Starman

[beccaelizabeth]

Jack Knight
I'd forgotten how much I loved this guy.

Starman was one of the last titles I gave up when my finances made comics collecting impossible. Now I'm remembering why.

The aesthetic is unique in my experience. The look of Opal City itself, the style of the art, the way Jack presents himself as Starman, all so different from the spandex titles.

I looked at a bunch of covers and so far I havent seen a single one I didnt love. They're beautiful.

And the Starman symbol- the little star at the end of the title, or the big version on the back of his jacket- as soon as I saw it again I started thinking where on my I could get it inked. I mean I'll read the whole run of the title before I even start seriously thinking about it, but its a lovely little symbol.

The title plays with the meanings and connotations of stars, the mysticism, science, exploration, all of it. Even in the middle of a standard pass on the rod origin story, little hints of high strangeness. I love the mix.

I love the cityscapes, with art deco buildings and random naked art nouveau ladies.

I love Jack's choice in wardrobe. Stompy boots, jacket with stars, big goggles. And the longer rod. 'Feels good in my hand. As the actress said to the bishop.' I love that the hero makes the phallic jokes cause they're just that obvious. But it adds up to something enough like regular attitude clothes to look good, but distinctive enough to be a costume, and every inch practical. I love the old shirts with his name on them he wears, or the random t-shirts, like regular people. And I love that he has tattoos, with significance to him. Pretty guy with ink and leathers and a collector, who would understand about the comic boxes... got to love that.

I love that he has such a fondness for the past, the collectables store full of interesting bits of before, but an awareness of current issues. He tells of his dad for inventing cosmic rods and tells him to invent cosmic eco friendly power sources instead. Finally something that actually makes sense.

I love the art, I love the setting, I love the stories, I love the character- I just really love this book.

Comments

[beccaelizabeth]

And not least of the reasons I love it- the presence of lesbian and gay characters. I ranted that someone should write a gay superhero. Well, I do actually know they did. Actually I looked it up and while one of the previous heroes who called themselves Starman was living with a male lover the site http://www.rzero.com/books/gaysuperfull.html says he is bisexual and as an alien doesnt perceive gender the same way as humans. Still, close enough. That page has a whole list of other heroes, though it lists some that arent out, who I therefore wouldnt count. Theres another list here http://www.gayleague.com/gay/characters/index.php . I did know about a lot of these but when I ranted I was thinking television vampires more than obscure comics guys.

[beccaelizabeth]

Did I forget to mention the Shade?
Because the guy has *style*
tres goth

[beccaelizabeth]

I love the funky, wiggly, hook on the end Starman staff. With the this way up arrows.

#4 p20 I love the visual comparison of Jack and Elvis

I love the eagle head on the Shade's staff.

I love the star on the taxi and the random griffin.

I love some little visual on every single page I look at. I mean really, truly, totally love. I love this comic.