Comic Title: Starman #1
Publisher: DC
Cover Date: October 1988
On Sale Date: June 28, 1988 Shipping Date June 28, 1988
Source: Direct Currents, #5

Shipping Date June 30, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #142

Shipping Date June 28, 1988
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #757, Page 26

Newsstand Date July 23, 1988
Source: Amazing Heroes, #142

Copyright Date June 28, 1988
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1988

Shipping Date June 28, 1988
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #758, #760, #762

Newsstand Date July 12, 1988
Source: Comics Buyers Guide, #758, #760, #762

Cover Price: $1.00
Page Count: 32
Editor: Robert Greenberger

Title: "Grassroots Hero"
Pages: 26

Feature(s):
Starman (Will Payton)

Writer: Roger Stern
Penciller: Tom Lyle
Inker: Robert Allen Smith
Letterer: Robert M. Pinaha
Colorist: Julianna Ferriter

Feature Character(s)

• Starman (Will Payton; first appearance; last appearance in Starman #16; next appearance in Starman #2)

Supporting Character(s)

• Jayne Payton (Will's sister; first appearance; last appearance in Starman #16; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Marie Payton (Will's mother; first name revealed in Starman #6; first appearance; last appearance in Starman #16; next appearance in Starman #2)

Villain(s)

• Harold Melrose (first appearance; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Max (assistant to Dr. Melrose; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Two bank robbers (no further appearances)
• Warren Clement (a scientist working for Melrose; first name not given in this story; next appearance in Starman #11)
• Power Elite (not named in this story; first appearance; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Dennis Blake (not named in this story; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Frank Donovan (not named in this story; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Stanley Hale (not named in this story; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Olivia Hardy (not named in this story; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Samantha Morgan (not named in this story; next appearance in Starman #2)
• David Winters (not named in this story; next appearance in Starman #2)

Other Character(s)

• Dan and Sandy (hikers; no further appearances)
• Duncan (a medical examiner; no further appearances)
• Glen (a sheriff; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Ruthie (a waitress; no further appearances)
• Ralph and Ed (police officers; no further appearances)
• Muggs (Jayne's dog; next appearance in Starman #2)
• Harry, David, and Mr. Smithers (behind-the-scenes; Will's business contacts; no further appearances)
• Several construction workers (no further appearances)
• An EMT (no further appearances)

Synopsis:
Dr. Harold Melrose is trying to create a group of super-beings using radiation from deep space directed to Earth with a satellite. During the experiment, the satellite is struck by space debris and knocked out of alignment. The radiation beam is directed into the mountains of Colorado where unemployed Will Payton is camping.

Will is found by two hikers. The ground around him is charred, his skin appears burned, and he is believed dead. When the local coroner examines him though, Will rises from the table. Startled by the experience, Will flees and discovers he now possesses amazing strength, invulnerability, and the power to fly. Using these new powers which also include the ability to radiate heat and light, he stops a bank robbery.

Will then tracks down his sister Jayne. She was worried because he was missing for more than a month. Will has no memory of the previous 34 days. Jayne convinces Will to become a super-hero and creates a costume for him. Reluctantly, Will accepts the costume and rescues a trapped construction worker. He is dubbed Starman by onlookers and the press.

When word of Starman reaches Dr. Melrose, he deduces that the satellite power was redirected to the new hero. The doctor resolves to get the power back by any means necessary.