (production). Kids WB!.
  3. Beechen, Adam (writer) & Beechen, Adam, Semper Jr., John, (teleplay) & Uncredited director (June 21, 2003). "Blast From the Past". Static Shock. Season 3. Episode 15 (airdate). Episode 35 (production). Kids WB!.
  4. Semper Jr., John, (writer) & Cowan, Denys (teleplay) & Uncredited director (June 7, 2003). "Flashback". Static Shock. Season 3. Episode 14 (airdate). Episode 32 (production). Kids WB!.
  5. Simmons, Christopher (writer) & Tucker, James (director) (September 20, 2000). "Shock to the System". Static Shock. Season 1. Episode 1 (airdate). Episode 1 (production). Kids WB!.
  6. Berkowitz, Stan, Burnett, Alan (writer) & Berkowitz, Stan (teleplay) & Riba, Dan (director) (September 30, 2000). "Aftershock". Static Shock. Season 1. Episode 2 (airdate). Episode 2 (production). Kids WB!.
  7. Uhley, Len (writer) & Chlystek, Dave (director) (February 23, 2002). "Frozen Out". Static Shock. Season 2. Episode 5 (airdate). Episode 18 (production). Kids WB!.
  8. McDuffie, Dwayne (writer) & Riba, Dan (director) (January 27, 2001). "Bent Out of Shape". Static Shock. Season 1. Episode 10 (airdate). Episode 11 (production). Kids WB!.
  9. Semper Jr., John, (writer) & Chele, Victor Dal (director) (May 15, 2004). "Kidnapped". Static Shock. Season 4. Episode 12 (airdate). Episode 51 (production). Kids WB!.
Advertisement