''Dreadstar'', published in 1982, was the third in a series of

Marvel Graphic Novel ''Marvel Graphic Novel'' (''MGN'') is a line of graphic novel trade paperbacks published from 1982 to 1993 by Marvel Comics. The books were published in an oversized format, 8.5" x 11", similar to French albums. In response, DC Comics establ ...

s. This graphic novel is also the third part of the '' Metamorphosis Odyssey'', and was printed in color from paintings by

Jim Starlin James P. Starlin (born October 9, 1949) is an American comics artist and writer. Beginning his career in the early 1970s, he is best known for space opera stories, for revamping the Marvel Comics characters Captain Marvel and Adam Warlock, and ...

Synopsis

Following the events told in the

Eclipse Comics Eclipse Comics was an American comic book publisher, one of several independent publishers during the 1980s and early 1990s. In 1978, it published the first graphic novel intended for the newly created comic book specialty store market. It was ...

portion of the '' Metamorphosis Odyssey'', the Dreadstar graphic novel opens with Vanth Dreadstar leading the life of a peaceful farmer. The planet on which he lives was the site of an Instrumentality experiment to create a race of cat-human

hybrid Hybrid may refer to: Science * Hybrid (biology), an offspring resulting from cross-breeding ** Hybrid grape, grape varieties produced by cross-breeding two ''Vitis'' species ** Hybridity, the property of a hybrid plant which is a union of two dif ...

warriors. The experiment was a failure, the hybrids are mild-natured and generally only suited to farming. Dreadstar marries a human scientist and lived quietly for some decades. As the story continues, it becomes apparent that the power of the sword has granted Dreadstar immortality, so he does not age along with his wife. He spends his time farming and studying magic and politics with sorcerer Syzygy Darklock. From Darklock he learns about the history of two equally-matched enemies, the Instrumentality and the Monarchy. These two galactic empires have fought a stalemated war for generations, finally turning into a conflict that neither side wants to win since their war-based economies would collapse. At first Dreadstar is unwilling to resume his role as a warrior. But after a fleet of Monarchy ships destroys his home, killing his wife and all his friends, he joins the military forces of the Monarchy and sets into motion a plan to force an end to the war. Dreadstar quickly rises to a military command rank, which enables him to ensure that all members of the attack force that killed his wife and home are sent on suicide missions. He then assassinates the King of the Monarchy and intimidates the new monarch, the weak-willed Gregzor, into following his plan. When Gregzor protests that the great nobles and captains of industry will resist following along, Dreadstar answers that he would deal with any resistance the way he dealt with the former king. The story continues in the fourth part of the ''Metamorphosis Odyssey'', contained in the pages of the

Marvel Marvel may refer to: Business * Marvel Entertainment, an American entertainment company ** Marvel Comics, the primary imprint of Marvel Entertainment ** Marvel Universe, a fictional shared universe ** Marvel Music, an imprint of Marvel Comics ...

comic ''

Dreadstar ''Dreadstar'' was the first comic-book series published by American publisher Epic Comics, an imprint of Marvel Comics, in 1982. It was centered on Vanth Dreadstar, sole survivor of the entire Milky Way galaxy, and an ensemble cast of crewmates, i ...

''.

In other media

According to ''The Hollywood Reporter'', Benderspink,

Universal Cable Productions Universal Content Productions (UCP) is an American television production company operating within the Universal Studio Group division of NBCUniversal. History Universal Cable Productions In July 2008, Universal Cable Productions was split off ...

and Illuminati Entertainment were to develop a Dreadstar TV series.

References

{{Jim Starlin 1982 graphic novels 1982 comics debuts Marvel Comics graphic novels

Synopsis

In other media

See also

References