Origin
Stardust is a non-corporeal being. But Stardust could not stand being a part of this type of civilization. Stardust’s race only believes in the four fundamental forces: the strong force, the electro-magnetic force, gravity and the weak force. Stardust is the only one of his race that has left his kind.
Stardust is composed completely of plasma making difficult to tell whether it is he or she, and has been called ‘he’ before as well as ‘she’ or ‘her’ (on the Super Hero Squad animated show, Stardust was portrayed as female). Being non-corporeal, Stardust may not have a gender and it’s race may not reproduce in such a way, making Stardust asexual.
Stardust has claimed to have seen many worlds. After his recent herald was taken away from him, Galactus found a new recruit and gave Stardust enhanced strength and other abilities associated with being a Herald of Galactus. The first planet that it fed to Galactus was New Korbin, only after he slaughtered all its inhabitants. Stardust is extremely loyal to Galactus. Stardust considers it a privilege for any race to be consumed by Galactus and will kill any who try to escape Galactus’ path, giving them a worthless death as opposed to the ‘honor’ of being consumed by Galactus. Stardust feels similarly about the Heralds of Galactus, deeming them untouchable by lesser beings.
Creation
Stardust is a Marvel comic character created by Michael Avon Oeming and Andrea Di Vito.
Originally known and by the name of Lambda-Zero, Stardust went on to become a Herald of Galactus. Introduced in Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1. Stardust has been referred to as both a male and a female over its history.
Major Story Arcs
Stormbreaker
This led to a fight with Beta Ray Bill because he was in the process of protecting Korbin. They fought each other but Galactus ended the battle. Learning that Bill had actually damaged Galactus, Stardust sought out Bill and found the Meta Orb, a device carrying the Korbinites who were attempting to escape. Bill was able to take the Orb from Stardust and seemingly destroyed him.
After reforming, Stardust realized that Bill was a more powerful opponent than he realized and planned on defeating Beta Ray Bill by opening a portal to a universe inhabited by the most evil of beings, and planned on sending Beta Ray there. Bill managed to escape, but a being named Asteroth escaped and began devouring planets. At Stardust’s request, they joined forces to defeat Asteroth.
Stardust opened a black hole behind Asteroth but she resisted the hole and Stardust and Beta Ray ended up being sucked toward it instead. As they tried to continue the battle, Alpha Ray appeared on a mission from Galactus to help them. With the black hole still opened, Alpha Ray managed to do this, but in return was sucked into the hole along with Asteroth, ending both their lives. Bill left with the orb and Stardust returned to Galactus.
Annihilation
During Annihilation, Stardust was sent to summon the Silver Surfer for Galactus. Stardust remained with Firelord and Red Shift to fight off the Seekers, a group intent on capturing the Heralds of Galactus for Annihilus. When Stardust and Red Shift tried to stop Thanos‘ weapon, they were both destroyed. But Stardust was able to reform.
Stardust began to travel back to Galactus. Stardust was stopped by the last remaining members of their race. They had formed into what is known as a Strangepac, or protective grouping, and demanded Stardust answer for it’s crimes against them. Only fifty-three of the race remained, the rest were killed by the Annihilation Wave. But Stardust believed that the corporeal beings had something to live for and were superior. They attacked Stardust and Stardust seemingly killed them. But death cannot come to their kind and Stardust took them into itself to share their destinies.
When Stardust returned, Galactus no longer required Stardust’s service, for he now had the Silver Surfer as herald. To prove itself worthy, Stardust gave the remains of his race to Galactus to help with his hunger. Never before had a herald offered the last of their race to Galactus and it actually surprised him. He was allowed to serve alongside the Surfer as a second herald.
Epoch
Stardust located an energy source of great magnitude that could help with Galactus’ great hunger, but it disappeared and Stardust could not track it. With the help of the Silver Surfer, they found the source to be Epoch. But Epoch was defended by the Fantastic Four (with Black Panther and Storm acting as replacements for Reed and Sue). Stardust proved to be more than a match for the team, easily defeating the Panther and providing much trouble for Storm. It was not until the Black Panther arrived with a device that siphoned the Surfer’s Power Cosmic that Stardust could be stopped (by the Human Torch using the power). Gravity also assisted by trapping Stardust in between two black holes. In the end, Gravity used his powers to feed Galactus and save Epoch from her fate.
Godhunter
Stardust then met up with Beta Ray Bill once again during the Godhunter story arc when he brought Galactus to the planet known as I’Than IX. Stardust was unable to stop Bill from destroying the planet before Galactus could consume it and took a beating in the process. Bill continued to destroy all the planets that Galactus’ heralds led him to. In the end, Bill stopped his vengeful quest and helped Stardust and the Silver Surfer defend Galactus from the I’Than armada. Stardust wished to kill Bill for what he had done, but Galactus stopped Stardust from doing so.
Powers and Abilities
- Super-Genius
- Super-human strength. Is able to lift up to 100 tons
- Can fly at faster than light speed
- Virtually indestructible – Stardust can be physically harmed but will reform at will
- Energy Projection
- Virtually unlimited command of energy
- Master of several forms of combat
- Intangibility
- Blast Power easily capable of incinerating a planet
Other Media
Television
Super Hero Squad (2009)
Stardust debuted on the 25th episode of Super Hero Squad titled ‘Last Exit Before Doomsday.’ Interestingly, Stardust is portrayed as female and voiced by Cheryl Hines. Stardust was also the exact opposite of her comic counterpart, being very caring and coming to Earth to warn the Silver Surfer of Galactus’ coming.
The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes (2010)
Stardust appears alongside 3 other Heralds of Galactus in this 2010 produced animated television series. The episode is Avengers Assemble and marks the end of season two of the series as well as the series overall final episode. Galactus has come to Earth and brought his Heralds Air-Walker, Firelord, Stardust, and Terrax to aid in constructing devices on Earth that would allow Galactus to devour the planets anti matter energies. Groups of Avengers must fight off each Herald. Captain America, Quake, War Machine, Spider-man and Iron Fist must face off against Terrax, Antman, Hulk, Invisible Woman, and Black Panther must face off against Firelord, Thor, Black Widow and Vision, face off against Air-Walker, Wolverine, Johnny Storm, Wasp and the Thing must face off against Stardust. Stardust is a sentient water elemental construct in its appearance here.
Games
Marvel: War of Heroes
Stardust appears in several cards in the mobile card game Marvel: War of Heroes. Her cards are:
- [Ethereal] Stardust