The Epic Life Of Dreadstar

[@michaelz1298]

Syzygy Darklock was just an incredible character , I will never forget the issue where Vanth perceives that Syzygy is basically a walking dead man held together by a will power. Vanth is about to say something and Syzygy basically says "no" as it would undermine what holds him together to live to see another day, That panel has stuck with me since they day I read it and still empowers me with my own fight for the last 23 years.

[@impudentdomain]

I agree completely

[@carloscrecelius9597]

Grew up reading Starlin's Warlock. Dreadstar was a bit out there for me at the time but it aged well for me. Also enjoyed his Gilgamesh ll. His heroes were also universally angst-ridden, to the point of being depressing in many cases while remaining interesting. Neat trick when you can pull it off.

[@robertopulitano8093]

My first superhero comic was Starlin and Aparo's Batman: Ten Nights of the Beast. For a guy so associated with the cosmic odyssey, I think he was an excellent crime writer. He could have done great things with Daredevil in the 80s.

[@welanandBea_DAVECOOLBOY9]

Dreadstar is my first comic even tho it's 2024 Booksale(a shop in the Philippines I think) has it

[@cocacola4blood365]

I always found Aknaton a rather tragic character. I think he desrved more of a mention in this. He undertook the Infinity Horn task out of mercy rather than revenge, and one can see when he communes with his god Ra on whether or not he's right to use the Horn, it's obvious what he wants is for Ra to give him a third alternative: stop the Zygoteans without destroying everything. His method reminded me of the aliens from _2001,_ who birthed sentience and sapience in the races they came across and left them to interpret the Universe as they were. Aknaton struck ne as someone who would've spent his time enlightening and empowering others to pursue their own destinies if the Zygoteans hadn't been on the scene. Murder, especially cosmic scale mass murder, went against his karma, and if he had been forced to live with destroying the Milky Way, he might've turned into a Zygotean himself (figuratively), imho.

[@Sklabah]

I was able to pick up the first 20 issues of Dreadstar proper a couple years ago in a local dollar bin, and since have been looking to fill in the collection. It's a trip - cosmic horror in the disguise of a sci-fi superhero epic. There are parts I love, but a sense of darkness and impending doom that pervades, making it hard to call a full favorite. Still, nothing really like it since. Even Nexus, which seems somewhat contemporary to Dreadstar, never reaches the same darkness.

[@mack1305]

Loved Dreadstar and Starslayer. Both had a great story and artwork.

[@MoK013]

Dreadstar in one of my Favorites. I was Ten reading Epic & Heavy Metal. It broadened my imagination palette, but at the same time hard to find more of the creators I was interested in. Manga from Japan was non existent. Translations of “The Incal”. I didn’t see “El Topo or The Holy Mountain “ until I was living in California in my twenties. Now it is no problem, but back then almost impossible for a kid living in a podunk backwater.

[@madeguy]

I loved the Starlin run, not so much Peter David. Glad to see a video on it! Hope you do Grimjack next!

[@Dorelaxen]

Been into Dreadstar since the 80's. Great comic. Starlin's art is always awesome.

[@KingfisherTalkingPictures]

There was so much Starlin in here it was hard for him not to keep hitting the same notes. I liked some of it, but enjoyed Warlock more

[@xhagast]

Got it all. From the 80s. Epic comic. Epic character.

[@jonclark8510]

Another great story. Really enjoyed it. Thank you. Another aspect of the series I noticed is the series follows the changing trends of the business side of the industry. From high concept magazine to creator owned publication at one of the big 2 to indie comic to self-publishing (?). A great read on so many levels.

[@macsnafu]

I always liked Starlin's art, and his cosmic stories were usually fun and trippy. But I must admit that his morbid obsession with death, and especially cancer, can really wear on you after a while. I liked Metamorphosis Odyssey in Epic magazine, that mag had some weird stuff in it, and initially followed the Dreadstar comic when it came out. But for some reason, the ongoing series just didn't maintain my interest. But maybe now's the time to go back and catch up on it.

[@solaire-jd8jd]

Excellent analysis. It touched on every phase of Dreadstar's publication history.

[@residentgrigo4701]

I never cared for the IP but just had a look at Starlin´s 2023 Dreadstar Vs The Inevitable and he can still draw and intermix digital with traditional techniques coherently. An accomplishment for someone who turned 74 this year.

[@noahbawdy3395]

I had all of these books... now only a couple left. I had to eat.

[@franciscomap75]

The best comic ever written

[@henrymach]

Jim Starlin was obsessed with Star Wars. Dreadstar is basically his version of it.

[@cocacola4blood365]

I used to collect Epic Illustrated. The very first issue I read had the final part of Metamorphosis Odyssey in it. After that I bought issues of Epic wherever I could find it, hoping for more of Vanth's legacy. I used to have the first issue of the comic and wanted more but life got in the way. I found all the comics online recently and read them all. Dreadstar is still one of my favorite series, but it slowly became repetitive after the Papal was finally done in and ultimately became a parody of itself. Still, Metamorphosis Odyssey is dear to my heart and I revisit it now and again.

[@esean1]

I recently acquired a bunch of Epic DREADSTAR issues (including an annual with a color reprint of THE PRICE) but have held off on reading most of them because I wanted to find the earlier METAMORPHOSIS ODYSSEY chapters and read from the beginning. I have some EPIC ILLUSTRATED issues in my collection but A) they're all at my dad's house and B) I only have 7-8 non-sequential issues with huge gaps interrupting both Starlin's story and John Byrne's "Last Galactus Story". Awesome video, BTW. Keep up the great work!

[@mikebenedict5091]

Amazing memories reading Dreadstar comics

[@kellygoodine9944]

My interest in Dreadstar fell when he put on the baby blue tights. It just didn't work for me after that.

[@JamesBurrTV]

Same here. Loved "The Price "and the graphic novel. The series was quite super-heroey but the tights pushed it over the top. I also seem to remember some bad back-up stories being used as filler around that time, too.

[@Shabiroca]

My favorite series ❤

[@carlgibson285]

The Starlin issues of Dreadstar were great, especially the first dozen or so issues of the ongoing series. Once Vanth gained superpowers I started to lose interest though, and by the time Starlin left the book I was done with the series. I did give the Malibu mini-series a try, but those six issues were awful.

[@therussiancomicbookgeek]

Epic 70s space opera just screams classic rock

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Agreed! I can practically hear Boston's "More Than A Feeling" or a some Rush album in the background when reading this stuff.

[@therussiancomicbookgeek]

@@StrangeBrainParts I think more blue oyster cult but good picks

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Yeah, that's a better choice.

[@grandfathergeek]

Read it - loved it.

[@LanternsLight]

I got one of these at a Marshall’s in one of those comic packs along with H.A.R.D CORPS and bloodshot a few years back, found new favorites that day.

[@TitularHeroine]

I really enjoyed this episode; thank you. Man oh man, do I miss Epic Magazine. I thoroughly enjoyed those bits of this video talking about Starlin moving into painting during Metamorphosis Odyssey, and if I track down any of these issues it will certainly be those. I find that rawness of hand (so to speak) and experimentation highly appealing. Thanks again.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I wish Epic Illustrated could have lasted a lot longer, too. I loved it back in The Day, even though I was way too young to be reading it. :)

[@TitularHeroine]

Ha! Same.

[@cocacola4blood365]

@@StrangeBrainParts Seconded, on all counts.

[@drivebye2709]

Loved this comic.

[@cocacola4blood365]

Vanth should never have given up his Byfrexian hunter garments. The series lost some of it's dark element when he did.

[@BradHerman]

Excellent synopsis of the series. I recently reread the whole thing and felt that it ran out of story and steam when it left Marvel. I fully agree with what you shared here that the foundation if Dreadstar is epically solid, but along the way it slowly morphs into a superhero story. Still LOVE it and would love to see a movie or TV show based on it.

[@gregorio1580]

This looks amazing

[@CharzaKitsune]

I always enjoy when you cover works of your favorite creators (in this case, Starlin) I knew of Dreadstar from an older comic friend of mine so when this came up in my notifications I knew I was in for a treat

[@cocacola4blood365]

Who was the insect eyed man on the bottom right corner of issue #1? If he was to be significant in any way, he never appeared again, like Maxillon eventually faded away.

[@alexnejako777]

i got a few of these in the 80s . loved Starlin's art

[@travishiltz4750]

Loved Dreadstar, but that Malbu mini was a trash fire. Glad to hear Starlin is doing once last trilogy of Vanth and Co.

[@cocacola4blood365]

"Franchise and Empire" went completely off the rails.

[@badbadandy73]

I had purchased the 3 volume omnibus earlier this year and have been reading thru it for the 1st time. I am enjoying the read so far, just got to the point where Lord Papal breaks the sword and then Vanth almost dies, and comes back with super powers. So far its decent enough to keep going lol.

[@threesixtysafari2115]

The introduction of Vanth in the Metamorphosis Odyssey was one of the high points when I read the Epic illustrated as it came out in the newstands.

[@kerry-j4m]

REAL big fan of Starlin enjoyed his run on-DREADSTAR-I'm gonna have to get some of those comics again.I liked his little cameo in Endgame too. Starlin served as an aviation photographer in the navy in Vietnam.I also served in the navy ( 7 yrs ) and the army ( also 7 yrs )and am a combat vet-4 deployments to Iraq with the Texas Guard.Starlin's art is very-GOOD-IMHO. LOL. Dreadstar would make either a nice animated movie or a nice live series on streaming services.

[@markshulusky6680]

Dreadstar struck me as a (slightly) philosophical counterpoint to DC's Omega Men. The cast of characters seemed familiar that way.

[@ArchaeusAzoth]

Love the video! I hadn't thought of Vanth Dreadstar in decades.

[@johnswift376]

Still have all of this from Epic Magazine onwards, I stopped buying Dreadstar when Starlin left because, like Howard Chaykin's American Flagg, the characters became uninteresting without their creator.

[@Deinonuchus]

I had the first 32 issues of Dreadstar. Eventually sold them as I had no place to keep them.

[@99Michael]

Captain Marvel was a complex character filled with intrigue and soap opera drama between Mar-vell and Una ( going from memory here, kids.) I felt the original White and Green Kree spy was too complex and nuanced for the Marvel Bullpen writers to handle on a monthly schedule. When Starlin gave Captain Marvel cosmic awareness, I enjoyed the stories, although I was never a big fan of Rick Jones. Warlock in Strange Tales Magnus' storyline remains one of my all-time favorite runs. Even the coloring on the books was highly detailed and stood out among the other Marvel books. Pip the Troll was an excellent balance offsetting Adam Warlock" 's moodiness. I found the Infinity Watch run too crowded with unnecessary characters. Much like Dreadstar, many supporting characters acted as window-dressing rather fleshed-out individuals. Starlin, despite being one of my favorite writers and artists, had the tendency to recycle characters and stories. Nevertheless, I have fond memories of those Captain Marvel and Warlock issues.

[@walterlee4796]

Man you brought back some great memories, I had every issue ofEpic and followed this fanatically. Back then no one could tell me anything negative about Jim Starlin or Frank Miller. SUBSCRIBED!

[@cocacola4blood365]

6:06 I never associated Dreadstar to Vietnam, probably because the world wasn't wiped out when it was over. Though in the American consciousness, it may have felt that way.

[@SkullyTheHypnoSkull]

I just got the first 63 issues in a dollar bin!

[@billyheaning]

Anybody here ever read the Lensman saga, or possibly even the Skylark of Space saga, by E.E. "Doc" Smith? He's my favorite pulp space opera author. Kinda created most of the tropes in the genre. I consider him to basically be to space opera what J.R.R. Tolkien is to fantasy.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

He definitely did. I'm only vaguely familiar with that series, I have to admit. I might have read one way back int he day.

[@g.a.2997]

@strangebrainparts Is there any collection of Mr. A material? I was thinking about getting my objectivist professor a copy to see what he thought

[@StrangeBrainParts]

Unfortunately, I don't think there is a collection. You have to hunt down the actual issues themselves. There's the two issues of Mr. A and then very sporadic appearances in a variety of Ditko books.

[@g.a.2997]

@@StrangeBrainParts My professor genuinely enjoys students reading Atlas Shrugged so it's a requirement for the course. I thought I'd surprise him with Mr. A.

[@noahbawdy3395]

Dreadstar, Warlock, so many others...

[@peterkuchenbrod5696]

I’ve been a huge Starlin fan since the Captain Marvel and Warlock days. I didn’t find Dreadstar to be up to that level of excellence, but it was still very good and I read up to Starlin’s exit from the title. I gave the Peter David issues a chance, but the overall tone totally changed…it was really depressing. Plus the artwork was really unsuitable for the title.

[@BarbarosaAlexander]

I may have to find this somewhere. I'd never heard of Dreadstar before.

[@amanzeihedioha]

On the topic of space, have you seen the X-Files. Im not sure about any of the comic adaptions but I would love to hear your narration regarding conspiracies😅

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I've seen X-Files, for sure. So...you'd like to hear a conspiracy themed video? That's doable.

[@kevinkingslayer2450]

I have been looking for this comic since the i was a kid in the EIGHTIES...... Wow, thanks a million because i couldnt remember the name!😏

[@StrangeBrainParts]

You're welcome!

[@DWNicolo]

Will you review Gilgamesh II by Jim Starlin?

[@juniorjames7076]

The first graphic novel I ever brought!

[@TYBO-xl1xz]

I totally forgot about this character 😮

[@dbsommers1]

I liked it a lot but it also he recycled a lot of the same concepts from Warlock. Peter David had a run that was good except for the one for one parodies like Batman Oedi and Star Trek. Got excited for Starlin coming back for the Malibu mini series. Ugh. Won't ho near it again. I erased it in my head canon.

[@tericottaclay9462]

I'm sorry but I read this and around issue 20 or so it's really mundane. I only read it because someone gave me a link to the PDF scans of this. 👀

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

Great story.

[@TheRPGChick]

Sacrilege!

[@notmyname5591]

Nice.

[@RogerioPereiradaSilva77]

I wasn't aware that Peter David picked up the baton for a little while there after Jim Starlin concluded his initial run. Maybe I'll check that out. But I am surprised that Starlin is working on new and current Dreadstar material. Is that any good?

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I briefly went through the newer stuff by Starlin. I think it's...okay. It's reminiscent of the recent Thanos material he did for Marvel.

[@cocacola4blood365]

@@StrangeBrainParts I read "The Inevitable." Wasn't nearly on par with "Metamorphis Odyssey," but it had it's moments. It was nice to revisits Vanth again. It leaves no illusion what Starlin thinks of Mitch McConnel. Personally his take on ol' Mitch is far more generous than mine.

[@bobjsim03857]

I have the original Dreadstar run in storage. is it worth anything?

[@rameybutler-hm7nx]

My brother used to read dreadstar, i just didnt get it. It was too new age-y

[@charleslennon1]

Didn't Dreadstar make a cameo in "Doom's Battle World?"

[@acerimmer2000]

KZbin just unsubscribed me from your channel. It's been doing this randomly with other channals to. I have no idea why?

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I wish I knew why that happened. You're not the first person who has mentioned that to me.

[@TheGreatDevlin]

You could've waited until the very end to make the creator and we all would've guessed it

[@noahbawdy3395]

I had X-Men #1

[@MrScroogedmcduck]

Yay

[@erikwirfs-brock2432]

Starlin is an interesting creator, because usually you think people get more ambitious with their work as they become more experienced and self-confident, but it really does feel like he sort of consciously limited his ambition at a certain point, still fun comics but nothing really that mature or groundbreaking.

[@Rgoid]

Compare with Jodorowsky’s The Incal / the Metabarons

[@StrangeBrainParts]

You know, that thought occurred to me. But I thought it might be a moderately unfair comparison because Dreadstar is all action adventure with some existential leanings, while Jodorowsky's material is heavily metaphysical.

[@JoeYT23]

👍

[@kadafelon4375]

Warlock is Dreadstar 😂😂😂😂

[@vedrengrabelox3231]

Does anyone know what nihilism or nihilistic mean anymore?

[@SkullyTheHypnoSkull]

Narcissists are nihilists.

[@johnmurphy9385]

I think at this point "nihilistic" basically just means "grimdark" or "grim 'n' gritty" or something like that.

[@StrangeBrainParts]

I can speak to what it means in the context of this video: Dark and hopeless.

[@Voodoomaria]

Ah yes, Dreadstar........ Who looked like Warlord.......... Who looked like Green Arrow........ Who frankly looked STUPID with that beard. The utter LACK of imagination in the illustrator(s) is just off-putting.