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Starman (1994)
Starman, Vol. 7: A Starry Knight
Starman, accompanied by his comrade Mikaal and a Mother Box-produced hologram of his father, Ted Knight, begins a star-spanning quest to find the brother of his lady love, Sadie. A Graphic Novel. Original.
180 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1999
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82 people want to read
About the author
James Robinson
1,265 books236 followersJames Dale Robinson is a British writer of American comic books and screenplays.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 19, 2009
Following the big build up in the previous graphic novel, Jack Knight finally sets out into space on his quest to find his girlfriend's brother, former Starman Will Payton. The book collects Starman issues 47-53.
Tony Harris is gone. There's still a gallery of his original covers but on the series his art is sorely missed. The depth of expression that so characterized his Starman artwork is now absent. The early issues in this collection look bland by comparison and expressions seem to alternate between gob open and gob shut, Jack himself looking frighteningly like the
cartoon Rin Tin Tin. The steady Robinson pen is still there though delivering some great Starman stories.
So Jack Knight in space eh - pretty cool. The look and the feel is certainly more Flash Gordon than Star Trek in a Magical Mystery Tour sort of way. Some classic stories from the DC archives are given a succession of nods, notably the Superman origin with a visit to pre destruction Krypton and the classic Swamp Thing 'My Blue Heaven'.
It's still a good comic even with the loss of Tony Harris but I can't help missing Opal and its inhabitants.
Tony Harris is gone. There's still a gallery of his original covers but on the series his art is sorely missed. The depth of expression that so characterized his Starman artwork is now absent. The early issues in this collection look bland by comparison and expressions seem to alternate between gob open and gob shut, Jack himself looking frighteningly like the
cartoon Rin Tin Tin. The steady Robinson pen is still there though delivering some great Starman stories.
So Jack Knight in space eh - pretty cool. The look and the feel is certainly more Flash Gordon than Star Trek in a Magical Mystery Tour sort of way. Some classic stories from the DC archives are given a succession of nods, notably the Superman origin with a visit to pre destruction Krypton and the classic Swamp Thing 'My Blue Heaven'.
It's still a good comic even with the loss of Tony Harris but I can't help missing Opal and its inhabitants.
January 26, 2023
I was randomly given this comic and jumped in. I know it is out of sequence, but I have done that before with good results. Here though I found the art flat and dialogue flat-footed. It is a throwback to the Golden Age which I never cared for.
November 24, 2009
I started reading Starman way back in Sophmore year of college. This was around the time I had just got back into comics - just after getting my mind blown by the likes of Watchmen by Alan Moore and The Dark Knight Returns by Frank Miller. Before those, I strictly read super hero books. Now I realized comics were capable of so much more.
What I love about the Starman series is that the main character, Jack Knight (aka "Starman"), isn't your typical superhero by a long shot. In fact, at the beginning of the series, he has nothing but scorn and ridicule for super heroes in general. Jack starts out as an antique dealer, whose father had an illustrious superhero career as Starman. The mantle is somewhat forcibly handed to Jack after his younger brother, who had inherited the Starman legacy, is murdered. I always thought it was cool that Jack forsook wearing a silly costume in exchange for wearing something more practical and, really, much cooler looking - wielding goggles and a leather jacket with a kickass zodiac star logo on the back. While Jack is somewhat reticent about being Starman initially, he eventually grows into the role, and realizes it isn't so bad to be a hero, as long as its on his terms.
Anyway, it's been a long while since I've read anything from this series. Other comics came along, money issues prevented me from picking up the rest of the comics, or I just lost interest. So imagine my elation when a couple of Starman trade paperbacks came into work. One thing I'll say is, it's a credit to James Robinson's writing that, even though I haven't read a Starman comic in a couple of years, and even skipped a whole trade paperback, it didn't take much time before I was quickly acquainted with the characters. Jack is just as much a smart ass as ever, but he's also become quite the superhero. This story arc takes Jack, and his gay alien friend (another incarnation of Starman) Mikaal, all the way into space, where Jack is looking for yet ANOTHER hero who had bared the name Starman - Will Payton. Jack is looking for Will on behalf of his girlfriend, and Will's sister, Sadie. Jack and Mikaal travel to every corner of the DC universe, running into the League of Super Heroes in the 31st century, and even time traveling to Krypton before its destruction and meeting Superman's dad, Jor-El. It's a hell of a crazy adventure, and one I'm not used to Jack being a part of. Most of the other Starman stories, ironically enough, took place on Earth. Robinson has always had a knack for telling a contemporary superhero story, but also paying homage to the Golden Age of comics - something that current DC writing wonder boy, Geoff Johns, does with equal skill (as a matter of fact, Johns writes a nice little introduction at the beginning of this trade). It must be mentioned, too, that Tony Harris's art is stellar stuff as well - he does a good job of making everyone look uniquely average. What I mean is, most comic artists have a tendency to use the same template when drawing characters, to the point where they all basically look the same (Steve Dillon and Alex Ross, while both superb at what they do, are notorious for this). Harris's characters are all distinct, but normal - Jack isn't a squarejawed hero. He's a normal guy, with normal features, and somewhat awful, cheesy taste in clothing (which makes his disdain towards superhero costumes all the more ironic).
Anyway, sorry for the long review - I kind of wanted to try to cover the whole series up to now, as well as review this trade. My summary is this: Starman hasn't missed a step. Even though I've certainly read better since my first introduction to series, it still hasn't lost any of its charm. I'm anxious to read the rest of Jack Knight's adventures until he finally quits being Starman and hands the cosmic rod over to Star-Spangled Girl (I'm such a fucking nerd, btw).
What I love about the Starman series is that the main character, Jack Knight (aka "Starman"), isn't your typical superhero by a long shot. In fact, at the beginning of the series, he has nothing but scorn and ridicule for super heroes in general. Jack starts out as an antique dealer, whose father had an illustrious superhero career as Starman. The mantle is somewhat forcibly handed to Jack after his younger brother, who had inherited the Starman legacy, is murdered. I always thought it was cool that Jack forsook wearing a silly costume in exchange for wearing something more practical and, really, much cooler looking - wielding goggles and a leather jacket with a kickass zodiac star logo on the back. While Jack is somewhat reticent about being Starman initially, he eventually grows into the role, and realizes it isn't so bad to be a hero, as long as its on his terms.
Anyway, it's been a long while since I've read anything from this series. Other comics came along, money issues prevented me from picking up the rest of the comics, or I just lost interest. So imagine my elation when a couple of Starman trade paperbacks came into work. One thing I'll say is, it's a credit to James Robinson's writing that, even though I haven't read a Starman comic in a couple of years, and even skipped a whole trade paperback, it didn't take much time before I was quickly acquainted with the characters. Jack is just as much a smart ass as ever, but he's also become quite the superhero. This story arc takes Jack, and his gay alien friend (another incarnation of Starman) Mikaal, all the way into space, where Jack is looking for yet ANOTHER hero who had bared the name Starman - Will Payton. Jack is looking for Will on behalf of his girlfriend, and Will's sister, Sadie. Jack and Mikaal travel to every corner of the DC universe, running into the League of Super Heroes in the 31st century, and even time traveling to Krypton before its destruction and meeting Superman's dad, Jor-El. It's a hell of a crazy adventure, and one I'm not used to Jack being a part of. Most of the other Starman stories, ironically enough, took place on Earth. Robinson has always had a knack for telling a contemporary superhero story, but also paying homage to the Golden Age of comics - something that current DC writing wonder boy, Geoff Johns, does with equal skill (as a matter of fact, Johns writes a nice little introduction at the beginning of this trade). It must be mentioned, too, that Tony Harris's art is stellar stuff as well - he does a good job of making everyone look uniquely average. What I mean is, most comic artists have a tendency to use the same template when drawing characters, to the point where they all basically look the same (Steve Dillon and Alex Ross, while both superb at what they do, are notorious for this). Harris's characters are all distinct, but normal - Jack isn't a squarejawed hero. He's a normal guy, with normal features, and somewhat awful, cheesy taste in clothing (which makes his disdain towards superhero costumes all the more ironic).
Anyway, sorry for the long review - I kind of wanted to try to cover the whole series up to now, as well as review this trade. My summary is this: Starman hasn't missed a step. Even though I've certainly read better since my first introduction to series, it still hasn't lost any of its charm. I'm anxious to read the rest of Jack Knight's adventures until he finally quits being Starman and hands the cosmic rod over to Star-Spangled Girl (I'm such a fucking nerd, btw).
January 4, 2024
I will be honest. I miss Tony Harris’ work on this book.
As for the overall book here, it’s gets a little cheesy once I a while, but only cause
Robinson is ridding the nostalgic galaxy trip here. We get Swamp Thing and Kyrypton plus the Legion of Super Heroes and Adam Strange.
I can’t wait see Jack get back home and hit up a tattoo parlor, cause he needs on by the end of this book.
As for the overall book here, it’s gets a little cheesy once I a while, but only cause
Robinson is ridding the nostalgic galaxy trip here. We get Swamp Thing and Kyrypton plus the Legion of Super Heroes and Adam Strange.
I can’t wait see Jack get back home and hit up a tattoo parlor, cause he needs on by the end of this book.
October 7, 2024
AFter a whole lot of build up, we finally get Jack going into space.
I really didn't know how well the story would play out as I tend to picture Jack and Starman as almost a street level hero. Sure he can fly and hold his own against some of the bigger heroes/villains, but for the most part, he is pretty rough and tumble. So when James Robinson started setting up this storyline, complete with 50's style futuristic rocket ship, I didn't have high hopes to be honest.
But boy was I wrong. He really hits it out of the park in this volume. I think this might be my favorite one so far because of the different adventures that Jack and Mikaal (the alien Starman) have. It felt very much like a pulp action comic but with the modern(ish) sensibility that the character of Jack brings to the table. It's basically a collage of different stories set in space but they are really good and kind of wholesome and pulse pounding. I think the book went an interesting direction, and it paid off big time.
The only downside is that it definitely is not reader friendly as it builds off of, and calls back to, all the things that came before. However, if you've been reading up until here, definitely jump into this one as it might be the best one yet.
I really didn't know how well the story would play out as I tend to picture Jack and Starman as almost a street level hero. Sure he can fly and hold his own against some of the bigger heroes/villains, but for the most part, he is pretty rough and tumble. So when James Robinson started setting up this storyline, complete with 50's style futuristic rocket ship, I didn't have high hopes to be honest.
But boy was I wrong. He really hits it out of the park in this volume. I think this might be my favorite one so far because of the different adventures that Jack and Mikaal (the alien Starman) have. It felt very much like a pulp action comic but with the modern(ish) sensibility that the character of Jack brings to the table. It's basically a collage of different stories set in space but they are really good and kind of wholesome and pulse pounding. I think the book went an interesting direction, and it paid off big time.
The only downside is that it definitely is not reader friendly as it builds off of, and calls back to, all the things that came before. However, if you've been reading up until here, definitely jump into this one as it might be the best one yet.
May 3, 2019
I really enjoyed this series in general, and this collection is as good as any of the runs. The writing is still 5 star level, but the art dipped with the departure of Tony Harris. Still decent, pretty good in fact, but still a drop off in quality.
As with the entire run of Starman, this volume is a love letter to the DC universe and it’s history, and any DC fan worth their salt will fall in love with it.
We get guest stars ranging from Jor-El to Adam Strange, from the Legion of Super-Heroes to Solomon Grundy. We visit Krypton, Rann, even the ‘blue planet’ from that Swamp Thing run many years ago. It’s fun stuff, lovingly told.
Highly recommended.
As with the entire run of Starman, this volume is a love letter to the DC universe and it’s history, and any DC fan worth their salt will fall in love with it.
We get guest stars ranging from Jor-El to Adam Strange, from the Legion of Super-Heroes to Solomon Grundy. We visit Krypton, Rann, even the ‘blue planet’ from that Swamp Thing run many years ago. It’s fun stuff, lovingly told.
Highly recommended.
October 13, 2020
Jack goes on an insane adventure into space and its weird and fun at the same time. While the events all seemed inconsequential, it was seeing a couple of these different scenarios in time and space. The new artist, Snejberg, isn't Tony Harris but wasn't bad. Some things are still too corny to be taken serious but the book is still enjoyable. Overall, a fun jaunt around the cosmos.
October 22, 2023
There are still some delights to be had with this series even as Robinson sometimes tends to disappear up his own backside. Shoehorned-in appearances by Swamp Thing, Solomon Grundy, Jor-El and others end up doing exactly what they were cynically designed to. Robinson never minds getting esoteric, but he also knows he's in the business of entertaining his reader.
August 22, 2024
A solid next entry in the saga, fully lodged in Jack Knights space quest. New artist (good) and new coplotter (David Goyer, eh, the weak link in the Batman films) - and some sly nods to one of the best Swamp Thing runs by Moore. “Story of the month” structure may have been a winking acknowledgement of old sci-fi pulp comics but it’s not really in keeping with the series.
Read
July 13, 20194.75 stars. Love the Swamp Thing homage.
January 5, 2011
Jack Knight finally gets underway in his quest to find Sadie's brother Will out among the stars. Perhaps part of the weakness of this volume is creator James Robinson takes on a co-author n David Goyer (just look at his IMBD credits to see why I don't think he is much of a writer). Lots of stops along the way is why this tale doesn't feel like it moves forward much as they go to the 30th Century, Krypton before it exploded, the Blue Planet and Rann. At least Mikaal showed some improvement as a character in this volume.
June 1, 2024
Finely-crafted storytelling. By this stage Robinson is very comfortable with his characters and doesn't need to make them show us who they are and this eases our passage through strange worlds and times without losing the sense of wonder at it all. For all the science fiction themes, which are many, and the battles, which are many, this is a character-driven story about emotional ties and friendships. The artists do a great job of picking up on all this and running with it.
July 13, 2008
Jack heads into space on his quest for an earlier Starman, taking a fairly roundabout route. The art and writing are top-notch, and as always in this title there are some lovely nods to the past, but I still find Jack himself to be the least interesting part of the book.
October 14, 2009
Humph. Ride the coattails of Alan Moore's Swamp Thing + add a gay blue alien subplot that has literally no basis in the prior characterization... hope the next book gets better than this or I'm giving up.
January 16, 2012
I can see now why this was the point where I stopped collecting the monthly editions of Starman back in the day. Kinda losing it's way, plus the art is nowhere near as good as it was.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews