Mikaal Tomas
Mikaal Tomas is a male extraterrestrial comic superhero who features in DC Comics.
Contents |
Biography
Origin
Mikaal Tomas was a male warrior from the planet Talok III, whose people wanted nothing more than to conquer other planets. (1st Issue Special v1 #12) As a child, he was taught the art of conquest and warfare along with the principles of the cruel kill. (Justice League of America v2 #57)
He arrived on Earth under orders from his people to assist in the subjugation of the planet. Initially part of an invasion effort, he quickly grew disillusioned with the mission’s purpose upon seeing the destructive and oppressive nature of the campaign. His lover, Lyysa, was killed when she showed sympathy and tried to warn the next planet set for conquest, Earth. Mikaal was soon sent to Earth to set in motion the plans for its capture. Disillusioned by Lyysa's death, Mikaal quickly abandoned his race's plans. Mikaal turned against his own forces, choosing instead to defend Earth’s inhabitants. He engaged Talokite war machines in battle, utilizing his energy-based weaponry to destroy their technology and shield civilians from harm. His defection placed him in immediate danger from his own people, but he persisted, ultimately committing himself to protecting Earth from further aggression, even at the cost of severing ties with his homeworld. He decided to stay and defend the people of Earth from any future invasions as Starman. (1st Issue Special v1 #12)
After that he fell into a life of drugs and sex, which helped replace the rush he received from battle, until he was visited by Komak who informed him that their planet of Talok III had been destroyed. Komak then says that he was sent to Earth years ago, but like Mikaal he too had fallen due to the temptations on Earth. Komak revealed to Mikaal he was dying and wished to complete his missions and decided to kill him. After a long battle, Mikaal comes out the winner. (1st Issue Special v1 #12)
Mikaal re-emerged after a long period of obscurity, living on Earth in a withdrawn and almost reclusive state. Haunted by past battles and alienation from both his homeworld and human society, he initially avoided involvement in larger conflicts. However, when a threat arose that endangered Opal City, Mikaal stepped in to help, using his alien powers to repel attackers and protect the city’s inhabitants. Despite his reluctance to become deeply involved in ongoing heroics, his actions demonstrated that his core principles of defending the innocent remained intact, and he began a tentative process of reintegration into the superhero community. (Starman v2 #27)
Justice League
When Mikaal's boyfriend Tony was visiting his parents in New York City, he was murdered by an assassin. When Mikaal found out he was devastated and sought revenge against his partner's murderer. On his search he encountered another hero Congorilla. The pair realized they had both lost someone close to them as Congorilla had just lost his friend Freedom Beast. (Justice League: Cry for Justice v1 #1) The duo traveled to Paris, where they found the two armored assassins who were the ones who had murdered their loved ones. Mikaal prevented Congorilla from crossing the line and killing his opponent during a battle with the criminal Prometheus's people. They questioned Arak Wind-Walker and Penny Dreadful with only Arak willing to tell them what he knew. Penny attacked Arak for this though Mikaal takes her down in short order. While they do get some useful intelligence the trail goes cold. (Justice League: Cry for Justice v1 #3) The pair meet up with Animal Man and asked him for help. He agreed to help them and three of them travel to the Justice League Watchtower, only to find the Justice League battling Prometheus. It was revealed during the battle that the Prometheus hired the assassins to kill Tony and Freedom Beast. (Justice League: Cry for Justice v1 #5) Mikaal and his friend however were defeated, and Prometheus escaped after devastating Star City. Mikaal and Congorilla later helped the Justice League search for survivors in the ruins of Star City. (Justice League: Cry for Justice v1 #6)
He and Congorilla were on Blackhawk Island when it was attacked by two of Doctor Impossible's minions looking to claim a relic. The pair of heroes were defeated but the Justice League arrived at the scene to battle the villains. (Justice League of America v2 #42) The two supervillains were forced to escape but managed to acquire their target that was a mysterious relic. In the aftermath, Donna Troy invited Mikaal and Congorilla to join her newest incarnation of the Justice League which they gladly accepted with Tomas operating as Starman on the superhero team. (Justice League of America v2 #43)
Later on, Mikaal was sent into space by Batman Dick Grayson in order to find Alan Scott after he seemingly went insane and vowed to destroy the world. Mikaal tracked Alan to the Moon, where he has constructed a massive fortress composed of green energy. Before Mikaal can relay this information to his teammates, Scott attacked him and violently tore the gem from his chest. (Justice League of America v2 #46)
Mikaal soon spirals into a delayed depression over Tony's death. He is confronted by Congorilla, who wishes him to help find Malavar, a Gorilla scientist specialising in transdimensional research, in order to help heroes break into the energy dome that has been erected around Washington, D.C. (Justice League of America v2 #50)
Later, during a battle between the Justice League and Doomsday, it was discovered that Mikaal's gem somehow affected Saint Walker's blue Power Ring. (Justice League of America v2 #55)
With the Justice League dissolving, Mikaal decided to take a rest from being a superhero and return to Opal City so that his arm could heal. He was going to seek out Doctor Fate as his injuries were of a magical origin and thought a mystical means could aid in his recovery. (Justice League of America v2 #60)
Post-Flashpoint
Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.
Overview
Personality and attributes
In appearance, Mikaal Tomas was a male Talokite with light blue skin and short, neatly kept dark hair in his earliest depiction. His facial features were humanoid, with high cheekbones and a straight nose, and his physique was lean yet athletic. He wore a tight-fitting, sleeveless white bodysuit accented with a high black collar and a black belt. Across his chest was a prominent, circular medallion-like device that served as the focal point for his energy powers. His boots and gloves were black, contrasting with the lighter tone of his main suit, and the overall style of the outfit reflected both a functional military purpose and the unique design sensibilities of Talokite culture. (1st Issue Special v1 #12) Mikaal was given the name Starman not as a means of carrying on Ted Knight's legacy, but rather in reference to the song Starman by David Bowie. (Starman v2 #28)
Mikaal Tomas exhibited a sense of moral conviction, compassion, and a willingness to defy orders when they conflicted with his ethical beliefs. He demonstrated bravery in the face of overwhelming odds and a refusal to stand by while others suffered. He also possessed an introspective and reflective nature, suggesting a tendency to carefully consider his choices rather than act impulsively. (1st Issue Special v1 #12)
When he was a child, he had little interest in conquest but was taught to enjoy killing his foes. (Justice League of America v2 #57)
Mikaal had identified himself as being a gay man. (Starman/Congorilla v1 #1)
Powers and abilities
Mikaal Tomas was a member of the Talokite race, a humanoid alien species from Talok III whose physiology granted him physical traits superior to those of a human. His natural Talokite biology provided enhanced strength, endurance, and resistance to injury, allowing him to operate effectively in hostile environments and under physical stress that would incapacitate a human. His species’ physiology also enabled him to withstand greater extremes of temperature and atmospheric conditions, giving him a significant advantage both in combat and survival situations on Earth. (1st Issue Special v1 #12)
His people were noted to have longer lifespans with 112 years of age being considered young. (Justice League of America v2 #57)
Tradlavians can feel the presence of others by their psychic patterns. (1st Issue Special v1 #12)
Notes
- The Mikaal Tomas Starman was created by Gerry Conway and Mike Vosburg where he made his first appearance in 1st Issue Special v1 #12 (March, 1976).
Appearances
- 1st Issue Special v1: (1976)
- Justice League: Cry for Justice v1:
- Justice League of America v2:
External Links
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