Jim Starlin’s Psychic Battle Motif: Dreadstar 2

We include this scene from Dreadstar #2 in our Psychic Battle series even though it is not formally a battle. What we see here is different side of Starlin’s theme of psychic union or merger. Here, our protagonists are not vying for supremacy but seeking to cooperatively merge. Jim Starlin depicts their faces merging, so that they become one being together on the psychic plane.

While there is a scene within this scene in which Syzygy asserts his dominance over Willow to get at what is obstructing her powers, his goals are far different than what we saw yesterday in the battle between Willow and Monalo. Syzygy seeks to empower her. To this end, he brings her to a white light. It embodies the pure, unsullied essence of the human spirit – an image to which Willow would return for strength and comfort many, many times.

Collector’s Guide:
- From Dreadstar #2; Epic, 1983.
- Reprinted in Dreadstar and Company #2.

Jim Starlin’s Psychic Battle Motif: Dreadstar 29

In Dreadstar #29, two telepaths battle on the psychic plane. As the metaphorical violence escalates, they become locked in a battle for supremacy of identity. Monalo, the evil telepath, attempts to absorb or erase his opponent’s ego boundaries. He wants to take over her entire being. The good telepath, Willow, asserts herself against this onslaught – and the battle threatens to tear them both apart.

Jim Starlin depicts their bodies in a merged being, spilt down the center, with characteristics from both. You can see the many similarities between this page from 1987 and yesterday’s page from 2002, a battle between Moondragon and Doctor Strange in Infinity Abyss.

Collector’s Guide:
- From Dreadstar #29; 1987, First Publishing

Power – Like all Things in Life – Has its Price!

Behold the tale of Syzygy Darklock, cursed with saving the galaxy! We found color scans of Jim Starlin’s “The Price” and thought you might enjoy them. Eclipse published the original in black and white – the only chapter of Starlin’s Metamorphosis Odyssey not published under the Epic imprint. Here, in the pages of the only Dreadstar Annual, Jim’s painted artwork comes to life in color.

In this scene, Syzygy confronts the demon who murdered his brother. The demon reveals he was bound by another and forced to commit the killing. The demon takes Syzygy to a plane of mystic power so that Syzygy can exact revenge for both of them. But, the gaining of this power has painful consequences.

In later scenes, Syzygy must gain even more power, and the sacrifices become even more terrible. Dude, this is one twisted story! But, it taught us a very important lesson: Power, like all things in life, has its price.

Collector’s Guide:
- From Dreadstar Annual #1; Epic.
- Originally printed in black and white in The Price graphic novel; Eclipse.

 
Fans of Syzygy Darklock will enjoy Jim Starlin’s earlier, unrelated character Darklon the Mystic as explored on Diversions of the Groovy Kind. Darklon’s first adventure was also called The Price. Groove has the black and white originals. You can also buy the color reprint of Darklon’s complete saga.

Metamorphosis Odyssey Chapter 3: Juliet!

What can we say about Metamorphosis Odyssey? This is why Guttenberg invented the printing press! It’s what the ancient Egyptians hoped for when they first put words and pictures together on a piece of papyrus! The Iliad? A warm-up. Beowulf? Amateurs. The Brothers Karamazov? Not even close. So read it, buy it, and store 1000 copies in a weatherproof, impact-resistant time capsule for future generations.

Collector’s Guide:
If you must have it all, you need Epic Illustrated #1-9 plus #15, The Price graphic novel (or Dreadstar Annual #1), and the Dreadstar graphic novel. That sets you up for Dreadstar #1-26 at Epic and #27-40 at First Comics.

Whoa! There goes the kids’ college fund! But don’t worry: You can read the 10-page “Cliff Notes” version at Planets Disappeared In Atomic Infernos! You’ll also enjoy the chapter where Oedi and Dreadstar first meet Willow.

Now get ready for action!

Metamorphosis Odyssey Chapter 2: Za!

What can we say about Metamorphosis Odyssey? This is why Guttenberg invented the printing press! It’s what the ancient Egyptians hoped for when they first put words and pictures together on a piece of papyrus! The Iliad? A warm-up. Beowulf? Amateurs. The Brothers Karamazov? Not even close. So read it, buy it, and store 1000 copies in a weatherproof, impact-resistant time capsule for future generations.

Collector’s Guide:
If you must have it all, you need Epic Illustrated #1-9 plus #15, The Price graphic novel (or Dreadstar Annual #1), and the Dreadstar graphic novel. That sets you up for Dreadstar #1-26 at Epic and #27-40 at First Comics.

Whoa! There goes the kids’ college fund! But don’t worry: You can read the ten-page “Cliff Notes” version at Planets Disappeared In Atomic Infernos! You’ll also enjoy the chapter where Oedi and Dreadstar first meet Willow.

Now let’s do this!

Metamorphosis Odyssey Chapter 1: Aknaton!

What can we say about Metamorphosis Odyssey? This is why Guttenberg invented the printing press! It’s what the ancient Egyptians hoped for when they first put words and pictures together on a piece of papyrus! The Iliad? A warm-up. Beowulf? Amateurs. The Brothers Karamazov? Not even close. So read it, buy it, and store 1000 copies in a weatherproof, impact-resistant time capsule for future generations.

Collector’s Guide:
If you must have it all, you need Epic Illustrated #1-9 plus #15, The Price graphic novel (or Dreadstar Annual #1), and the Dreadstar graphic novel. That sets you up for Dreadstar #1-26 at Epic and #27-40 at First Comics.

Whoa! There goes the kids’ college fund! But don’t worry: You can read the 10-page “Cliff Notes” version at Planets Disappeared In Atomic Infernos! You’ll also enjoy the chapter where Oedi and Dreadstar first meet Willow.

Now let’s rock this thing!

Epic Illustrated 15: Dreadstar and Oedi Meet Willow!

This is the final chapter of Metamorphosis Odyssey to appear in Epic Illustrated. From here, Jim Starlin launched the ongoing Dreadstar series. You learn more of the origin of Willow in Dreadstar #2. Here, Oedi (the cat man) and Vanth Dreadstar run into a spot of trouble on a mission. Vanth shows us – and Willow – a little something about the power of believing in yourself.

Collector’s Guide: From Epic Illustrated #15.

If you must have it all, you need Epic Illustrated #1-9 plus #15, The Price graphic novel (or Dreadstar Annual #1), and the Dreadstar graphic novel. That sets you up for Dreadstar #1-26 at Epic and #27-40 at First Comics.

Whoa! There goes the kids’ college fund! But don’t worry: You can read the “Cliff Notes” version at Planets Disappeared In Atomic Infernos!