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Rising Stars

    (Image, 1999-2005, 2008)
™ and ©2000 Michael Straczynski and Top Cow Productions, Inc.

In this series, J. Michael Straczynski, creator of the popular Babylon 5 television series, asks the difficult questions about a world with superpowered beings. How would they learn to cope with their powers? How would they really interact with each other? And how would the rest of society cope with these powerful beings suddenly in their midst?

For example, Pyro has the power to control flames. As he grows up, even other superpowered children fear his abilities. Later, he finds himself ostracized and turns to a life of entertaining and petty crime. Soon, the patriotic super-hero named Flagg—a childhood acquaintance who has gone “corporate”— is hunting down Pyro.

In the tradition of Astro City and Watchmen, Rising Stars follows the life of these and other heroes in a realistic, character-driven story which explores the world of costumed super-heroes as they might exist in the “real world.”
Jump to issue:
  • 0
    #0
    Mar 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha, David Finch
    7 copies from $3.02
  • 0/A
    #0 Variation A
    Jun 2000
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha, David Finch
    Edition size of 2000; Expanded sketchbook
    8 copies from $1.25
  • 0/GO
    #0 Gold Edition
    Gold logo from Wizard promotion
    Aug 2001
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha, David Finch
    1 copy for $24.98
  • 0.5
    #0.5
    Boy drawing on cover by Brent Anderson
    Aug 2001
    Cover: $2.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Keu Cha
    5 copies from $1.25
  • 0.5/A
    #0.5 Variation A
    Wizard Mail-In Cover A by Christian Zanier
    Aug 2001
    Cover: $2.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Keu Cha
    Available as a mail-offer from Wizard #103; Includes character sketchbook and interview with JMS
    31 copies from $3.50
  • 0.5/B
    #0.5 Variation B
    Wizard Gold Foil Cover B by Christian Zanier
    Aug 2001
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Keu Cha
    Gold foil stamped title; Includes character sketchbook and interview with JMS
    3 copies from $5.00
  • 0.5/C
    #0.5 Variation C
    Wizard World Chicago 2000 Cover C by Christian Zanier
    Aug 2001
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Keu Cha
    Blue foil stamped title; Includes character sketchbook and interview with JMS
    1 copy for $1.45
  • 1
    #1
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    Team standing over coffin
    3 copies from $3.75
  • 1-2
    #1 - 2nd printing
    2nd Printing Cover by Keu Cha
    Oct 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski, Neil Gaiman  ·  A: Keu Cha
    Foreward by Neil Gaiman
    4 copies from $1.15
  • 1/A
    #1 Variation A
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    1 copy for $25.00
  • 1/B
    #1 Variation B
    Alternate Cover B
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    1 copy for $25.00
  • 1/C
    #1 Variation C
    Rising Stars Monster Edition 4-ptych Cover C, 2/4
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    1 copy for $9.50
  • 1/E
    #1 Variation E
    Rising Stars Monster Edition 4-ptych Cover E, 3/4
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    5 copies from $1.25
  • 1/F
    #1 Variation F
    Rising Stars Monster Edition 4-ptych Cover F, 4/4
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    1 copy for $5.00
  • 1/G
    #1 Variation G
    Another Universe/Wizard World (boy standing in foreground looking at large glowing sphere, Wizard World/AU markings) Cover G by Keu Cha
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    Foreword by Neil Gaiman
    3 copies from $2.60
  • 1/H
    #1 Variation H
    Rising Stars 4-ptych Cover H, 3/4
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    Foreword by Neil Gaiman
    2 copies from $1.25
  • 1/I
    #1 Variation I
    Rising Stars 4-ptych Cover I, 1/4
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    Foreword by Neil Gaiman
    2 copies from $1.25
  • 1/J
    #1 Variation J
    Rising Stars 4-ptych Cover J, 2/4
    Aug 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    Foreword by Neil Gaiman
    1 copy for $4.98
  • 2
    #2
    Oct 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    18 copies from $0.98
  • 2/A
    #2 Variation A
    Dymamic Forces Cover A by Keu Cha
    Dec 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    5 copies from $5.00
  • 2/B
    #2 Variation B
    Dymamic Forces gold Cover B (Dynamic Forces seal on cover)
    Dec 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    3 copies from $9.50
  • 3
    #3
    Dec 1999
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    10 copies from $1.25
  • 4
    #4
    Jan 2000
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    10 copies from $1.25
  • 5
    #5
    Mar 2000
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    10 copies from $1.24
  • 6
    #6
    Apr 2000
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    11 copies from $0.96
  • 7
    #7
    May 2000
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    9 copies from $1.24
  • 7/A
    #7 Variation A
    Stormkote Chrome Cover A by Christian Zanier
    May 2000
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    Edition Size of 2000; Solicited by Dynamic Forces
    1 copy for $7.50
  • 8
    #8
    Jun 2000
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    9 copies from $1.20
  • 9
    #9
    Regular Cover by Christian Zanier
    Aug 2000
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    7 copies from $0.96
  • 9/A
    #9 Variation A
    Wizard World Chicago Cover A by Gary Frank
    Aug 2000
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    2 copies from $7.00
  • 9/B
    #9 Variation B
    Dynamic Forces Exclusive Cover B by Dave Gibbons
    Aug 2000
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    Edition size of 5000
    2 copies from $6.50
  • 9/C
    #9 Variation C
    Dynamic Forces Exclusive Cover C by Dave Gibbons
    Aug 2000
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    Edition size of 2000; Gold foil stamped title
    2 copies from $9.50
  • 10
    #10
    Oct 2000
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    8 copies from $0.96
  • 11
    #11
    Nov 2000
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Marlo Alquiza
    9 copies from $1.00
  • 12
    #12
    Regular Cover by Ken Lashley
    Jan 2001
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Ken Lashley
    9 copies from $1.00
  • 12/A
    #12 Variation A
    Monstermart Exclusive Cover A by Gary Frank
    Jan 2001
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Ken Lashley
    4 copies from $3.98
  • 12/B
    #12 Variation B
    Monstermart Exclusive Gold Foil Cover B by Gary Frank
    Jan 2001
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Ken Lashley
    Gold foil stamped title
    3 copies from $7.00
  • 12/C
    #12 Variation C
    Stormkote chrome Cover C
    Jan 2001
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Ken Lashley
    1 copy for $5.90
  • 13
    #13
    Regular Cover by Christian Zanier
    Mar 2001
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Marlo Alquiza
    12 copies from $1.25
  • 13/A
    #13 Variation A
    Mar 2001
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Marlo Alquiza
    Editon size of 2750; Gold foil stamped title; Solicited by Dynamic Forces
    3 copies from $2.49
  • 14
    #14
    May 2001
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Stuart Immonen
    10 copies from $1.00
  • 15
    #15
    Jun 2001
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    Flipbook with Universe preview
    10 copies from $1.25
  • 16
    #16
    Regular Cover by Brent Anderson
    Jul 2001
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    9 copies from $1.25
  • 16/B
    #16 Variation B
    Two figures flying against green storm background on Cover B by Gary Frank
    Jul 2001
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    Limited to 2,001
    1 copy for $29.98
  • 17
    #17
    Aug 2001
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    10 copies from $1.25
  • 18
    #18
    Jan 2002
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    9 copies from $1.45
  • 19
    #19
    Sep 2002
    Cover: $2.50
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    8 copies from $1.75
  • 20
    #20
    Oct 2002
    Cover: $2.99
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    8 copies from $0.83
  • 21
    #21
    Jan 2003
    Cover: $2.99
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    10 copies from $0.83
  • 22
    #22
    Nov 2004
    Cover: $2.99
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    8 copies from $1.25
  • 23
    #23
    Dec 2004
    Cover: $2.99
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    Hunter Killer preview
    9 copies from $1.75
  • 24
    #24
    Mar 2005
    Cover: $2.99
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Brent Anderson
    Series finale
    7 copies from $1.75
  • Ash 1
    Ashcan #1
    Convention Exclusive Preview
    Oct 2000
    Cover: $2.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha, David Finch
    6 copies from $1.25
  • Ash 1/A
    Ashcan #1 Variation A
    Man sitting on Cover A by Keu Cha
    Mar 1999
    Cover: $2.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    1 copy for $9.98
  • Ash 1/B
    Ashcan #1 Variation B
    Flaming man on Cover B by Keu Cha
    Mar 1999
    Cover: $5.00
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    5 copies from $3.99
  • Ash 1/C
    Ashcan #1 Variation C
    Dynamic Forces Exclusive Cover C by Keu Cha
    Mar 1999
    Cover: $6.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    Edition size of 5000; Gold foil stamped title
    1 copy for $2.75
  • Bk 1
    Book #1
    Nov 2000
    Cover: $19.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha, Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Jason Gorder, John Livesay, Edwin Rosell, Victor Llamas, Gary Frank
    Collects Rising Stars #1-8; Foreword by Neil Gaiman
    2 copies from $15.00
  • Bk 1-2
    Book #1 - 2nd printing
    Cover: $19.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha, Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Jason Gorder, John Livesay, Edwin Rosell, Victor Llamas, Gary Frank
    Born in Fire; Collects Rising Stars #1-8
    1 copy for $5.99
  • Bk 1-3
    Book #1 - 3rd printing
    Oct 2004
    Cover: $19.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha, Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Jason Gorder, John Livesay, Edwin Rosell, Victor Llamas
    Collects Rising Stars #1-8; Foreword by Neil Gaiman
    2 copies from $5.99
  • Bk 1/Leather
    Book #1 Leather Edition
    Jun 2001
    Cover: $69.00
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha, Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Gary Frank
    Act 1: Born in Fire; Collects Rising Stars #1-8
    1 copy for $69.00
  • Bk 2
    Book #2
    Oct 2004
    Cover: $19.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley
    Collects #9-16; Power
    1 copy for $12.75
  • Bk 4
    Book #4
    Cover: $19.99
    W: Fiona Kai Avery  ·  A: Staz Johnson, Karl Moline, Al Rio, Dan Jurgens
    Collects Rising Stars: Bright #1-3 and Rising Stars: voices of the Dead #1-6; ca. 2006
    1 copy for $19.00
  • Bk 5
    Book #5
    Cover: $16.99
    W: J. Michael Straczynski, Fiona Kai Avery  ·  A: Ken Cha, David Finch, Christian Zanier, Ken Lashley, Brent Anderson
    Collects Rising Stars #0-0.5, Rising Stars: Visitations #1, and Rising Stars: Untouchable #1-5
    2 copies from $16.99
  • Dlx 1
    Deluxe Set #1
    Cover: $59.99
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha, Christian Zanier, Stuart Immonen, Brent Anderson, Ken Lashley
    Collects Rising Stars #0-24 and Ash 1, Rising Stars: Bright #1-5, Rising Stars: Voices of the Dead #1-6 and Rising Stars: Untouchable #1-5; ca. 2009
    1 copy for $16.00
  • SE 1
    Special Edition #1
    Jul 2000
    Cover: $2.95
    W: J. Michael Straczynski  ·  A: Keu Cha
    Battle scene with blonde woman in foreground
    1 copy for $1.00