What do you think?
Rate this book
Captain Marvel (2019) (Collected Editions)
Star: Birth of a Dragon
Born of the reality stone, the breakout character from CAPTAIN MARVEL flies solo! Ambitious reporter Ripley Ryan rocked New York City when she became the hero STAR, adored by everyone. But in truth she was Dr. Minerva's attempt at a Kree-human Super-Soldier. Desperate for the strength to control her own destiny, she tried to kill Captain Marvel - and failed. Ripley was left, defeated and powerless, in the Raft...or so she thought. The Reality Stone has found her, and now no prison can hold her. You thought you knew what the Infi nity Stones were capable of. Think again.
COLLECTING: STAR (2020) 1-5
COLLECTING: STAR (2020) 1-5
112 pages, Paperback
First published November 10, 2020
1 person is currently reading
106 people want to read
About the author
Kelly Thompson
763 books1,032 followersKELLY THOMPSON has a degree in Sequential Art from The Savannah College of Art & Design. Her love of comics and superheroes have compelled her since she first discovered them as a teenager. Currently living in Portland, Oregon with her boyfriend and the two brilliant cats that run their lives, you can find Kelly all over the Internet where she is generally well liked, except where she's detested.
Kelly has published two novels - THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING (2012) and STORYKILLER (2014) and the graphic novel HEART IN A BOX from Dark Horse Comics (2015). She's currently writing ROGUE & GAMBIT, HAWKEYE, and PHASMA for Marvel Comics and GHOSTBUSTERS for IDW. Other major credits include: A-Force, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Jem and The Holograms, Misfits, Power Rangers Pink, and the creator-owned mini-series Mega Princess.
Kelly's ambitions are eclipsed only by her desire to exist entirely in pajamas. Fortunately pajamas and writers go hand in hand (most of the time). Please buy all her stuff so that she can buy (and wear) more pajamas.
Kelly has published two novels - THE GIRL WHO WOULD BE KING (2012) and STORYKILLER (2014) and the graphic novel HEART IN A BOX from Dark Horse Comics (2015). She's currently writing ROGUE & GAMBIT, HAWKEYE, and PHASMA for Marvel Comics and GHOSTBUSTERS for IDW. Other major credits include: A-Force, Captain Marvel & The Carol Corps, Jem and The Holograms, Misfits, Power Rangers Pink, and the creator-owned mini-series Mega Princess.
Kelly's ambitions are eclipsed only by her desire to exist entirely in pajamas. Fortunately pajamas and writers go hand in hand (most of the time). Please buy all her stuff so that she can buy (and wear) more pajamas.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 24, 2020
Spins directly out of Captain Marvel, Vol. 2: Falling Star. Somehow Star, an abused person of questionable morals at best has the reality infinity stone within her. Which means she can do anything she can think of. Luckily, she's not the brightest person on the planet. Captain Marvel and Scarlet Witch go after her. So does the Black Order because she has an infinity stone. Thompson has created an interesting, complex character out of Star and made the Black Order interesting. I had my doubts that either was possible. I do wish Thompson would explain how Star bonded with the reality stone.
Javier Pina is the main artist on the book. His art is great. Felipe Andrade does the flashbacks and his art is terrible. Thankfully, that's only a few pages per issue.
Javier Pina is the main artist on the book. His art is great. Felipe Andrade does the flashbacks and his art is terrible. Thankfully, that's only a few pages per issue.
October 15, 2020
I really enjoyed this one. In fact, Hawkeye aside, this may be my favourite thing Kelly Thompson has written to date.
Despite (or perhaps because of) not being very heroic, Star is a really interesting character in Thompson’s hands. Not so much looking for redemption as looking for a way to survive while still retaining what makers her her, Star finds herself caught between an openly antagonistic (yet still compassionate) Captain Marvel and a well-meaning Scarlet Witch who wants to set her on the path to heroism. Then the Black Order get thrown into the mix and things get really chaotic.
Speaking of the Black Order, I’ve always found them a little dull, to be honest, but they really come alive in this mini-series.
I think I’d be giving this book 5 stars if it weren’t for the inconsistencies in artwork. None of the artwork is bad, in fact it’s all of a very high standard, but changing artists partway through a book is one of my real comicbook bugbears. I’m really not a fan of this new tendency to get one artist to draw the present day parts of the story and another artist to draw the flashbacks. It reminds me I’m reading and knocks me out of the story for a moment, which I don’t like.
Despite this minor grumble, I thought this book was a blast and I hope the author gets her hands on Star again one day. How about a Hawkeye/Star mini-series? Yeah, I know... dream on...
Despite (or perhaps because of) not being very heroic, Star is a really interesting character in Thompson’s hands. Not so much looking for redemption as looking for a way to survive while still retaining what makers her her, Star finds herself caught between an openly antagonistic (yet still compassionate) Captain Marvel and a well-meaning Scarlet Witch who wants to set her on the path to heroism. Then the Black Order get thrown into the mix and things get really chaotic.
Speaking of the Black Order, I’ve always found them a little dull, to be honest, but they really come alive in this mini-series.
I think I’d be giving this book 5 stars if it weren’t for the inconsistencies in artwork. None of the artwork is bad, in fact it’s all of a very high standard, but changing artists partway through a book is one of my real comicbook bugbears. I’m really not a fan of this new tendency to get one artist to draw the present day parts of the story and another artist to draw the flashbacks. It reminds me I’m reading and knocks me out of the story for a moment, which I don’t like.
Despite this minor grumble, I thought this book was a blast and I hope the author gets her hands on Star again one day. How about a Hawkeye/Star mini-series? Yeah, I know... dream on...
July 7, 2020
Kelly Thompson making what essentially is Reverse Captain Marvel! I've been a fan of Kelly Thompson's runs with different characters, and she has made Captain Marvel way more compelling and interesting for me! To add on to that, we have this mini-series featuring Ripley Ryan, who similar to Carol's film origin, was infused with an infinity stone, that being the reality stone and now she's become my favourite Captain Marvel villain hands down!
Firstly, I love her costume design with the very DC inspired look. The artwork as well is very cool, with some nice character designs and colouring. Her powers are really cool too, with her being able to call any weapon or power she wants. If she wants heat vision, or know how to speak Swedish, she can do exactly that! Other than that the writing is very good and Thompson does a good job of letting you see things from Ripley's perspective and see how she sees the heroes. Only negative is this series does rely on you having read Kelly Thompson's Captain Marvel run, as it really is a companion piece to that. They do give you enough information to not be totally lost, but I feel like reading that series will help you understand the back story of this character better. Other then that, this is a recommend from me!
Firstly, I love her costume design with the very DC inspired look. The artwork as well is very cool, with some nice character designs and colouring. Her powers are really cool too, with her being able to call any weapon or power she wants. If she wants heat vision, or know how to speak Swedish, she can do exactly that! Other than that the writing is very good and Thompson does a good job of letting you see things from Ripley's perspective and see how she sees the heroes. Only negative is this series does rely on you having read Kelly Thompson's Captain Marvel run, as it really is a companion piece to that. They do give you enough information to not be totally lost, but I feel like reading that series will help you understand the back story of this character better. Other then that, this is a recommend from me!
February 9, 2021
Wow this was really good. Star was one of my favorite parts of Kelly Thompson’s Captain Marvel so it was great seeing her get a solo. We get to learn a lot about her character, she’s had a rough life so she tries to look out for herself. This doesn’t justify her questionable morals but it gives us context on why she is the way she is. She’s scared and confused trying to learn how to control her new powers from the reality stone. Scarlet Witch pops up in here and Thompson writes her really good, I really like how her relationship with Ripley. Wanda has made mistakes in the past and she doesn’t want Ripley to go down a dark path. She’s the only person in here who understands Ripley and tries to help her. Honestly this might be my favorite thing of Thompson’s that I’ve read, it’s such a great series and definitely worth a read. I also loved the art in here it was amazing.
July 31, 2020
“All I want is my freedom.”
Of course I adored this mini-series. It wasn’t exactly a complex story, but it was driven, and the characters were simply alive.
Kelly Thompson is an excellent writer. I didn’t know about her before, and now I’m so tempted about checking her Captain Marvel series (even if CM isn’t necessarily a character I find particularly interesting).
I guess one of the things I liked most about Star, was that she wasn’t really about redemption, she just wanted everyone to stop messing with her. I guess that’s a concept really easy to relate with.
The art by Javier Pina is fantastic, I could look at his amazing style for days. Filipe Andrade does pull his strengths, too, with a very expressive art that worked perfectly for the scenes he got handed.
I think this mini will go under the radar, mostly considering how things have been during this ugly year, but oh it does deserve some praise!
Of course I adored this mini-series. It wasn’t exactly a complex story, but it was driven, and the characters were simply alive.
Kelly Thompson is an excellent writer. I didn’t know about her before, and now I’m so tempted about checking her Captain Marvel series (even if CM isn’t necessarily a character I find particularly interesting).
I guess one of the things I liked most about Star, was that she wasn’t really about redemption, she just wanted everyone to stop messing with her. I guess that’s a concept really easy to relate with.
The art by Javier Pina is fantastic, I could look at his amazing style for days. Filipe Andrade does pull his strengths, too, with a very expressive art that worked perfectly for the scenes he got handed.
I think this mini will go under the radar, mostly considering how things have been during this ugly year, but oh it does deserve some praise!
August 20, 2021
Star is a new villian for Captain Marvel. She first appeared in volume one of Kelly Thompson's Captain Marvel run. Where she was a reporter taken hostage by the lunatic Nucular man. Feeling so helpless and angery at the heros for being an insect in thier world she set out to kill Carol and most of New york in a previous issue of Captain Marvel. After the fallout she recieved the infinity stone of reality. Which grants her any power she can think of, limited only by her creativity and a max of two alterations at a time. She is on the ran from both the heros and the black order in this issue. An has an unlikly ally in scarlet witch who a few years ago had her own condundrums with reality in house of M. So Wanda is sypathic to Star and wants to help her find a way toward redemption. Sadly Star has no interest in that. As the story progresses Star gets more and more familiar with how the reality stone works. Till she is able to hold her own agianst the black order by the last issue. Star has the potential to be a really intersted villian if handled right, especially as a future adversary for Captain Marvel or even Scarlet witch.
Star seems to be a character who has had a mental break down from a life times of abuse and feeling helpless. Flash backs sugest she may have been abused from a parent and was ostrochized by other children. Her breaking point was being held captive for months in a post apocalyptic wasteland. Perhaps once she has had some time to rest maybe Wanda is right and redemtion might be possible for her. I think that is quite awhile away for the character. But I could that eventualy happeing with Star. I hope to see more of her.
Star seems to be a character who has had a mental break down from a life times of abuse and feeling helpless. Flash backs sugest she may have been abused from a parent and was ostrochized by other children. Her breaking point was being held captive for months in a post apocalyptic wasteland. Perhaps once she has had some time to rest maybe Wanda is right and redemtion might be possible for her. I think that is quite awhile away for the character. But I could that eventualy happeing with Star. I hope to see more of her.
June 7, 2022
I actually kinda liked this? Not for the actual title character though lol. This is a spinoff from the Captain Marvel run about how new villain Star has bonded with the reality stone. With her learning how to use it, heroes and other villains take notice including Captain Marvel, the Scarlet Witch, and the Black Order.
I wasn't too interested in this character in Captain Marvel because for one I hate her outfit and two, she seems weak with weak motivation to do anything. I get where she is coming from but like girl just move out of NYC and never think about Carol again, damn. The way the reality stone bonded to her is never explained and she was bad at using that power too. The secondhand cringe of her trying to mind control people and failing badly actually hurt me. It was interesting to see her point of view though- how to her Captain Marvel was the villain.
If I got anything out of this: I've never heard of Black Swan before but now I am looking respectfully (but I still don't understand the Swedish thing, just felt random on top of random). Funny enough, I did like Star in the last bit but I do love an outfit change and a villain strut.
Because this was so short, things felt resolved way too quickly but I guess that couldn't be avoided when there was so much going on in here.
The saving grace and most of my enjoyment was how much the Scarlet Witch ATE and left no crumbs in this. Her outfit, her attitude, her powers. It was so cool seeing her summon magic weapons?? I'm actually obsessed with her and this just makes me crave reading a run of hers that doesn't let me down.
It was really annoying when artists would change mid issue like pls no.
I wasn't too interested in this character in Captain Marvel because for one I hate her outfit and two, she seems weak with weak motivation to do anything. I get where she is coming from but like girl just move out of NYC and never think about Carol again, damn. The way the reality stone bonded to her is never explained and she was bad at using that power too. The secondhand cringe of her trying to mind control people and failing badly actually hurt me. It was interesting to see her point of view though- how to her Captain Marvel was the villain.
If I got anything out of this: I've never heard of Black Swan before but now I am looking respectfully (but I still don't understand the Swedish thing, just felt random on top of random). Funny enough, I did like Star in the last bit but I do love an outfit change and a villain strut.
Because this was so short, things felt resolved way too quickly but I guess that couldn't be avoided when there was so much going on in here.
The saving grace and most of my enjoyment was how much the Scarlet Witch ATE and left no crumbs in this. Her outfit, her attitude, her powers. It was so cool seeing her summon magic weapons?? I'm actually obsessed with her and this just makes me crave reading a run of hers that doesn't let me down.
It was really annoying when artists would change mid issue like pls no.
October 30, 2020
Ripley Ryan has found herself the latest bearer of the Reality Stone, and she's going to need to master her new powers before the Black Order, and her nemesis Captain Marvel, set their sights on her!
Star was the breakout character of the first year of Kelly Thompson's Captain Marvel series, and it's no wonder that she gets her own mini-series. There's a lot to dig into with this character - is she a hero? Is she a villain? Is she just out for herself? And when you add in the phenomenal power of the Reality Stone, things get even more complicated. Watching Ripley struggle with her powers and herself as she fights cosmic level heroes and villains is a fun ride. While this isn't exactly the end of her story, it's definitely a good first step.
I also really enjoyed Thompson's interpretation of the Black Order as a pseudo family, especially in the absence of Thanos (who is currently dead). It's not something I've seen before, and gives them more character than they've had in a long time.
The artwork is shared between Javier Pina and Filipe Andrade, who are definitely not compatible, but Andrade's scratchy pencils handle flashbacks while Pina's gets to depict the main story with his Jesus Saiz/CAFU type art. I think if the flashbacks were longer the disparity between the two styles would be more of a problem, but they're only a few pages each time so they're meant to stick out as much as they do.
Star's first solo outing is surprisingly good - from the art to the story to the handling of the characters, Thompson and co. know what they're doing, and they're doing it well.
Star was the breakout character of the first year of Kelly Thompson's Captain Marvel series, and it's no wonder that she gets her own mini-series. There's a lot to dig into with this character - is she a hero? Is she a villain? Is she just out for herself? And when you add in the phenomenal power of the Reality Stone, things get even more complicated. Watching Ripley struggle with her powers and herself as she fights cosmic level heroes and villains is a fun ride. While this isn't exactly the end of her story, it's definitely a good first step.
I also really enjoyed Thompson's interpretation of the Black Order as a pseudo family, especially in the absence of Thanos (who is currently dead). It's not something I've seen before, and gives them more character than they've had in a long time.
The artwork is shared between Javier Pina and Filipe Andrade, who are definitely not compatible, but Andrade's scratchy pencils handle flashbacks while Pina's gets to depict the main story with his Jesus Saiz/CAFU type art. I think if the flashbacks were longer the disparity between the two styles would be more of a problem, but they're only a few pages each time so they're meant to stick out as much as they do.
Star's first solo outing is surprisingly good - from the art to the story to the handling of the characters, Thompson and co. know what they're doing, and they're doing it well.
May 29, 2024
Summary:
Once upon a time, Ripley Ryan had big ambitions. She was going to be one of the best reporters in New York City (if not the world). Naturally, that meant she jumped at the chance to interview somebody like Captain Marvel.
That day changed her life. Forever. Now she's a villain on the run – but with the Reality Stone lodged in her chest, there's zero chance that the world will leave her be. Both villains and heroes will be after her.
Review:
So, I read Star: Birth of a Dragonas when it came out in issue format. Apparently, I forgot to come back around and review the full volume! Forgive my delay. (Side note: you can read my individual issue reviews on Monkeys Fighting Robots.)
I feel like I have a love/hate relationship with Star, which tells me that she's a well-written character. She's human, which means she has flaws. She's also one of those rare characters that gives voice to the unlucky people in life.
You know the people – those background characters in comic universes that are always getting stepped on. The only difference is Ripley found a way to break out of that – though we all saw how well that went.
In truth, Star's whole story makes you stop and think. I adore that. I also loved all of the cameos that popped up over the course of this mini-series. It makes me sad that it ended where it did – because there's so much potential here.
Highlights:
Reality Stone Chaos
Civilian-turned-villain
Superheros and Villains
Lots of Cameos
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
Once upon a time, Ripley Ryan had big ambitions. She was going to be one of the best reporters in New York City (if not the world). Naturally, that meant she jumped at the chance to interview somebody like Captain Marvel.
That day changed her life. Forever. Now she's a villain on the run – but with the Reality Stone lodged in her chest, there's zero chance that the world will leave her be. Both villains and heroes will be after her.
Review:
So, I read Star: Birth of a Dragonas when it came out in issue format. Apparently, I forgot to come back around and review the full volume! Forgive my delay. (Side note: you can read my individual issue reviews on Monkeys Fighting Robots.)
I feel like I have a love/hate relationship with Star, which tells me that she's a well-written character. She's human, which means she has flaws. She's also one of those rare characters that gives voice to the unlucky people in life.
You know the people – those background characters in comic universes that are always getting stepped on. The only difference is Ripley found a way to break out of that – though we all saw how well that went.
In truth, Star's whole story makes you stop and think. I adore that. I also loved all of the cameos that popped up over the course of this mini-series. It makes me sad that it ended where it did – because there's so much potential here.
Highlights:
Reality Stone Chaos
Civilian-turned-villain
Superheros and Villains
Lots of Cameos
You Can Also Find Me On:
Quirky Cat's Fat Stacks | Quirky Cat's Comics | The Book Review Crew | Monkeys Fighting Robots | Storygraph | Bookhype | Bookstagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Reedsy
November 12, 2023
Oof. This book. I honestly think this is an example of Marvel at its finest. Star is a character that is so complex that she doesn't even know what she is—hero or villain... neither?—by the end of the book. And neither do we. And while that matters, it doesn't detract at all from the storytelling; in fact, it only serves to strengthen it. I don't even feel bad not hiding this review for spoilers' sakes because it doesn't matter that you know the ending is beautifully ambiguous—the point of the book is to experience Star's story and parse things out for yourself.
KT's dialogue and narration is top-notch here, and all the artists' work is great and fits the narrative perfectly.
KT's dialogue and narration is top-notch here, and all the artists' work is great and fits the narrative perfectly.
August 24, 2023
In "Star Birth of the Dragon" a semi-reluctant supervillain battles with and against Captain Marvel and The Scarlet Witch, to find her way in the universe. Expect lots of fast paced action, a few interludes featuring Thanos' former goon squad -The Black Order, a quick lesson in Swedish, and a fairly deep ongoing discussion of what it takes to be, or not be, a hero.
September 13, 2024
Just awful…
Star: Birth Of A Dragon by Kelly Thompson is a graphic novel I recently finished. Normally I’d just mark it off with the other ones I read, but I feel this REALLY needs a review.
Star aka Ripley Ryan was a minor character introduced in a recent run of Captain Marvel as a bystander turned superhuman due to the presence of an infinity stone. I barely remember who presence or what she did. However she got her own mini series.
Ignore the off brand captain marvel costume and generic name (which I don’t recall why she chose it and that explanation isn’t given in this comic).
In five issues I get very little to go on about Ripley Ryan. The entire mini is one battle after another and guest stars that barely give time to breath. I know she hates Carol Danvers because she “killed” her and that lots of people are interested in her powers, but outside of hazy memories introduced late in the miniseries, she mostly spends her time ignoring advice and trying to mind control people to do things for her…
She doesn’t appear to have any friends or family that care about her, which is a shame as nearly every good marvel character needs someone (not necessarily a full supporting cast but a single confidant that they can get along with).
Some of the guests stars (Jessica Jones, Loki) are handled well, some don’t make a ton of sense (Scarlet Witch), some drag down the title and keep it from any story progression (Black Order)…
It’s just a giant waste of time.
Whoever said this was a fan favorite character or deserved her own title was either lying or deluded.
Star: Birth Of A Dragon by Kelly Thompson is a graphic novel I recently finished. Normally I’d just mark it off with the other ones I read, but I feel this REALLY needs a review.
Star aka Ripley Ryan was a minor character introduced in a recent run of Captain Marvel as a bystander turned superhuman due to the presence of an infinity stone. I barely remember who presence or what she did. However she got her own mini series.
Ignore the off brand captain marvel costume and generic name (which I don’t recall why she chose it and that explanation isn’t given in this comic).
In five issues I get very little to go on about Ripley Ryan. The entire mini is one battle after another and guest stars that barely give time to breath. I know she hates Carol Danvers because she “killed” her and that lots of people are interested in her powers, but outside of hazy memories introduced late in the miniseries, she mostly spends her time ignoring advice and trying to mind control people to do things for her…
She doesn’t appear to have any friends or family that care about her, which is a shame as nearly every good marvel character needs someone (not necessarily a full supporting cast but a single confidant that they can get along with).
Some of the guests stars (Jessica Jones, Loki) are handled well, some don’t make a ton of sense (Scarlet Witch), some drag down the title and keep it from any story progression (Black Order)…
It’s just a giant waste of time.
Whoever said this was a fan favorite character or deserved her own title was either lying or deluded.
November 15, 2023
V minisérii Star: Birth of a Dragon sledujeme pokračovanie príbehu Ripley Ryan, ktorá debutovala v sérii Captain Marvel (2019). Ide doslova o spin-off, takže bez znalosti spomínanej ongoing série, sa nebudete chytať. Na začiatku je Star uväznená v RAFTe, ale keďže sa jej súčasťou stal Reality Stone, asi viete, ako jej pobyt vo väzení dopadne. Príbeh sa čítal veľmi dobre a bolo tam množstvo akčných, ale aj vtipných momentov, ktoré boli postavená najmä na (ne)znalosti používania mocného kameňa. Keď sa na scéne objavil aj Black Order, začalo prituhovať. Je pravdepodobné, že Star ešte nepovedala vo svete Marvel komiksov posledné slovo a ja sa na jej návrat teším. Ak vás Star zaujala v hlavnej sérii Captain Marvel, túto minisériu vrelo odporúčam. 😎
March 12, 2024
This was good, I liked it. I haven’t read Thompson’s Capt Marvel, so I hadn’t seen where this character came from. I saw her first in Jed MacKay’s Black Cat. I thought she seemed interesting and read this.
This isn’t bad. Kelly Thompson is an awesome writer, so I wasn’t worried about that. I’m not sure if I love Star as a character. She’s caught up in some stuff, stuff she doesn’t want to be caught up in, so I get that, but she’s still kind of a punk. But she has moments I enjoyed her character. Carol Danvers and Wanda Maximoff also make appearances, and they are great. They all fight The Black Order, and I love whenever they show up.
Overall this is good. At some point I’ll read Thompson’s run on Capt Marvel.
This isn’t bad. Kelly Thompson is an awesome writer, so I wasn’t worried about that. I’m not sure if I love Star as a character. She’s caught up in some stuff, stuff she doesn’t want to be caught up in, so I get that, but she’s still kind of a punk. But she has moments I enjoyed her character. Carol Danvers and Wanda Maximoff also make appearances, and they are great. They all fight The Black Order, and I love whenever they show up.
Overall this is good. At some point I’ll read Thompson’s run on Capt Marvel.
November 4, 2023
This didn't do anything for me. Star is a girl who's been abused or stepped on most her life, has a lot of trauma from it, and now is mucking about with reality because the reality stone is inside her how? Also, it's not a slight at Thompson, but the Black Order doesn't work nearly as well when they are not Thanos` foot soldiers, it just is bizzare to see them here. The mini barely has a ending, and I don't feel I understand star much more after this mini.
May 12, 2025
okay i rly love star...... and her dynamic with wanda is sooooo interesting like ok projection
December 3, 2022
Ripley Ryan is an ordinary and severely traumatised woman, and a former fake superhero, and an abuse victim, who after her "death" is inexplicably bonded to an Infinity Stone that's somehow lodged in her chest. She hates superheroes, hates the kind of world she lives in, and her morals and how she goes about things are very questionable; this combined with the power to control reality however she wants it, which she is still new and amateurish at, makes her a threat to the entire Marvel universe.
But despite, for all intents and purposes, being a villain, can this abuse and trauma survivor ever be bought back from the brink, to not be the destructive, deadly dragon of limitless and endless power she is sorely tempted to be, out of fear, and a yearning for freedom from that fear and suffering and helplessness?
In this short comic there is also Captain Marvel, who Ripley, aka Star, hates and fears the most for understandable reasons (and not just because Carol punched a hole through her chest and apparently killed her to stop her from killing all of New York - I mean, yikes!); Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, another reality warper who's had her own share of deep trauma throughout her whole life, and who sees herself in Ripley and wants to save her from herself; Jessica Jones; and the Black Order, including Black Swan and Proxima Midnight, who are Thanos's former lackeys. Loki and Titania cameo in the beginning, too.
'Star: Birth of a Dragon' is an entertaining read overall, full of action and emotion. I and many others are intrigued by Star's character. The horror she went through was no fault of her own, of course, but it doesn't excuse her current actions, nor her choice to be destructive - externally, to allegedly help herself internally - even though you know where she is coming from with that. She merely wants freedom, and to protect herself, to not be afraid anymore. I hope this victim-turned-villain receives the help, care and support she needs in the future, so she can truly heal and save herself, and not want to destroy anything and anyone.
I wish Carol had been more compassionate towards Star/Ripley, and not so gung ho about beating her up, when she is clearly afraid and traumatised, because of Carol, no matter Ripley's past crimes and the current threat she is while she has the Reality Stone. I haven't read the preceding comics about Captain Marvel and Star, but Carol Danvers, while I get everything she's gone through in recent years (thanks, Marvel), nevertheless needs less anger and more thought and heart again. Her issues are making her almost as much of a danger as Star at this point. Carol, and everyone else, definitely needs therapy.
In a comic filled with potent female characters, displaying varying degrees of trauma and understanding of others' trauma, Jessica Jones sadly doesn't get to do much, and she is at best an extended cameo.
At least 'Star' manages to achieve one momentous thing I didn't think was possible before: it made me care about the Scarlet Witch. Her big, expanded role, and the understanding of her character (as a good guy, and a good person) are a huge plus. I might finally read a comic starring her - a solo comic, starring the Scarlet Witch, but not Vision. I'm all for ultimate power couples and iconic, unconventional romances, but sheesh, let Wanda, who is one of if not the most powerful woman in all of Marvel, define herself for a change, without the too-many men in her life.
The art is very good, if iffy and crooked in the faces and facial expressions a few times.
For a quick, action-packed read about complex, damaged women, with an unorthodox ending, give 'Star: Birth of a Dragon' a go.
Final Score: 3.5/5
But despite, for all intents and purposes, being a villain, can this abuse and trauma survivor ever be bought back from the brink, to not be the destructive, deadly dragon of limitless and endless power she is sorely tempted to be, out of fear, and a yearning for freedom from that fear and suffering and helplessness?
In this short comic there is also Captain Marvel, who Ripley, aka Star, hates and fears the most for understandable reasons (and not just because Carol punched a hole through her chest and apparently killed her to stop her from killing all of New York - I mean, yikes!); Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch, another reality warper who's had her own share of deep trauma throughout her whole life, and who sees herself in Ripley and wants to save her from herself; Jessica Jones; and the Black Order, including Black Swan and Proxima Midnight, who are Thanos's former lackeys. Loki and Titania cameo in the beginning, too.
'Star: Birth of a Dragon' is an entertaining read overall, full of action and emotion. I and many others are intrigued by Star's character. The horror she went through was no fault of her own, of course, but it doesn't excuse her current actions, nor her choice to be destructive - externally, to allegedly help herself internally - even though you know where she is coming from with that. She merely wants freedom, and to protect herself, to not be afraid anymore. I hope this victim-turned-villain receives the help, care and support she needs in the future, so she can truly heal and save herself, and not want to destroy anything and anyone.
I wish Carol had been more compassionate towards Star/Ripley, and not so gung ho about beating her up, when she is clearly afraid and traumatised, because of Carol, no matter Ripley's past crimes and the current threat she is while she has the Reality Stone. I haven't read the preceding comics about Captain Marvel and Star, but Carol Danvers, while I get everything she's gone through in recent years (thanks, Marvel), nevertheless needs less anger and more thought and heart again. Her issues are making her almost as much of a danger as Star at this point. Carol, and everyone else, definitely needs therapy.
In a comic filled with potent female characters, displaying varying degrees of trauma and understanding of others' trauma, Jessica Jones sadly doesn't get to do much, and she is at best an extended cameo.
At least 'Star' manages to achieve one momentous thing I didn't think was possible before: it made me care about the Scarlet Witch. Her big, expanded role, and the understanding of her character (as a good guy, and a good person) are a huge plus. I might finally read a comic starring her - a solo comic, starring the Scarlet Witch, but not Vision. I'm all for ultimate power couples and iconic, unconventional romances, but sheesh, let Wanda, who is one of if not the most powerful woman in all of Marvel, define herself for a change, without the too-many men in her life.
The art is very good, if iffy and crooked in the faces and facial expressions a few times.
For a quick, action-packed read about complex, damaged women, with an unorthodox ending, give 'Star: Birth of a Dragon' a go.
Final Score: 3.5/5
August 18, 2021
Après avoir découvert Star dans la série Captain Marvel, on la suit désormais, liée à l'Infinity Stone de la réalité.
Star est à la base une civile qui sort traumatisée de divers évènements liés aux super-héros et vilains. L'histoire montre donc comment elle digère ces traumas et comment elle tente de s'en sortir alors que tout foire dans sa vie. La qualité d'écriture de l'autrice permet de bien s'attacher au personnage qui essaye tant bien que mal, qui gère ses problèmes comme elle le peut. Mais ici ce n'est pas l'histoire d'une super-héroïne mais d'une personne lambda qui se débat avec tout ça et combien cela peut-être difficile.
L'histoire est de son point de vue, ce qui explique l'écriture des autres personnages, qui peuvent sembler pour certains plus froids qu'à l'accoutumée.
Kelly Thompson aime utiliser plusieurs personnages dont en majorité ceux qu'elle a déjà écrit et c'est encore le cas ici. on retrouve donc des têtes connues de l'autrice mais pas que.
Au dessin je trouve que les artistes s'en sortent particulièrement bien. C'est un style assez classe, la colorisation aidant. Et puis le style des séquences de flash-back tranche, montrant un côté plus brut des souvenirs et de leur impact.
Bref c'est une bonne voire très bonne histoire de Kelly Thompson, sur un personnage qui en a malheureusement beaucoup à dire encore.
Oui suivre les pérégrinations d'une personne perdue et liée à une pierre de l'infini, devant gérer tout le bazar que ça peut créer, ça m'intéresse.
Star est à la base une civile qui sort traumatisée de divers évènements liés aux super-héros et vilains. L'histoire montre donc comment elle digère ces traumas et comment elle tente de s'en sortir alors que tout foire dans sa vie. La qualité d'écriture de l'autrice permet de bien s'attacher au personnage qui essaye tant bien que mal, qui gère ses problèmes comme elle le peut. Mais ici ce n'est pas l'histoire d'une super-héroïne mais d'une personne lambda qui se débat avec tout ça et combien cela peut-être difficile.
L'histoire est de son point de vue, ce qui explique l'écriture des autres personnages, qui peuvent sembler pour certains plus froids qu'à l'accoutumée.
Kelly Thompson aime utiliser plusieurs personnages dont en majorité ceux qu'elle a déjà écrit et c'est encore le cas ici. on retrouve donc des têtes connues de l'autrice mais pas que.
Au dessin je trouve que les artistes s'en sortent particulièrement bien. C'est un style assez classe, la colorisation aidant. Et puis le style des séquences de flash-back tranche, montrant un côté plus brut des souvenirs et de leur impact.
Bref c'est une bonne voire très bonne histoire de Kelly Thompson, sur un personnage qui en a malheureusement beaucoup à dire encore.
Oui suivre les pérégrinations d'une personne perdue et liée à une pierre de l'infini, devant gérer tout le bazar que ça peut créer, ça m'intéresse.
July 9, 2021
The new superhero, Star, is revealed to be an imposter and disgraced. Despite now the host for the Reality Infinity stone, Star isn't sure whether she's a hero or villain.
While not quite an origin story this very much has the feel of one, however despite several guest stars, the storyline comes across as a bit pedestrian. For a character that can literally reshape reality, Star is pretty small minded. Though the point of the story, rather than conflicted she comes across more as irritating, bouncing from side to side with no real goal in mind, other than to extricate herself from whatever fight she ends up in. Rather than delve into her motivations or desires she doesn't get much further than an obsession with Captain Marvel and comes across as pretty aimless and two dimensional.
By the conclusion of the story arc Star seems to be more in control but it is left too open ended to really make you want to find out what she does next.
While this is a decent enough read, you expect more from Kelly Thompson, who really could of expanded this character. Javier Pina's artwork deserves a lot of praise, which is a high standard throughout.
While not quite an origin story this very much has the feel of one, however despite several guest stars, the storyline comes across as a bit pedestrian. For a character that can literally reshape reality, Star is pretty small minded. Though the point of the story, rather than conflicted she comes across more as irritating, bouncing from side to side with no real goal in mind, other than to extricate herself from whatever fight she ends up in. Rather than delve into her motivations or desires she doesn't get much further than an obsession with Captain Marvel and comes across as pretty aimless and two dimensional.
By the conclusion of the story arc Star seems to be more in control but it is left too open ended to really make you want to find out what she does next.
While this is a decent enough read, you expect more from Kelly Thompson, who really could of expanded this character. Javier Pina's artwork deserves a lot of praise, which is a high standard throughout.
August 13, 2021
This volume was a cool introduction for this new character who desperately needs a more distinctive name. With only 'Star' it's difficult to even find this comic among all the Wars and Treks out there. She begins small, weak and confused, not sure where these barely-controlled abilities come from. She quickly learns and gains the freedom to choose her own way.
Ripley Ryan fought Captain Marvel and lost. She now has the Reality Stone bonded to her, but she has little control over it. She tries to find out more about her condition, but the stone makes her a target for many. One of them is Scarlet Witch whose reality manipulation powers may be the only thing that can help Ripley.
Ripley Ryan fought Captain Marvel and lost. She now has the Reality Stone bonded to her, but she has little control over it. She tries to find out more about her condition, but the stone makes her a target for many. One of them is Scarlet Witch whose reality manipulation powers may be the only thing that can help Ripley.
April 22, 2022
This was pretty good. It ties in with Kelly Thompson’s Captain Marvel run, and makes that story feel deeper. Ripely is an interesting character, because her reasoning for her actions is probably pretty relatable. At the very least it highlights a different perspective of a bystander of superheroics. In her story, Carol Danvers is the villain. She does tend to victimize herself, but has been through some traumas, and uses that as justification for doing whatever she wants. Her powers are imbued in her via the Reality Stone embedded in her body, and once that information gets around, she ends up being the mouse in a chase with several cats, particularly the Black Order.
Thompson is a good writer, and that continues to be true here. The art is good, though not consistent. I enjoyed this volume, though the story is relatively standard Marvel affair, and in my mind serves as more of a compliment to Thompson’s Captain Marvel run than the beginning of a new character with a long future ahead.
Thompson is a good writer, and that continues to be true here. The art is good, though not consistent. I enjoyed this volume, though the story is relatively standard Marvel affair, and in my mind serves as more of a compliment to Thompson’s Captain Marvel run than the beginning of a new character with a long future ahead.
January 24, 2021
Star tells the story of what happened to Ripley Ryan after the events of Captain Marvel 1-5. With the reality stone embedded within her will she be able to harness the power for good or bad?
What I liked -
Kelly Thompson getting to build upon her roster of characters is always fun. Having Jessica Jones pop up was great and made sense. Star isn’t written to be particularly likeable but Thompson does a good job establishing her back story and helping the reader to understand why she’s gone the way she has.
What I disliked -
As with most shorter runs things wrap up quickly and whilst the fight with Captain Marvel is fun it’s a bit too brief. There’s also issues wherein there is more than one artist and this is a common trend with Marvel all too often.
Favourite panel/ moment -
Star fighting Black Swan was decent, don’t often get to see Black Swan in an active combatant role.
3/5.
What I liked -
Kelly Thompson getting to build upon her roster of characters is always fun. Having Jessica Jones pop up was great and made sense. Star isn’t written to be particularly likeable but Thompson does a good job establishing her back story and helping the reader to understand why she’s gone the way she has.
What I disliked -
As with most shorter runs things wrap up quickly and whilst the fight with Captain Marvel is fun it’s a bit too brief. There’s also issues wherein there is more than one artist and this is a common trend with Marvel all too often.
Favourite panel/ moment -
Star fighting Black Swan was decent, don’t often get to see Black Swan in an active combatant role.
3/5.
April 13, 2021
Coming out of the pages of Captain Marvel and after the events of Infinity Wars, this standalone is an attempt to create a new volatile character in the Marvel Universe. Star is reporter Ripley Ryan, who is the subject of a Kree/human experiment. Not only has she taken on many of the same powers as Captain Marvel, but she is now the host for the Reality Stone... and we all know how dangerous that can be...
Scarlet Witch and the Black Order get involved here, but this is mostly an origin story for this character who could go either way, towards hero or villain.
I'm not sure how I feel about her getting her own comic. I wasn't as impressed with her run in Captain Marvel. I guess we'll see for in the future of the character.
Scarlet Witch and the Black Order get involved here, but this is mostly an origin story for this character who could go either way, towards hero or villain.
I'm not sure how I feel about her getting her own comic. I wasn't as impressed with her run in Captain Marvel. I guess we'll see for in the future of the character.
March 18, 2022
Star: Birth of a Dragon is the last comic book I read before I decided to take a break from comics altogether. That's probably a good indicator of how much I recommend it. I've been struggling with the DC and Marvel reading lists for a while now. I've found myself reading a ton of filler and hardly anything worth getting excited about.
I picked up this miniseries because of author Kelly Thompson, I've loved her previous work on Jessica Jones and Kate Bishop so I figured this one might be a throwaway but at least a fun one. It's mostly just okay.
To continue to the full review please visit https://amanjareads.com/2022/03/08/st...
I picked up this miniseries because of author Kelly Thompson, I've loved her previous work on Jessica Jones and Kate Bishop so I figured this one might be a throwaway but at least a fun one. It's mostly just okay.
To continue to the full review please visit https://amanjareads.com/2022/03/08/st...
September 21, 2020
There's a lot of setup that goes into Kelly Thompson's sort of re-origin story of a character introduced in her Captain Marvel run. You can tell they're going somewhere with Star that might expand beyond this miniseries or anything goin on in Captain Marvel. Thompson's upbeat and modern writing style makes it work, but ultimately I wouldn't recommend this unless you're keeping up with that Captain Marvel series and are curious about what happens to this character after Carol goes up against her there.
December 20, 2020
I read the individual issues of this tpb. I don't love stuff involving the reality stone per say, but I think this series handled it well. As far as the creation of a new character is involved, I am interested in her story. Without getting too spoilery, it seems like she could go either way in her future with villainy or heroism, and that is interesting. I don't know that Star will be the highlight of Marvel Comics future, but I am interested to see how she plays out in the comic universe.
July 9, 2021
This was a pretty interesting mini series about Star. It was great seeing her fear. I loved how Captain Marvel was such a negative influence on her. Wanda's attempts to reach out to her were a great bit of character work for the Scarlet Witch. Everything Star did made sense when looking at things from her perspective.
Loved the art.
Looking forward to see what this leads to in the future. I'd love to see Star as a regular antagonist.
Loved the art.
Looking forward to see what this leads to in the future. I'd love to see Star as a regular antagonist.
October 24, 2021
I enjoyed this more than I would have thought. Star was an interesting character in this. You get to see how she struggles with trauma and panic attacks which made her more human but also doesn’t excuse her actions. I also really liked Scarlett Witch in this, she wants to save Star as she sees herself in her. So it was interesting to see which path Star would choose. As always Kelly Thompson’s writing was good and the art was nice as well.
December 1, 2022
Okay I actually really loved this. Loved the artwork. It was great seeing Wanda Maximoff, Captain Marvel and Jessica Jones all make an appearance. Less so with The Black Order.
Ripley was pretty pessimistic but her powers were really really cool! I would not want to go through the stuff she has gone through but to walk out of there with THAT MUCH power, woah!
When will there be a second volume?
Ripley was pretty pessimistic but her powers were really really cool! I would not want to go through the stuff she has gone through but to walk out of there with THAT MUCH power, woah!
When will there be a second volume?
July 22, 2020
I really don't understand why Star got her own mini. She wasn't interesting in the main Captain Marvel series and she's even less interesting here. I liked seeing Jessica Jones and Scarlet Witch, but other than that, this was just ok. Liked the art and I always enjoy Thompson's writing, but the story here just didn't do anything for me.
(read as single issues)
(read as single issues)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews