William Payton

Origin

Will Payton was once a normal guy working as a copy editor. When out hiking one night, Payton was accidentally struck with a beam from a satellite intended for the secret agents known as the Power Elite. The beam gave him solar-like powers such a heat and light control, as well as the ability to fly and super strength.

Later retcons in James Robinson‘s 90’s Starman series, implied that the beam that struck Payton was actually the Starman known as Prince Gavyn. Payton was implied to have died and possibly reborn as the essence of Prince Gavyn.

Creation

Will Payton was the creation of writer Roger Stern and artist Tom Lyle. Payton made his debut in his own volume Starman (1988).

Major Story Arcs

Invasion!

Payton learns more about his origins. Rampage reveals to him that his physiology as a result of the blast was no longer human, and that he had in fact become an actual star.

Eclipso: The Darkness Within

Eclipso claimed that it was he who had diverted the satellite beam, though Payton refused to believe him. Eclipso argued that Starman’s shape shifting abilities allowed him to possess him without visible signs that would normally occur under others. Thus, Eclipso was able to infiltrate other heroes and steal their powers.

Starman was eventually the one to defeat Eclipso. He sacrificed himself through a massive solar self-destruction, the one force he could hurt Eclipso with, and died a hero’s death.

Starman

Starman later resurfaced on Throneworld, home of Prince Gavyn. Prince Gavyn reformed himself over Will Payton, implying that the original beam that had given Payton his powers was actually prince Gavyn himself.

Rebirth

In 1988 the Stellaron-5 satellite attempted to absorb the power of the Totality but the satellite’s systems backfired causing a beam of light to fire towards Earth hitting Will Payton. The accident infused him the power of the Totality, Will used is new found abilities to become a superhero.

Lex Luthor traveled back in time to captured and torture Will in order to unravel the secret of The Totality. Will was somehow able to escape and find the present Justice League. After recuperating Starman warned them of Perpetua.

Powers/Abilities:

Starman is connected to The Totality which allows him to manipulate the energy of the universe.

• Cosmic Awareness: Starman can see all corners of the multi-universe and glimpse into Hyper Time.
• Portal Creation: Starman can open star gates to anywhere in universe.
• Soul Manipulation: Starman was able remove a piece of Kendra that was still inside Shayera after the resurrection chain got broken.
• Flight
• Energy Manipulation

Equipment/Weapons:

Cosmic Staff: Is a device invented by Ted Knight and passed down through The Starman Legacy. The Staff possess various abilities:

• Energy Base Construct
• Energy Manipulation
• Energy Projection
• Gravity Manipulation