Back in February writer/director/actor Stefan Dezil released a teaser trailer for his in-progress Static Shock: Blackout, a short live-action film based on the Milestone Media superhero created by Dwayne McDuffie and John Paul Leon. A tribute to the late McDuffie to coincide with what would have been his 50th birthday, Blackout was shot for just about $5,000 on the RED digital camera system, and expresses as genuine a love for the Static character as we've seen in any fan-made comics or gaming film. You can watch the full 13-minute piece after the cut.

Static Shock: Blackout focuses on a version of Daisy Watkins, the comic book love interest of Static aka Virgil Hawkins. In the film, she's "an up and coming news reporter from New York who travels to perilous Dakota City to be the first to discover the name of a teenage vigilante with paranormal abilities."

It's a valiant effort, and I like the Chronicle-esque touch in the beginning, where Static's videographer friend gives the young hero some of the business about his cheap costume. There are some impressive special effects moments as well, including a bit where we catch a glimpse of Static in his classic mode, riding a floating trash can lid.