fictional character
In fiction, a character (or speaker, in poetry) is a person or other being in a narrative (such as a novel, play, radio or television series, music, film, or video game). The character may be entirely fictional or based on a real-life person, ...
that appears in
comic book
A comic book, also called comicbook, comic magazine or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) simply comic, is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are of ...
s published by
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. (doing business as DC) is an American comic book publisher and the flagship unit of DC Entertainment, a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery.
DC Comics is one of the largest and oldest American comic book companies, with thei ...
. The character first appeared in ''
Justice League of America
The Justice League (also known as The Justice League of America) are a team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team first appeared in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #28 (March 1960). The team was conceived ...
'' #96 (February 1972), and was created by
Mike Friedrich
Mike Friedrich (; born March 27, 1949) is an American comic book writer and publisher best known for his work at Marvel and DC Comics, and for publishing the anthology series ''Star*Reach'', one of the first independent comics. He is also an art ...
and
Dick Dillin
Richard Allen Dillin (December 17, 1928 – March 1, 1980)Richard Dillin at the United States
Justice League of America
The Justice League (also known as The Justice League of America) are a team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team first appeared in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #28 (March 1960). The team was conceived ...
'' #96-98 (February-May 1972). The first chapter, "The Coming of Starbreaker" introduced the foe; the second, "The Day the Earth Screams", featured the
origin story
In entertainment, an origin story is an account or backstory revealing how a character or group of people become a protagonist or antagonist, and it adds to the overall interest and complexity of a narrative, often giving reasons for their intent ...
of the Justice League and the final chapter "No More Tomorrows", featured
Sargon the Sorcerer
Sargon the Sorcerer is the name of several fictional characters, the first incarnation of the character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics during the Golden Age of Comic Books, Golden Age.
The original incarnation of the is J ...
, who aids the League in defeating the villain. The character did not appear in DC Comics continuity again until featured in a four-part storyline in ''Justice League America'' #62-65 (May-August 1992). Starbreaker eventually returned, revealed to be the mastermind behind a planet abduction in ''
Adam Strange
Adam Strange is a fictional space adventurer appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by editor Julius Schwartz with a costume designed by Murphy Anderson, he first appeared in ''Showcase (comics), Showcase'' #17 (November ...
'' (vol. 2) #1-8 (November 2004-June 2005) before a reappearance in ''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #29-34 (March-August 2009).
Fictional character biography
Three members of the
Justice League of America
The Justice League (also known as The Justice League of America) are a team of superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team first appeared in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #28 (March 1960). The team was conceived ...
-
Flash
Flash, flashes, or FLASH may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Fictional aliases
* Flash (DC Comics character), several DC Comics superheroes with super speed:
** Flash (Barry Allen)
** Flash (Jay Garrick)
** Wally West, the first Kid ...
;
Green Lantern
Green Lantern is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. They fight evil with the aid of rings that grant them a variety of extraordinary powers, all of which come from imagination, fearlessness, ...
and
Hawkman
Hawkman is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman first appeared in ''Flash Comics'' #1, published by All-American ...
- are diverted from a return trip to Earth by their ally and resident of the planet Rann,
Adam Strange
Adam Strange is a fictional space adventurer appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by editor Julius Schwartz with a costume designed by Murphy Anderson, he first appeared in ''Showcase (comics), Showcase'' #17 (November ...
. Tracing a faint power ring transmission from Green Lantern,
Superman
Superman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and debuted in the comic book ''Action Comics'' #1 (cover-dated June 1938 and publi ...
joins the heroes on Rann. Strange has enlisted their aid to defeat an energy
vampire
A vampire is a mythical creature that subsists by feeding on the Vitalism, vital essence (generally in the form of blood) of the living. In European folklore, vampires are undead, undead creatures that often visited loved ones and caused mi ...
called Starbreaker, who is intent on destroying Rann and consuming the planetary energy. Although Starbreaker splits into three copies that begin the process, the villain is defeated by Adam Strange and the Justice Leaguers. Intent on vengeance, Starbreaker attacks Earth, initially defeating Superman, Green Lantern and the
Flash
Flash, flashes, or FLASH may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
Fictional aliases
* Flash (DC Comics character), several DC Comics superheroes with super speed:
** Flash (Barry Allen)
** Flash (Jay Garrick)
** Wally West, the first Kid ...
. The entire Justice League gathers, and after being spurred on by Hawkman, defeat Starbreaker with the aid of
Sargon the Sorcerer
Sargon the Sorcerer is the name of several fictional characters, the first incarnation of the character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics during the Golden Age of Comic Books, Golden Age.
The original incarnation of the is J ...
. The villain is then incarcerated by the
Guardians of the Universe
The Guardians of the Universe are a race of extraterrestrial superhero characters appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics, commonly in association with Green Lantern. They first appeared in ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 2) #1 (July 19 ...
.
Starbreaker eventually escapes, and conquers the planet Almerac, intent on devouring its energies. Another version of the Justice League oppose Starbreaker, with member
Blue Beetle
Blue Beetle is the name of three fictional superheroes who appear in a number of American comic books published by a variety of companies since 1939. The most recent of the companies to own rights to Blue Beetle is DC Comics, which bought the ri ...
manipulating the armour of teammate
Booster Gold
Booster Gold (Michael Jon Carter) is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Dan Jurgens, the character first appeared in ''Booster Gold'' #1 (February 1986) and has been a member of the Justice League.
...
, using it to absorb the energy from which the villain is composed.
A death-cultist called Sh'ri Valkyr from the planet Thanagar slowly resuscitates Starbreaker, feeding the villain victims and thereby allowing him to regain a corporeal form. Valkyr plans to use Rann's teleportation technology - the Zeta-Beam - to convert the entire universe into energy to feed Starbreaker, who would rule a new universe. With the help of allies the
Omega Men
The Omega Men are a fictional team of extraterrestrial superheroes who have appeared in various comic book series published by DC Comics. They first appeared in ''Green Lantern'' (vol. 2) #141 (June 1981), and were created by Marv Wolfman and Joe ...
and interplanetary peace-keepers
L.E.G.I.O.N.
''L.E.G.I.O.N.'' is a science fiction comic book created by Keith Giffen, Bill Mantlo and Todd McFarlane and published by DC Comics. The principal subject of the comic book is a team of fictional extraterrestrial superheroes. The characters firs ...
, Adam Strange strands Starbreaker in an empty universe devoid of energy. Before being killed, Valkyr retaliates by teleporting Rann to
Polaris
Polaris is a star in the northern circumpolar constellation of Ursa Minor. It is designated α Ursae Minoris ( Latinized to ''Alpha Ursae Minoris'') and is commonly called the North Star or Pole Star. With an apparent magnitude that ...
, home system of the planet Thanagar, beginning the Rann-Thanagar War.
An incorporeal Starbreaker returns, intent on destroying his primary foes, the Justice League of America. Starbreaker uses the villain the
Shadow Thief
Shadow Thief is the name of three fictional supervillains published by DC Comics. The first is a recurring foe of Hawkman named Carl Sands.
Shadow Thief appeared in the seventh season episode of the Arrowverse television series ''Arrow'', portraye ...
as a pawn, and locates an entity possessing enough energy to sustain his form for many years. Revealed to be the adult form of a Sun Eater, Starbreaker engages the League in combat and is weakened by Doctor Light and
Firestorm
A firestorm is a conflagration which attains such intensity that it creates and sustains its own wind system. It is most commonly a natural phenomenon, created during some of the largest bushfires and wildfires. Although the term has been used ...
, before being shot in the head with an exotic weapon by Paladin (alternative version of Batman). Although Starbreaker's form dissolves, the League acknowledge the defeat is temporary and that the entity will reform.''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #29-34 (March-August 2009)
Powers and abilities
The character is initially presented as a humanoid "energy vampire" with exceptional strength and durability; and capable of flight, energy projection and creating illusions. Starbreaker can also be empowered by draining negative emotions such as hatred and fear from other beings. The entity is eventually revealed to be a mature version of a "Sun Eater" that requires large amounts of energy to survive, typically draining the energy required from entire stars and then being capable of creating a humanoid form. As an energy entity, however, Starbreaker is susceptible to any device capable of draining energy, which will disperse the humanoid form.