Anansi (Static Shock)

Anansi is the supporting character of the animated superhero TV series Static Shock. He is an African superhero who teamed up with American superhero Static on at least two occasions.
He is voiced by Carl Lumbly, who also voiced Martian Manhunter.
==History==
===Static in Africa ===
The Hawkins family boards a train to Kumasi, but unbeknownst to them a mysterious figure lurks around the corner watching over the family. On the train, the family is approached by Professor of Archeology at the University of Ghana, Dr. Anokye, who asks to sit with them and introduces himself to Robert. Robert tells the professor that his family are tourists, and Dr. Anokye responds that perhaps they're distant cousins, as it's possible their ancestors were separated from each other during the slave trade. "That's true." Robert tells his kids, "About 16% of all American slaves came from Ghana". He goes on to tell the Doctor that he wants to show Sharon and Virgil where the Ashanti kings used to live, leading Anokye to suggest they visit the Prempeh Jubilee Museum, but before he can finish his sentence, a loud thud is heard from the roof.
Just then, Osebo the Leopard rips open the train cars ceiling and drops in. Recognizing the criminal, Dr. Anokye clings tightly to his briefcase, but Osebo assures him he'll be taking it with him one way or another. Overhearing the commotion, the mysterious stranger sneaks up behind the villain and attacks. Revealing himself to be none other than Anansi The Spider, the most famous crime fighter in all of West Africa, the two begin to fight; Anansi reminding Osebo of the ancient stories in which "the spider always captures the leopard." Virgil teases that Anansi should "hit him with a web-blast", but Anansi informs him that he's not "that kind of spider". Revealing the Web of Tricks, Anansi makes it appear as though the floor of the train car disappeared, leading Osebo to cling to the ceiling. Realizing he had been fooled by an illusion, the villain attempts to continue the battle, but outclassed by Anansi, Osebo calls his henchman demanding they demolish the train.
Just then, guided by Osebo's collaborators, the train switches to a sidetrack, assuring a crash if nobody is able to stop it in time. Aware of the danger, Anansi leaps through the hole in the ceiling and runs along the side of the train towards the front car, avoiding Osebo's henchmen along the way. However, in Anansi's absence, the villain makes his move, and grabs Dr. Anokye's briefcase. Robert steps in, trying to stop Osebo, but is quickly flung aside. Shocked to see her father man-handled in such a way, Sharon makes an attempt to slow the criminal by stepping on his tail but is brushed off just as easily. Wanting to protect his family, but unable to use his powers in the presence of onlookers, Virgill attacks Osebo with a flying suitcase, but it's not enough. The train shifts, throwing the pair out of balance, and Osebo escapes through the hole in the roof, boarding an awaiting helicopter. Though, not before Virgil is able to place a tracking device on The Leopard. 
With his henchmen back on the train, Osebo radios for them to abandon the train just as Anansi enters the control room. Throwing the henchman out, the superhero pulls the braking mechanism, but it's too late. Without extra help, the train isn't going to stop in time. Realizing that the passengers are all focused on what's going on outside, Virgil powers up, and uses his electric abilities to help further slow down the speeding locomotive. Crashing through the cautionary fence at the edge of a cliff, the train stops just in time to not go over the edge. Unshaken, Robert reminds his son that he told him Africa would be exciting. Unaware that he received Virgil's aid, Anansi leaves to search for Osebo before he can be told about the tracking device.
Stuck in a remote village with his family, Virgil contacts Richie back home in Dakotaonce again to relay the days events, but before they can work together to formulate a plan, the call is cut short by Sharon. She informs Virgill that Robert secured them a hotel room as they won't be able to leave until the following day before quickly leaving again after spotting a merchant selling Kente cloth. Alone again, Virgil spots Dr. Anokye eating a plate of fufu by himself outside a nearby restaurant. The professor offers him a seat and some of his food, but focused on the case, Virgil asks what it was Osebo stole from him. Revealing that it was a map of ancient Kumasi, Dr. Anokye tells Virgil he believes he's found the location of a long-lost palace at the bottom of Lake Volta that may possibly filled with artifacts worth millions. Interrupted by Anansi, the hero announces he's lost Osebo's trail.
Asking if the hero can keep a secret, Virgil takes Anansi back to the hotel room and shows him the tracer. Explaining that his friend, Richie, was responsible for the design, Virgil informs Anansi that he's the only one who can track them. He reveals that this is because he's also a superhero, leading to Anansi enlisting his help in tracking down Osebo. With Robert and Sharon rapidly approaching the room to announce they found a local Burger Fool, Anansi casts an illusion to make them believe Virgil's asleep. With his family members fooled, the two begin their search, riding on opposite sides of the Static Saucer, as Anansi is able to stand upside down.
The pair finally locate Osebo and his henchmen loading crates of TNT into the back of a pick-up truck. Curious as to whether or not Static is an illusion, Anansi assures him that he's a "flashy" American. The villain tosses a lit bundle of dynamite at the heroes, and they leap off the side of a cliff to avoid the ensuing blast. Regardless, the duo is buried under rubble, convincing Osebo he's finally beaten The Spider. Unbeknownst to him, Static was able to generate an electric force field around the two, expanding it to free themselves from the debris after the villain left. Returning to the hide out, Anansi informs Virgil that Lake Volta is formed by a damn, and if Osebo were to destroy it, the lake would pour into the valley, allowing him to find the hidden palace, destroying thousands of homes in the process.
At the damn, Number Two reports that he's seen no sign of the heroes on his lookout. Little did he know, Anansi and Static would descend on him mere seconds later. Lifting the henchman into the sky, Anansi demands to know the location of Osebo. Receiving the information they desired, the heroes somersault Osebo's underling in the air before tossing him into the nearby lake.
Making their way to the dam's bottom tunnel, the heroes get the drop on an unsuspecting henchman, with Static using his powers to wrap the metallic Static Saucer around his head until he passes out. Overhearing Osebo discussing his plans with his henchman, Anansi remarks "He's so happy. It's a shame to disappoint him." Taking advantage of the tunnels electric lighting, Static overpowers the overhead lamps, blinding the henchmen, allowing Anansi to take them out one by one before following after Osebo. Staying behind, Number Two attempts to sneak up on Static, who outclasses him once again.
Back on the surface, Anansi and Osebo meet face to face for their final duel. Surrounded by illusions of Anansi, the villain threatens to blow the damn with them both within the blast radius, but Static arrives just in time to knock the detonator from his hand. Now in a safer position, the two rivals begin to fight. Osebo backs Anansi to a cliffside, but using his ability to walk on walls, the trickster causes Osebo to lose his footing and jump off the side. Catching his claws on the wall during his descent, Osebo's fall slows just enough to leave him unconscious, but otherwise fine when he hits the bottom.
Back at the hotel, Virgil and Sharon pack for their return trip. Entering the room, Robert tells the kids that he just read a story in the newspaper announcing that the Ghana government is funding an expedition to uncover the Ashanti palace now that Dr. Anokye has had his map returned. Robert leaves the room to head downstairs hoping to read more about the story, and Sharon accompanies him to check out the hotel gift shop. Following their exit, Anansi makes his presence known. Saying their goodbyes, Virgil tells Anansi "I never knew how important it would be to meet a role model like you." Virgil explains that it makes him feel validated to see the representation and tells his new friend "sometimes I wish there was a black superhero back home for folks to look up to." Placing his hand on Virgil's shoulder, Anansi assures him that there is, "and he is my hero too."
===Out of Africa===
Sharon and Virgil help Dr. Anokye set up a West African Exhibit at the museum. Anokye receives a call, then hides a golden spider in Sharon's coat pocket and tells her and Virgil to leave. On the way home, Virgil realizes he left his backpack at the museum, so he returns to get it. He sees Anokye is being attacked by a giant bug and changes into Static to stop it. Later, Anansi appears to tell Static that his old enemy, Osebo, is after the golden spider, the source of Anansi's powers.
Meanwhile, Sharon discovers the Spider in her pocket and begins testing it. Not realizing at first that its powers involve powerful illusions, she uses it to clean up the dirty dishes in the kitchen before going to Richie for help in figuring it out, but Oniniattacks Richie's house and kidnaps Sharon. Static, Gear, and Anansi track them to their hideout to regain the golden spider and free Sharon.
Then after Osebo, Mmoboro and Onini are taken away by the police, Anansi kisses Sharon's hand and charmingly tells her that he's forever in her debt. 
==Powers and abilities==
Via the golden spider of Kwaku Anansi, Anansi gained the power of storytelling and with it, illusion. He can create illusions that seem real, but aren't. Once an opponent became aware that they were only illusions, they could usually just ignore them. Anansi can also walk on walls and ceilings like a real spider, which made him able to stand on the bottom of the Static Saucer.
Anansi is skilled at hand-to-hand combat and uses a staff as a weapon.
==Gallery==
Anansi.png
Anansi vs. Osebo.gif|Anansi overpowers Osebo despite him being bigger and physically stronger.
Anansi's Illusion Web.gif|Anansi can create magic illusions on his own or webs that appear so real people can't distinguish them from reality.
Anansi's hand to hand combat.gif|Anansi overcomes a group of Osebo's men without trouble.
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