Starman- JSA Legacies Project Day 10 #JSApril
In celebration of JSApril, I am creating art of JSA members and their legacies characters whether it’s their successor, former sidekick, or even their kids. Today, I am taking a look at a classic JSA’er and the most successful character to come out of the Zero Hour debacle: Starman
Starman
Starman was one of the members of the JSA that replaced one of the original members in line with the editorial edict that once a member of the JSA launched their own solo book, they would leave the book. Ted Knight is an inventor and very much in line with a lot of the super science bullshit that could be found in the Golden Age.
One of the most notable things about Starman is, as a character title, there have been a LOT of characters to take up the name Starman. There have been 7 heroes to take the name Starman on a permanent basis. Ted and Jack are definitely the more well known of the bunch.
Starman (Ted Knight)
This pose came together pretty quickly as a lot of Starman references has Ted flying holding the Rod. I wanted something where he was flying towards the viewer. Ted’s costume choice was pretty easy as it’s been consistently a variant of Superman’s costume with a Sci-fi helmet fin. It’s such a simple design. I love it. This is also time for me to reveal I cannot draw stars consistently…at all. In hindsight the chest emblem looks more like a crown, but it is far too late for that.
The Process
This process was again very simple. I haven’t drawn many images of the hero flying towards the viewer in this project, and it worked well here. The hand in the foreground is not the best looking hand I have ever drawn but I feel this was a massive step forward for me as an artist. There’s a lot of tricky foreshortening here that I don’t think I would have been able to nail this pose just a couple years ago. I’ve also started getting a handle on the deltoid to pectoral connection. It’s a small thing, but I am proud of it.
Starman (Jack Knight)
There was no question which Starman I wanted to draw here. Jack Knight wouldn’t be involved heavily in JSA affairs but he was apart of the team following the late 90’s JSA launch. Jack is definitively the most successful character to come out of Zero Hour. Starman #0 had probably one of the BEST reveals ever with David Knight (Jack’s brother and short-lived Starman) taking a shot to the chest.
Starman by Robinson and Harris is one of those seminal 90’s runs that people just need to read.
The Process
One of these days I will figure out how to render a leather coat, but it wasn’t one this. It still looks fine but be it water color or ink, I cannot render leather well. Oh well. I decided late in the process to add Jack’s goatee. I debated on it in the pencils stages but decided that such a Gen-X, 90’s coded character he had to have his goatee from later in the series.
Final Thoughts
This was a lot of fun and showcases some personal growth as an artist. It also shows I have room to grow.
Join me later today when we talk about Fair Play with Mr. Terrific.
What is JSApril?
The Justice Society of America made their debut in All-Star Comics #3 in 85 years ago. In celebration, the folks over at Fire and Water Podcasting Network have assembled bloggers, podcasters, and many more creators to honor the world’s first superhero team. Find the full list of participants and more over at Fire and Water Network’s webpage and I truly encourage you all to check out some of the amazing things people have been creating.
Social Media
You can follow along with JSApril all of the other creators on social media with #JSApril. You can always find me here or over on Bluesky and I contribute weekly to The Beat. If you are new here be sure to check out out the archives. Personally, I’m quiet proud of my History of Heroes Reborn posts. You can see my other JSApril posts here.
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