Starman # 28

Until James Robinson, the only other Starmen besides Ted Knight I was aware of were Will Payton and Prince Gavin. There was that Star Boy - Thom Kallor, is it? - from the Legion of Super-Heroes and Sylvester Pemberton, the Star-Spangled Kid/Skyman, from the original - now classic - Infinity, Inc. But it is Robinson that has really pulled together a legacy of Starman. As rich as The Flash, or the Green Lantern Corps, or the Darkstars - but not as dizzyingly confusing as Hawkman. 

This is one of those issues that I (now) have a second copy of. Back in the day, I was all about the regular, monthly issue. Y'know, there is just something about the smell of the paper and print in a comic book store on Wednesday! I was working in Chicago, and shopping at Comic Relief on either Madison or Monroe. Right of Michigan Avenue. I'd heard from somebody that worked there that Tony Daniel and Alex Ross shopped there. There store has either moved, or closed, or both and the people I knew that worked there have moved on. Good people. Wednesday was awesome. And, whether it was when I was shopping there, or, at Book Review - where I shop now - I was more than happy to buy an extra issue. Y'know, as a back up, just in case, or to wear out. That hasn't happened yet, 'cause I take just as much care of my loose, unbagged books as the ones I bag. And I couldn't see either waiting for the trade, or paying for the trade, instead of - or on top of - getting the regular, monthly issue (pamphlet). This was back then. My whole concept of reading has changed. I'm more inclined to read through my old issues and go for back issues instead of what is new. And, if it's written for the trade, maybe it should be read in the trade.

But, I'm no rocket scientist or brain surgeon.
 
This issue, Tony Harris provides a trippy cover to a trippy issue. Craig Hamilton captures the essence of a decade with the interior art. I'm surprised that Archie Goodwin, or anyone else with DC at the time let the drug and sex references slide. This wasn't a Vertigo book. This isn't Batman, Superman or Wonder Woman. This is so different from the DC Comics newspaper strip that ran almost immediately after Saturday Night Fever. That was Vince Colletta doing SuperFriends. John Travolta pretty much sums up the '70's the way The Beatles sum up the '60's and Elvis and Fonzie sum up the '50's. You can almost hear the Bee Gees fade in as Mikaal makes his way from the men's room to the dance floor. 

This is a simple, basic story that has an epic feel to it, the deeper it gets. Star Wars defined the '70's just as much as John Travolta, and here Robinson brings them both together. Ironically enough with Archie Goodwin. Alan Scott, J'onn J'onzz and Darkstar Chaser Bron make brief cameo appearances in flashbacks that detail the destruction of Mikaal Tomas' homeworld. 

Mikaal is reminded of his past by Komak, who now considers Tomas a traitor. Komak is dying. He's contracted a social disease after being drawn into the same lifestyle that Mikaal enjoys. Before he goes, Komak wants to finish things between the two of them with one final battle boogie.

This is an incredibly cool and well-written story if you like science-fiction or Vertigo books or maybe even Dr. Strange. I'm not sure I would compare Craig Hamilton to Ditko or - what? - Steranko; but if you like Sandman, or Sandman Mystery Theatre, or Hellblazer or Preacher, you might enjoy this. Maybe that's an unfair, lopsided comparison, since I've only seen Constantine, and not read the books. But, if you're looking forward to seeing how Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen bring this Starman onto their Justice League along with Captain Marvel, Supergirl and Batwoman, you might want to read this first. I managed to track down the back issue, but you might want to grab the Omnibus. Either way, it is an enjoyable read.