Star Sapphire (DC Comics character)
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Star Sapphire is the name of several supervillains in DC Comics, all connected in origin. Within DC continuity, an immortal race of warrior women (the Zamarons) were depicted as having the ancient tradition of choosing physically identical mortals from across the cosmos to serve as the host body for their queen. The woman they choose to serve this role is called Star Sapphire. She is given the queen's symbolic weapon; a crystal resembling an actual star sapphire that grants the user powers similar to the power ring of a Green Lantern.
In the 2000s the term came to refer to the Star Sapphires, a fictional organization whose members in part include women previously depicted as the singular Star Sapphire in DC titles. Not clearly defined as superheroes or supervillains, the Star Sapphires first debuted as a corps in Green Lantern (vol. 4) #20 (July 2007). They were created by writer Geoff Johns and artist Ethan Van Sciver.
Fictional character biographies
Golden Age Star Sapphire
The first version of the character appeared in All-Flash Comics #32 (Dec-Jan 1947) and Comic Cavalcade #29 (Oct-Nov 1948) and battled the Golden Age Flash. This Star Sapphire claims to be a queen from the 7th Dimension, and attempts to conquer Earth.
A later retcon connected her with the Zamaron Star Sapphires, explaining that she had been chosen as Queen of the Zamarons, but had proved unworthy, hence her banishment to the 7th dimension.[1] In this story, she attempts to manipulate Carol Ferris into using the Star Sapphire stone to destroy the Zamarons. The Flash is able to break the connection. This was the Golden Age character's sole modern appearance.
Carol Ferris
Carol Ferris is first introduced in S.O.S. Green Lantern! which ran in Showcase vol. 1, issue #22 (October 1959). In her original appearance, Hal Jordan becomes employed at Ferris Aircraft and (after asking her to dinner) she makes it clear that she doesn't date employees.[2] However, she would go on to play an on and off romantic role in his life. She first appears as the second Star Sapphire in Green Lantern vol. 2, #16 (October 1962). As Star Sapphire, she battles Jordan (as Green Lantern) for many years. When Jordan becomes the Spectre, he removes the Star Sapphire persona from Ferris. While seeking to inhabit the body that Jordan most desires, the Star Sapphire gem again possesses her for a brief period during the Mystery of the Star Sapphire story line. Her reunion with the Star Sapphire entity is short however, as it soon learns that Jordan most desires Jillian Pearlman and as a result abandons Ferris.[3] Though she no longer holds the singular position of Star Sapphire, in Green Lantern vol. 4 issue #38 (March 2009), she receives a violet power ring sent to her by the Zamarons. It attaches itself to her and she leaves for Zamaron to be inducted as a member of the Star Sapphire Corps.[4] As the Queen dies at the end of Green Lantern vol. 4 issue #57 (October 2010) Carol is named queen by her predecessor.
Dela Pharon
Dela Pharon was introduced as the third woman to hold the position of Star Sapphire in Green Lantern vol. 2, issue #41 (December 1965). Technically speaking, however, Carol Ferris simultaneously appears as Star Sapphire in the same issue.
In the story, Ferris is injured testing out one of her new flying machines, and is brought to the hospital for treatment. However she awakens and finds herself drawn away from the hospital. It's shown that Ferris is being lured off by the Star Sapphire gem, and upon finding it she once again takes on the mantle of Star Sapphire. As Star Sapphire she returns to pursuing her quest for marrying Green Lantern, however conflict arises with the arrival of an alien woman also appears to be the Zamaron's queen and Star Sapphire. Jordan discovers Ferris' transformation upon finding her fighting the second, alien, Star Sapphire. The Zamarons arrive to meet Jordan and explain that Dela Pharon (from the planet Xanador) is the woman that Ferris is fighting.[5]
Before the events of the issue began, the Zamarons chose Pharon as their new queen and recipient of the Star Sapphire, but a dissenting group of Zamarons claimed that Ferris would have made a superior queen. Angered by the opposition, Pharon travels to Earth and attacks Ferris in retaliation (which was the cause of her aircraft malfunction). Recognizing the attack provokes Ferris to become Star Sapphire again and defend herself. At the conclusion of their duel, Ferris appears to be the victor and leaves to challenge Jordan. Following his defeat, she forces him to travel with her to Zamaron and become her husband. Before the wedding, Jordan discovers that the woman he believed to be Ferris is really Pharon in disguise. Jordan finds the real Ferris living Pharon's life on Xanador, and brings her to Zamaron. He defeats Pharon and returns with Ferris to Earth without her retaining any knowledge of the events that transpired.[5]
Dela Pharon reappears in a story told by Carol Ferris during the Mystery of the Star Sapphire story line. She continues to serve as Star Sapphire after her first appearance, and eventually both falls in love with and enslaves the Green Lantern of Xanador. After becoming his mate, she kills him and encases their planet in violet crystal so that they will be together until the end of time.[6] This presumably leaves her encased in crystal during the events currently enfolding in Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps. However, promotional imagery included in Blackest Night vol. 1, issue #0 (March 2009) lists her as a prominent member of the newly formed Star Sapphires. What role she'll play among the corps is unknown.
Deborah Camille Darnell
Deborah Camille Darnell was introduced as the fourth Star Sapphire and a member of the Secret Society of Super Villains in Secret Society of Super-Villains vol. 1, issue #1 (June 1976). An alien woman named Remoni-Notra, of the planet Pandina, she is offered one of the five Star Sapphire gems as well as the position of Star Sapphire from the Zamarons. Though she refuses, she goes to Earth to steal Carol Ferris' gem. While on Earth, she takes on the name Deborah Camille Darnell, and joins the Secret Society of Super Villains.[7] Later in Infinite Crisis #6, Darnell is part of a group of magic-users that summons the Spectre. However, after being summoned, the Spectre singles out Darnell for her past sins at Stonehenge and kills her.
Jillian Pearlman
After Darnell's death, the Star Sapphire gem is found next at the location where it had last been abandoned (Salisbury, England) during the Mystery of the Star Sapphire storyline. The stone calls out to a female hiker named Krystal who is nearby. Upon locating the stone, it takes possession of Krystal and transforms her into the fifth Star Sapphire. Soon after, it says that it must find the host body that the Star's chosen Earth-Mate (Hal Jordan) most desires, and that Krystal is not that body.[8] Krystal left England and was next seen landing in Northern California next to a sign for Ferris Air. She then remarks that she believes she knows the host her mate most desires: Carol Ferris.[9] The Star Sapphire quickly finds Carol Ferris preparing to land a plane, and crashes into its cockpit. The gem takes possession of Ferris as its new host, abandoning Krystal on the now-unpiloted plane (which crashes shortly afterward). Using Ferris' body, the Star Sapphire finds Hal Jordan in a bar with Jillian "Cowgirl" Pearlman. Cowgirl had been introduced in the first issue of the fourth volume of Green Lantern, and went on to establish a romantic connection with Jordan. Jordan quickly assumes his Green Lantern form at the sight of Ferris, and engages with the Star Sapphire in aerial combat. During their confrontation, the stone senses Jordan's desire for Cowgirl and promptly abandons Ferris to make Cowgirl the sixth Star Sapphire.[3]
Star Sapphires
| Star Sapphires | |
|---|---|
| A cartoon image of four super heroines wearing glossy, violet costumes. The woman on the far left is wearing a small mask and has blue skin. The woman centered, standing in front of the rest, has long hair, a provocatively low cut costume, and wearing a glowing violet ring that she is holding up at chest height. The woman immediately to the right of her is wearing a similar costume and is flying upward. The woman on the far right is flying toward the viewer, has blue skin, and no nose. The Star Sapphires | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Green Lantern (vol. 4) #20 (July 2007) |
| Created by | Geoff Johns (writer) Ethan Van Sciver(artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Base(s) | Zamaron |
| Roster | |
| See: below | |
The Star Sapphires are one of the seven Corps empowered by a specific color of the emotional spectrum within the DC Universe. Though their roots can be traced back to the earliest appearances of the Star Sapphire queens, they've entered into a significant plot role as part of the 2009-2010 Blackest Night crossover event.[10] First formed by the Zamarons at the conclusion of the Mystery of the Star Sapphire storyline running in Green Lantern (vol. 4), issues #18-20 (May-July 2007), their abilities come from violet power rings which wield the power of love. At present, members of the Star Sapphires have only been depicted as being female. During the Blackest Night panel at Comic Con International 2009, Geoff Johns explained that: "anyone can join, but most men are not worthy."[11]
Fictional group history
The Star Sapphires are first mentioned in the context of a group during a conversation between Carol Ferris and Hal Jordan immediately after Ferris has just recovered from having been possessed by the Star Sapphire stone during Mystery of the Star Sapphire. Ferris explains that while under the possession of the stone, she learned a number of things about its history and capabilities. She says that it told her that billions of years ago, when the Guardians of the Universe decided to form the Green Lantern Corps, a tribe of women left Oa because they didn't agree with the Guardians' belief in living a life without emotion. They said they would continue on their own existence living with emotions, starting with love. They searched the universe for billions of years for the thing the Guardians feared, and eventually found it on a planet called Zamaron. They learned of love from the first Star Sapphire gem, which was discovered locked between the embrace of two crystallized skeletons inside a cave. She explains to him that despite the fact that he had been able to defeat the various incarnations of the Star Sapphire he'd encountered up until then, other Green Lanterns had not been as fortunate. She describes another Star Sapphire falling in love with a Green Lantern and encasing his world in violet crystal so that the two could be together forever. She also mentions that the Star Sapphire gem is like the green power rings used by Green Lanterns and the yellow power rings used by Sinestro Corps members.[6]
After this exchange, Jillian "Cowgirl" Pearlman (being possessed by the Star Sapphire) attacks the two. Jordan uses his ring to grant Ferris enhanced abilities needed to help fight Cowgirl. The two fight with the Star Sapphire and she is defeated by their combined efforts. An energy vortex opens in the room and a voice is shown as saying that "a new Corps is rising and so must ours." Four Zamarons step out of the portal, and one announces that both Cowgirl and Ferris will become the first two members of their Corps.[6] Jordan tells Ferris to attempt to remove the Star Sapphire from Cowgirl while he confronts the Zamarons. Though she is able to do so, the stone immobilizes the two Earth women while the Zamarons gain the upper hand over Jordan. The stone asks Jordan which of the two women he desires most, and that the woman he chooses will be able to be with him forever. In response, Jordan kisses one of the Zamarons, convincing the stone to release its hostages (Cowgirl and Carol Ferris), and possess her instead. The stone reacts with its new host violently, prompting the Zamarons to retreat with her to their home planet to remove the star from their ally and discuss the gem's future.[12]
At the end of the final issue in the storyline, the Zamarons are shown to have removed the Star Sapphire from their sister-in-arms at the cost of her life. The Zamarons agree that Jordan was right in showing how the Star Sapphire's power is too overwhelming to one host.[12] The farther from the center of the emotional spectrum, the greater the influence a powered light has over its bearer (a plot element which would again become significant at the opposite end of the spectrum with the Red Lanterns).[10] The Zamarons claim they could rectify the problem by taking a page from the Book of Oa. They are shown transforming the Star Sapphire into a violet power ring which they place on a pedestal along with a violet power battery. In discussion, they also describe how they'd been focused on love so long that they were almost like the emotionless Guardians. Depicted in the same room as the violet ring and battery, are a green and yellow set of powers rings and power batteries. Upon revealing this to the reader, the Zamarons comment that they "must collect them all."[12]
Sins of the Star Sapphire
Sins of the Star Sapphire, running in Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2), issues #29-32 (December 2008-March 2009), is the story arc in which the formation of the Star Sapphires is shown. It both introduces important members of the new corps and reveals distinguishing features which set them apart from their peers. At the beginning of the arc, the Zamarons have crafted their own main power battery. Inside of their main battery are the crystallized "Adam and Eve" skeletons and Star Sapphire gem found when they first arrived on Zamaron. While experimenting with their new means of controlling the violet light of love, the Zamarons (perhaps intentionally) attracted the attention of the Guardians on Oa. Perceiving their visible power fluctuations as a threat, Guardian Scar decides to act on the display rather than wait and "hope for the best." In response, she requests a diplomatic audience with Zamaron's Queen Aga'po. Two other Guardians accompany her, while Lanterns Guy Gardner, Arisia, and Sodam Yat serve as escorts.[13] While on Zamaron, the delegates from Oa find that the Zamarons are in possession of a number of yellow power rings that were left unclaimed after the Sinestro Corps War plotline. The rings are shown being drained of their power (which Arisia interprets as a deliberate display of how the same could be done to green power rings). More importantly, the delegates also discover that a number of female Sinestro Corps members have also been collected after the war and are imprisoned in violet crystals.[14]
Queen Aga'po explains that the women imprisoned in the crystals (Fatality, Karu-Sil, and Kiriazis are specifically named, though other filled crystals are shown in Green Lantern vol. 4 #36) are being rehabilitated. The yellow light of fear is being drained from their rings and replaced with the violet light of love. Queen Aga'po also claims that violet light is filling an emptiness in their hearts and replacing their capacity for creating fear. The delegate meeting ends poorly for the Oans, as the Zamarons refuse to stop their pursuit of the violet light.[14] Perhaps in response, the Guardians unanimously vote that love between Green Lanterns is forbidden within the Corps.[15]
A sub plot is also shown to the reader in Sins of the Star Sapphire which introduces a key member of the new Corps. In the secondary story, Mongul frees himself of Mother Mercy's vines after being imprisoned in Green Lantern Corps vol. 2, issue #26 (September 2008).[16] Ravenous after his imprisonment, he destroys a space craft belonging to newlyweds Kered and Miri Riam (on their way to their honeymoon) in order to ransack it for food. Kered approaches Mongul to ask him to spare their jet packs and enough food for them to find help. In response, Mongul cracks the face plate of Kered's pressure suit, killing him. After Mongul leaves, Miri drifts in space alone for two days before deciding to kill herself out of grief. Before she is able to complete her suicide, a violet power ring finds her and offers to fill the hole in her heart with violet light. Miri accepts and becomes the first new recruit to the Star Sapphires.[13] Miri quickly finds herself fighting for love as she assists a group of Green Lanterns attempting to apprehend Sinestro Corps member: Kryb. Through their temporary partnership they are able to defeat the yellow ring wielder. Though an argument ensues between Miri and Kyle Rayner (one of the Green Lanterns involved in the incident) over whether Kryb should be sent to Oa or Zamaron for detainment, it's agreed that Miri will escort Kryb back to Zamaron for reconditioning and re-education.[17]
Blackest Night
In the issues of Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps serving as preludes to the Blackest Night event, the Star Sapphires continue to make preparations for the predicted conflict. After undergoing treatment within a violet conversion crystal, Fatality emerges as a newly transformed Star Sapphire. Her first thoughts upon being released are to seek out John Stewart (a Green Lantern she'd been trying to kill for causing the destruction of her home planet).[18] Upon finding him, however, she saves him from Agent Orange's attacking Orange Lantern constructs, demonstrating that they are unable to absorb constructs made from violet light. She admits that revenge is no longer her goal, and that she has other plans.[19] In the following issue, she reveals that she's attracted to Stewart, may have always been, and the Star Sapphire has given her the ability to finally absolve herself of her survivor's guilt.[20] After Fatality's successful conversion, Miri and Queen Aga'po observe that Kryb appears to be crying inside of her crystal (seemingly distraught over being separated from the children she kept imprisoned on her back). Queen Aga'po remarks that it is a sign the treatment is working.[21]
Carol Ferris once again gains the attention of the Zamarons as well. After a divorce and giving up the chance at being with Hal Jordan, he is no longer in her life and a hole in her heart has formed. While flying his former plane, the Zamarons send her one of their new violet power rings to fill it.[4] Ferris' reunion with the violet light isn't fully shown until Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #2 (July 2009). In Tales of the Star Sapphires: Lost Love, Ferris initially expects to be possessed by her violet power ring as had been the case with the Star Sapphire gem. The ring explains to her that the Zamarons have changed service to the Star Sapphires: it must be voluntary and now extends to an entire violet Corps. The ring reveals that Ferris has the potential of becoming the most powerful Star Sapphire, and also has the ability of leading the Star Sapphires into war alongside the Green Lantern Corps. At the end of the story, the power ring keeps its word and does not recruit Ferris until she gives it permission. She is, however, manipulated by being told that her love (Hal Jordan) may die depending upon the outcome of the War of Light. By joining the Star Sapphires, Ferris may be able to prevent that from happening.[22]
After his run-in with the Red Lanterns and Blue Lantern Corps during the Rage of the Red Lanterns plotline, Sinestro's attention turns from Oa to Zamaron. Before attempting to defeat a splinter cell of yellow ring wielders led by Mongul, he decides it's necessary to rescue the captured members of his Corps that are being converted into Star Sapphires.[19] Glimpses of a planned Sinestro Corps attack are first shown coming to fruition in Blackest Night #1 (July 2009). Carol Ferris is depicted confronting the Sinestro Corps robot, Tekik, as conflict between the two Corps rages in the background.[23]
The passage taken from The Book of the Black at the end of Blackest Night #2 states that love will be the first emotion to fall in the Black Lantern Corps' crusade against the colored lights.[24]
Green Lantern(vol. 4) #45 and 46 depicts the battle between the Sinestro Corps and the Star Sapphires. During the conflict, the conversion crystals are compromised and the Sinestro Corps members inside are released. Kryb immediately abandons the battle to see to her children; she is followed by Sapphire Miri Riam and the two eventually reach Kryb's planet to find her children are gone. Kryb begs Miri to help her find her children promising to return to Zamaron of her own free will if Miri helps her. Miri senses that Kryb's love for her children is genuine and, despite the fact the Miri is repulsed by Kryb, agrees to help her. Back on Zamaron the battle takes an unexpected turn when deceased Sinestro Corps members resurrected as Black Lantern arrive. Carol Ferris and Sinestro are forced to work together until Hal Jordan and the Indigo Tribe arrive. The battle rages on until two black rings head for the violet Central Power Battery, bonding to the two crystallized lovers inside (who are Prince Khufu and his consort Chay-ara; the original forms of Hawkman and Hawkgirl). The two are transformed into Black Lanterns and their escape causes the battery to explode, causing widespread devastation to the planet and freeing the Predator. The damage is so great that the Sapphires are forced to abandon the planet to the Black Lanterns, fulfilling the Book of the Black's prophecy. Carol joins with Hal, Sinestro, and Indigo-1 to face Mongul on Korugar. The loss of the Central Power Battery does not appear to have affected Carol's powers.[25]
Carol travels with the rest of the group to Okaara to recruit Larfleeze and Atrocitus. Then they head to Ryut to determine the status of the Black Central Power Battery.[26] Finding that it has been moved, they head to Earth with the intention of destroying the battery with the combined white light of creation. Ultimately though, the white light they produce fails to destroy the battery, and appears to feed Nekron's power.[27]
Brightest Day
On Earth, after the events of Blackest Night, Carol travels to Las Vegas looking for the violet emotional entity. Carol locates the Predator, inhabiting the body of a man who is infatuated with a woman who doesn't even know who he is, and defeats it alongside Larfleeze and Hal. The three then take the Predator back to Zamaron, where the Zamarons plan to reseal the entity into the Violet Power Battery in order to recharge it, however when Carol discover the intentions of the Zamarons, she argues that the Guardians' technology that the Zamarons based the battery on can be powered by the ambient love in the universe and refused to deliver the Predator. Queen Aga'po, who had been charging the battery herself, names Carol the new Queen of the Star Sapphires and dies.[28]
Prominent members
- Queen Aga'po: Queen of the Zamarons; when asked by the Guardians if she will discontinue the Zamarons' pursuit of the violet light, she refuses.[14] She is notified of the approach of the Sinestro Corps upon the Zamaron planet, and responds: "Yes. Let them come. For love will conquer all."[22] She sacrifices her life to power the Star Sapphire battery during Brightest Day, naming Carol the new queen.[28]
- Carol Ferris (of Sector 2814): The vice president of Ferris Aircraft, former love interest of Hal Jordan, and previous bearer of the position: Star Sapphire. After employing Jordan for a time as a pilot with Ferris Aircraft, he claims he cannot be near her without being with her. As she does not date employees, he left to resume his career in the United States Air Force.[29] Due to her heartache over Jordan's absence, the Zamarons send a violet power ring to her which tells her she has the potential to be the most powerful of the Star Sapphires.[4][22] The ring also tells her that, by leading the violet Corps, she'll be in a position to protect Jordan during the War of Light; hearing this, she accepts the invitation to the Star Sapphires.[22] After the death of Queen Aga'po, she is named the Star Sapphires' new queen and is stated to be the most powerful Star Sapphire in the universe.[28]
- Dela Pharon (of Sector 1416): The lover of the now deceased Green Lantern of space sector 1416. Dela Pharon's extreme interpretation of "love" caused her to kill her lover and encase their world in a violet crystal so that they could "be together forever".[6]
- Fatality (of Sector 1313): A former member of the Sinestro Corps, she was captured by the Zamarons after the Sinestro Corps War and sealed in a violet crystal meant to rehabilitate her yellow power ring.[14] Fatality eventually emerges as a converted Star Sapphire, and immediately decides to locate John Stewart.[18] Formerly her adversary, her hatred for him has been transformed into romantic interest.[20]
- The Lost Sapphire: First featured and named in promotional imagery for the Blackest Night event, her appearance and identity are presently unknown.[30]
- Miri Riam: The first new recruit to the Star Sapphires. While heading for their honeymoon, she and her new husband Kered are attacked by the space tyrant Mongul. Mongul destroys their ship, murders Kered, and leaves Miri to drift in space alone. Planning to follow her husband into death, her suicide is interrupted by the arrival of a Zamaron ring. The ring offers to "fill the hole of [her] broken heart" with the light of the Star Sapphire and Miri accepts.[13]
- Miss Bloss: A Zamaron member of the Star Sapphires that is first featured in Blackest Night promotional imagery.[30]
- Race: A female alien with yellow skin that is first featured in Blackest Night promotional imagery.[30]
- Wonder Woman (of Sector 2814): An Amazonian warrior and princess chosen to be a deputy member of the Corps. A duplicate of Carol's ring is able to free her from the influence of a black power ring by using the intense feelings of love in her heart.[31] After her subconscious mind interacted with the ‘deceased’ Batman (Bruce Wayne), Diana finally freed herself from the black ring’s influence. Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love, is depicted as aiding Diana in accepting the ring.[32] Wonder Woman is later discharged from the Star Sapphires, following her final battle.[33]
Conversion crystals
A distinguishing feature that marks the Star Sapphires as unique among their peers, in Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps, is their use of conversion crystals. While other Corps exclusively recruit their members by sending out their rings in search of sentient beings, the Star Sapphires are also shown as being able to convert other Corps members into Star Sapphires. By encasing the members of other Corps within violet rehabilitation crystals on Zamaron, the light of their rings is slowly transformed into violet, whereupon they emerge as newly formed Star Sapphires, such as Yrra Cynril (Fatality).[18] Similarly, violet power rings also momentarily encase new members to the Corps in crystal before granting them their Star Sapphire abilities and uniform.[13] Those imprisoned within the crystals can be freed by an outside force, or free themselves if sufficiently motivated, interrupting the transformation process before it's complete.[34]
The silhouettes of numerous Sinestro Corps members are shown within conversion crystals, but they are all released before their conversions are complete.[34] The following characters have been depicted as escaping their crystals before becoming Star Sapphires:
- Karu-Sil (of Sector 2815): Captured after the Sinestro Corps War.[14]
- Kiriazis (of Sector 1771): Captured after the Sinestro Corps War. Queen Aga'po mentions that Kiriazis is a good candidate for conversion.[18]
- Kryb (of Sector 3599): After being defeated by Miri Riam and a group of Green Lanterns, Miri took her back to Zamaron for rehabilitation.[17] Miri later escorts Kryb back to the world where her "children" are kept.
- Sinestro (of Sector 1417): While trying to free the others, Sinestro faces Carol Ferris. She briefly encases him inside of a conversion crystal, but after being shown a memory of his former lover, Arin Sur, Sinestro is enraged and breaks free by himself.[34]
Lobo was placed in a crystal by Carol Ferris during his battle with her, Hal Jordan, Sinestro, Atrocitous, and Dex Starr. We never see what he does, but Lobo breaks out thanking her "for the peep show." He then whispers to her what he really wants, causing Carol to smack him with a giant hand created by her ring. [35]
Oath
Just as the Green Lanterns and other Lantern Corps recharge their own rings, the following is the oath used by Star Sapphires to recharge their violet power rings:
:For hearts long lost and full of fright,
- For those alone in blackest night,
- Accept our ring and join our fight,
- Love conquers all-- with violet light!
— Carol Ferris, Green Lantern (vol. 4) #38 (March 2009)
Entity
Originally believed to be one of the subconscious identities developed by Carol Ferris, which acted as a masculine animus to the feminine anima of Star Sapphire, the Predator repeatedly appeared as a mysterious figure, protecting Carol's beloved company from the threats of Eclipso, the Demolition Team and Jason Bloch. He also established the company Intercontinental Petroleum (Con-Trol) to let her regain control of Ferris Aircraft. Finally, the Predator started to court Carol (who did not know that the Predator was a part of herself) and battled Hal Jordan for her love.[36] The Predator was later assumed to have been killed by Neron.
During the Blackest Night, it was revealed through the Guardian known as " Scar", that the Predator is actually the sentient embodiment of Love: 'love with nothing to temper it'; and one of seven Emotional Embodiments of the Emotional Spectrum,[37] which had been held captive by the Zamarons within a crystal chamber; the length of this containment is unknown.
The entity emphasizes the aggressive nature in one's being, making the subject paranoid and highly obsessive. The Predator imbues its host with the power to latch onto and manipulate people's minds, and is able to change and affect them at the host's will. Queen Aga'po mentions to one of her attendants that Carol Ferris would be an ideal candidate for taming the Predator.[38]
When the planet Zamaron was attacked by Black Lanterns who succeeded in destroying the Star Sapphire Central Power Battery, the Predator was able to escape its crystalline containment and return to the universe at large.
The Predator, as well as the other emotional entities, is being hunted by an unknown person. The white entity intones for Hal, Carol, and Sinestro to find them before it is too late. According to Atrocitus' divining ritual, the emotional entities had come to Earth and the Predator should be located somewhere in the southwestern United States.[39]
After battling a Ophidian-possessed Hector Hammond, Hal and Larfleeze traveled to Las Vegas, where Carol Ferris was already hunting the love entity. There the Predator possessed a man named Abraham Pointe, who was obsessed with a woman named Lisa. After attempting to have its host meet the target of his affection, the Predator became corrupted by the man's infatuation with the woman, as Abraham did not know what true love was.
Discovered by Carol, Hal, and Larfleeze, the four battled within a casino as the Predator-possessed Abraham attempted to reach Lisa. Knowing the only way to win was to allow Abraham to feel love, Carol kissed the man and severed his connection to the Predator. With the entity subdued, Carol, Hal, and Larfleeze were teleported to Zamaron with the Predator. Carol successfully defended the Predator from having the Zamarrons imprisoning it back within the Star Sapphire Central Power Battery and, in doing so, became the new Queen of the Star Sapphires.[40]
Powers and abilities
Star Sapphire gem
The original Star Sapphire's powers are vast. She is equipped with an arsenal of weapons, including a replicate Zamaron star sapphire, of unknown origin. She also has a variety of personal powers, through whether they stem from herself or her personal armament is unclear. She is also able to access the memories of the Zamorans regarding the Star Sapphire gem, such as the experiences of other wearers. As with the powers of the woman bearing the title of Star Sapphire, the limitations of the Star Sapphire gem are also unclear. Psychologically, the women serving as Star Sapphire have displayed a bizarre preoccupation with gender, suspected of reflecting a pathological fear of men. They also have had a less than accurate grasp of the variations in physics between dimensions. They are sometimes foiled primarily due to their own overconfidence. The Star Sapphire gems used to power the original incarnations of Star Sapphire were used by the Zamarons to create the main violet Power Battery.[12]
Violet power ring
Corp members of the Star Sapphires use violet power rings, fueled by the emotion of love. They allow the wearer to fly, generate a protective aura, and create violet light constructs.[13][17]
Violet rings have several unique abilities. They can create crystals which can be used to imprison members of other Lantern Corps on Zamaron.[14] Over time, the rings of the prisoners trapped in stasis within the crystals are infected with violet energy. After spending enough time inside, the prisoner will emerge as a Star Sapphire.[18] The rings can also detect when a love is in jeopardy, locate it, and then create a connection to the embattled heart that can be used as a tether. Sapphires are also shown as being able to show others their greatest love.[17] Unlike constructs created by Green Lanterns, Orange Lanterns cannot absorb those made by Star Sapphires.[19] Star Sapphires appear to be able to teleport in order to escape attackers, while their energy constructs release a disorienting dust when destroyed. These two abilities can be combined effectively to avoid being pursued.[20] Violet power rings have the ability to restore the recently deceased to life by drawing power from the heart of one that loves them.[41]
Though Star Sapphires do not have a weakness to other Corps (they are immune to the energy stealing properties of an Orange Power Ring), they are more susceptible to being controlled by their own power. Love is one of the two emotions on the far ends of the emotional spectrum, and has a much stronger influence over its users.[30] Unlike the Star Sapphire gem, which could force itself on a user, violet power rings must be accepted by the wearer.[22]
Other versions
- In the Elseworlds one-shot "Batman: In Darkest Knight", where Bruce Wayne (rather than Hal Jordan) is granted Abin Sur's Power ring, Selina Kyle is granted powers by Sinestro; calling herself Star Sapphire. Among her abilities, she is able to perceive Bruce in an invisible state, at which Binary Star (a similarly powered Harvey Dent) exclaims: "You have the eyes of a cat, Star Sapphire." Bruce recognizes her as "that woman I met in the bar. I nearly died that night."
- In the Tangent Comics fifth-week event, a woman with the name Star Sapphire is a member of that world's version of the Doom Patrol.[42]
In other media
Star Sapphire appears in episodes of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, voiced by Olivia d'Abo.
Star Sapphire is invited to join Lex Luthor's Injustice Gang: a group of villains gathered to plot the destruction of the Justice League. She is initially repelled by the idea of working with "common criminals," but seems to warm to the amount of money that Luthor promises each of them (something that keeps her from quitting after their initial plan fails). In the Injustice Gang's final battle with the Justice League, she is defeated by Green Lantern.[43] The character is later recruited to the second incarnation of the Injustice Gang, led by Aresia, whose goal is to destroy the men of the world. When Aresia reveals the group's agenda, she joins enthusiastically. While aligned with this team, she successfully tricks Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl into believing that she still wants to live in a world with men, luring them into a trap that subdues both them and Wonder Woman's mother: Hippolyta. Later on, she and Aresia flee with Hippolyta aboard Aresia's plane. Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl pursue them, and she is knocked out of the fight when Wonder Woman wrenches one of the plane's laser cannons free from its housing and hurls it at her from behind; plunging her into the sea.[44]
Along with several other supervillains, she joins in the mayhem that reigns in Metropolis shortly after Superman's supposed death at the hands of the Superman Revenge Squad, but is again defeated by Green Lantern.[45] She joins Grodd's Secret Society in the final episode of Justice League Unlimited. During the mutiny led by Grodd, she sides with Luthor, and thus is among the survivors who arrive on Earth in time to warn of Darkseid's impending invasion. She joins the rest of the Secret Society and the Justice League in fighting off the forces of Apokolips, and is depicted fighting parademons over the Great Wall of China beside Wonder Woman, Shining Knight, and Vigilante. During the battle, she is struck unconscious by a beam from an Apokoliptan cannon, but is saved from falling to her death by Shining Knight. She is last seen fleeing the Metro Tower along with the other surviving members of the Secret Society.[46]
The animated version of Star Sapphire receives her power from the stone in her mask, giving her Green Lantern-like abilities that enable her to form shields, create energy constructs, fire power blasts, and create a full-body field that enables her to fly and travel through deep space. Her origins are never elaborated upon, making it difficult to tell which version of Star Sapphire she's based on. In appearance, however, she seems most similar to Carol Ferris, who the show's creators have confirmed she is intended to be[47]. While Ferris is depicted as an American in comic books, the Justice League Star Sapphire is voiced by Olivia d'Abo in the actress' native British accent.
Star Sapphire has a cameo appearance in the animated film Justice League: The New Frontier. She is seen during the famous speech by John F. Kennedy.
References
- ^ Flash & Green Lantern: The Brave and the Bold #6 (March 2000)
- ^ Showcase (vol 1) #22 (October 1959)
- ^ a b Green Lantern (vol. 4) #18 (March 2007)
- ^ a b c Green Lantern (vol. 4) #38 (March 2009)
- ^ a b Green Lantern (vol. 2) #41 (December 1965)
- ^ a b c d Green Lantern (vol. 4) #19 (June 2007) Cite error: The named reference "gl19" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Secret Society of Super-Villains (vol. 1) #1 (June 1976)
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #15 (December 2006)
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #17 (February 2007)
- ^ a b Green Lantern (vol. 4) #25 (December 2007)
- ^ CCI LIVE: Green Lantern Blackest Night Panel, Comic Book Resources, July 26, 2009
- ^ a b c d Green Lantern (vol. 4) #20 (July 2007)
- ^ a b c d e Green Lantern Corps (vol.2) #29 (December 2008)
- ^ a b c d e f Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #30 (November 2008)
- ^ Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #31 (February 2009)
- ^ Green Lantern Corps (vol.2) #27 (October 2008)
- ^ a b c d Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #32 (March 2009)
- ^ a b c d e Green Lantern (vol. 4) #36 (January 2009)
- ^ a b c Green Lantern (vol. 4) #41 (June 2009)
- ^ a b c Green Lantern (vol. 4) #42 (June 2009)
- ^ Green Lantern Corps (vol. 2) #34 (May 2009)
- ^ a b c d e Blackest Night: Tales of the Corps #2 (July 2009) Cite error: The named reference "tales2" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ Blackest Night (vol. 1) #1 (July 2009)
- ^ Blackest Night #2 (August 2009)
- ^ Green Lantern #46 (September 2009)
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #48 (January 2010)
- ^ Blackest Night #5 (January 2010)
- ^ a b c Green Lantern (vol. 4) #57 (September 2010)
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #32 (August 2008)
- ^ a b c d Blackest Night #0 (April 2009)
- ^ Blackest Night #6 (December 2009)
- ^ Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #2
- ^ Blackest Night #8 (March 2010)
- ^ a b c Green Lantern (vol. 4) #45 (October 2009)
- ^ Green Lantern(vol.4) #55
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 2) #192 (September 1985).
- ^ Green Lantern (vol.4) #43 (July 2009)
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #45
- ^ Green Lantern #54 (July 2010)
- ^ Green Lantern (vol. 4) #57
- ^ Green Lantern Corps (Vol.2)#43
- ^ Tangent Comics: Doom Patrol # 1 (December 1997)
- ^ Injustice For All. Justice League. 2002-01-06 and 2002-01-13. No. 8 and 9, season 1.
- ^ Fury. Justice League. 2002-04-07 and 2002-04-14. No. 16 and 17, season 1.
- ^ Hereafter. Justice League. 2003-11-29. No. 45 and 46, season 2.
- ^ Destroyer. Justice League Unlimited. 2006-02-18 (UK), 2006-05-13(US). No. 39, season 2.
- ^ http://jl.toonzone.net/star/star.htm
External links
Golden Age Queen of the 7th Dimension:
Animated:
Miscellaneous:
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