Writer John Rozum has resigned from writing the new DC comic series Static Shock.
Fozum made a post first on his Facebook page to fans and then followed it up with a statement on his blog about the decision. Via the Facebook post, ”Just so everyone knows, I have resigned from ‘Static Shock.’ Before any speculation starts the decision was entirely mine. My issues for leaving had nothing to do with the character or with DC Comics. I plan to continue working for DC long into the future and am developing new projects for them at this time. I’m also open to any other offers, so if you are in the position to give me work, please let me know.”
The first issue of the new series was released just last week. The writer was paired with artist Scott McDaniel, who was also co-writing the series with him. Rozum made it clear on his website that the decision was his and his alone and that he was not fired by DC. “I’m not giving any details at this time, but before speculation begins I’d like to say a few things which I hope will curtail a lot of unwarranted hostility and placing of blame where it shouldn’t be placed,” he wrote. He also said his choice had nothing to do with the character himself. “I think Static is a great character with loads of potential, which I hope will get exploited.”
It’s been a long road getting the Milestone character to this point. Created in 1993 by the late Dwayne McDuffie, Static Shock (aka Virgil Hawkins) was primarily a Milestone Media character until he got his own Warner Bros. animated television series in 2000. He made his first canonical DC appearance in Terror Titans then officially joined the Teen Titans. DC announced he’d be getting a solo series with writer Felicia Henderson and McDaniel on art which instead turned into a one-shot in honor of McDuffie following his passing. With the relaunch, it was announced Rozum and McDaniel were on a new Static Shock series.
“Given a lot of people’s suspicious feelings regarding the relationship between DC Comics and Milestone Media, I will also warn not to read into this that my decision was based on any decisions regarding the handling of the character by DC Comics. This is not true,” wrote Rozum on his website. “I maintain a belief that the folks at DC also share a belief that Static has a lot of potential as part of the DCnU and that they would like the character to remain true to his origins, and established nature.”
He reiterated, “My decision had nothing to do with DC Comics. I’ve been very happy overall with my time at DC over the roughly 15 years that I’ve worked for them and I plan to continue working with them into the future. The feeling is mutual. I’m developing new material for them even as I write this. DC Comics is in no way responsible for my decision to leave Static Shock, and have been very supportive of this decision. For now, this is all I’m going to say on the matter.”
No word yet on whether Rozum’s decision will affect the release dates of the following issues, how many he’s completed or who will take over for him.
