Starman (Will Payton)
| Starman | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Starman #1 (October 1988) |
| Created by | Roger Stern Tom Lyle |
| In-story information | |
| Alter ego | Will Payton |
| Team affiliations | Justice League |
| Abilities | Flight, superstrength, superhuman durability, limited shapeshifting, energy projection |
Starman (Will Payton) is a DC Comics superhero who was created by Roger Stern and Tom Lyle as one of the Starman residing within the DC Universe. [1] He is also one of current characters using the alias Starman within the continuity of the universe.[2][3][4][5]
Publication history
Derived by Roger Stern and Tom Lyle in Starman #1 (October 1988). [6]
Scott Snyder decided to revive him in the comics because Snyder felt that he’s a really under-explored character.[2][7][8][9]
Fictional character biography
Payton gained his powers of flight, super strength, a mild amount of shapeshifting, and the ability to alter his appearance and fire bolts of energy from his hands after being struck by a bolt of energy from a satellite in space. He was in his early twenties and worked as a magazine copy editor. The satellite had been launched by the Hutchison Institute, and the powers had been intended for their team of super-agents the Power Elite. Despite his short career, he gained a good reputation among other heroes, even assisting Superman on some occasions, such as helping him recharge after an encounter with Parasite drained most of his solar energy, and posing as Superman when he was briefly depowered by Lex Luthor's use of Mister Mxyzptlk's Red Kryptonite (although he was forced to leave to recover after he was injured in a confrontation with evil genius Thaddeus Killgrave). He first appeared in Starman (vol. 1) #1 (October 1988)[10] Starman seemingly died fighting the supervillain Eclipso.[11]
The 1990s Starman series revealed that his fate was different from that previously believed. The mysterious bolt of energy that infused Payton with his cosmic abilities was revealed to be the essence of the alien Prince named Gavyn, who also used the name Starman. It is currently unclear whether the two men, Gavyn and Payton, fused into one being with shared memories, or if Payton was killed by the bolt that struck him and was replaced by the essence of Gavyn.
References
- ^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 235: "New Starman Will Payton debuted in his own ongoing series in October [1988] by writer Roger Stern and artist Tom Lyle."
- ^ a b "SCOTT SNYDER Reveals Why He's Bringing Back STARMAN (and Which One)". Newsarama. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ Johnston, Rich (28 August 2018). "Looks Like Scott Snyder is Bringing Back Will Payton, Starman, to Justice League". Bleeding Cool News And Rumors. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ "Justice League and the Return of Starman to the DC Universe". Den of Geek. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ "Justice League Gives An '80s DC Superhero's Origin Story a Rebirth Retcon". CBR. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ Manning "1980s" in Dolan, p. 235: "New Starman Will Payton debuted in his own ongoing series in October [1988] by writer Roger Stern and artist Tom Lyle."
- ^ "The Secrets of DC Rebirth May be Unveiled by This Forgotten '80s Superhero". CBR. 2 February 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ "Justice League and the Return of Starman to the DC Universe". Den of Geek. 19 September 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ "Lex Luthor Kept A Superhero OUT of DC's Rebirth". ScreenRant. 19 September 2018.
- ^ Starman #1. (October 1988). DC Comics.
- ^ Eclipso: The Darkness Within #2