The Big Reveal
Previously in Starman, and The Power of SHAZAM!, Jim Barr has been accused of treason and the World War II sinking of the Normandie in New York harbor. To prove his innocence he would have to reveal the classified mission he was on as Bulletman with Ted Knight as the original Starman. But how can he do that if he is in custody? Barr goes on the run to find Jack Weston, formerly known as Minute Man. Ted asks Jack to run interference for them both as they try to clear Barr's name and reputation. This brings Jack and Captain (Shazam!) Marvel head to head. Starman 40 is devoted to the two fighting in the sky above Opal City. The confrontation is ended by the O'Dares and fellow Opal City police officers kicking The Captain out of the city.
Jack follows Marvel back to Fawcett City, where another fight is cut short by Mary Marvel calling on the Wisdom of Solomon. She calms The Big Red Cheese down and together, they zoom back to the Bromfield home, where they re-unite with Ted and Barr. Here, they all get some bad news. Jack Weston was shot earlier by neo-Nazis. Without Weston's permission, there's no way to clear Barr's name. The only hope is the slim proof of forgery that Mary has uncovered in the original newsreel footage attributed to Johnny Quick Chambers.
Ted and Jim go ahead with a press conference hosted by WHIZ's Delroy Amberson. Here they will reveal the truth. Sarge Steel is there. So are the Nazi's. Edouard Laslo is among them. He is known as The Poser, a shape shifter able to impersonate anyone.
The big reveal is not so much the mission Starman and Bulletman were on, although that is the cherry on top. The big reveal is that after being in prison for so long, Laslo has a change of heart and dies to prevent Barr from being killed by the bitter Nazis. The Captain, Mary, Jack and Steel round up the Nazis.
The reality is that not only does the secrecy agreement that Ted and Jim signed prevent them from revealing the truth; they really don't remember what happened on the mission. Their memories have been wiped.
This is a smart story. This is a story in the vein of Roy Thomas' Invaders, All-Star Squadron and Infinity, Inc. It's also a really cool World's Finest style story. Jack is very much like Dick Grayson as Batman. The Captain has always been a fine stand-in for The Man of Steel. This story ties the Golden and Silver Ages together in more than one way. The big reveal turns out to be pretty cool.
Jack Weston never makes an appearance. Even his shooting is off panel, revealed through conversation.
The Good
Golden Age fans; fans of Captain (Shazam!) Marvel and Starman, this is a treat. This collaboration between James Robinson and Jerry Ordway is a delight. It does not feel forced, like an event. It's an enjoyable story laid out over four issues across two books.
The Bad
The script, the art - there is nothing that holds this story back. The only shortcoming is that this is a one-time collaboration and that there has not been anything similar since.
The Skinny
Starman and The Power of Shazam! were excellent continuations of Justice Society of America, All-Star Squadron and Infinity, Inc.
The conclusion to Lightning and Stars earns five stars for shining bright, in more ways than one.