| Starbreaker | |
|---|---|
 Starbreaker (background) on the cover ofJustice League of America #96 (February 1972), art byDick Dillin. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Justice League of America #96 (February 1972) |
| Created by | Mike Friedrich (writer) Dick Dillin (artist) |
| In-story information | |
| Abilities | Energy Form: Energy absorption and manipulation Genius intellect Humanoid Form: Physical enhancement Flight Energy projection and manipulation Illusion generation Emotional Vampirism |
Starbreaker is a fictional character that appears incomic books published byDC Comics. The character first appeared inJustice League of America #96 (February 1972), and was created byMike Friedrich andDick Dillin.
Starbreaker debuted in a three-part storyline that ran inJustice League of America #96-98 (February–May 1972). The first chapter, "The Coming of Starbreaker" introduced the foe; the second, "The Day the Earth Screams", featured theorigin story of the Justice League and the final chapter "No More Tomorrows", featuredSargon 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 inJustice League America #62-65 (May–August 1992). Starbreaker eventually returned, revealed to be the mastermind behind a planet abduction inAdam Strange (vol. 2) #1-8 (November 2004-June 2005) before a reappearance inJustice League of America (vol. 2) #29-34 (March–August 2009).
Three members of theJustice League of America -Flash,Green Lantern, andHawkman - are diverted from a return trip to Earth byAdam 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 ofSargon the Sorcerer. The villain is then incarcerated by theGuardians of the Universe.[1]
Starbreaker eventually escapes, and conquers the planetAlmerac, intent on devouring its energies. Another version of the Justice League oppose Starbreaker, with memberBlue Beetle manipulating the armour of teammateBooster Gold, using it to absorb the energy that makes up Starbreaker.[2]
Sh'ri Valkyr, aThanagarian 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 theOmega Men andL.E.G.I.O.N., Adam Strange strands Starbreaker in an empty universe devoid of energy. Before being killed, Valkyr retaliates by teleporting Rann toPolaris, home system of the planet Thanagar, beginning theRann-Thanagar War.[3]
Starbreaker returns in an incorporeal form, intent on destroying the Justice League. Starbreaker uses the villainShadow Thief as a pawn, and locates an entity possessing enough energy to sustain his form for many years. Revealed to be an adultSun-Eater, Starbreaker engages the League in combat and is weakened byDoctor Light andFirestorm before being shot by Paladin (an alternative version of Batman). Although Starbreaker dissolves, the League acknowledge the defeat is temporary and that the entity will reform.[4]
Starbreaker is the main antagonist in the 2025 event "The Starbreaker Supremacy", where he allies with Sorrow (Nathan Broome) to destroy the emotional spectrum.[5][6][7][8]
The character is initially presented as a humanoidenergy vampire with exceptional strength and durability; and capable of flight, energy projection and creatingillusions. 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.[7] As an energy entity, Starbreaker is susceptible to any device capable of draining energy, which will disperse the humanoid form.
