![]() The concept can only be described as a cyberpunk, space opera, western and has all the classic heroic elements about it introducing a character that, again like Bloodstone, SHOULD have been developed into one of Marvel’s most iconic properties, but for whatever reason it was not meant to be. Marvel has a property developed (likely “given to them” is a better phrase here) by one Howard Chaykin (who was probably doing another Hero I Miss, Ironwood for DC around that time), and “edited” by Archie Goodwin (creator of the Paul Kirk Manhunter concept btw), who I’m sure did a little more writing on this than he was to take credit for (I understand that Goodwin did that a lot, and was a masterful writer to boot!) Take a second and try to wrap your head around this concept and remember, this was 1976, a year before Star Wars, black and white magazines were flourishing on the newsstands (which is REALLY where this concept belonged), the direct comic market was in it’s infant stages, the cyberpunk movement was just starting if that (Neuromancer by Gibson is copyright 1984- I checked), and Clint Eastwood Italian westerns were running on television, it was a totally different time than now. It was a self-contained seventeen page story, an easily accessible heroic character, and one that had a profound impression on my youth, but now is long forgotten by practically everyone. Some of those efforts were short lived, while others were shelved, or put in a drawer, left for inventory too good to be tossed, and yet too odd to be given a regular book.įor whatever reasons Monark Starstalker was given an odd slot in an umbrella “concept” title called Marvel Premiere for issue number 32. Marvel was trying everything they could to walk that fine line between Code acceptance and gathering an older, wiser, more profitable audience. Warlock, Deathlok, Killraven, and so many other series were tried and could not hold readers. Not quite kid’s literature, and yet, thanks to the Comic Code Authority, not really allowed to be adult in most ways, intellectual comics were having a rough time finding a regular reading audience. The late seventies were a trying time for mainstream comics. Most fans have no clue he ever existed, fewer still own a copy of his only appearance, and most anyone who has read comic books for the last 30-40 years could remotely tell you anything about him, especially most of the editors working at Marvel today, and believe me when I tell you, we are all sadder off for it. ![]() There is no listing of him in any of the Marvel Universe guides, there is no Wikipedia listing (at least none as of this writing- I might do that myself)only a mention in his comic title's entry, and Marvel seems to have completely shunned him. Monark Starstalker stands as one of the most forgotten characters in the Marvel pantheon of heroes and gods.
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