Starman (Prince Gavyn)

Starman (Prince Gavyn) is a superhero in DC Comics, as one of several heroes called Starman within the DC Universe. Created by writer Paul Levitz and designed by artist Steve Ditko, the character debuted in Adventure Comics #467 in November, 1979 (cover dated January 1980). The character appeared in only 13 stories between 1979 and 1981. In 1986, he was briefly mentioned in the crossover comic Crisis on Infinite Earths as having recently died while trying to protect his native planet. Prince Gavyn's story was expanded in a later Starman comic book series published from 1994 to 2001 that focused on the hero Jack Knight and revisited all DC characters who had used the Starman name. The same series reveals Gavyn's life energy survives in the body of Will Payton, another DC Comics hero called Starman.

In his original stories, Gavyn is native to the planet Kranaltine (also called Throneworld by his people) and a member of the royal family of an interstellar monarchy called the Crown Imperial. After almost being killed by his elder sister, Gavyn discovers he has the mutant abilities to absorb and process stellar radiation. He is then given bracers and a staff that allow him to channel and control the energy in his body, allowing him to fly and deliver energy blasts. Guided by the alien sage M'ntorr, Gavyn evolves from being an arrogant, self-involved person into a noble, affable hero determined to protect life and end oppression.