Virgil Hawkins/Richie Foley - Static Shock

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

Title: Danger! High Voltage
Fandom: Static Shock
Pairing: Virgil Hawkins (Static)/Richie Foley (Gear)
Author: dommichan
Spoilers: Entire series. No really...I was going to list the specific episodes and then went "Wait there's sixteen and counting." So we'll say whole series and be done with it.
Notes: I'm pointing this out due to me knowing that a lot of comic geeks are in this community (myself included)...this essay only covers the Static Shock animated series, and really has little to do with the Milestone comic series Static. As the cartoon has taken about seventy million liberties with the comics canon on its own, I really don't want anyone getting confused. ^_^;;

Also, I feel the need to share that I was this close to calling this "Ebony and Ivory." I think I just dated myself. ::hangs head in shame::



The Background or What'chu Talkin' About, Willis:

Static Shock is an animated series that ran from 2000 until 2004 on the WB Network. It is loosely based off of the DC/Milestone comic series Static that ran for a good chunk of the 1990s. Both series take place in the city of Dakota in...well, we're not sure about the state but that's a fine print detail anyways. That's kind of where the similarities end.

Approximately four years before our story begins in Static Shock, there was a horrible gang war/riot that cost the city of Dakota many lives and a lot of people their safety. Since that night, the city hasn't completely given into crime like Gotham, but it's not all shiny goodness and song-singing like Metropolis either.

When our story begins, another such riot type situation between rival gangs happens one night on the Dakota docks. Unbeknownst to the gang-bangers, Alva Industries (think Lexcorp or Wayne Enterprises, but with an old guy running it instead of some hot young thing) had a shipment of a new weapon for chemical warfare going out that same night. When the fighting broke out, an accident occurred with the shipment causing what would from then on be known as the Big Bang. A huge cloud of gas infested the area, getting inhaled by virtually everyone within a near distance.

The gas had some side-effects. Like...you know that cloud the Fantastic Four got hit by? Yeah, it was kinda like that only purple and not in space.

The next thing that happened to the fair city of Dakota is a metric ton of super-powered people running all over the place. Chaos and a new fear grip the city, as the Bang Babies or Metahumans as they're now called run rampant - some due to being driven crazy because of their powers, some due to just being bad in the first place. People such as Francis Stone, now called Hotstreak for his control over fire, or Ivan Evans, now called Ebon because he's become a living shadow.

Seemingly out of all of the Bang Babies...out of everyone that was there that night...only one uses his powers for good and to help the city fight back against the Metahuman threat.

And his name is Static.


The Players or Aren't they just the Cutest things like EVER:

Virgil "I'm just a soul whose intentions are good...oh Lord, please don't let me be misunderstood" Hawkins/Static

Back off guys, I don't want to hurt you...apparently, that sounded as lame to you as it did to me. ~A Leage of Their Own, part two

Virgil Hawkins is...pretty much your average fourteen year old boy when the series begins. He goes to Dakota Union High and gets good grades. He lives with his dad who runs the local community center and his college student older sister. He reads comics and likes to pretend that he's his idol, the Green Lantern. He loves horror movies and video games. He's too shy to ask his friend, Frieda, to the Homecoming Dance. He hates his middle name and gets picked on by school bully Francis "F-Stop" Stone.

Virtually none of that changes the night of the 'Bang. Actually, none of that does change after the 'Bang, except for the amount of free time he has to do all of those things. Now, most people when they discover that a freak accident has given them control over all things electro-magnetic (he can play CDs with his powers, but shorts out when he gets wet which...I'm still sorta wondering how he showers but that's neither here nor there) would be like "Oh my God what the hell does this mean? Am I a freak? Are men in white coats going to take me away and poke me with needles? Am I going to become a weapon for the government?"

Virgil...promptly calls his best friend and, after several failed attempts, they make him a costume and come up with the codename of Static. To say he handled that with aplomb is...something of an understatement. ^_~

As mentioned above Virgil is, for lack of a better term, a good kid. He does very well in school and even gets accepted to an accellerated science program at a nearby private academy. He gets along very well with his father, although his relationship with Sharon, his older sister, is...well, it could be better but you can tell that they really love each other underneath the comments about laziness and dog jokes. He's fairly well-liked at school, enough so that during the Christmas/Kwanzaa/Chanukkah/Ramadan season he's invited to about seventy different parties at his friends' homes.

But Dommi, you're all wondering, if he's such a good kid why was he at the docks with those gangs the night of the 'Bang?

I'm very glad you asked. Well, he's not well-liked by everyone, for starters. He's bullied by F-Stop, to the point of lying to his family about where his black eyes come from. Like most boys his age would be, he's embarassed and fed up, and when Wade (a gang-banger with a seeming soft-spot for Virgil) offers him the chance to help his gang in the rumble at the docks- going so far as to even give Virgil a handgun -in exchange for protection from Francis, Virgil takes it.

Yeah, I know I said he was a good kid. Good kids can be really dumb at times, just like everyone else.

Virgil goes to the docks and he kind-of realizes the whole time that it's a mistake and he doesn't belong there. Which, of course only gets reaffirmed when the gas explodes.

That actually sums up Virgil in a nutshell. While he tends to see things in black and white terms, and sometimes makes really dumb and/or rash decisions as a result, he always figures out what's right for himself. It may take him a little while, but inevitably and sometimes with a little help, he does the right thing. And sometimes he even learns something in the process. He thinks with his heart first and foremost and while that doesn't always go well in the beginning, he does the right thing when it counts. He can be somewhat self-absorbed and egotistical, to the point of insensitivity towards his friends and loved ones. Which, again, he tends to see before it's too late and he apologizes once he realizes he's been doing wrong.

Sometimes, he also seems to have "oooh shiny and new and different" syndrome. He has definite moments of taking some things for granted when something newer and a little more interesting comes along, for example pushing his best friend aside to spend time with a girl who's caught his eye.

Oh right...one more thing. I just realized I keep mentioning his family but have been leaving out his mother. Sadly, Virgil's mother was a rescue worker and was one of the many fatalities of the Dakota Riots. While generally cheery, her death has not left him completely unaffected. When his mother gets brought up, Virgil tends to grow quiet, withdrawn, and even moody. He snaps at Sharon for asking him to write a speech for her memorial service, he worries that he's forgetting her memory, and he wonders if she'd be proud of him both as Virgil and as Static. He also has a phobia/hatred of firearms because she was killed by gunshot. It's fairly easy to see that bothJean Hawkins herself and her death have had a lot to do with the great person that Virgil is today.


Richie "I can kill you with my brain...no really" Foley/Gear

So I'm a little smarter than most people...what's the big deal? ~Gear

Richie Foley is Virgil Hawkins best friend, and has been for...at least a while. They always hang out together, going to comic book conventions and video arcades with each other. When not partaking in either of those events, he is also almost a permanent fixture at the Hawkins household. He even helps with the chores.

Throughout the series, Richie not only serves as Virgil's sole confidant concerning his activities as Static, but he serves as his partner and backup in many ways as well. He does internet research for him, he helps him train, he comes up with the catchphrases, and he also builds things for Static to use. He designed the disc that Static flies on, as well as the Zap Caps (little metal capsules that hold an electric charge strong enough for Virgil to recharge with if he shorts out), Shock Voxes (their walkie-talkie like communicators), and tracking devices. His inventions get more and more ornate as the series progresses, his proudest one being a multi-purpose robot that seems to have at least minimal AI called Backpack.

It's revealed during the beginning of the third season that the reason why Richie can design all of these things is because he is also a Bang Baby with a delayed reaction to the gas. Even though he wasn't at the docks that night, he was with Virgil fairly soon after he was gassed. The fumes in Virgil's clothing were inhaled by Richie, and it caused a very slow reaction in him. (Hey. This is a show where people can do things like fly using manhole covers and morph into bird-people. I think we can forgive this part of the story a bit.)

At this point, Ebon has begun to put it together that wherever Static is, Richie Foley is not far behind. He in turn has Richie stalked, and when they came to the conclusion that Virgil is probably Static, they kidnapped him. To get his friend back, Richie fashioned a quick and dirty costume and resuced Virgil from Ebon's clutches using Backpack and some other inventions. He then makes himself a real costume and starts openly fighting crime alongside Static as Gear.

Richie shares a cheery dispostion with his best friend, although his is somewhat quieter. He also is a bit more on the sarcastic side, with a tendency to hide in humour when things start getting weird or rough. Richie is the one who won't hesitate to make fun of someone that falls down in front of him, but he'll always do it while helping them up. He also seems to be somewhat slow when it comes to social graces-he wears his normal hoodie and khakis to a formal Chanukkah party, he has a habit of talking with his mouth full, he has a hard time keeping secrets (the fact that he never tells anyone that Virgil's Static or he's Gear is...pretty miraculous), and uh girls? What are girls?

The only person Richie routinely spends any time with throughout the series is Virgil...when he is shown with his family, he and his mother seem to get along fairly well. Richie and his father...well, that's difficult to say for a few reasons. Mostly because his dad's only in one episode, but also because of his father's somewhat bigoted attitudes. His racist comments cause Virgil to leave Richie's house early one night, and Richie in turn runs away from home fearing that his father has cost him his best friend. Everything does get resolved and his dad does promise to work on his perceptions concerning African Americans, but as he doesn't get any dialogue again for the rest of the series, it's hard to say how much, if any, he's changed.

He does have a tendency to resort to escapist tactics when things get him down; he runs away from home when he confronts his father's racist attitudes, he withdraws from Virgil when he receives temporary powers from Ragtag, and he leaves the Gas Station in a huff while quitting a reality show when Static accuses him of jealousy. He withdraws a lot more easily than Virgil does, particularly when he feels like Virgil's head is getting a little too big or he's not being given his proper due as Static's partner (never sidekick.) It never lasts, though, and pretty quickly Richie always goes back to his cheery disposition and video-game marathons with Virgil.

The Canon or I think I saw a Porno that started like this once:

Well, let's see. There's having all of the same interests for starters...horror movies, comic books, videogames, et cetera. The level of trust they have for one another is amazing. Richie is the only person Virgil tells about his powers, or about his fears concerning his mother's death...something he couldn't even explain to his father. Virgil also relies on Richie for a lot of his common sense...Richie is the first one to call Virgil out when he's being stupid. Coincidentally, he's also the first one to forgive Virgil when he messes up, telling Virgil it's cool when he asks Daisy to a concert instead of him, or when Virgil starts treating him like a sidekick versus a partner.

Richie has a safety net in a lot of ways in Virgil. His home life doesn't seem to be the greatest, and meanwhile there's an incredibly supportive environment with Virgil at his home. He knows he can go to Virgil when he just needs a break, whether from his brain practically bursting into flames with ideas, or from his dad. Virgil gives him the security of always having a place to go. In many instances, Richie also has a focal point in Virgil. There are numerous times in the series where Virgil reminds him of what his priorities should be with a short "Focus, Richie," that works instantaneously. No one else really seems to be able to do that, or even willing to try.

In a lot of ways, Virgil is also his protector. His response to Richie being blasted out of the sky by Sinestro is a very angry "Do what you want to me, just don't hurt my friend." He refuses to even consider killing Richie to stop Brainiac in the Justice League crossover. Likewise, Richie literally beats Ragtag, the Bang Baby that gave him his temporary super powers in "Power Play," with a lawnchair when Ragtag tries to kill Static. They look out for each other, sometimes to the point of being very single-minded, and there seems to be little they won't do for one other.

Richie also tends to display a lot of jealousy when it comes to Virgil, either with other people or with Virgil himself. With Virgil himself, it's mostly with his powers and the fact that he's Dakota's favourite superhero, although it's pretty obvious that Virgil is his hero and that Virgil's opinion is the most important one to him. As for the other source of his jealousy, well...her name is Daisy Watkins.

Virgil meets Daisy midway through the first season at the Van Moor School for the Gifted (think Xavier's but for smart kids instead of mutants) during his brief stay there. Daisy is a nice, funny, attractive girl who laughs at his jokes. So, duh, he's taken with her. It's revealed at the end of the episode that Daisy has transferred into Dakota Union permanently, and her presence becomes something of a source of contention between Richie and Virgil. In "Winds of Change," we learn that Virgil's been spending a lot of time with Daisy and Richie is clearly reacting to that poorly. He makes plans with Virgil and Virgil decides he'd rather be with Daisy than Richie, resulting in he and Richie...exchanging words. The whole time they're arguing, Richie's side comes off very much like a spurned, jealous girlfriend or lover...he keeps tabs on Virgil's schedule, he's rather accusing when he reminds him of their plans, and so forth. So they stop speaking to each other. It causes Richie to become moody and withdrawn, and Virgil to become quiet and serious. And Daisy goes to Richie and begs for the two of them to work things out, because she can't take how wrong they're acting. Even she sees that, when it comes to the pair, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Or, as I like to think of it...about four episodes devoted to Virgil's feelings about Daisy, about twelve devoted to or that have a significant amount of time devoted to Richie and Virgil's relationship to each other. I think it's pretty cut and dry when you look at the numbers.



The Miscellaney or Things like Fanfiction and such:

Communities:
the_gas_station - Mostly a gen community, and easily the most active.
dakota_bangs - Also a gen community.
static_graphics - For all your icon and wallpaper needs. (I'm also the co-maintainer!)
virichie - Specifically for Virgil/Richie shipping, or "Heroslash." That's hot! < /Paris Hilton >

Fanfiction:
In the Mood to Lose my Way by thete1 - Really mostly one-sided Richie/Virgil, with some Robin/Gear thrown in for fun. Despite a couple very minor continuity glitches and for someone who claims she doesn't have Richie and Virgil down pat, she sure does an excellent job with Richie's unresolved crush and probably the competition (even if just in his head) he feels with Daisy.
It's a Tradition and Show and Tell - by valkyrie-alex. The first is a heart-rending multi-chapter story about the power of miracles and Virgil's love for his best friend. The second is a humourous take on a classic misunderstanding. It also probably has the funniest ending line I've ever seen in a fanfic.
Sunset by mouse42 - Richie thinks he thinks too much he thinks. Virgil shows him that sometimes the simple answer is the right one. (This is the fic that totally got me into V/R shipping.)
Summertime by xparrot - It really is summed up best by its tagline - "This wasn't the way Richie had planned to come out."
Christmas Ritual by seikaitsukimizu - More pre-slash, but definitely warm-and-fuzzy regardless. Virgil is stuck alone on Christmas Eve while Richie helps the League. To say that he's lonely is an understatement.
Mind the Gap by NME - Take a walk through the subway system of Richie's mind as Virgil tricks him into a date. Oh, and there are zombies.
Hurricanes and Sisters by fire_tears - What happens when Sharon sees Richie making out with someone she thinks he shouldn't be? Why, she tells Virgil of course. Too bad all is not what it seems.
Fit by scheherezhad - Virgil sees that Richie has the best Halloween costume ever.
Slave to Fashion by dommichan - On a mission with the League, Richie wears a dress. And it makes Virgil lose his mind. (Mostly here because...well, there's not a whole lot in the way of porn in my fandom. Which is sad.)

Fanart:
Roleplay, by sutaretagaisce
Virgil and Richie, by makkurakoyappi
Virgil and Richie on a couch, by tsukisou

The Reasoning or Why I think These Two need to go to Massachusetts and get hitched...uh as soon as they're old enough.

Well, for one thing, they're adorable together. Just look at them, for God's sake.

Also, a lot of their relationship reads like your typical male character with supposedly platonic female friend, right down to rescuing each other. You know what I'm talking about...the pairs that bicker, and are there for each other, and that you're pulling your hair out over the fact that they haven't gotten together yet why God why. You just spend the whole series wondering when they'll just kiss already and be done with it. They banter and sometimes it borderlines on flirting. And hey, if it's good enough for Lois and Clark or Mulder and Scully, why not Richie and Virgil?

It's also a lot like the whole hero and damsel in distress thing, because well, Richie gets kidnapped a lot. By Alva, by Ebon, by Sinestro, by villains of the day...a lot. And who always saves him but his knight in shining armour on a flying disc made of metal? Virgil.

They're far closer than any siblings or any other set of friends you see on the show, or most series for that matter. They put each other first, they fight for each other, they lie for each other, they protect each other.

They both know that they will always have someone there for them that understands. Someone they can trust and run to when things are bad, or even when things are good yet somewhat dull.

They get each other.

When Alva experimented and nearly killed several Bang Babies in an attempt to save his son, Virgil ran past all of them including his sister's boyfriend to make sure Richie was okay. And Richie literally only had Virgil on his mind when a telepathic Bang Baby took a peak inside.

It's canon that when Static's in his 60s, Gear will still be his partner and still be right there with him.

Frankly...how could someone not ship them?

And again, they're adorable together! ADORABLE!

Comments

[a-white-rain.livejournal.com]

I've been looking foward to this essay for awhile, I've always liked this pairing, but was too lazy to look deeper into it. I'm looking foward to reading the recs.

Is it just me or is something going on between Frieda and Daisy?

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

Oh definitely read them. They're all excellent!

It is so not just you. Daisy/Frieda is almost as obvious as Virgil/Richie, and not just because they're the token girls. They're like always touching each other and stuff!

[second-batgirl.livejournal.com]

I'm really glad that this manifesto showed up. Thank you for writing it!

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that you're glad! And it was fun!

[maderr.livejournal.com]

Yay! Awesome manifesto ^_^ I had fun reading it, you did a wonderful job. Thanks for the read!

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

Yay I'm glad you liked it! It was hard work! And you're very welcome...I'm always happy to share my OTP with everyone else! *^_^*

[blackjackrocket.livejournal.com]

Didn't Static's creator say it was canon that Ritchie has a crush on Virgil?

Anyway, nice essay! I always liked this show (is it out on home release? All the other DC Universe shows are).

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

I don't know about it being canon that Richie has feelings for Virgil, but it is canon that he's gay. I thought I'd let the rest of canon speak for itself, because I was afraid that if I brought that up, it'd be more of a "the creator says so, so there" than "I ship them and here's why you should too."

I'm glad you enjoyed it - it was really fun to write! And a few episodes are on DVD, but not the whole series unfortunately.

[mizzmarvel.livejournal.com]

True story - Once, when Dwayne McDuffie asked for suggestions on his messageboard for future Static plots, I asked that Richie come out as gay. He is, after all, based largely on a character in the Static comic books that was revealed as gay, which freaked Virgil out completely.

(I got no response from McDuffie, needless to say.)

[mizzmarvel.livejournal.com]

Uh, PS, the essay is awesome. Felt like a jerk for forgetting to say so. I really need to peruse those links.

[ajmckay.livejournal.com]

Absolutely marvelous! I remember reading once that Richie was a mixture of three of the comic characters including the gay one, so he's at least 1/3 gay canonically speaking! ^_^

You already know I love these boys and I've already read most of the fic links, but I'll be sure to check out the ones I haven't. I've been reading a lot of Brian/Michael lately, which has left me neglecting keeping up with Virgil/Richie, shame on me.

I'm so glad you took the time to plan and write this out.

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

Yup, and in fact Dwayne McDuffie confirmed that Richie himself is gay on his message board. As I said above, I really was trying to keep this to canon and not what people who worked on the show said.

Oh do check them out. They're all so good. (Well, mine's okay. But the others!)

And I'm glad you enjoyed it! *^_^*

Adorable...

[kasumi-sora.livejournal.com]

OTP, anyone? I've always liked this pairing. I was so happy to see an essay for it. A well writen one too! It would be a intresting read ever for the non V/R fan. And you are right they are adorable together!

Re: Adorable...

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

It would, wouldn't it? I mean, I can't say honestly that I've met anyone who dislikes this pairing...most people I know that prefer Virgil/Daisy, at least agree that Richie has a one-sided crush.

And I'm glad you liked the essay! *^_^* Adorable!

Allow me to squee, please. Squee! ...thank you.

[vivalanaomi.livejournal.com]

Wow, I haven't logged in to my journal in over a year, but this manifesto forced me out of the warm, lurking shadows.

First of all, it was a great essay. You've really shared the appeal of our guys, and I know I will probably look through it more than a few times as a recourse as I continue to work on my fic.

I agree on all your recs, but especially with valkyrie-alex's work. It was her fan fiction that convinced me to stop reading and finally write something. I am truly enjoying her latest fan fiction, "Through a Glass, Darkly".

Finally, thank you so much for the recommendation and I am truly flattered. I was completely flabbergasted to see it up there, and it gave me a joyous feeling that will probably stick for some time.

~NME

Re: Allow me to squee, please. Squee! ...thank you.

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

*feels special* Look ma, I meta'ed! ::silly grin:: I'm very glad it'll be of use. I was toying with doing each boy for idol_reflection, but we'll see how my time goes.

I actually almost put "Glass" on the list, but I feel like it's more of an AU/action story. The Virgil/Richie is very secondary to the over-reaching plot (which is fine because it's AMAZING), so that was why I left it off. And I can definitely see how she'd get someone into writing. ^_^v

Really? I think "Mind the Gap" is brilliant. I've burst out so many times at it, and it's just...totally how Richie's brain would work. I'm very very glad to have spread the warm fuzzies with my rec...it's very well deserved.

[taito-kisses.livejournal.com]

Wow, this rocks! You nailed their friendship. I've read the recs already, but imma go read them again. Glad these two got a manifesto, good job, dommichan!

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

Wow. That's high praise indeed, because I kinda thought I didn't do very well. Thank you so much for the kind words!

[svz-insanity.livejournal.com]

I love you. So so much. I adore this shipping and I'm sadden by the lack of fics over on FF.net and because I'm stupid, I never realized there were communities for it on LJ. ^^ Thank you. I find your essay very well written and yes, they are too adorable for their own good. Thank you. <3

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

Awww why thanks. *^_^* Yes, there needs to be more of everything for our boys, because much like L'oreal they're worth it.

Very glad you liked it!

[quiet-aversion.livejournal.com]

I love you for this.

I've loved this pairing forever (ever since I saw my first episode!). It just makes so much sense, yeah?

Love the recs. I've read the valkerie-alex ones, and a couple of the others (like Summertime), but I haven't read the ones on LJ. So I'm definitely going to go to that now. And I had no idea there was a V/R comm on LJ! ♥

This is definitely going in my memories.

Have you read Green (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1782116/1/) by Rachelle Ryan or Like a Dream (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2128086/1/) by summerstarr (it's AU. Very)? Or InHuman Touch (http://www.fanfiction.net/s/2224490/1/) by leev?

... Did you write Forest for the Trees? Because that's on my favorite's list on FFNet. : D

~Neo

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

Awww. Thanks so much...it's always nice to be loved! And yes, the pairing makes so much sense, it's insane.

Wow, I'm glad I posted the link to it then. It seems like a lot of people didn't know of the SS fandom's existence on LJ. And I'm glad you liked it enough to memorize it!!

I have read Green, Like a Dream, and InHuman Touch. With Green and IH, it's kinda the same as Glass...I feel they're more oriented on other things - in this case, they're better showcases of Richie as a character in a lot of ways with Virgil/Richie stuff happening too - and I was trying to stick with stories that really had V/R as the focus. With Like a Dream...I think that was a brain lapse, honestly.

And yes, I am the author of Forest. I'm really not comfortable with self-recs (I literally only put Slave to Fashion on the list as it is the only true NC-17 V/R fic that I've seen, let alone written) and it's not complete so... I am almost done with the last interlude and next chapter, but my stuff for Dragon*Con's gotten in my way. ^_^;; And I'm glad to hear you like it!! I always worry that no one will like where I'm going, especially after the last chapter. ^_^;;

[scheherezhad]

Excellent manifesto. And, squee, I got recced! ^_____^

You've got a great thread of humor running through this, which is so right for the pairing. There were, like, a hojillion lines I couldn't help but snicker at. You hit on all the important points about their relationship, good and bad. I think you really did justice to the pairing.

Gold star for you. *

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

Yay! Glad you liked it! And Fit was a fun piece...I have a weakness for drawings and stories about people in each other's outfits. ^_~

Thanks! I tried to keep it funny, because the show's hilarious and really non-serious at times. They're a light, fun pairing so I wanted my manifesto to be the same way. *^_^*

Eeee! ::puts gold star in frame on wall:: Shinyyyyy...

[memlu.livejournal.com]

Omigoodness I adore you. <3 I had no idea at all there was this much Virgil/Richie in the well-written category; everything I seem to find is terrible. *g*

That said: oh my I love this essay and you are a hero to me now. :D

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

Hey, if I can point people in the right directions for good V/R stuff, I am more than happy to. *^_^*

Aw shucks, tweren't nothin'. ::blushes:: Glad you enjoyed it!

[draggystack.livejournal.com]

Ooh, shiny.

I must admit, I'd never seen this show before the mainfesto, but it's intrigued me so much that I've been frantically searching the children's networks (WTF?!? Why the hell does anyone want to be subjected to seven hours straight of Lizzie McGuire?) but sadly, to no avail. Are they still showing on air, or what? Ah well. I'll figure something out if they aren't (comic stores, watch out). thanks for adding another fandom.

[sink-or-swim.livejournal.com]

It currently is airing at 5 pm EST as part of Cartoon Network's Miguzi line up every day. *^_^*

There are also super-sekrit Bit Torrents available of the first anf fourth seasons, as well as the Justice League two-part crossover. (In which, Brainiac! And lots of subtext in the second half!)

Oh it's such a fun show, you'll love it! And hey more in the fandom means more stuff! *^_^*

[alba-aulbath.livejournal.com]

I was never a huge Static fan, but I am a fan of his friendship with Richie. I can say that much, at least. I think the only thing that makes me really cringe at Static is the music. And I can't bloody well watch the show on mute, so I just don't go out of my way to watch it, alas.

But either way? Cute essay. Very cute.

Richie's gay in the comics? Rawk. I know that, at least, Bruce Timm and the gang (for the most part, even if they don't have much or anything to do with Static) are okay with homosexuals. They kind of try to hint some gay material where it's canon, which is kudos to them.

[ex-theatrica309.livejournal.com]

This is so far from being my fandom that it is difficult to describe, but I remembered the show and just had to read this. :)

They are adorable. They are. Oh my God. I feel the need to download episodes now.

(And, hmmm, Ritchie's canonically gay? That makes me SO HAPPY.)

[simon-the-duck.livejournal.com]

Dommichan, you did good. I'd been waiting for someone to write up a Virgil/Richie. (Of course, it's been a while since I forgot I'd been waiting and stopped checking every so often...)

Your brilliant essay

[(Anonymous)]

I completely agree with everything you wrote. I find it so funny when people say that Richie isn't gay because the Creator said he is. I'm glad I'm not the only person that bothered to find that out; I can get a little obsessive when I like a fandom in regards to research. I've read this essay at least five times and I always enjoy it. V/R always.

[dareeven.livejournal.com]

I know this is kinda late, but I just wanna say thank you for doing such a pretty, interesting and intelligent 'essay', and well, I think that's pretty much it, I'm just blown away for it.

Amazing Job!