Starman Reading Order

Updated: July 16, 2013

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Starman Reading Order from Zero Hour to the Shade

James Robinson’s Starman was truly groundbreaking run. After having revisited the Golden Age Justice Society during his Golden Age mini-series, James Robinson was tasked with reviving Starman, a hero of that era. In Jack Knight, the new Starman, Robinson injected a part of himself, both being avid collectors of vintage items, which helped to instantly create a both honest and unique characterization. Starman, the series, was as much the story of Jack Knight as it was about Opal City itself. Robinson was able to flesh out the city that eventually felt so familiar that it fit right in with Gotham and Metropolis.

James Robinson struck deal hardly seen in mainstream comics in that only he can write the character of Jack Knight. After his run, he retired the character, with no plans for a return, regardless of the wishes of DC Comics. He did return to Opal City, however, in the Shade mini-series.

Despite a short run of about 80 issues plus a few spin-offs and guest appearances, the reading order is a bit confusing. First, there is the question of where to start reading: from the first appearance of Jack Knight, The first issue of Starman (numbered #0 no less) or from Robinson’s not-canon-yet-kind-of-after-the-fact Golden Age which inspired the back story to Starman? Also, there were mini-series featuring the Shade and guest appearances in books like Showcase, in addition to an eventual membership with the JSA that occurs between the panels of a single issue. Furthermore, reading the series in trade paperback would mean that the flashback issues were consolidated into a book of their own, instead of being inserted in publication order, which changes the pacing of the series. Finally, the trade dress became very confusing, as the numbering of parts was not consistent (i.e. Grand Guignol part 10 is numbered “Onzième”, or eleventh, inside the book), multiple events featured on one cover, collected editions containing the name of an event which does not fit with the trade dress and an annual with one crucial event that must be read at a particular point. All in all, it is not apparent how to navigate this series, even if you read by trade or omnibus.

How to read Starman

If you’re looking at strictly reading James Robinson’s Jack Knight, you can pretty much stick to the trade paperbacks or omnibuses (and even skip the “Times Past” books) and you’ll get the essence of the story.

Completists, however, have a few interesting options. The first are Starman 1st series #26 and #27 which feature David Knight taking on the mantle of Starman and attempting to reclaim it from the series star Will Payton. The next option would be read Robinson’s Golden Age series, which feature the JSA. This series was not originally canon, though it inspired a lot of the back story to Starman that many now consider it canon. Then there is Jack Knight’s first appearance in Zero Hour #1 (a series which was numbered in reverse as a countdown), though it is basically just a page. Finally, where many start reading Starman, is with Starman #0, the first issue in the series.

The are also the optional Shade mini-series which are firmly set in the Starman setting written by James Robinson that help expand the universe.

Finally, there is JSA by James Robinson and also Geoff Johns.  Jack Knight joins and has many adventures which occur between the panels of Starman #61.  It’s your choice to either read them before Starman #61 (as ordered below), read up to the panel featuring the JSA and then switch to JSA at that point, wait until the end of the issue switch over to JSA or just read JSA after the fact at the end of Grand Guignol or the series itself.

If you want to read by collected edition (and keep it simple), here are a few links to the trades and omnibuses.

Starman Omnibus Editions
Trade Paperbacks Featuring Robinson’s Starman Characters

Starman Vol. 8 : Stars My Destination
Not Available on Amazon

How To Use the Starman Reading Order

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Filter the reading order to get the information you’re looking for: since we have data beyond the titles concerning creative teams, events, characters AND a great search feature, you can filter the reading order to follow a particular character, just find information regarding a certain crossover and much, much more. Here are a few ideas:

Characters Events Creative Teams
  • Shade
  • David Knight
  • Stars My Destination
  • Sand and Stars
  • Tony Harris
  • James Robinson

James Robinson’s Jack Knight Starman Reading Order

BuyCreatorsDetails
Golden Age #1 BUYJames Robinson, Paul SmithTed Knight, Alan Scott
Golden Age #2 BUYJames Robinson, Paul SmithTed Knight, Alan Scott
Golden Age #3 BUYJames Robinson, Paul SmithTed Knight, Alan Scott
Golden Age #4 BUYJames Robinson, Paul SmithTed Knight, Alan Scott
Zero Hour #1 BUYDan Jurgens1st Jack Knight, 1st David Knight
Starman 2nd series #0 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisSins of the Father, David Knight, Ted, Mist, 1st Nash
Starman 2nd series #1 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisSins of the Father, Ted Knight, 1st Hope O'Dare, 1st Matt O'Dare, Mist
Starman 2nd series #2 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisSins of the Father, Ted Knight, Charity, Matt O'Dare, Shade, Nash
Starman 2nd series #3 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisSins of the Father, Ted Knight, Shade, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Nash, Mist
Starman 2nd series #4 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisSins of the Father, Shade, Ted Knight
Starman 2nd series #5 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisSins of the Father, Talking with David, David Knight
Starman 2nd series #6 BUYJames Robinson, Teddy KristiansenTimes Past, 1882, Shade
Starman 2nd series #7 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisNight and Day, A (K)night athe Circus, Ted Knight, Sadie, Mikaal
Starman 2nd series #8 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisNight and Day, A (K)night athe Circus, Mikall, Matt O'Dare
Starman 2nd series #9 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisNight and Day, Ted Knight, Sahde, Mikaal, Matt O'Dare, Nash, Ragdoll
Starman 2nd series #10 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisNight and Day, Charity, Shade, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Nash, Grundy
Starman 2nd series #11 BUYJames Robinson, Matthew SmithTimes Past, 13 years ago, Shade, Ted Knight, Alan Scott, Ragdoll
Showcase '95 #12 BUYJames Robinson, W ade Von GrawbadgerShade
Starman 2nd series #12 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisNight and Day, Sins of the Child, Jack's Day, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Phosphorous, Nash, Grundy
Starman 2nd series #13 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisNight and Day, Sins of the Child, Ted's Day, Ted Knight, Mikaal, Phosphorous, Nash, Grundy
Starman 2nd series #14 BUYJames Robinson, Tony Harris, Tommy Lee Edwards, Stuart Immonen, Chris Sprouse, Andrew Robinson, Gary Erskine, Amanda ConnerNight and Day, Sins of the Child, O'Dare's Day, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Nash
Starman 2nd series #15 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisNight and Day, Sins of the Child, Mikaal's Day, Grundy, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Nash
Starman 2nd series #16 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisNight and Day, Sins of the Child, Jack's Day, Shade, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Phosphorous, Nash
Starman 2nd series #17 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisA Wicked Inclination, Charity, Shade, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Hope O'Dare, matt O'Dare, Black Pirate, Grundy
Starman 2nd series #18 BUYJames Robinson, John WatkissTimes Past, Ted Knight, Mist, Shade's Journal
Starman 2nd series #19 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisA Wicked Inclination, Talking with David, David Knight, Pirates
Showcase '96 #4 BUYJames Robinson, Matthew SmithShade
Showcase '96 #5 BUYJames Robinson, Matthew SmithShade
Starman 2nd series #20 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisA Wicked Inclination, Sand and Stars, Dodds, Ted Knight, Face
Starman 2nd series #21 BUYJames Robinson, Tony Harris, Guy DavisA Wicked Inclination, Sand and Stars, Dodds, Face
Starman 2nd series #22 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisA Wicked Inclination, Sand and Stars, Dodds, Ted Knight, Face
Starman 2nd series #23 BUYJames Robinson, Tony Harris, Chris SprouseA Wicked Inclination, Sand and Stars, Dodds, Face
Starman Annual 2nd series #1 BUYJames Robinson, Craig Hamilton, Bret BlevinsShade, Gavyn, Ted Knight
Starman 2nd series #24 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisA Wicked Inclination, Demon Quest, Hope O'Dare, Charity, Mist
Starman 2nd series #25 BUYJames Robinson,
Tony Harris, J.H. Williams III, Gary Erskine
A Wicked Inclination, Demon Quest, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Hope O'Dare
Starman 2nd series #26 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisA Wicked Inclination, Demon Quest, Shade, Matt O'Dare, Hope O'Dare
Starman 2nd series #27 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisA Wicked Inclination, Christmas, Shade, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Charity
Starman 2nd series #28 BUYJames Robinson, Craig HamiltonTimes Past, 1976, Mikaal
Starman 2nd series #29 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisInfernal Devices, Shade, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Royal Flush Gang, Nash, 1st Bobo
Starman 2nd series #30 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisInfernal Devices, Sadie, Ted Knight, Black Pirate
Starman 2nd series #31 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisInfernal Devices, Black Pirate, Infernal Dr Pip, Copperhead
Starman 2nd series #32 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisInfernal Devices, Black Pirate, Ted Knight, Grundy, Infernal Dr Pip, Copperhead
Starman 2nd series #33 BUYJames Robinson, Tony Harris, Mark BuckinghamInfernal Devices, Alan Scott, Batman, Ted Knight, Mikaal, Sadie
Starman 2nd series #34 BUYJames Robinson, Mark Buckingham, Steve YeowellInfernal Devices, Alan Scott, Batman, Ted Knight, Floronic Man, Grundy
Starman 2nd series #35 BUYJames Robinson, Tony Harris, Steve YeowellInfernal Devices, Genesis, Batman, Alan Scott, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Shade, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Infernal Dr Pip
The Shade #1 BUYJames Robinson, Gene HaShade
The Shade #2 BUYJames Robinson, Gene HaShade, Brian Savage, Scalphunter
The Shade #3 BUYJames Robinson, Gene HaShade, Flash, Jay Garrick
The Shade #4 BUYJames Robinson, Gene HaShade
Starman 2nd series #36 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisTimes Past, 1990, Shade, Payton, Ted Knight
Starman 2nd series #37 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisInfernal Devices, Talking with David, David Knight
Starman Annual 2nd series #2 BUYJames Robinson, Mitch ByrdTo Reach the Stars, Sadie
Starman 2nd series #38 BUYJames Robinson, Dusty AbellInfernal Devices, Nash, 1st Kyle Night, Justice Leauge Europe
Starman 2nd series #39 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisTo Reach the Stars, Lightning and Stars, Ted Knight
Power of Shazam #35 BUYJerry Ordway, Pete KrauseTo Reach the Stars, Lightning and Stars, Shazam
Starman - 2nd series #40 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisTo Reach the Stars, Lightning and Stars, Shazam, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare
Power of Shazam #36 BUYJerry Ordway, Pete KrauseTo Reach the Stars, Lightning and Stars, Shazam, Ted Knight
Starman - 2nd series #41 BUYJames Robinson, Gary ErskineTo Reach the Stars, Absolution in Blood, Shade, Matt O'Dare, Hope O'Dare
Starman Secret Files and Origins #1 BUYJames Robinson, Lee Weeks, Phil Jimenez, Tony HarrisTed Knight, Sadie
Starman - 2nd series #42 BUYJames Robinson, Matthew SmithTimes Past, 1944, Ted Knight, Etrigan, Shade
Batman Hellboy Starman #1 BUYJames Robinson, Mike MignolaBatman, Hellboy, Joker
Batman Hellboy Starman #2 BUYJames Robinson, Mike MignolaBatman, Hellboy, Joker
Starm 80 Page Giant #1 BUYJames Robinson, John Lucas, Mike Mayhew, Steve Sadowski, Wade Von Grawbadger, Dusty Abell, Tim BurgardTed Knight, Sadie, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Rag Doll, Scalphunter, Mist, Bobo, Mikaal
Starman - 2nd series #43 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisTo Reach the Stars, Ted Knight, Sadie, Shade, Justice League, Superman, Batman, J'onn, Flash, Green Lantern
Starman The Mist #1 BUYJames Robinson, John LucasNash, Shazam
Starman - 2nd series #44 BUYJames Robinson, Mike MayhewTimes Past, 1944, Phantom Lady, Shade
Starman - 2nd series #45 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Tony HarrisTo Reach the Stars, Ted Knight, Mikaal, Shade, Sadie, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Bobo
Starman - 2nd series #46 BUYJames Robinson, Gene HaTimes Past, 1954, Bobo, Shade, Ted Knight
Starman - 2nd series #47 BUYJames Robinson, Steve YeowellA Starry Knight, City Without Light, Charity, Shade, Mikall, Ted Knight, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Black Condor, Black Pirate
Starman One Million #1 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergTed Knight
Starman - 2nd series #48 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Steve YeowellA Starry Knight, Stars My Destination, Mikaal, Grundy
Starman - 2nd series #49 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Steve YeowellA Starry Knight, Stars My Destination, Talking With David 99, Mikaal, David Knight, Grundy
Starman - 2nd series #50 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergA Starry Knight, Stars My Destination, Mikall, Shade, Starboy
Starman - 2nd series #51 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergA Starry Knight, Stars My Destination, Mikaal, Jor-El
Starman - 2nd series #52 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergA Starry Knight, Stars My Destination, Mikaal, Adam Strange
Starman - 2nd series #53 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergA Starry Knight, Mikaal, Adam Strange, Sadie
Starman - 2nd series #54 BUYJames Robinson, Craig HamiltonTimes Past, 1899, Shade, Scalphunter
Starman - 2nd series #55 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergStars My Destination, Mikaal
Starman - 2nd series #56 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergStars My Destination, City Without Light, Ted Knight, Mikaal, Shade, Sadie, Hope O'Dare, Matt O'Dare, Black Condor, Black Pirate, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Phantom Lady, Adam Strange, Culp, Doctor Phosphorous
Starman - 2nd series #57 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergStars My Destination, Mikaal
Starman - 2nd series #58 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergStars My Destination, Mikaal, Will Payton
Starman - 2nd series #59 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergStars My Destination, Mikaal, Will Payton
Starman - 2nd series #60 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Peter SnejbjergStars My Destination, Mikaal, Will Payton
Stars and Stripe #0 BUYGeoff Johns, James Johnson, Lee Moder, Chris Weston1st Stargirl, Ted Knight
All Star Comics 80 Page Giant #1 BUYJames Robinson, David RossJack Knight in last story
JSA All Stars #4 BUYJames Robinson, Tony HarrisJack Knight story (Stargirl story appears after the series end), Ted Knight
JSA Secret Files #1 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Scott Benefiel
JSA #1 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Steve SadowskiJack Knight
JSA #2 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Steve SadowskiJack Knight
JSA #3 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Steve SadowskiJack Knight
JSA #4 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Steve Sadowski
JSA #5 BUYJames Robinson, David S. Goyer, Derec Aucoin
JSA #6 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, Marcos MartinJack Knight
JSA #7 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, Steve SadowskiJack Knight
JSA #8 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, Steve SadowskiJack Knight
JSA #9 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, Steve SadowskiJack Knight
JSA #10 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, Steve Sadowski
JSA #11 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, BuzzJack Knight
JSA #12 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, BuzzJack Knight
Hourman #18 BUYTom Peyer, Rags MoralesJack Knight
JSA #13 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, Steve SadowskiJack Knight
JSA #14 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, Steve SadowskiJack Knight
JSA #15 BUYGeoff Johns, Davd S. Goyer, Steve SadowskiJack Knight
Starman - 2nd series #61 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Elongated Man, Phantom Lady, Black Condor, Ted Knight, Nash, JSA Adventures occur between panels
Starman - 2nd series #62 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Elongated Man, Phantom Lady, Black Condor, Ted Knight, Shade, Grundy
Starman - 2nd series #63 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Phantom Lady, Black Condor, Ted Knight, Shade, Nash
Starman - 2nd series #64 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Talking with David, Mikaal, David Knight, Shade
Starman - 2nd series #65 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Mikaal, Shade, Adam Strange, Ted Knight, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Doctor Phosphorous, Grundy, Ragdoll, Nash, 1st Culp
Starman - 2nd series #66 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Shade, Matt O'Dare, Ragdoll, Nash, Culp
Starman - 2nd series #67 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Adam Strange, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Phantom Lady, Shade, matt O'Dare, Sadie, Doctor Phosphorous, Grundy, Nash, Culp, Ragdoll
Starman - 2nd series #68 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Phantom Lady, Sahde, Sadie, Grundy, Phosphorous, ragdoll, Nash, Culp
Starman - 2nd series #69 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Phantom Lady, Sahde, Sadie, Grundy, Phosphorous, ragdoll, Nash, Culp
Starman - 2nd series #70 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Phantom Lady, Sahde, Sadie, Grundy, Phosphorous, ragdoll, Nash, Culp
Starman - 2nd series #71 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Phantom Lady, Sahde, Sadie, Grundy, Phosphorous, ragdoll, Nash, Culp, Black Pirate
Starman - 2nd series #72 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Phantom Lady, Sahde, Sadie, Grundy, Mist, Nash, Will Payton
Starman - 2nd series #73 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergGrand Guignol Epilogue, Mikaal, Adam Strange, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Phantom Lady, Black Condor, Shade, Matt O'Dare, Sadie,Will Payton
Starman - 2nd series #74 BUYJames Robinson, Russ HeathTimes Past, 1899, Scalphunter, Shade
Starman - 2nd series #75 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergSons of the Father, Mikaal, Superman
Starman - 2nd series #76 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergSons of the Father, Talking with David, Mikaal, David Knight, Ted Knight
Starman - 2nd series #77 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergSons of the Father, 1951, Mikaal, Ted Knight, Phantom Lady, Mist
Starman - 2nd series #78 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergSons of the Father, 1951, Mikaal, Mist, Ted Knight
Starman - 2nd series #79 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergSons of the Father, 1951, Mikaal, Mist, Ted Knight
Starman - 2nd series #80 BUYJames Robinson, Peter SnejbjergSons of the Father, Mikaal, Shade, Elongated Man, Sue Dibney, Black Condor, Bobo, Stargirl
Starman - 2nd series #81 BUYJames Robinson, Fenando DagninoBlackest Night, Shade, hope O'Dare, David Knight
The Shade #1 BUYJames Robinson, Cully HamnerHope O'Dare
The Shade #2 BUYJames Robinson, Cully HamnerJope O'Dare, Bobo
The Shade #3 BUYJames Robinson, Cully Hamner
The Shade #4 BUYJames Robinson, Darwyn CookeTimes Past, 1944
The Shade #5 BUYJames Robinson, Javier Pulido
The Shade #6 BUYJames Robinson, Javier Pulido
The Shade #7 BUYJames Robinson, Javier Pulido
The Shade #8 BUYJames Robinson, Jill ThompsonTimes Past, 1901
The Shade #9 BUYJames Robinson, Frazier Irving
The Shade #10 BUYJames Robinson, Frazier Irving
The Shade #11 BUYJames Robinson, Frazier Irving
The Shade #12 BUYJames Robinson, Gene HaTimes Past, 1838, Hope O'Dare, Culp

2 thoughts on “Starman Reading Order

  1. I would also add Batman Legends of the Dark Knight Annual #7. It was published in 1997. It is a “Times Past” story set in Turk County by James Robinson and Steve Yeowell. It definitely times into Starman though no Starman appears.

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