As “The Long Hot Summer” continues to unfold, Hardware guest-stars in the extra-size 25th issue featuring a metallic fifth cover color. Virgil Hawkins starts to find out just how lethal his superpowers are when Static is challenged by the seductive villainess Dusk and the brilliant scientist-turned-vigilante Hardware. Plus, Virgil faces the very real problem of how far to go with his girlfriend. It’s all set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Dakota.