New Universe analyses: Star Brand (pre-Pitt)

[Creelman]

Star Brand
SBRAND 1
Published: October 1986
Written by Jim Shooter; Drawn by John Romita, Jr. (penciler) & Al Williamson (inker)
Appearances: Ken Connell (introduction); the "Old Man" (introduction); Myron (introduction); Debbie "the Duck" (introduction); Barbara Petrovic (introduction); Laurie Petrovic (introduction); Bobby Petrovic (introduction); John Eberhardt (introduction); alien (introduction, villain)
Brief synopsis: While riding his motorcycle in the Laurel Mountains, Ken Connell is given the "Star Brand", a powerful weapon that looks like a simple tattoo, by the mysterious "Old Man". The Star Brand gives Connell immense strength, durability and the power of flight. Later he is attacked by an alien who wants the Star Brand for himself, but Connell is able to fight off the alien.
References: Pages 2 through 4 take place the same day. Pages 5 through 16 take place the next day. Pages 17 through 21:5 take place the next day. Pages 21:6 through 24 take place the next day. As noted in S&TT #1, Spitfire's storyline continues in SBRAND #2 before returning to S&TT #2.

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SBRAND 2
Published: November 1986
Written by Jim Shooter; Drawn by John Romita, Jr. (penciler) & Al Williamson (inker)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Barbara Petrovic; Debbie "the Duck"; Myron; Jan (introduction); Mike (introduction); Spitfire [Jenny Swensen]; Troubleshooters [Tim Ferris; Eduardo Giotti; Teresa Roberts; Eric Chin; Andy Meadows]; terrorists (villains)
Brief synopsis: Ken Connell travels to Kingston, New York to save a boy who fell down a well. Before he can help, Spitfire suddenly appears and flies down the well to save the boy. Later, Connell attempts to help a cruise ship held hostage by Middle Eastern terrorists holding a nuclear weapon. Commandos take out the terrorists at the same time and Connell is able to neutralize the damage done by the triggered nuclear device by taking it down to the bottom of the ocean. After this, Connell confronts Spitfire and the Troubleshooters at their hideout to warn them about the possible consequences of their actions.
References: Pages 1 through 4:4 take place the same day. Pages 4:5 through 23 take place the next day.

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SBRAND 3
Published: December 1986
Written by Jim Shooter; Drawn by Alex Saviuk (penciler) & Vince Colletta (inker)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Joan (introduction); Rick (introduction); John Eberhardt; Myron; Bob (introduction); Debbie "the Duck"; spy (introduction, villain); Barbara Petrovic; Laurie Petrovick; Bobby Petrovic; Wendy (introduction); Lenny (introduction)
Brief synopsis: Ken Connell tests his power again by flying to the moon and creating a new crater with an energy blast. Returning to Earth, he destroys two Soviet planes attacking Afghanistan. The next day he responds to a classified ad asking to meet him and encounters a university student sent to spy on him for unknown reasons.
References: As noted on page 4:1, pages 1 through 15 take place the next week after the previous issue. Pages 16 through 24 take place the next day.

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SBRAND 4
Published: January 1987
Written by Jim Shooter; Drawn by John Romita, Jr. (pencils) & Al Williamson (inks)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Myron Feldman; Kathy (introduction); John Eberhardt; Joan; Rick; Debbie "the Duck"; Barbara Petrovic; Wendy; "Scrunch"/Mr. Lovejoy (introduction, villain); Mrs. Kaminski (introduction, villain); Deanie (introduction, villain); Dennis (introduction)
Brief synopsis: Ken Connell continues his relationships with both Debbie and Barbara, but Barbara begins to suspect him. He decides to confront President Reagan, but gets cold feet on the White House lawn. Later, Connell encounters three paranormals, Mr. Lovejoy aka "Scrunch", Mrs. Kaminski and Deanie, who are escapees from a mental hospital. The paranormals manage to knock Connell unconscious, leaving him ashamed for letting himself lose control and be beaten by them.
References: Pages 1 through 3:3 take place 6:4 the same day. Pages 6:5 through 15:4 take place the next day. Pages 15:5 through 25 take place the next day.

Flashback (3:4-6:1)
Appearances: Ken Connell; the "Old Man"; alien; Barbara Petrovic; Laurie Petrovic
Brief synopsis: Recap of issue #1.

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SBRAND 5
Published: February 1987
Written by Jim Shooter; Drawn by John Romita, Jr. (pencils) & Al Williamson (inks)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Debbie "the Duck"; Barbara Petrovic; Rick Lawson (introduction); Shary Lawson (introduction); Carol (introduction); Paul (introduction); Stan Connell (introduction); Ellie Connell (introduction); Rick; John Eberhardt; Wendy; Dennis; Libyan spies (villains); Bobby Petrovic; Laurie Petrovic
Brief synopsis: The university students attempt to contact Ken Connell through another classified ad. Ken follows them back to their hideout and finds they are Libyan spies gathering supplies and weapons. Connell makes an anonymous call to the police who arrest the terrorists. Following this, Connell flies to a military base in Libya and destroys it as a warning to the Libyan government. The next day, Connell tries to break up with Debbie so he can settle down with Barbara, but she is distraught and breaks down in tears. Connell decides he must stay in contact with her. He then visits Barbara and patches up their relationship.
References: Pages 1 through 8:1 take place on Ken Connell's birthday [September 27]. Pages 8:2 through 17:5 take place the next day [September 28]. Pages 17:6 through 22 take place the next day [September 29].

Note: Ken Connell's birthdate (September 27, 1961) is given in his Marvel Universe entry in SBRAND 13.

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SBRAND 6
Published: March 1987
Written by Jim Shooter; Drawn by John Romita, Jr. (penciler), Al Williamson (inker), Rick Bryant (inker) & Al Milgrom (inker)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Barbara Petrovic; Debbie "the Duck" Fix; Bobby Petrovic; Laurie Petrovic; Emil Vajdak (introduction); Mr. Zayre (introduction); John Eberhardt; the Old Man (villain)
Brief synopsis: The "Old Man" returns and meets with Ken Connell. The Old Man claims that he is an alien, and that Connell, as the new bearer of the Star Brand, has a duty to return with him to another world and assist him in using the Brand in an alien war. Connell begins to suspect the Old Man is not telling the truth and guesses that his previous experiences with the Old Man and the alien were illusions created by the Old Man. Connell decides to return the Star Brand to the Old Man, but realizes it would be a mistake and refuses. Later, the Old Man attacks Debbie to trick Connell into leaving Barb and her kids so he can take them hostage. Connell figures out the plan and attacks the Old Man. The battle takes the pair from earth into space. The Old Man abandons Connell lost in space.
References: Pages 1 through 24 take place the same day.

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SBRAND 7
Published: May 1987
Written by Jim Shooter (plot) & Roy Thomas (script); Drawn by John Romita, Jr. (penciler) & Art Nichols (inker)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Debbie "the Duck" Fix; Barbara Petrovic; Mrs. Johnson (introduction); Ellie Connell; Alvin (introduction); the Old Man (villain, dies)
Brief synopsis: Ken Connell locates the sun and follows it back to Earth. He finds Debbie in a hospital with injuries from an assault by the Old Man. He visits Barbara who breaks up with him for good. Connell is hounded by the Old Man who leaves a message that he will kill Debbie unless Connell gives him the Star Brand. Connell confronts the Old Man and kills him, throwing the inhuman corpse into orbit.
References: Pages 1 through 8:4 take place immediately after the last issue. Pages 8:5 through 22 take place the next day.

Flashback (5:6-7:1)
Appearances: Ken Connell; the Old Man; the alien; Debbie Fix
Brief synopsis: Recap of the series.

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SBRAND 8
Published: July 1987
Written by Cary Bates; Drawn by Arvell Jones (penciler) & Danny Bulanadi (inker)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Debbie "the Duck" Fix; Tad Selby (introduction); Ethan Selby (introduction); Sarah Selby (introduction)
Brief synopsis: Ken Connell befriends a sick boy and destroys a landfill filled with toxic waste causing birth defects in a local community.
References: Pages 1 through 9 take place the same day. Pages 10 through 22 take place over the next few days.

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SBRAND 9
Published: September 1987
Written by Cary Bates; Drawn by Keith Giffen (penciler) & Bob Wiacek (inker)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Myron Feldman; Lucian Ballad; Keith Remsen [Nightmask]
Brief synopsis: Ken Connell has nightmares following Tad Selby's funeral. Myron points him to the sleep therapy clinic of Dr. Lucian Ballad, where Ken's dreams are analyzed by Keith Remsen. In the dreams, Remsen, as Nightmask, finds that Connell sees himself as a super hero with Tad as his sidekick. Nightmask helps Connell get over his guilt for being unable to save Tad from radiation poisoning and come to terms with Tad's death.
References: As noted on page 3:3, pages 1 through 9 take place a few weeks after the previous issue. Pages 10 through 21 take place immediately after page 9 in Ken Connell's dreams. Pages 22 takes place immediately after page 21.

Flashback (3:3-3:6; 4:1-4:5; 5:1-5:3)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Tad Selby; Ethan Selby
Brief synopsis: Recap of the previous issue.

Flashback (5:5-5:6)
Appearances: Ken Connell
Brief synopsis: Ken Connell attends Tad Selby's funeral.
References: Happens sometime after previous issue.

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SBRAND Annual 1
Published: October 1987
Written by Bobbie Chase; Drawn by Geoff Isherwood (penciler) & Art Nichols (inker)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Tony Kraft (introduction, villain); Ariane Poirot (introduction, dies); Francois (introduction, villain, dies); Jean (introduction, villain, dies)
Brief synopsis: Ken visits his friend, Tony Kraft, in Zurich. Tony's girlfriend, Ariane Poirot, becomes attracted to Ken which makes Tony jealous. Tony hires two men to kill Ken, but they secretly plan on turning him over to Interpol. Attacked, Ken buries them alive with an avalanche, killing the hired men and putting Tony in the hospital. Ken reveals his powers to Ariane and attempts to protect her from Interpol, who are interested in Connell following the attack. Ariane is furious with him for not killing the people pursuing them and leaves Ken. He returns to America, and, the following day, learns that she had been killed, supposedly by terrorists.
References: Pages 1 through 7 take place the same day. Pages 8 through 10:2 take place the next day. Pages 10:3 through 12 take place the next day. Pages 13 through 18 take place the next day. Pages 19 through 23 take place the next day. Pages 24 through 37 take place the next day. Page 28 takes place the next day.

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SBRAND 10
Published: November 1987
Written by George Caragonne; Drawn by Mark Bagley (pencils) & Pablo Marcus (inks)
Appearances: Ken Connell; John Eberhardt; Rick; Debbie "the Duck" Fix; Myron Feldman; Randy Kellog [The Gladiator] (introduction, villain)
Brief synopsis: Randy Kellog, aka the Gladiator, a super-dense, super-strong and invulnerable paranormal, is waging a one-man war against the USSR. The Soviets attack him with conventional and nuclear weapons, but to no avail. Ken Connell tries to reason with Kellog, asking him to stop his rampage for fear that it will bring about World War III. The ex-soldier is undeterred and the pair of paranormals battle. Unwilling to kill Kellog, Connell flies him out of the atmosphere and throws the paranormal into deep space, never to die, but to drift in space forever.
References: Pages 1 through 3:2 take place on one night. Pages 3:3 through 22 take place the next day. Page 23 takes place the next day.

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SBRAND 11
Published: January 1988
Written by John Byrne; Drawn by John Byrne & Tom Palmer
Appearances: Star Brand [Ken Connell] (introduction as Star Brand); Debbie "the Duck" Fix; Myron Feldman; Ronald Reagan (introduction); Mandrake (introduction); John Byrne (introduction); Mark Gruenwald (introduction); Howard Mackie (introduction); Michael Higgins (introduction); Bobby; Cassie (introduction)
Brief synopsis: Debbie “the Duck” and Myron Feldman convince Ken Connell to don a costume and become a super-hero. Calling himself Star Brand, he stops a plane hijacking, but the general public still doubts his existence even after seeing him on television. Intent on ending the speculation, Ken flies to the moon and brings the Apollo 11 lunar landing module to the lawn of the White House as a gift to President Reagan. Star Brand becomes a nation-wide sensation. Debbie finds out she is pregnant.
References: As noted on page 1, pages 1 through 11 take place on Saturday, September 12, 1987. Pages 12 through 22 take place soon after [Tuesday, October 27, 1987? Date from fake Pittsburgh Post-Gazette headline in this issue's Universe News].

Flashback (5:4-6:5)
Appearances: Ken Connell; the Old Man; the alien; Debbie "the Duck" Fix
Brief synopsis: Recap of issues #1, 6 and 7.

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SBRAND 12
Published: March 1988
Written by John Byrne; Drawn by John Byrne & Tom Palmer
Appearances: Star Brand [Ken Connell]; Maddie Felix [Debbie "the Duck" Fix] (introduction as Maddie Felix); Myron Feldman; Jane Price (introduction); Roger Price (introduction); Howard Mackie (dies); John Byrne (dies); Mark Gruenwald (dies); the Old Man (villain); Bobby (dies); Cassie (dies)
Brief synopsis: As the Star Brand, Ken Connell attends a comic book convention in Pittsburgh. The Old Man returns and demands that Connell return the Star Brand to him. The two battle, destroying the convention site, killing over 5,000 people. The Old Man “kills” Connell by fusing with him, pouring all of his energies and memories into Connell. Ken flies to Myron Feldman who convinces Connell that he must get rid of the Star Brand. Myron tells Connell to fly into deep space and attach the Star Brand to a common barbell, leaving Ken with only 10% of his current Star Brand power. But, Ken only flies 10 miles up above Pittsburgh, thinking that would be far enough. Connell attaches the Star Brand to the barbell causing a massive explosion that destroys Pittsburgh and its environs.
References: As noted on page 1, pages 1 through 15 or 16 take place on December 19, 1987. Pages 15 or 16 through 22 take place on December 22, 1987.

Note: While not specifically mentioned in this issue, the date of the destruction of Pittsburgh, the "Black Event", is specifically set in The Pitt graphic novel as 6:06pm on December 22, 1987. That date is subsequently used in all the New Universe titles.

Flashback (3:3-4:6)
Appearances: Ken Connell; the Old Man; the alien; Debbie "the Duck" Fix
Brief synopsis: Recap of issues # 1, 6 and 7.

Flashback (4:7-5:5)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Debbie "the Duck" Fix; Myron Feldman
Brief synopsis: Debbie and Myron talk and decide to convince Ken to go public.
References: Flashback takes place soon before issue #11.

Flashback (5:6-5:7)
Appearances: Star Brand [Ken Connell]; Debbie "the Duck" Fix
Brief synopsis: Recap of issue #11.

Flashback (5:8-6:6)
Appearances: Ken Connell; Debbie "the Duck" Fix
Brief synopsis: Debbie tells Ken she is pregnant, but Ken doesn't believe he is the father. Debbie leaves and drives to the Prices' house.
References: Takes place a couple of weeks after the previous issue and immediately before page 1.

Flashback (17:1-17:4)
Appearances: the Old Man
Brief synopsis: A Dutch count (who will become the Old Man) is imbued with the power of the Star Brand and begins aging slowly.
References: Takes place five hundred years before the issue [ca. 1486].

Flashback (17:5-17:7)
Appearances: the Old Man
Brief synopsis: Now an old man, the former Dutch Count is killed in a mine cave-in. He recovers but realizes the Star Brand is mutating him. He begins trying to rid
himself of the Star Brand by transferring it to non-humans, leaving himself with 10% of his remaining power with each transfer.
References: Takes place three years before the issue [ca. 1984].

Flashback (17:8-18:2)
Appearances: the Old Man
Brief synopsis: The Old Man puts the Star Brand in an asteroid causing it to blow up and causing the "White Event". The Old Man manages to return to earth.
References: Takes place on July 22, 1986 [the day of the White Event].

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Chronology entries:
Ballad, Dr. Lucian
NMASK 9
*SBRAND 9
NMASK 10

Bob
{SBRAND 3}
SBRAND 11
SBRAND 12

Byrne, John
{SBRAND 11}
SBRAND 12

Cassie
{SBRAND 11}
SBRAND 12

Chin, Eric
{S&TT 1}
*SBRAND 2
S&TT 2

Connell, Ellie
{SBRAND 5}
SBRAND 7

Connell, Ken/Star Brand
{SBRAND 1}
SBRAND 2
SBRAND 3
SBRAND 4
SBRAND 5
S&TT 5
SBRAND 6
SBRAND 7
SBRAND 8
SBRAND 9 (5:5-5:6)-FB
SBRAND 9
SBRAND@ 1
SBRAND 10
SBRAND 12 (4:7-5:5)-FB
SBRAND 11
SBRAND 12 (5:8-6:6)-FB
SBRAND 12
[…]

Connell, Stan
{SBRAND 5}

Deanie
{SBRAND 4}

Dennis
{SBRAND 4}
SBRAND 5

Eberhardt, John
{SBRAND 1}
SBRAND 3
SBRAND 4
SBRAND 5
SBRAND 6
SBRAND 10

Feldman, Myron
{SBRAND 1}
SBRAND 2
SBRAND 3
SBRAND 4
SBRAND 9
SBRAND 10
SBRAND 12 (4:7-5:5)-FB
SBRAND 11
SBRAND 12
[…]

Felix, Maddie/Debbie “the Duck” Fix
{SBRAND 1}
SBRAND 2
SBRAND 3
SBRAND 4
SBRAND 5
SBRAND 6
SBRAND 7
SBRAND 8
SBRAND 10
SBRAND 12 (4:7-5:5)-FB
SBRAND 11
SBRAND 12 (5:8-6:6)-FB
SBRAND 12
[…]

Ferris, Tim
{S&TT 1}
*SBRAND 2
S&TT 2

Giotti, Eduardo
{S&TT 1}
*SBRAND 2
S&TT 2

Gruenwald, Mark
{SBRAND 11}
SBRAND 12

Higgins, Michael
{SBRAND 11}

Joan
{SBRAND 3}
SBRAND 4

Kaminski
{SBRAND 4}

Kellog, Randy/The Gladiator
{SBRAND 10}
[…]

Kraft, Tony
{SBRAND@ 1}

Lovejoy/“Scrunch”
{SBRAND 4}

Mackie, Howard
{SBRAND 11}
SBRAND 12

Meadows, Andy
{S&TT 1}
*SBRAND 2
S&TT 2

the “Old Man”
SBRAND 12 (17:1-17:4)-FB
SBRAND 12 (17:5-17:7)-FB
SBRAND 12 (17:8-18:2)-FB
{SBRAND 1}
SBRAND 6
SBRAND 7
SBRAND 12
[…]

Petrovic, Barbara
{SBRAND 1}
SBRAND 2
SBRAND 3
SBRAND 4
SBRAND 5
SBRAND 6
SBRAND 7

Petrovic, Bobby
{SBRAND 1}
SBRAND 3
SBRAND 5
SBRAND 6

Petrovic, Laurie
{SBRAND 1}
SBRAND 3
SBRAND 5
SBRAND 6

Poirot, Ariane
{SBRAND@ 1}

Price, Jane
{SBRAND 12}
[…]

Price, Roger
{SBRAND 12}
[…]

Reagan, Ronald
{SBRAND 11}
[…]

Remsen, Keith/Nightmask
NMASK 9
*SBRAND 9
NMASK 10

Rick
{SBRAND 3}
SBRAND 4
SBRAND 5
SBRAND 10

Roberts, Teresa
{S&TT 1}
*SBRAND 2
S&TT 2

Selby, Ethan
{SBRAND 8}
SBRAND 9 (5:5-5:6)-FB-BTS

Selby, Sarah
{SBRAND 8}
SBRAND 9 (5:5-5:6)-FB-BTS

Selby, Tad
{SBRAND 8}
SBRAND 9 (5:5-5:6)-FB-BTS

Swensen, Prof. Jennifer “Jenny”/Spitfire
{S&TT 1}
*SBRAND 2
S&TT 2

Vajdak, Emil
{SBRAND 6}

Wendy
{SBRAND 3}
SBRAND 4
SBRAND 5

Zayre
{SBRAND 6}