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RISING STARS #0
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: The Rising Stars Art Team (Cha, Gorder, Liquid!)
Plot Synopsis: Poet's Journal tells the reader how he hopes
to tell us about his generation, the generation affected by the
"Flash" sixty years ago. Through the narrative, several
characters are highlighted- Matthew Bright, Chandra, Willie Smith,
and others.
Next was an excerpt from the Diary of Dr. William Welles. Welles
describes how he learned that young Matt Bright discovered his
ability of flight. The incident leads Welles to ponder upon his
responsibility as the government assigned physician. He knows
that his words can condemn the young children as dangerous threats,
something certain factions within the government want to hear.
It ends with him admitting he doesn't know what he will do, what
the children signify.
Finally, a copy of the Supreme Court Decision in the case the
Special's parents brought against the government. The government
had tried to take custody of the children, citing that they were
a threat to the general populace. The parents countered, saying
the children had the right to freedom. The Court ruled that the
children should remain in the custody in their parents, unless
it was proved they were a clear danger, in which case, the government
could assume custody. The decision of the danger was assigned
to a physician chosen by the government and the children's parents.
(Dr. Welles).
Other Information: This comic came as an insert with WIZARD'S
TOP COW Special, which featured FATHOM, released Summer '99. It
was the first appearance of Matthew Bright and Chandra,
and many other RISING STARS characters; and included sketches
from Keu Cha's sketchbook, on Ravenshadow, Bright, and
Chandra, as well as page layouts. It is currently available
through AnotherUniverse.com, signed or unsigned by JMS. It is currently
going at around $3.00. At the convention, TOP COW's booth was
selling Gold Foil versions.
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RISING STARS Preview
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: none-issue was in black and white only.
Cover by: The Rising Stars Art Team
Plot Summary: Dr. Welles is paid a visit by Jerry Montrose,
otherwise best known as Pyre- the Special encased in molten flame.
The beginning of the conversation was about Jason Miller's newborn
son. Montrose wanted to verify if that was true, and if the child
had powers or not. Throughout the conversation, Montrose talks
about his personal past, and how he feels isolated from the other
Specials...how that seemed to drive him to crime. Dr. Welles points
out that the powers shape the person and the person shapes the
powers. Montrose speaks of the incident where Miller accused Montrose
of stealing his comic book, MEGAMAN #1. Montrose denied it, both
to Miller then, and now to the doctor. The doctor advises Montrose
to contact Miller. Montrose declines, but learns of Joseph Drake's
death.
The story ends with Miller and his wife talking, and someone leaves
a copy of MEGAMAN #1 on Miller's doorstep.
Other Information: This comic is the first true RISING
STARS story, whereas #0 was merely background setup. It was done
in black and white only. Interesting note: Montrose asks Welles
to say "Hi" to a Paula Rodriquez. Perhaps that's Paula
Ramirez's married name, or an early version of her last name.
Currently, the issue is going for around $12.00, and is highly
desirable. At the convention, TOP COW's booth was selling Gold
Foil versions. They are available through Monster
Mart.
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RISING STARS #1 (Wizard World '99/ AnotherUniverse.com
variant)
Title: Nova Placenta
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: The Rising Stars Art Team
Plot Synopsis: Similar in tone to RISING STARS #0, Poet
provides the narrative. It begins with the Flash, and skips five
years later to a rainy night. The children are having their yearbook
pictures taken. A portion of the ceiling collapses from the storm.
Matthew Bright catches the heavy debris, saving a teacher. The
event is captured on camera. It leads to the government examining
the children, determining their powers.
Poet tells us that people within the government are worried about
the possiblity of 115 superpowered children running loose. So
they come up with a day camp, where the children could be studied
in a controlled environment. Lee Jackson, a child who previously
showed no powers, kills a camp counselor with his fire powers,
because the counselor had been molesting him repeatedly.
The government seizes this opportunity to try and take full custody.
Lee Jackson was taken by his parents into hiding. He didn't use
his powers again until much later. That second incident changed
things for the whole generation of Specials.
The story ends with Poet stating the need to tell the whole story,
because he's the last suriving Special. He tells of the killings
which ultimately proved to be from within.
Other Information: This was first sold at the Chicago comic
convention in July '99, several weeks before the regular #1 hit
the stands. It is currently available through AnotherUniverse.com, signed or unsigned by JMS. There is a special
Holo-foil cover version available from AnotherUniverse.com and Monster
Mart.
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RISING STARS #1 (Childhood Cover version)
Title: Nova Placenta
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: The Rising Stars Art Team
Plot Synopsis: Same as above.
Other Information: The regular issues of RISING STARS #1
featured four different covers, which, all put together, made
a larger montage. All 4 versions were distributed equally. There
are variant Gold Foil versions also available from Monster Mart.
(The Title Logo is in Gold Foil, and a company stamp is on it
in the lower left corner.) RISING STARS #1 was the third highest
ordered comic book in July. Currently, all four cover versions
are in demand.
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RISING STARS #1 (Posing Cover version)
Title: Nova Placenta
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: The Rising Stars Art Team
Plot Synopsis: Same as above.
Other Information: See notes above.
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RISING STARS #1 (Fighting Cover version)
Title: Nova Placenta
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: The Rising Stars Art Team
Plot Synopsis: Same as above.
Other Information: See notes above.
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RISING STARS #1 (Funeral Cover version)
Title: Nova Placenta
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: The Rising Stars Art Team
Plot Synopsis: Same as above.
Other Information: See notes above.
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RISING STARS #1 (2nd Printing)
Title: Nova Placenta
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: The Rising Stars Art Team
Plot Synopsis: Same as above.
Other Information: The second printing obviously is due
to the huge demand the original printing had.
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RISING STARS #2
Title: Can't Touch This
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: The Rising Stars Art Team
Plot Synopsis: Dr. Welles is approached at his home by
several police officers and is informed that Peter Dawson, one
of the Specials, is dead- murdered. Welles is asked about Dawson's
life. Dawson's powers are explained- total invulnerablity due
to an energy field surrounding his body and his lungs and stomach,
rendering him completely numb. Only one exception is in the case
of eating. Welles details Dawson's depression and overeating habits.
Dawson went through life trying to find a use for his powers,
but failing in that. His only possible big break was doing a series
of commercials for a local insurance company. It never happened
for him. Dawson resigned himself to whatever jobs he could get.
He was working as a mechanic's shop attendant at the time of his
death.
Welles asks how Dawson was murdered. Dawson's wrists were taped
to his chair as he slept, and a dry cleaning bag was put over
his head. Cause of death- suffocation.The police asked one final
question based on a comment Welles made earlier about his own
job as the Special's observing physician. They asked what he meant
by figuring how the Specials could be stopped. Welles confirmed
their suspicions- part of Welles's job was to figure out how to
terminate each Special in case they went bad.
Poet watches a tape of the conversation with the police, since
Dr. Welles has had his house wired for video and audio. Poet detects
an editing cut on the tape through his energy sensitivity. Welles
admits that the police asked him who he thought would be the most
dangerous Special of all. He told them, "John Simon."--Poet.
Dr. Welles reassures him that Poet's main power is still secret.
Poet vows to find and stop the killer, who has already killed
Joseph Drake several weeks earlier. The story shifts into Journal
mode.
In the journal, Poet states his suspicion that another Special
is doing the killings. He talks of how they, as children, explored
their powers, and how they all knew what each other could and
couldn't do. He thinks the situation out on paper, reasoning that
perhaps the killer is starting with the weaker ones first. Then
he looks at the list of suspects, ruling out the visible ones.
He also rules out Randy Fisk (Shadowraven) because he can't envision
him committing the crimes. Poet wonders if it's another weaker
Special. It prompts him to explain about Willie Smith, a weak
flying Special, and how he disappeared in the skies after being
taunted. It leads Poet to think about Lee Jackson, and the tragic
events surrounding him. That's the end of the entry.
Other Information: It was reported that this comic was
delayed from its original September 6th date to September 29th,
due to the fact that JMS didn't approve the original cover. It
is currently available through AnotherUniverse.com.
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RISING STARS #2 (Poet painted variant cover)
Title: Can't Touch This
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: David Finch
Plot Synopsis: Same as above.
Other Information: I have yet to seen it at my comic book
stores.
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RISING STARS #2 Dynamic Forces Variant Cover
Title: Can't Touch This
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Keu Cha
Inker: Jason Gorder
Colorist: Liquid!
Cover by: Keu Cha et al.
Plot Synopsis: Same as above.
Other Information: It is currently available through AnotherUniverse.com
It comes with a certificate of authenticity..
The cover scene is of Willie Smith's departure from the day camp.
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RISING
STARS #3
Title: Whatever Happened to Lee
Jackson?
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Penciler: Christian Zanier with layouts by Ken Lashley
Inkers: Livesay and Edwin Rosell
Colors: Tyson Wengler, Matt Nelson, and John Starr
Cover by: Randy Fisk aka Peter Steigerwald (who feels like
he's being watched)
Plot Synopsis: In the course of John Simon's investigation,
he goes to Randy Fisk aka Ravenshadow. Fisk, because he is so
wealthy, has a network of people who had investigated the Lee
Jackson situation. Simon always felt that his death was the turning
point for the Specials. Based on eyewitness accounts and educated
guesses, Fisk tells Simon what happened to Jackson.
After the camp incident, Jackson's parents took him on the run
from the government. They moved from town to town, changing jobs
and names. One night in a motel, around when Jackson was becoming
a teenager, the motel burned down as a result of his powers subconsciously
manifested. He was presumed dead, though his reappearance later
on proved that wrong. While he was presumed dead, he lived on
the streets, homeless and isolated. Finally, he tired of his life
and reached out to an older woman, Eleanor. The two of them shared
loss in their pasts, and helped each other. One day, she was killed
by a street gang. Jackson went on a fiery rampage, hunting down
the gang members. He ultimately caught up to the actual murderer,
and killed him in the same fashion he killed the camp counselor.
He regained his senses. Tired of it all, he maximized his powers,
killing himself and burning up an abandoned building in the process.
Fisk revealed to Simon something he learned from Jackson's death.
Fisk regularly monitored his powers with doctors and scientists,
and he had become aware of a gradual decline in his power levels.
It was explained to him that the energy that gave him his powers
were finite, and as he used his powers, he lost energy. It was
possible if he used his powers constantly, he'd use them up, losing
them. The converse was proved true from Jackson's death. The death
transferred more energy back into Fisk and the other Specials,
recharging their power levels. Now Simon assumes the murderer
knows this, and is killing the other Specials to increase his
or her own powers.
Other Information: This isn't the first time JMS has used
a "Whatever happened to..." title. A BABYLON 5 episode
was titled "Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi?" The
cover reflects a work of art Randy Fisk completed in the story.
This is Christian Zanier's first RISING STARS issue. He will be
the penciler for the foreseeable future, up to issue 5.
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Want to know a little of the plot of the next issues? Here it is, from TOP COW's website and other sources.
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