The Starman Omnibus, Vol. 5 by James Dale RobinsonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Jack Knight, with Mikaal in tow, takes to the stars to find Will Payton, a previous Starman and the brother of his lady love. Will he find Payton or only trouble?
As I've said many times before, what sets Starman apart from other comics of its day, or even today, is that it's about something. It's about family, stepping into your father's shoes, destiny, and a slew of other things. James Robinson takes characters that normally just wear spandex and punch one another and tells a compelling story.
In this volume, Jack takes to the stars and has quite a series of adventures. Adam Strange, the Steve Ditko version of Starman, Starboy of the Legion of Superheroes, the New Gods, an intact Krypton, and some of DC's C-List sci-fi heroes are featured. Ever think you'd see Ultra the Multi-Alien again? He's in here. So's Space Cabbie. And Jack even makes a reference to Richard Stark's Parker, something I didn't catch the first time through.
Other cool aspects of this volume include the reprinting of things that didn't make it into the original trades, like Starman 1 Million, the Shade's journals and some JSA-related stories.
Any negatives? Just one. Tony Harris defined Starman for most of the series. While Peter Snejbjerg's art isn't bad, it just isn't Tony Harris's. That's about all as far as gripes are concerned. That and we only have one omnibus left before the series is finished.
Starman is a worthy addition to any fan of comics that aren't just extended fight scenes bookshelf. It's a pity they don't make them like this anymore.
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