Dreadstar (graphic novel)

The Dreadstar graphic novel, published in 1982, was the third in a series of Marvel Graphic Novels. This graphic novel is also the third part of the Metamorphosis Odyssey, and was printed in color from paintings by Jim Starlin.

Synopsis

Following the events told in the Eclipse Comics portion of the Metamorphosis Odyssey, (The Price) the Dreadstar graphic novel opens with Vanth Dreadstar leading the life of a peaceful farmer. The planet on which he lived was the site of an Instrumentality experiment to create a race of cat-human hybrid warriors. The experiment was a failure, the hybrids were mild-natured and generally only suited to farming. Dreadstar married a human scientist and lived quietly for some decades.

As the story continues, it becomes apparent that the power of the sword has granted Dreadstar immortality, so he did not age along with his wife. He spent his time farming and studying magic and politics with sorcerer Syzygy Darklock. From Darklock he learned about the history of two equally matched enemies, the Instrumentality and the Monarchy. These two galactic empires fought a stalemated war for generations, finally turning into a conflict that neither side wanted to win since else their war-based economies would collapse. Darklock's plan was to force an end to the war.

At first Dreadstar was unwilling to resume his role as a warrior. But after a fleet of Monarchy ships destroyed his home, killing his wife and all his friends, he joined the military forces of the Monarchy and set into motion the plan to force an end to the war.

Dreadstar quickly rose to a military command rank, which enabled him to ensure that all members of the attack force that killed his wife and home were sent on suicide missions. He then assassinated the King of the Monarchy and intimidated the new monarch, the weak-willed Gregzor, into following his plan. When Gregzor protested that the great nobles and captains of industry would resist following along but Dreadstar answered that he would deal with any resistance the way he dealt with the former king.

The story continues in the fourth part of the Metamorphosis Odyssey, contained in the pages of the EPIC Illustrated comic Dreadstar.

Dreadstar #1- "The Quest"

In this first issue of the series, we are treated to a brief history of what happenned in the graphic novel and learn that one of the cat people, Oedi,survived the monarchy assault on the planet Caldor. We also get our first glimpse of Willow, a blind telepath who can control computers. In this initial story, Dreadstar and his crew break into an Instrumentality treasury satelite and steal it dry to finance their rebellion.

Dreadstar #2- "Willow's Story"

A brave and daring story at the time, this issue of Dreadstar was also very controversial, dealing with very mature subject matter. After gaining a new crew member, the smuggler Skeevo Phlatus, Willow recalls how she came to where she is. She was a miner who had been rescued by Dreadstar. She stowed away on board their ship and when she was discovered she accidentally hit Dreadstar with a telekinetic blast. Realizing they had a potentially powerful telepath in their midst, Syzygy began training her, but was concerned because she seemed not to feel worthy of the gifts she had as a telepath. He decided there was some kind of mental block that was preventing Willow from attaining mastery over her abilities and he forced her to reveal that when she was a young girl her mother was taken away because she made a remark about the high taxes. Her father was a soldier, and he tried to take care of her, but one night he had drunk a little too much and got a little...frisky with his daughter. Ashamed of what he had done he had her shipped off to an orphenage. Syzygy, realizing that her father molesting her is what has caused Willow's feelings of inadequacy towards her powers shows her the inner light of her soul, but his plan backfires. When Willow sees the brightness of her soul, she is drawn towards it and she is blinded. However, she now has mastery over her powers.