Starman :DCFS

Starman DCFS Issue 7
Starman DCFS written and created by Mark Peyton
Jack Knight created by Tony Harris and James Robinson

A NIGHT ON THE TOWN

Daniel looked around the room. Where the hell was it? He flung up the seat covers. It had to be here somewhere. His face was still a little bruised from the quick exit from the theatre, but he'd managed to get most of the scars healed up. He pulled on his shirt and smartened himself up. It might not be a High class original, but it didn't look too shabby. The three of them were supposed to be off out tonight. He took his jacket off the chair and brushed it down, pulling his hair back, tying it up and, sighing, checking the mirror. The only reason he was doing this was because Mel would be there. He'd much rather be out looking for Karen. It was the Shade's visit that had forced him into this.

EARLIER

Daniel flung his jacket at the chair and walked over to the side. He felt a chill behind him, but didn't turn around. He knew the feeling of old. He poured his drink and turned to face the Shade. "Hello."

"Young Daniel, how are you?"

"Bruised, but alive."

"I see. Were you successful?"

"Not really. I might have stopped this bout of crimes, but those behind them got away."

"It's always the way. Who were they?"

"One was an old villain called Scarface."

"Oh, the dummy. I never met it. It generally kept itself to Gotham. The other was?"

"She... do you remember me telling you about Karen?"

"Yes - the bookseller?"

"That's right. Well, she's changed careers."

"From Bookseller to Mastermind," Shade smiled slightly, "an interesting career move. So, your former belle is an enemy now. How does that make you feel?"

Daniel sat down cradling his drink. "Like shit. I thought I knew her. I cared about her and I had her hold a gun to me today."

"Well, women will always remain a mystery. To your mind was she the same person?"

"She kept her eyes hidden, but she told me she wasn't the person I knew. I don't know, but I need to find her. She knows I'm Starman."

"Ah. But that's not all that's troubling you is it?"

Daniel smiled. "We've known each other too long. No, there's something else. I have to decide whether to tell Alex something... about his brother."

Shade walked around the room. "You mean John. And what is that?"

"He's dirty. Alex's big brother is one of the corrupt cops that's slipped through the net."

"I wondered if either of you would find this out."

"You mean you knew?"

"Yes, I've known for some time. Why do you think he wasn't involved in Sin's hunt? Sin and his Master knew that John dabbled. They probably knew through Marshall."

"What should I do? Should I tell him?"

"That is for you to decide. Alex's ancestor Matt O'Dare was a crooked cop when I met him. People change. Matt became a true hero, and a truer friend, but that was because he chose to change."

"But Alex is thinking of telling him we're Starman."

"Then you have a hard decision to make. I cannot tell you what to do. It is your choice."

"I know. I have to think about this."

"You need to take a break. You need, as Melanie quite rightly pointed out, to get to know your partner."

"But..."

"No buts. Melanie made a valid point and you are going to enjoy yourself. I didn't think you needed pushing to spend time with her."

"Ok. I can look tomorrow night."

"Good - now sleep. I have work to do. How telling that I am now a protector rather than a rogue."

"I'd never dare suggest you were a good guy."

Shade smiled. "Quite. Well, sleep well."

NOW

The doorbell rang. Daniel walked across and opened the door. Melanie smiled at him, dressed in a simple green dress, a long black coat over the top. "Ready?"

Daniel nodded and shut the door behind him. "Where's Alex?"

"Downstairs. Are you OK?"

"Yeah, fine. Yesterday just took it out of me."

"Come on, let's get some drinks in."

They made their way downstairs. Daniel complimented Mel on her dress, she smiled and commented on how she'd never seen him dressed smartly. Alex stood in a grey suit, tapered back and a collarless white shirt.

"Don't we all look very dapper tonight. Let's go show Opal our stuff," he said smiling.

Daniel nodded slightly. "Where are we going?"

Alex said, "Well we're in the town now. Lets start here and move our way up."

Melanie smiled. "Sounds fine to me." She took both their arms and started to walk. "Where to, Daniel?"

Daniel pondered for a second. "The Griffon is fairly close, then on into the French district. If you want we can try another place in the Demon Quarter."

"We could try that. It's your call Daniel. It's your town." Alex said, looking over Melanie's head.

They walked along the street, crossing over to avoid a gang boisterously marking their turf. They soon reached the Griffon, and Daniel held open the door. Melanie walked in first and smiled at him, Alex followed and winked. They made their way to the bar.

The Griffon was a pub. It had been set up by some of those rescued by the Shade, Matt O'Dare and Jack Knight from the Poster Demon. These people had been plucked from various places and eras, but through three selfless acts the people had been set free, released into the Twentieth century, their lives for the most part gone. Some of them decided to remain in Opal, even after it was rebuilt. And so the City, or more precisely the Oldtown, had gained new districts, collectively called the Demon Quarter. There had been a large number of English amongst those captured, due largely to the Demon having started its journey in England. Merrit, the Demon's possessor, had been a student at Oxford and had held a dislike for his countrymen. There had been many petty decisions behind some of his earliest choice of victims. And so Opal gained a distinct English segment amongst its French contingent. Where the French districts were very much styled on the Parisian boulevards, the English set up pubs, pie shops and other distinctively Victorian places. The two elements lived peacefully next to each other, unlike their respective countries, extolling their European ideals amongst a sea of Americans. Daniel felt at home in these places, due to his family's English descent. The Shade kept well away, staying to the French districts, as these places felt like someone scratching at the wounds that still lingered from his 'banishment' from England.

The three ordered their drinks and managed to find a table. "What do you think?" Daniel asked, sipping his pint.

"Let my drink settle and I'll tell you," Alex replied.

Melanie said, "Very nice. This your local?"

Daniel smiled. "Yep. I do some dealing here and swap some tales. Family history was always very big in my family, so some of these people were interested. Especially those whose parents were out of time by a century. Come to think, of it your two families are nearly worshipped here. These places wouldn't have existed without them."

Alex sipped his drink. "I guess not. It seems family is important to all of us. I wonder why?"

"Well my dad made sure I knew about the heroes who were my ancestors, especially when Marshall was sullying the name." Melanie said, smiling at Daniel.

"My dad met him, when he was starting out. It seemed the thing to do. A Dare meeting the Starman."

Daniel looked at Alex, "What happened?"

"They solved a case, but my dad always said there was already something dark about him."

"My dad refused to meet him. Marshall was sorely pissed off about that. I mean all the other Starmen since Granddad Jack had had Knight family blessing."

Daniel smirked. "And do we?"

Melanie smiled at him, then Alex. "Oh I'd say so."

"You call him Granddad Jack, but surely he can't have been?" Alex asked.

"No, he was something like my great great Grandfather, but we just called him Granddad Jack. It was easier. He was family that was all that mattered."

The three continued to talk, finishing their drinks, while in the City an impromptu press conference had been called.

*******

The press gathered about in front of the dais muttering. The news agencies had been contacted by the Press office of the OCPD, as the Opal Division of the Police Corp liked to be called. Commissioner Davis had called for this conference after the previous night's events. He strode onto the stage and the crowd hushed.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, thankyou for coming. Last night the city suffered a great deal. The intensive gang activity has been dealt with and hopefully the situation is under control now. But I didn't call you here to discuss that. Involved in at least one of the major incidents last night was the new Starman. His actions resulted in the destruction of the historic Hayes Theatre. We simply cannot stand by as a vigilante operates without check in this city. To this end I'm setting up a Taskforce to locate the Starman. I will not let the Starman name be further sullied. If this person is to continue to operate they will do so sanctioned or they will be hunted down."

*******

The three moved through the French district. Both Alex and Daniel noticed the lack of alarms which had acted as their soundtrack for the last couple of nights. Melanie had noticed how quiet Daniel seemed, and had sent Alex to the bar to get the drinks, so she could talk to him alone. "What's up?" she asked.

"Just got stuff on my mind."

"Like what?"

"I've got to tell Alex something and I don't know how."

"Is it that bad?"

"Yes - to him its going to be one hell of a kick in the teeth."

"Daniel, what is it?"

"Mel... hmmm... he... his brother is corrupt. I saw him doing deals a couple of nights ago when I was taking on Scarface's men."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. I've got a recording of him doing the deal. What more proof do I need?"

"How are you going to tell him?"

"I just don't know. Carefully I guess."

"Don't bottle it up next time. You can talk to me."

"Thanks Mel." Daniel smiled at her.

Alex walked back, holding the drinks. "Am I interrupting anything?"

Daniel looked up, "No, we were just talking."

Alex put down the drinks. "I guess I just miss servo-bots when I'm down here."

"You get used to it when you've lived down here as long as I have." Daniel took his drink and placed it in front of him.

"Just how long have you been living down here?" Melanie asked.

"About five years, but I was doing some dealing here before that."

"Just dealing?" Alex asked.

"Yeah, it's taken this long to get the business set up. And I feel more at home here than I've ever felt in the city."

"It's always been the other way around for me. But I know my way around down here from a job here."

"I remember you being the Oldtown correspondent," Melanie said.

"Yeah, that was one of my first jobs, only got through thanks to Dan..." Alex stopped talking, looked a little away and sipped his drink.

The other two sat and respected his quiet, slowly drinking. They soon left the Oldtown and moved into the City.

The City seemed to be in a carnival mood. Those who hadn't been involved in the troubles of the last few days, were out in force tonight. The feeling of being cooped up had given away to a party spirit. The three found themselves swept along, under the watchful eye of the Police, who were making their presence felt.

INTERLUDE

The Shade stood resting on his cane, as he let his shadows carry out his will. The gang tried to flee, but Shade was having none of it.

"You picked the wrong night to be up to no good. The Starmen are resting and you have the misfortune of dealing with me." The Shadows ripped through the gang and the Shade started to pick his way through the room. One more group of amateurs dealt with. The class of thug was just not as high as it once was. He walked out of the door to be met by a man dressed in a grey longcoat and casual, but smart clothes.

"Are you the Shade?" the man asked.

"I am indeed. And you are?"

"I represent a group who you've had many dealings with in the past."

"The police?"

"No; my employers are the Diogenes Club."

"Really. And why does Adeline wish to see me?"

"Can we go somewhere to discuss this?"

END INTERLUDE

The three all continued partying late into the night into the night. As they danced their moods lightened and as they talked the Starmen swapped experiences. But as the night wore on Daniel felt the onus was on him to say something to Alex. He waited for a lull and walked over to Alex. "Alex can I talk to you about something?"

Next issue: Alex confronts John. Daniel asks an important question. Black Mask returns. Find out what happens in BROTHERS which is next week you lucky people you.

*******

OPAL HEIGHTS

Just two old letters this time

Just wanted to drop a line to say that the use of two men as Starman is brilliant, and totally in keeping with Robinson's skewed way of approaching heroes, very charming. Please avoid the cliche of killing one off to show how dangerous the game is, and I eagerly anticipate the brothers developing as different man under the mask. As the Shade might say, "Good Show! The Opal's in good hands."

Ed Burke

Thanks Ed. No sign of Starman death - in fact lots of votes for Melanie to become a proper Star person. Thanks for the compliments

Alex tam writes:

I have to keep comments on ª6/4 and COTU ª2 short so's I don't spend too much time like I already have. :) Essentially, ª6/4 was pretty good. I liked the Ventriloquist (but at least once you had him [or should I say her? you know what I mean] pronouncing a 'b' :) ). I couldn't get into COTU ª2...sorry. :{ But keep 'em coming!

ª7/4 was good! I liked your mention of the DCF Flash, which went on to reference the GA originals. Oldtown- ha! I could count on you to include that. I like the fact that, contrasted with the rebuilt Opal, it really does seem older. The dual identities of Starman are well pointed out here; I could see a story where this is really played up, like maybe a common crook could figure it out and have fun with it.

But, there are still a few problems with sentence structure. Read aloud, these become more obvious as the choppy parts stick out and just plead to be combined. Dialogue is entertaining and sounds natural, tho'-- as long as the necessary commas are imagined. But I guess mechanics take a back seat to entertainment in this kind of forum...? I don't know.

As for ª8/5, well, that was OK. Eh. :) Nothing I didn't like, and certainly the technical aspect of the writing. The tension when the building explodes and Daniel escapes is pretty cool.

Interesting that they mention Batman from "the twentieth". Do people now say "the nineteenth"? Not sure about that.

Does Beaudine have a connection with the Bodines in "the real" ª36? Oh, and I didn't realize I overused the word 'great' in my "letter" to you. Which is to say, I used the word 'great'. :)

Thanks Alex again
Well lets deal with the points one by one
Beaudine is nothing to with the Bodines, but I hadn't thought about it. Shade reminisced about the Flash way into the future as shown in the Dead Earth annual. So it just seemed fair that he should be curious about the latest bearer of the name, and it meant that some reference was made to new readers of Starman of Shade's past, which will become more important in the future. The old DCF reference has now switched to the brand new Flash DCFS which will be along shortly.

As for the problems with the writing, I'll freely admit that looking back on these old issues the structure and style needed work. It does get much better as last issue showed and seeing as I'm now an editor I know how to phrase and frame things better. Alex's letter was the start of me getting my act in gear on the old series.

That's all the letters this time, so write more for next issue

This issue was originally written to the sounds of:

Supergrass: In it for the Money
and
Clerks Soundtrack.

This issue goes out to Michelle Parlett, whose help on these issues has been really helpful and who I've dragged into the world of Starman.

Challengers Issue 3 should be out next month, dealing with the Infinity Corp's assault on the Golden Tide and its connection to a group that has links to Starman history.

Titles I've been checking out have been Blackhawks: DCF, Angels over Albion: IFS and Ronin: DCFS. There should be a few new DCFS series along shortly and the MFS Mag is almost certainly getting a revamp.

Any email and comments to me at Starman26@hotmail.com

Mark