Starman - Vol 1 - #1 - 1988 - Grassroots Hero - (FN)

The dawn of a new cosmic protector begins in Starman #1. Launching a brand-new solo series in the late 1980s, legendary writer Roger Stern introduces readers to Will Payton, an ordinary guy who accidentally becomes DC's latest cosmic powerhouse. Eschewing the dark, grim-and-gritty trends of the era, "Grassroots Hero" delivers a refreshing, character-driven origin story focused on a regular man trying to navigate a profound, superhuman transformation.

Will Payton is a regular, relatable 24-year-old living in Phoenix, Arizona. He doesn't have a tragic backstory, billionaire resources, or advanced scientific training—he’s just a decent guy working a standard job. His ordinary life changes forever during a hiking trip in the desert, where he is suddenly struck by a mysterious, rogue bolt of cosmic energy beamed from a satellite in space.