View Full Version : CBR: Starman's Back But Not Jack Knight
CBR News
10-12-2009, 08:34 PM
James Robinson has revealed exclusively to CBR News that "Blackest Night" tie-in "Starman" #81, announced Monday at Baltimore Retailer Summit, will not feature the return of Jack Knight.
Full article here (http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=23295).
Retrodork
10-12-2009, 08:42 PM
I kind of figured that would be the case, but it is still disappointing. How many 'unofficial' cameos has Jack made since his retirement? Did anybody notice him at Green Arrow and Black Canary's wedding?
Rampantlad
10-12-2009, 08:52 PM
Not particularly fussed about Starman, but creaming myself for:
* “Catwoman” #83 by Fabian Nicieza
* “Phantom Stranger” #42 by Peter Tomasi
* “The Question” #37 by Greg Rucka
* “Suicide Squad” #67 by John Ostrander
What a cool, fun idea from DC. I just hope they are up to scratch and not pointless, gimmicky cash-ins. We live in hope...
Squashua
10-12-2009, 09:09 PM
No Hitman Blackest Night == Greatest Crime
noh-varr
10-12-2009, 09:13 PM
No Hitman Blackest Night == Greatest Crime
Completely agree!
Wait Catwoman is the main character in a book already so how is that a resurrection? I do want to see the Shazam book, just because maybe if it sold well we could get a Captain Marvel book full time.
I'm not sure if I'm going to pick up the Starman. I love that series, but I haven't read a single issue written by Robinson since he's returned that makes me want to read more of anything, and I'm quite worried he'll ruin his opus.
Lt. Clutch
10-12-2009, 09:15 PM
This reminds me of a time in the 70's when long-canceled books like Aquaman, Blackhawk, or Challengers of the Unknown resumed with the old numbering intact and new creative teams to see if audiences were ready for more.
In Starman's case, Robinson wrapped the series up quite nicely. But I'm sure a lot of us would love to see Ostrander's Suicide Squad continue either where it left off in 1992 or right after the recent mini-series.
Edit: Maybe DC is trying the same trick again with the one-shots? If you enjoyed any of these titles, support the one-shots and let 'em know. I wouldn't mind seeing Weird Western Tales, The Question, or The Phantom Stranger, back on the stands, either.
I kind of figured that would be the case, but it is still disappointing. How many 'unofficial' cameos has Jack made since his retirement? Did anybody notice him at Green Arrow and Black Canary's wedding?
He may also have been at Sue Dibny's funeral.
The thing is that unless Tony Harris is the one drawing him, it could really be just another black-haired dude.
marvelboy74
10-12-2009, 10:14 PM
I think this is an interesting concept overall. Great move by DC. I wonder if they approached Robinson about doing it or if he volunteered.
Desaad
10-12-2009, 11:01 PM
No Hitman Blackest Night == Greatest Crime
Yeah, but unless Garth Ennis ( who doesn't do much work for DC anymore, and has said he has no more stories to tell about Hitman) and John McCrea are creating it, I don't want to read it.
With that in mind, I'd rather they didn't do anything.
Surprised that they aren't bringing back Ostrander's Spectre...guess it's a beat that will be picked up upon in the actual Blackest Night story, or maybe in the Phantom Stranger book.
Global Honored
10-12-2009, 11:14 PM
Very cool idea. I really wanna check out Suicide Squad and The Question issues.
hondobrode
10-13-2009, 12:04 AM
Great idea ! So surprised to see Scalphunter in there, but I welcome the character's return.
I'm interested in all of these, esp Hawkman and the Atom by Geoff Johns. I can only hope that we could get that title as an ongoing.
Andyb
10-13-2009, 05:44 AM
OK if there's no Jack Knight then there's no Starman for me. Why even have the issue if it doesn't involve Jack? The Black Lanterns would leave him alone because he's happy in San Fran? Oh well, saves me 3 or 4 dollars. Not following BN but the Squad should have a lot of dead to make Lanterns from. I just hope Deadshot is in it.
Free-Man
10-13-2009, 06:28 AM
If it isn't about Jack, I'd imagine it's going to be about Mikaal, Shade, Hope, and the rest of the O'dare family.
We'll probably get Black Lantern Mist Family members as well. I'm HOPING we might also get Amazing Man and Crimson Fox, but it seems like at least AM would be in the Blackest Night JSA book.
another_version
10-13-2009, 08:47 AM
So Starman is Back, in Black!
Sorry I couldn't resist, I'm pretty psyched for these. Not what I expected from DC, but it will be a nice change of things.
AirDave
10-13-2009, 09:39 AM
I'll still be there, just like I'm picking up Cry for Justice just for Mikaal. Because sometimes a guy's gotta hang with his monkey (sorry, it's gorilla? The correct term is gorilla?...Okay, so sometimes a guy's gotta hang with his Magilla)
Just like I followed Trinity for Charity and Blackest Night and saw The Shade.
I'm glad that Jack is happy...He's probably the ONLY one in - or out of - the DC Universe that is AT THIS MOMENT IN TIME. I'd rather he be "happy" than back and "crappy".
Name Already Taken
10-13-2009, 10:21 AM
Wait Catwoman is the main character in a book already so how is that a resurrection?.
It is about her dealing with the first Black Mask, whom she killed, coming back as a Black Lantern.
wrecksracer
10-13-2009, 11:22 AM
If it isn't about Jack, I'd imagine it's going to be about Mikaal, Shade, Hope, and the rest of the O'dare family.
We'll probably get Black Lantern Mist Family members as well. I'm HOPING we might also get Amazing Man and Crimson Fox, but it seems like at least AM would be in the Blackest Night JSA book.
It's probably going to be about his dead brother (David?) who died at the end of the first issue.
Free-Man
10-13-2009, 11:22 AM
It's probably going to be about his dead brother (David?) who died at the end of the first issue.
Could also be his father, the original Starman, who died at the end of the series.
Zero Hunter
10-13-2009, 02:56 PM
That what I was thinking. It will either be Black Lantern Davey or Black Lantern Ted.
noh-varr
10-13-2009, 05:23 PM
It is about her dealing with the first Black Mask, whom she killed, coming back as a Black Lantern.
I understand Black Mask is getting resurrected, but how is the TITLE Catwoman being resurrected when she is already the star of a title? It'd be like returning a Batman book, it doesn't feel like a big resurrection is all.
There will probably be a Black Lantern Barry and, more interestingly, a Black Lantern Matt. At the same time that Black Lantern Scalphunter comes back, and at the same time that Thom Kallor is in the 20th Century.
I mean, I know there's a precedent for this -- Khufu and Chay-ara are Black Lanterns at the same time as Carter and Kendra. I'm just sayin'.
Bevbos
10-13-2009, 05:52 PM
It's probably going to be about his dead brother (David?) who died at the end of the first issue.
This seems like the logical choice.
FunkyGreenJerusalem
10-13-2009, 07:50 PM
OK if there's no Jack Knight then there's no Starman for me. Why even have the issue if it doesn't involve Jack?
Well, Starman was never just about Jack - Starman #1,000,000 didn't have Jack in it!
I'm glad it won't have Jack - it was perfect as it was.
That what I was thinking. It will either be Black Lantern Davey or Black Lantern Ted.
It could be his mum - she was Star Girl for a day!
That would be classy.
Shellhead
10-13-2009, 08:38 PM
It's like Robinson got replaced by a pod person while he was in Hollywood. His writing just seems so lame and corny these days. Maybe it was always like that but I just liked Jack Knight anyway.
It's like Robinson got replaced by a pod person while he was in Hollywood. His writing just seems so lame and corny these days. Maybe it was always like that but I just liked Jack Knight anyway.
I think Robinson's writing has always had certain quirks. He's definitely prone to overly melodramatic dialogue, where good is good and evil is evil, and the villains have no compunctions about calling themselves evil villains. Which works great in a quirky book like Starman, but I think falls flat in something as mainstream as Justice League
Free-Man
10-16-2009, 04:30 AM
I think Robinson's writing has always had certain quirks. He's definitely prone to overly melodramatic dialogue, where good is good and evil is evil, and the villains have no compunctions about calling themselves evil villains. Which works great in a quirky book like Starman, but I think falls flat in something as mainstream as Justice League
I do think that may be the case. I was going over his Starman omnibus, and it's FULL of the same hokey dialogue and black-and-white takes on good and evil that I and others have been criticizing in his JLA mini.
Like you said, it's the tone. His JSA run wasn't too bad, but I believe that was co-written with David Goyer.
I do think that may be the case. I was going over his Starman omnibus, and it's FULL of the same hokey dialogue and black-and-white takes on good and evil that I and others have been criticizing in his JLA mini.
See, and it works for a series as offbeat and unique as Starman, but it doesn't work for JLA.
It's like Robinson is on the edge of a big circle. The center of the circle is the icons, the big guns. The more you bring Robinson to the center, the less it works.
another_version
10-16-2009, 11:35 AM
Have they announced the prices of these books yet?
Never mind, just saw the IGN solicits.
vitruvian
01-19-2010, 03:16 PM
That what I was thinking. It will either be Black Lantern Davey or Black Lantern Ted.
Logically, both would rise and go find Jack wherever he might be living.
Guess San Francisco in the DCU has an anti-Black Lantern ring field around it.
gwangung
01-19-2010, 04:34 PM
Logically, both would rise and go find Jack wherever he might be living.
Guess San Francisco in the DCU has an anti-Black Lantern ring field around it.
Because of....Teh Ghey????
Boy, aren't the Prop 8 supporters in the DC Universe sorry about that now...
HaroldAllnut
01-19-2010, 04:50 PM
Hell, we might even see a Black Lantern Solly. THAT would be extra awesome.
But I'm sure a lot of us would love to see Ostrander's Suicide Squad continue either where it left off in 1992 or right after the recent mini-series.
I'd love that, actually.
He may also have been at Sue Dibny's funeral.
He was. I believe he is the fellow comforting Stargirl.
I'm interested in all of these, esp Hawkman and the Atom by Geoff Johns. I can only hope that we could get that title as an ongoing.
That would be an extremely fun title to read, though I'd personally enjoy seeing Keith Giffen's take on the two.
It's probably going to be about his dead brother (David?) who died at the end of the first issue.Could also be his father, the original Starman, who died at the end of the series.It could be his mum - she was Star Girl for a day!
That would be classy.
If we're lucky, all three of them will be giving the Shade grief.
Because of....Teh Ghey????
Boy, aren't the Prop 8 supporters in the DC Universe sorry about that now...
Hahaha. No kidding!
vitruvian
01-20-2010, 05:45 AM
Because of....Teh Ghey????
Boy, aren't the Prop 8 supporters in the DC Universe sorry about that now...
Nah, I wasn't saying anything like that. It's just funny that Robinson says that Jack is living out his life in San Fran, 'away from all the craziness', like certain events in the DCU don't have ramifications for the entire Earth or universe, like Blackest Night, San Francisco included.
For this to make sense, San Francisco needs to be some sort of neutral zone. That would mean not only no Black Lanterns, but no Justifiers or Hunger Dogs back during Final Crisis, and so on back through the list of all worldwide crises since Jack retired. You'd think somebody would have noticed and the city's population would be way up.
Shellhead
01-20-2010, 09:43 AM
What's Jack gonna do? Throw a punch, maybe do a judo throw? Courtney (aka Stargirl) is using his staff.
IvCNuB4
01-20-2010, 10:40 AM
The cover (http://www.grahamcrackers.com/products/starman_81.htm) shows you which BL Starman it is
vitruvian
01-20-2010, 02:22 PM
What's Jack gonna do? Throw a punch, maybe do a judo throw? Courtney (aka Stargirl) is using his staff.
Well, sure. If you've ever seen any of the Golden Age Starman stories, his dad took out more goons with his two fists than with the cosmic rod, and Jack was, to his own surprise, pretty much just as good a natural brawler.
That said, it's not like there weren't spares and further prototypes of cosmic rods and staffs and converter belts around. Before Ted died, he was working hard to turn cosmic energy into a commercially viable alternative energy source, and while Jack's not the scientist his dad was, he'd probably have turned the stuff over to STAR Labs or Steel or somebody rather than just let the stuff gather dust. Or, given his penchant for collecting curios, have a few around just as collectibles.
vitruvian
01-20-2010, 02:23 PM
The cover (http://www.grahamcrackers.com/products/starman_81.htm) shows you which BL Starman it is
Not sure if we can tell from that whether it's Ted or David, since they wore the same costume. Anybody pick the issue up yet?
IvCNuB4
01-20-2010, 02:28 PM
Yep. It's (highlight) David ....
gwangung
01-20-2010, 06:31 PM
....did anyone else get the sense that much of the dialogue came from a bad romantic comedy that Robinson tried to peddle in Hollywood?
Aubergine~!
01-21-2010, 02:46 PM
Just read it, and enjoyed it immensely.
The focus was the Shade and Hope hooking up and of course stopping the Black Lantern.
Wasn't much substance really, but it was nice to see all those characters again, if only for a single issue.
No Hitman Blackest Night == Greatest Crime
Would've been brilliant, though it would've been pretty much the entire cast going after Hacken. I'd pay to see that.
Desaad
01-21-2010, 04:15 PM
This issue was brilliant. Loved loved loved it. So good to see the SHADE again. Robinson was really in top form here.
FunkyGreenJerusalem
01-21-2010, 07:39 PM
I was a bit let down - it focused more on the Blackest Night elements ie a big fight, and I guess I'd kind of hoped Robinson would be giving us a story that felt more Starman-y, y'know, actually seeing some Bobo and Opal City... heck, even maybe having an artist whose work resembled Harris of Snjeberg more.
But, I guess it did it's job.
Walter West
01-21-2010, 08:12 PM
I liked it a lot. The Shade was interesting and I liked that they gave him a bit of character development.
Bookem Danno
02-16-2010, 10:57 AM
Thoroughly enjoyed it. It was great to see these minor DCU characters again and see Shade's significant character development. It's surprising how boring all the Superman titles are by comparison. Thought the Shade/Hope dialogue/courting was very entertaining. The only way I could have enjoyed the story more would be if the Barnabas Collins reference didn't go over my head. [[Look forward to seeing this 'Prairie Witch' teased about in passing too.]]
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