Starbreaker (comics)


Starbreaker is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Justice League of America #96, and was created by Mike Friedrich and Dick Dillin.

Publication history

Starbreaker debuted in a three-part storyline that ran in Justice League of America #96-98. The first chapter, "The Coming of Starbreaker" introduced the foe; the second, "The Day the Earth Screams", featured the origin story of the Justice League and the final chapter "No More Tomorrows", featured Sargon the Sorcerer, 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. Starbreaker eventually returned, revealed to be the mastermind behind a planet abduction in Adam Strange #1-8 before a reappearance in Justice League of America #29-34.

Fictional character biography

Three members of the Justice League of America - Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman - are diverted from a return trip to Earth by Adam Strange. Tracing a faint transmission from Green Lantern, Superman joins the heroes on the planet Rann. Strange has enlisted their aid to defeat Starbreaker, who is intent on destroying Rann and consuming its energy. Although Starbreaker splits into three copies that begin the process, the villain is defeated by Strange and the Justice Leaguers. Intent on vengeance, Starbreaker attacks Earth, initially defeating Superman, Green Lantern and the Flash. The entire Justice League gathers, and after being spurred on by Hawkman, defeat Starbreaker with the aid of Sargon the Sorcerer. The villain is then incarcerated by the Guardians of the Universe.
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 manipulating the armour of teammate Booster Gold, using it to absorb the energy that makes up Starbreaker.
Sh'ri Valkyr, a Thanagarian commander, resuscitates Starbreaker, providing him with victims and 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. With the help of the Omega Men and L.E.G.I.O.N., Adam Strange strands Starbreaker in an empty universe devoid of energy. Before being killed, Valkyr retaliates by teleporting Rann to Polaris, home system of the planet Thanagar, beginning the Rann-Thanagar War.
Starbreaker returns in an incorporeal form, intent on destroying the Justice League. Starbreaker uses the villain Shadow Thief as a pawn, and locates an entity possessing enough energy to sustain his form for many years. Revealed to be an adult Sun-Eater, Starbreaker engages the League in combat and is weakened by Doctor Light and Firestorm before being shot by Paladin. Although Starbreaker dissolves, the League acknowledge the defeat is temporary and that the entity will reform.
Starbreaker is the main antagonist in the 2025 event "The Starbreaker Supremacy", where he allies with Sorrow to destroy the emotional spectrum.

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 an adult Sun-Eater, which requires large amounts of energy to survive. As an energy entity, Starbreaker is susceptible to any device capable of draining energy, which will disperse the humanoid form.