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Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #1-2
Stargirl
Soon to star in her very own live action series, Stargirl by Geoff Johns (Doomsday Clock, Flashpoint, Justice League) collects his earliest work at DC Comics as he introduces the young woman who becomes Stargirl, Courtney Whitmore!
Before her adventures with the Justice Society of America as Stargirl, Courtney Whitmore was part just a normal kid.
When Courtney discovers her stepfather, Pat Dugan was the sidekick of the original Star-Spangled Kid, she decides to teach him a lesson for marrying her mother and moving from Los Angeles to Nebraska! After finding his old gear in his belongings, Courtney dons the costume and becomes the all-new Star-Spangled Kid! Seeing no other alternative Pat constructs an 8-foot mechanical suit of armor and takes the codename S.T.R.I.P.E. to protect her!
Collects: Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #0-14, JSA: All Stars #4, and stories from DCU Heroes Secret Files (1999) and DCU Villains Secret Files (1999)
Before her adventures with the Justice Society of America as Stargirl, Courtney Whitmore was part just a normal kid.
When Courtney discovers her stepfather, Pat Dugan was the sidekick of the original Star-Spangled Kid, she decides to teach him a lesson for marrying her mother and moving from Los Angeles to Nebraska! After finding his old gear in his belongings, Courtney dons the costume and becomes the all-new Star-Spangled Kid! Seeing no other alternative Pat constructs an 8-foot mechanical suit of armor and takes the codename S.T.R.I.P.E. to protect her!
Collects: Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #0-14, JSA: All Stars #4, and stories from DCU Heroes Secret Files (1999) and DCU Villains Secret Files (1999)
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2009
19 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Geoff Johns
2,720 books2,410 followersGeoff Johns originally hails from Detroit, Michigan. He attended Michigan State University, where he earned a degree in Media Arts and Film. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1990s in search of work within the film industry. Through perseverance, Geoff ended up as the assistant to Richard Donner, working on Conspiracy Theory and Lethal Weapon 4. During that time, he also began his comics career writing Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. and JSA (co-written with David S. Goyer) for DC Comics. He worked with Richard Donner for four years, leaving the company to pursue writing full-time.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
His first comics assignments led to a critically acclaimed five-year run on the The Flash. Since then, he has quickly become one of the most popular and prolific comics writers today, working on such titles including a highly successful re-imagining of Green Lantern, Action Comics (co-written with Richard Donner), Teen Titans, Justice Society of America, Infinite Crisis and the experimental breakout hit series 52 for DC with Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid. Geoff received the Wizard Fan Award for Breakout Talent of 2002 and Writer of the Year for 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 as well as the CBG Writer of the Year 2003 thru 2005, 2007 and CBG Best Comic Book Series for JSA 2001 thru 2005. Geoff also developed BLADE: THE SERIES with David S. Goyer, as well as penned the acclaimed “Legion” episode of SMALLVILLE. He also served as staff writer for the fourth season of ROBOT CHICKEN.
Geoff recently became a New York Times Bestselling author with the graphic novel Superman: Brainiac with art by Gary Frank.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 6, 2021
The first half of this collection was a chore to read, but then, like someone flipped a switch, Geoff Johns discovered himself. His reverence for the classic JSA characters and the desire to add to that sterling legacy has always been what I enjoyed most about his work, and that all starts here. I had a blast watching Courtney Whitmore mature from a spoiled brat to a selfless hero, and her relationship with her stepfather/sidekick Pat Dugan, is beautifully depicted. At first, I couldn't wait for this book to end. And by the time I reached the end, I was wishing that there were more. Highly, highly recommended.
April 15, 2023
Uma coisa que temos que ficar felizes quando se adapta uma história de quadrinhos para o audiovisual é que, por mais que essa adaptação seja malfeita, pelo menos a Panini Comics Brasil acaba trazendo algum material dela para o Brasil. É o caso da série da Stargirl, que a Panini trouxe um encadernado com todas as edições da série Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E., ou aqui, Celestial e F.A.I.X.A. Este foi o primeiro trabalho de Geoff Johns para a DC Comics, trazendo para a contemporaneidade e modernizando uma dupla de super-heróis dos anos 1940, que fez parte da equipe Sete Soldados da Vitória. O resultado é uma trama muito divertida, com direito a subtramas, personagens coadjuvantes interessantes e inimigos um tanto deslocados do que comumente temos nas revistas tradicionais de super-heróis. Não é por acaso que rapidamente, a Estelar, Courtney Withmore, a protagonista deste encadernado, se tornou presença essencial e constante na SJA, a Sociedade da Justiça da América, conferindo o frescor da juventude para heróis pioneiros da Era de Ouro dos Quadrinhos de Super-Heróis. Muito bom esse encadernado!
June 2, 2023
A star is truly born in this dizzyingly bouncy collection of wide-eyed admiration for DC’s Golden Age.
June 11, 2020
Let me just start by saying, the premise for this comic is great: a teenage girl, Courtney Whitmore, discovers that her stepdad used to be a superhero, and steals his equipment to become one herself. In an attempt to keep her from getting herself killed, Pat, the stepdad in question, becomes her sidekick, who happens to wear a giant robot outfit.
It's really the stuff classic comics are made of. There's plenty of superheroing and all that, but the dynamic of a teenage girl being forced to team up with her stepdad of all people is where this shines, and it's truly so smart and rich it makes me jealous.
I guess I just wish the two lead characters were a little less... annoying? For the vast majority of this book (which collects issues 0-14 of Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E., in which Courtney is not yet Stargirl, but hey, ya gotta move books I guess), Courtney is an utterly reprehensible teenage archetype: she never listens to anyone but herself, snarks at everyone within earshot except for her only friend, and utterly hates her parents and teachers. She is just an absolute brat for the first half+ of this, and it was at times hard to get past.
Similarly, Pat is at times a literal helicopter parent, even though he isn't Courtney's real dad. He never lays off of her for even a second, and comes across just as unreasonable as Courtney. It's just a lot of a team hating each other, rather than being kind of lightly and realistically annoyed by each other, as step-parents and step-kids can be.
Luckily, this starts to remedy itself deeper into the book. Courtney becomes more appreciative of Pat, and he gives her some more leeway. However, by the time that dynamic finally begins to emerge, the book is suddenly over. I know there's a lot more of Courtney to come in the JSA, but I was kind of bummed when this ended right when it was really finding its stride.
In any case, this is definitely an interesting read in terms of origins, both Stargirl's and Geoff Johns'. This was the first monthly comic he ever wrote, and it's cool to see the beginnings of what would become a storied comics career. There are clear flashes of brilliance in here, it's just tough that it didn't get the chance to continue shining the way it could have.
It's really the stuff classic comics are made of. There's plenty of superheroing and all that, but the dynamic of a teenage girl being forced to team up with her stepdad of all people is where this shines, and it's truly so smart and rich it makes me jealous.
I guess I just wish the two lead characters were a little less... annoying? For the vast majority of this book (which collects issues 0-14 of Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E., in which Courtney is not yet Stargirl, but hey, ya gotta move books I guess), Courtney is an utterly reprehensible teenage archetype: she never listens to anyone but herself, snarks at everyone within earshot except for her only friend, and utterly hates her parents and teachers. She is just an absolute brat for the first half+ of this, and it was at times hard to get past.
Similarly, Pat is at times a literal helicopter parent, even though he isn't Courtney's real dad. He never lays off of her for even a second, and comes across just as unreasonable as Courtney. It's just a lot of a team hating each other, rather than being kind of lightly and realistically annoyed by each other, as step-parents and step-kids can be.
Luckily, this starts to remedy itself deeper into the book. Courtney becomes more appreciative of Pat, and he gives her some more leeway. However, by the time that dynamic finally begins to emerge, the book is suddenly over. I know there's a lot more of Courtney to come in the JSA, but I was kind of bummed when this ended right when it was really finding its stride.
In any case, this is definitely an interesting read in terms of origins, both Stargirl's and Geoff Johns'. This was the first monthly comic he ever wrote, and it's cool to see the beginnings of what would become a storied comics career. There are clear flashes of brilliance in here, it's just tough that it didn't get the chance to continue shining the way it could have.
January 17, 2021
I've been getting more into DC comics lately. Since there is a large decades long catalogue of things to read I wanted to dip my toe in with a character I was interested in learning more about a character I knew only a little bit about. I've been watching a bunch of the DC shows lately as well and the Stargirl Show interested me a bit so I decided to read some of the comics before I started the show.
I did enjoy this, I like the crossover with the Young Justice team and I enjoyed Courtney as a protag. How she literally made herself into a superhero much to the chagrin of her stepfather. I feel like the writing lacked a little bit in some places but over all the art made up for it.
I did enjoy this, I like the crossover with the Young Justice team and I enjoyed Courtney as a protag. How she literally made herself into a superhero much to the chagrin of her stepfather. I feel like the writing lacked a little bit in some places but over all the art made up for it.
July 30, 2021
A fun read that really started to pick up in the second half but the series ended before I think had a chance for Johns to show what he could really do. Really enjoyed the Courtney and Pat dynamic as you don’t see a step-daughter/step-father relationship in comics very much. Also enjoyed the flashback issues which reminded me of what James Robinson was doing with Starman. Makes you wonder where they would have gone with more issues. Lee Moder’s art was fine but I enjoyed Scott Kolins issues more. Overall a fun read from that era of DC comics.
November 27, 2023
Overall ☆☆
Story ☆☆
Dialogue ☆
Art ☆☆☆☆
I didn't care for Courtney in this. Bratty comes to mind. I prefer Courtney in the tv series much more.
The art, story style was very nostalgic of old classic comics (which I like) but I don't think it worked in this storytelling and characters which contributed to my low rating.
I wouldn't read again. I'd only recommend the tv series.
Story ☆☆
Dialogue ☆
Art ☆☆☆☆
I didn't care for Courtney in this. Bratty comes to mind. I prefer Courtney in the tv series much more.
The art, story style was very nostalgic of old classic comics (which I like) but I don't think it worked in this storytelling and characters which contributed to my low rating.
I wouldn't read again. I'd only recommend the tv series.
June 5, 2020
Courtney Whitmore is really an annoying brat for most of this story line.
December 7, 2020
the live action version is far better likely due to this being johns first work still its a good read
November 1, 2020
This book reprints the first 14 issues of Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. in which Courtney Whitmore teams up with her stepfather to fight crime as the new Star Spangled Kid, and then issue #4 of JSA All-Stars in which Courtney takes on the name Stargirl.
The book is really of interest because of the TV series based on Stargirl as a comic book series, it's not particularly remarkable. It's Geoff Johns first work in comics and as a book it's not bad, but that's about all you can say to it. The characters are shallow, the villains aren't that inventive, and the plots are a bit forgettable.
However, it's of interest because of the TV series. Johns did use much of the plots in the book in the first season of the TV series. However, because he's older and maybe a bit wiser, he offers different twists on the ideas in the book in the TV series. There are differences between the Blue Valley plot and what the villains plan is. The relationship between Pat and Courtney and indeed Courtney's entire character is very different in this book v. the TV show. I thought she could be a bit stubborn and irrational on television, but the book version was definitely worst in that regards.
If you liked the Stargirl TV show and want to find out the origin of some ideas in that series, this book is worth checking out, or if you're a fan of Geoff Johns work and want to see his first project. Otherwise, this is mostly unremarkable.
The book is really of interest because of the TV series based on Stargirl as a comic book series, it's not particularly remarkable. It's Geoff Johns first work in comics and as a book it's not bad, but that's about all you can say to it. The characters are shallow, the villains aren't that inventive, and the plots are a bit forgettable.
However, it's of interest because of the TV series. Johns did use much of the plots in the book in the first season of the TV series. However, because he's older and maybe a bit wiser, he offers different twists on the ideas in the book in the TV series. There are differences between the Blue Valley plot and what the villains plan is. The relationship between Pat and Courtney and indeed Courtney's entire character is very different in this book v. the TV show. I thought she could be a bit stubborn and irrational on television, but the book version was definitely worst in that regards.
If you liked the Stargirl TV show and want to find out the origin of some ideas in that series, this book is worth checking out, or if you're a fan of Geoff Johns work and want to see his first project. Otherwise, this is mostly unremarkable.
January 3, 2024
Geoff Johns first outing is OK
Stars and STRIPE was the first book Geoff Johns ever got published, and like he says, it is a bit green. There is at least one plot point that goes nowhere, and overall the story is a bit rough. But it has a heart, and this pure enthusiasm and Geoff's love for comics absolutely carries the book. Not to mention that the art, while definitely being of the late 90s, is easy on the eyes and fits the colorful tone of the series.
I wish Geoff wrote more about Pat Dugan and Stargirl. I know that Courtney went onto JSA and even had another miniseries recently, but this magical early dynamic she had with Pat and Mike got lost along the way. Luckily, the show — while far from perfect — managed to capture that.
Stars and STRIPE was the first book Geoff Johns ever got published, and like he says, it is a bit green. There is at least one plot point that goes nowhere, and overall the story is a bit rough. But it has a heart, and this pure enthusiasm and Geoff's love for comics absolutely carries the book. Not to mention that the art, while definitely being of the late 90s, is easy on the eyes and fits the colorful tone of the series.
I wish Geoff wrote more about Pat Dugan and Stargirl. I know that Courtney went onto JSA and even had another miniseries recently, but this magical early dynamic she had with Pat and Mike got lost along the way. Luckily, the show — while far from perfect — managed to capture that.
May 23, 2020
Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. was a very fun series that came out right when I was getting into collecting comics regularly. It has deep connections to the golden age of DC Comics and that also drew me in. It's been a while since I revisited the series and after watching the first episode of the new Stargirl TV show I couldn't resist. Geoff Johns and Lee Moder created a great comic book and it was fun to see Courtney Whitmore grow and develop as she learned more about the heroic legacy she adopted initially just to annoy her stepdad Pat. Fun and exciting, a comic that celebrated the history of superheroes.
January 27, 2021
Objectively speaking, this is not particularly good. The story has its occasional moments, but it is not well written and the art has not aged well. However, having already seen season 1 of the Stargirl television series, it is fascinating to see how Courtney Whitmore’s origin story has changed, and how it has stayed the same, while being adapted for the screen. Certainly, Brec Bassinger has done a excellent job of making Courtney a much more sympathetic character than she ever was in print.
June 26, 2023
Not Bad, But Does Lack A Little Something
The story moves along pretty well, but there are too many unresolved elements by the end. Still, the most important ones are wrapped up by the end. The drawing is alright, but sometimes seems rushed. I especially wish they had spent more time on the robot. He did look the best by the end , but that was too little, too late. You could far worse by reading this comic, but there are certainly better things to read out there too.
The story moves along pretty well, but there are too many unresolved elements by the end. Still, the most important ones are wrapped up by the end. The drawing is alright, but sometimes seems rushed. I especially wish they had spent more time on the robot. He did look the best by the end , but that was too little, too late. You could far worse by reading this comic, but there are certainly better things to read out there too.
June 18, 2020
This was a fun re-read of the STARS AND S.T.R.I.P.E. series. Its one flaw is that it suffers from "crossover-itis," with things mentioned in an issue and then never referred to again. As someone who typically reads only certain titles, this can be distracting. Still, the fun factor far exceeds that flaw.
June 22, 2020
Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E., which is the comic collected and rebranded for the new DC Universe show Stargirl, also happens to be Geoff Johns first comic for DC. If you are interested in Johns' earliest works and want to spoil the hell out of the TV show this is the collection for you. Johns is very much finding his way in these early issues but they are still equal parts fun and forgetable.
July 21, 2020
I found Stargirl to have a consistent storyline, with a few fun time travel twists. The villains featured in this comic, primarily green aliens, were less complicated than I expected them to be. I read this to see if I would be interested in the new show on CW and I probably will watch a few episodes to see how the storylines differ, which I imagine they will fairly quickly.
May 1, 2023
Johns first work and I think possibly his best, on par with his first Superman run. The character work here is great and really has a sense of fun along with complex family dynamics. Just a shame Stars and STRIPE only had 15 issues in it.
June 20, 2024
come on how could this book not be amazing there was a young justice crossover (which were like my favorite comics ever) and the life of a secret superhero the whole highschool aspect of it I loved this run so much
February 14, 2021
My first time reading anything Stargirl and I'm happy that this contained 0-14! I really liked seeing Courtney's character develop through the issues as well as her relationship with Pat.
October 11, 2021
Fantastic introduction to what may be one of my favorite DC superheroes. Loves the cross over with the Teen Titans and the Justice League. Loving the TV show as well!
September 11, 2022
Courtney is much more of a bratty teen in the comics compared to how nice she is in the tv show, but either way I think it still works. Great origin story!
March 14, 2023
Recopila la primera serie de Courtney Whitmore y gran elenco. Incluye los 15 isues (1 al 14 más un número 0 que va en el medio).
August 13, 2023
I liked it a lot honestly!!!! And even though the book is missing some of the connecting issues (mostly JSA issues, but also the Day of Judgement event) it still reads surprisingly well.
March 16, 2024
3.5. Pretty fun, now I can watch the show!
March 20, 2024
Classic Geoff Johns Style
Johns Debuted with creating one of the down to earth original characters in the DC universe. Courtney's heart is int Right place.
Johns Debuted with creating one of the down to earth original characters in the DC universe. Courtney's heart is int Right place.
April 15, 2025
the teenage girl ever
May 11, 2025
I love hockey playoff season, feeling very fresh out the slammer i j had to redownload goodreads. missed u. this book was a little cringe but cute ?
January 22, 2025
Oh boy, I'm not sure Lee Moder has ever seen a human face. I wonder if the art was going for the same look as Humberto Ramos on Impulse and just couldn't pull it off?
It doesn't help that the writing isn't that great. I don't really understand the love this series gets.
It doesn't help that the writing isn't that great. I don't really understand the love this series gets.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews