The show revolves around Virgil Hawkins, a 14-year-old boy who uses the secret identity of "Static" after exposure to a mutagen gas during a gang fight which gave him electromagnetic powers.

Animation from a crew composed mostly of people from the company's past shows, but also with the involvement of two of the comic's creators, Dwayne McDuffie and Denys Cowan.

Wade eventually leads Virgil to a restricted area for a fight against F-Stop's crew, but it was interrupted by police helicopters.

During the dispute with the police, chemical containers explode, releasing a gas that causes mutations among the people in the vicinity (this event was later known as the "Big Bang").

As a result, Virgil obtains the ability to create, generate, absorb, and control electricity and magnetism—he takes up the alter-ego of "Static".

"[6] Although McDuffie stressed that the show remains loyal to "the spirit and the tone" of the comic book,[11][12] some changes were done because of its timeslot and target audience of pre-teens.

[6] Virgil is also younger in the animated series,[13] his costumes and use of his powers are different from the original, and his mother is dead in the show despite the fact that she is alive in the comics.

"[15] Nevertheless, McDuffie was concerned by the change because he originally intended to oppose the stereotype of black people not having a complete nuclear family.

[15] For the villains, Hotstreak was reused from the Static comics, Edwin Alva was brought from another Milestone's series—Hardware—, and the Meta-Breed was created for the series.

[16] Cowan stated that the change was done to give his clothes a "feel of the comic book",[17] while McDuffie said it represented a growth that Virgil was passing through.

"[20] Richie gains superhero powers because it was becoming hard to fit him into the story and the producers wanted to keep the "chemistry" between voice actors LaMarr and Marsden.

"[6] The series' music director was Richard Wolf,[21] while he, Stanley Clarke and Max Gousse were the composers, and Kennard Ramsey was the orchestrator.

[41] Static Shock's episodes handle different issues, including gangs, gun violence,[3] homelessness, bullying,[42] racism, mental illness,[6] bigotry, and drugs.

[3] The series was also marked by several crossover episodes with characters from the DC Animated Universe like Superman, Green Lantern, the Justice League, and the Batman Beyond cast.

[3] Several episodes also featured guest voice actors, including basketballers (like Shaquille O'Neal and Karl Malone)[3][44] and musicians, such as the B2K group,[45] Romeo Miller, and AJ McLean.

[3] Guest crew was also featured, including cartoonist Rick Hoberg as storyboard artist,[46] and Paul Dini and John Ridley as writers.

[49] Ratings increased after Richie's character obtained superhero powers; McDuffie affirmed that this is what secured the renewal for a new season.

[6] Static Shock's episode "The Big Leagues" earned director Dave Chlystek a nomination for Outstanding Achievement for Directing in an Animated Television Production at the 2002 Annie Awards.

[10] October 2001 issue of Wizard listed the 100 best cartoon shows ever as selected by their readers, with Static Shock ranked at number 88.

He asserted, "Static Shock didn't have quite the name recognition of its DC brethren when it debuted, but the show proved it could stand alongside the greats.

"[66] Charlie Jane Anders, for io9, ranked it 91st on a list of the best science fiction and fantasy shows; she commented, "amidst a glut of superhero cartoons, this is one of the most memorable.

"[67] In The Superhero Book, Andy Mangels praised Static Shock's multicultural approach,[3] while Emily Ashby from Common Sense Media lauded it for encouraging diversity.

[9] Mangels declared that "Static Shock provides solid superheroic entertainment and a role model and promotion of diversity for not only African-American viewers, but for audiences of all colors and ages.

[68] Lynne Heffley of Los Angeles Times commented it "isn't your typical Saturday-morning cartoon series", praising its themes and electing the episode "Jimmy"—about gun violence—as an example.

[9] Colby Lanham of Comic Book Resources said Virgil "was perhaps the most human of many superheroes on television at the time" and considered the series was canceled too soon.

[30] Neil Dorsett of DVD Verdict was generally disappointed; he called voice acting "very standard", and said that "artwork and animation are also both behind the times".

[30][31] Entertainment Weekly's Ken Tucker questioned why The WB made a TV show based on a cancelled, poorly-sold comic and criticized the "uttering tired, condescending lines" professed by Virgil.

[71] Nancy Imperiale Wellons from the Orlando Sentinel said "Virgil has a believable relationship with his family -- including a strong father figure -- but the show's pacing lags.

"[73] Thelma Adams criticized the show in the New York Post; first she called it "formulaic but appealing" and ultimately dubbed it "lame".

[83][84] McDuffie was responsible for diversifying the DC animated universe's Justice League by including black and female characters.