Star Brand #1

I hate these quick-and-dry story lines. You know, when a writer rushes through explaining how a character came to be and/or got their powers. I think Jim Shooter did this in the first 4 pages. It doesn't help that the story itself is essentially a Green Lantern rip-off. Some random alien (who takes the form of a blind old bum) crash lands on Earth (specifically, the forest covered mountains of Western Pennsylvania). He then deems Ken "worthy" of a great interstellar power and just gives it to him before he "dies".

Ken's approach to receiving these new powers also felt unrealistic to me. Not only does he act like it's just another day for him, but he acts extra cocky after using his powers (which he became accustomed to way too quickly) and even uses corny, over-the-top, super macho rhetoric without even giving his "enemy" a chance to speak.

I had high hopes for this series being that Nightmask was a New Universe title and is one of my favorites. Also, with all the great things other comic readers say about Jim Shooter, this was a big disappointment.

This series was abruptly cancelled, along with all the other New Universe titles, at issue #19. I guess the powers that be at Marvel thought they were clever by waiting all the way until issue #19 to slap a "in a 19 issue limited series" tag on the cover. This was more than likely done to cover up the fact that the series was a flop. Even still, I don't understand how a series like this could go 19 issues, while a series as wonderful as Nightmask only went to #12. Bring back Remsen as Nightmask!