During the 1990s, DC had an irksome tendency to prolong and lengthen story-arches. Readers would remember sagas like The Death of Superman, Knightfall, and No Man’s Land not simply because of one or two events that occurred during them, but for how long they went on for. Sometimes, brevity is best, especially if little interesting is happening (a common issue with the overlong Batman sagas of the decade). That was my great fear with Starman: Stars My Destination. Writers like James Robinson and David S. Goyer could no doubt have mustered ideas and plots for dozens of issues, but that would have left the overarching story becoming stale and entirely unsatisfactory. Fortunately, Stars My Destination is a digestible storyline – we witness the attractive and unique sights along the way, but we are clearly edging closer to our ultimate destination. The big question? What does this all mean for Jack Knight?
Starman (vol 2) 54-60 was published from June to December 1999. Written by James Robinson and David S. Goyer, with art by Craig Hamilton, Ray Snyder, Peter Snejbjerg, Wade Von Grawbadger, Keith Champagne, and Stephen Sadowski. These tales make up the last in the fifth (and penultimate) volume in the Starman Omnibus series.
1899, The Scalphunter Years: A Rich Man’s Folly --- Written by James Robinson with art by Craig Hamilton and Ray Snyder
The story of Scalphunter has been one of the more enigmatic aspects of the saga thus far. With Matt O’Dare seemingly the reborn version of Opal’s original hero, Robinson has left much of the Scalphunter’s original adventures up to the imagination. But Starman (vol 2) 54 – another Times Past – uncovers some of the past with a tale from 1899. But these revelations tell us more about something else rather than the Scalphunter. The Shade – acting as a kind of for-hire mercenary – is propositioned by a rich family to murder their cousin – Herman Moll – another rich man but with a knack for science. The Shade cares little for money and refuses the case. However, an assassin from Gotham City arrives to kill off Herman Moll. The Shade asks the Scalphunter to help as Opal is his jurisdiction. Although I don’t see why that would stop someone like the Shade, it’s a way of weaving Scalphunter into the tale. Although it appears to be a pretty generic ‘stop the murderer’ kind of tale, the reason Starman (vol 2) 54 has its importance is because it is revealed that Herman Moll is working on a ship – a ship that is very familiar to its occupants in the far future, one Jack Knight and another Mikaal Tomas. Crowning Moll as the ship’s inventor is a nifty little idea, adding depth and interest to the story of the enigmatic ship which the contemporary heroes are travelling in. Although this revelation redeems the story, one aspect which angers me the most is not anything to do with the issue’s contents, with DC’s subsequent attitude towards it. Many earlier collected editions of the Starman saga entirely neglected the latter Times Past issues, meaning that keen Starman (vol 2) readers were denied the full experience of the title. Thankfully, DC is no longer as amateur as this, but it would be foolish for anyone to miss this issue out of their reading list.
It is high praise to deem an artist a ‘genius.’ Robinson has no qualms with coronating Craig Hamilton with such a title in the omnibus’s afterword. Although I cannot fully agree, he certainly adds darkness and drama to this late-nineteenth century tale, with Snyder’s deep and shadowy inks creating a fantastic, almost horror-like, mood which adds much to the story’s atmosphere.
Taxicab Confessions --- Written by James Robinson and David S. Goyer, with art by Peter Snejbjerg, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Keith Champagne
Who remembers the Space Cabbie? Asking that question in any public space today would encourage – at the mildest of reactions – a confused expression on the faces of those whose lives are yet to be sparkled and transformed by such a fantastic character created by Otto Binder and Howard Sherman in 1954. The Space Cabbie was exactly what you think – a cab driver in space! So, who remembers the Space Cabbie? James Robinson, of course! Starman (vol 2) 55 is a Robinson/Goyer adventure through space, as the fantastic space-travelling taxi driver picks up two rather suspicious characters. The three characters exchange stories of Jack Knight, Mikaal Tomas, and the hologram of Ted Knight, as they come face-to-face with the horrors and creatures of space. Two features make this a flawless issue. Firstly, each of the three characters in the taxi recall the story very differently. Various versions of the same event occur, but readers are never certain which one actually took place. Secondly, Robinson and Goyer flood the story with obscure characters from the past, and that is often accompanied by shocks and pleasant surprises. Without a doubt, the most satisfying of the revelations must be the identities of the two suspicious characters in the back of the Space Cabbie’s car. They are – get ready – Space Ranger (and his alien but cute pet Cyrll) and Ultra The Multi-Alien. Robinson and Goyer really dig deep into the obscure yet highly entertaining past with features from the sci-fi comics of the 1950s. These characters may no be remembered, but their strangeness mixed with obscurity has made them into comic book royalty – at least for hardcore fans like me. With its cavalier attitude and array of entertaining characters, Robinson’s words that ‘this was the most fun that David and I had together on this book’ should be a sentiment shared by most readers.
Snejbjerg’s deep inks and simplistic style brilliantly reflect the 1950s science-fiction feel that Robinson and Goyer were clearly aiming for. Von Grawbadger and Champagne’s inks add flair and energy to the story, aided by the penciller’s brilliance as a storyteller. Plus, any artist who can draw Ultra The Multi-Alien and not make him look entirely ridiculous must be doing something right.
City Without Lights II: Bad Times Loom --- Written by James Robinson and David S. Goyer, with art by Peter Snejbjerg, Stephen Sadowski, and Keith Champagne
Starman (vol 2) 56 is something of a sequel. But also a prequel too. To clarify, it is a follow-up to Starman (vol 2) 47, and a prelude to the ‘bad times’ that ‘loom’ once Jack Knight returns to Opal City. We return to that earthly city where death has recently struck. The O’Dares examine a crime scene, a room home to a corpse, blood, and inky black tissue. The ultimate question – is the Shade returning to his villainous ways? Robinson sets up this mystery tensely and slowly. The Shade naturally denies all of it, but later in the issue, it becomes clear all is not well. After all, when the Shade tells Bobo that he is a villain seconds before seemingly killing him, the Shade’s innocence becomes doubtful.
Nevertheless, huge questions arise and Robinson and Goyer clearly revel in planting the seeds of a huge tale of tragedy, triumph, and drama. Readers may question why the likes of the Black Condor, and Elongated Man, start to appear in Opal City, but all will be revealed soon. Despite all this teasing, Starman (vol 2) 56 does somewhat forcibly throw us back into the lives of Jack and Mikaal when – out of the blue – their ship is completely destroyed in deep space! Enter the ultimate four-parter of Stars My Destination…
Peter Snejbjerg brings great menace to the Shade as he seemingly returns to his dastardly ways. Just as Tony Harris beautifully did, Snejbjerg adds magic to Opal City, a city which Robinson has brought to life with its diversity of lives and characters. Peter Snejbjerg brings the city to life just as Tony Harris did.
The Welcome Wagon/Familiar Faces, Some Forgotten/The Secret of Will Payton/The Welcome Wagon --- Written by James Robinson and David S. Goyer, with art by Peter Snejbjerg, and Keith Champagne
This is what it has all been building up to. Stars My Destination was all about Jack Knight locating Will Payton, a previous Starman, who is the brother of his girlfriend. The ending of the previous issue, with Jack and Mikaal seemingly meeting their end in deep space, is the starting gun for the finale to the saga. Starman (vol 2) 57 rolls out the red carpet for mindless torture, for the two protagonists are alive but prodded with electric shock-inducing sticks by their alien captors. These villains are the Crown Imperial Empire, specifically the Prince Regent Jediah Rikane. They found Will Payton floating in deep space and have captured him and the heroes for one reason – nobody likes the Empire, and they don’t like anyone back. The villains of Starman (vol 2) 57-60 aren’t exactly imaginative or memorable – they don’t like outsiders because they think of themselves all-powerful. However, the great intrigue with the story comes with Robinson and Goyer introducing Prince Gavyn into the mix. This 1970s incarnation of Starman, created by Paul Levitz and Steve Ditko, featured previously in the first Starman annual as he sacrificed himself to save the world he ruled over. His return is a surprise, and the twists and turns only keep coming.
After Jack and Mikaal endure the dual-torture of grievous bodily harm and the pretentiousness of Rikane’s personality, Starman (vol 2) 58 launches a Star Wars-like storyline about a rebellion fighting against an undemocratic empire. The rebels are pretty generic characters, and if you’ve seen any film or read any kind of book about the trampled underclass rising up to defeat their masters, then there is nothing at all new here. If anything, the simplicity is a vice. For much of this four-parter, the pacing is incredibly quick, and events move fast. For Starman (vol 2), it is almost-unusually quick; there are countless scenes of battles and blood, something readers of the saga haven’t seen much before. Although it may seem standard and borderline pointless, at least in terms of the major storyline going on in this four-parter, it contributes to a darkened mood without Jack Knight that Robinson returns to later.
Jack finds Will Payton after his long-term suffering at the hands of Rikane. Although I was never a fan of Will Payton – after all, he is as dull as dishwater. However, an eyebrow can certainly be raised when, seconds after his release, Will is killed in the ensuing conflict between the rebels and the Empire. That shock is followed by another – Mn’Torr appears! The mentor of Prince Gavyn, he unleashes the spirit of Gavyn within Payton. With that, Payton transforms into Prince Gavyn! Starman (vol 2) 59 explores how this could actually work. It’s revealed that the two characters share a soul and thanks to Mn’Torr, the two characters merge into one! Gavyn is the more dominant personality, but Will is still in there. Merging the two heroes is a surprising choice and one which no doubt splits many fans – after all, it’s a radical change. Sadly, Robinson glosses over this titanic change in the afterword of the collected volume; it would have been fascinating to read more about his thinking on this subject. Although it does create a technical and overly complex mess for the writers to explain, the personal drama and significance of it leads to some great scenes.
Betrayal is one aspect which Robinson and Goyer place into the resistance as they fight against the Empire. Starman (vol 2) 60 begins with a traitor in the ranks of the resistance, but since these are characters which really aren’t much to write home about, the drama is somewhat flat. Nevertheless, this final issue is a culmination of not just this story, or this storyline, but of everything Jack Knight has experienced thus far. On the side of the rebels, Jack fights against the Empire, but suddenly comes to the realisation that his acts have led to bloodshed and devastation. It is as if all the emotion of every event since Starman (vol 2) 0 has been building up and all that inner pain is released. Its release isn’t violent or explosive, but sudden and sombre. Although I always wished that we learned more about Jack Knight, his past, and his inner-thoughts and feelings, witnessing the emotional collapse of this decent and normal late-twentieth century young man leaves an impact. We have seen Jack on this journey from the start, and now we are beginning to understand why the adventure is nearing its end. Robinson’s skill as a writer of character is powerfully on show. It is also a complete contrast to Will/Gavyn, who kills Rikane without any remorse and thereby destroys the Empire. That side of affairs is drily storybook, but it does create questions about the fate of Will Payton. In the end, Will Payton stays behind with Prince Gavyn’s wife, a choice which does seem somewhat odd, but since Payton can basically transform into Gavyn, it does make some sense. Still, I can’t imagine the relationship being the same. But this does mean that Jack will have disappointing news to deliver home to Sadie. But that’s for the future. It’s with all that’s happened in the saga – from flying across the stars to planets unimaginable, to fighting Solomon Grundy on a world once travelled-upon by Swamp Thing, to meeting the father of DC’s greatest hero – that Jack gets a simple quick and easy teleport home to Opal City. Despite the simplicity of the rebellion plot and the pretty bland personalities throughout, what makes this four-parter great is how creative the team is with Prince Gavyn and Will Payton. Readers may not agree with the choice, but you can’t say that it lacks imagination. Additionally, we finally get to see a different side to Jack Knight, a version not prone to bad jokes, but to deeper emotions of fatigue and depression. For all intents and purposes, this is the beginning of the end for Jack Knight’s time as Opal’s protector…
Peter Snejbjerg and Keith Champagne make a wonderful duo on these four issues. Although those scenes of fighting in the revolution may become standard and predictable, their artwork adds much-needed flair and energy. Their rendition of this alien is impressive, and their scenes depicting the grizzly torture in Starman (vol 2) 57 contain some almost cartoon-like violence. Overall, the art is dramatic and is suitable for the quick pace of events, but its simplicity and style are charming.
Alongside the mainstream titles of Jack Knight, the fifth omnibus reprints several miscellaneous tales from other titles. They are certainly worth a read. A short story – written by Robinson and drawn nostalgically by Tony Harris – from JSA: All Stars 4 is delightful fun, with a golden age Ted Knight fighting against Nazi spies. It’s retro storytelling captures the charm simplicity of that age. But then we also get a full-length tale with Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E 0, the launch of a title that barely lasted a year. It’s a title focusing on the Star-Spangled Kid, known also as Courtney Whitmore, as she teams up with Jack Knight. But thankfully it is more than a bland series of fight scenes. Geoff Johns and James Robinson dive into Jack’s past, uncovering his unruly teenage years and rocky relationship with Victor Pemberton, the original Star-Spangled Kid. This makes for fantastic reading – one consistent criticism of the Starman saga is that we know very little about Jack and the kind of character he used to be. Robinson has delivered hints about his previously ugly personality but witnessing it in the flesh conveys more about the hero we’ve come to admire. There is also weight to these scenes because the death of Pemberton at the hands of Solomon Grundy is known to play on Ted’s mind, as revealed in earlier Starman (vol 2) issues. I wish an issue like this had been published earlier in the run because it is so revelatory and adds much-needed depth to Jack’s standard personality. Lastly, there is a brief story in All Star Comics 80-Page-Giant 1, written by Goyer and Robinson, with Knight training against Ted Grant (Wildcat) and learning the art of fighting. Despite some great art by David Ross and Andrew Hennessy, the story feels pretty pointless. Wildcat feels crammed into the Starman saga and none of the dialogue is of long-term value or enjoyment. But – as with the other two tales – it isn’t compulsory reading and you can appreciate the extra-curricular work of the creative team, especially with that Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E issue.
VERDICT
Overall, the second and final half of the Stars My Destination storyline is brilliant. The tale of Scalphunter is a lovely addition to the Times Past library, while the adventures of the Space Cabbie make for one of the most humorous tales of the run. The return to Opal and its developing scene reminds readers of the terrors soon to come, while the final four parter – with its many features, characters, and great twists – spells the beginning of the end of this sensational saga. But there is more to come – a grand guignol so titanic that it will come to define the best of Robinson’s writing…
Next Week: TBC
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