DCClassics.Com:
Starman’s got a… gun?

NoisyDvL5

At SDCC, the DCUC15 Starman was a little off. Due to logistics, he was temporarily sporting Obsidian’s cape. He was also holding a pistol which many of us assumed to be a case of ‘booth error’. Now, Starman has arrived and he’s still got that pistol. We weren’t sure of its origin, so we turned to the Four Horsemen.

We don’t have Starman yet, but for a good upclose image of the pistol (along with some more great shots of Starman) check out this first look on the Fwoosh.

When the issue of the pistol came up, I had some vague recollections of him using one, but it was nothing I could place. And I could have easily been getting it confused with Phantom Lady’s pistol. I scoured the net looking for pics or information, but I only found that it was called a ‘Stellar Energy Pistol’ and even that was only in reference to the toy and not the comics. I simply didn’t know the origin of the pistol.

So I sought the wise counsel of the 4 Horsemen…

We always thought that the little hip pouch he’s got on his belt was to carry the Star Rod, but often when he’s drawn, even though he’s carrying the rod in his hand, you can see that there’s still something in his pouch.

We kept wondering what the heck it could be that he was carrying in his pouch when he had the Star Rod already in his hand?

Then we found the attached image. We also found another image where he’s wielding both the pistol and the Rod while streaking skyward, but we can’t seem to locate it right now.

-FOUR HORSEMEN-

Pictured at right is the image the 4 Horsemen provided, the cover to Starman #42 from 1998. If you’re not familiar with this comic, it was a special “Times Past” issue that featured a story centered around the original Starman, Ted Knight, and his coming to grips with the otherworldly nature of the DC Universe.

Before this issue, Ted contended that his magic-based teammates, Spectre & Dr. Fate, were merely manipulating energies that he didn’t understand. Enter Etrigan. This issue tested Ted’s faith in the rules of science and set him on the path towards his breakdown over his involvement in creating the atom bomb.

Typically, Times Past issues lined up with something in the present timeline of the title, but you’ll have to forgive me as I don’t remember this particular connection. I remember the issue after is where the 90s Starman met the JLA and got his spaceship while the story before involved Matt O’Dare learning of his past lives. All three are good stories, but I’m not sure of the association anymore.

While the internal art, by Matt Smith (pictured at left), doesn’t depict the pistol the same as it is on the Tony Harris cover, it’s somewhat similar. The Tony Harris design is more compelling, so I’m glad to see the Four Horsemen started with that in mind.

Special thanks to the Four Horsemen for taking the time to give us some background on this cool accessory!

26 thoughts on “DCClassics.Com:
Starman’s got a… gun?”

  2. Great detective work, Noisy!

    When you get Starman and can have a pic fo the gun you should add it to this blog so that it’ll be complete for anyone asking!

  3. This has been bugging me since I saw the Fwoosh first look earlier today; I knew I’d seen it, but I was too busy today to look into it. Thank you!

  4. “The More You Know!” You need the music!

    I really thought it was going to end up with someone else when I saw it at SDCC. It’s a cool looking gun to be sure though. Glad we’re getting it.

  5. funny.. I always thought it was a holster for the star rod also… cool stuff right there.. I am now even more of a dork

    1. I think you could make the case either way. I’ve looked at a bajillion Starman pics the last couple days and the holster showed up pistol-shaped probably more often than it was cylindrical.

      I’m happy with how it turned out. Can’t turn away from a cool extra accessory. 🙂

  8. OMG, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

    Matt Smith totally cribbed that gun from the Worlds of Wonder Lazer Tag ‘Starlyte’ pistol! Bobbed the front some but yeah, that’s a Starlyte.

  10. in re. the New Gods question, what about this?

    http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4214784

    Oh, wait, that’s DC Direct, right? But isn’t DCD just another way Mattel has been trying to catch up to what Marvel was doing with their superhero figures with the direct market?

    I’m so confused. Or just way behind. I’ve just always assumed that Mattel was making DCD for Diamond under contract, as until they bought up Art Asylum Diamond didn’t have any in-house production ability…

    Screw it. I want a Forever People set with a C&C of their super awesome bike. And then the New Newsboy Legion with Kirbyized Jimmy Olsen and a C&C of the Wiz Wagon. I’m clearly insane. 🙂

    1. Toy Biz was making the Marvel Selects for Diamond, but DC Direct is a wholly separate entity from Diamond and does everything in-house (just like the comics).

      Diamond does have a host of contracted sculptors but not Mattel though Mattel has occasionaly had a Diamond exclusive.

      1. (I put this on the wrong page, see my angst over at the Ask Matty thread)

        Now, I plead total ignorance on this sort of thing but the last few waves of DC Direct figs sure looked like the current bucks for the DCU figs. Am I blind as well as crazy? 🙂

        It would not surprise me at all if DC had gone to Mattel for these, and honestly I could see the relationship having evolved over the years to Mattel getting the DC license for mass consumption.

        I mean, has anyone actually ASKED? 🙂

        1. LOL. I just saw that!

          I think DCD might be trying to copy Mattel a bit, but DCD figures usually have the specific sculptors listed on the back. I don’t believe the 4H have done something for DC Direct yet. Not sure on that though.

  12. … cause knowledge is power! 😉 I was wondering what was up with the pouch-thingy. Thanks for clarifying!

  13. Pingback: DCClassics.Com: Starman (Jack & Ted) Review « It'sAllTrue.Net

Comments are closed.