JMS AT RASTB5M SAID:
OCT.26.1998
[Rising Stars] follows the events after the small town of Pederson, Illinois, is struck by a mass of energy from an unknown, but non-terrestrial source. Everyone who was in utero at the time of the flash is affected, resulting in 113 individuals who develop abilities of a most unusual and highly individual form. (The power is to some degree shaped by who they are, just as they are shaped to some degree by the power.)

To read more about why this comic series remains unfinished, please visit our JMS Comics forum or read JMS' comments on our Rising Stars Act 3 page.

NOTE: Comics are listed by issue number from oldest to newest.

Issue: 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16

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#9: Choices Made Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Aug 2000 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: The story arc jumps ahead in time to see the effects of full-scale conflict between many of the Specials. In the first act of this series, the world shaped our characters ... now, our characters begin to shape the world, and the world may not be very happy about those changes. OTHER EDITIONS: I have collected a few other versions of this issue ... Dynamic Forces Exclusive, Dynamic Forces Gold Foil (I am still working on aquiring this issue) and Wizard World Exclusive (I am still working on aquiring this issue also).

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#10: Reversal of Fortune Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Oct 2000 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: A group of Specials (the "good guys") heads to Chicago to kick out another group of Specials (the "bad guys") who have taken up residence there. This issue kicks the story into high gear. The impossible ending is a complete surprise and leaves the reader in desperate need of the next issue.

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#11: What Goes Around ... Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Nov 2000 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: Well now we have seen it all! That's right Poet is back! Find out how and what it means ... Apparently killing him just made him mad. One has to wonder how much of the world will be destroyed by the war between the Specials. The way it's going it doesn't look like there's gonna much left to fight for. JMS AT B5 SAID: 10.20.2000 Check out 11, out shortly. The change in inker and colorist has made a dramatic difference in the look of the book.

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#12: A, B, C, and D. Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Jan 2001 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: Critical Maas gains more and more power as the Specials die. Randy (Ravenshadow) learns the secret of his and Poet's close friendship. Maas sends a nuke at Chicago and only one Special can save them all ... who will it be? OTHER EDITIONS: I have collected a few other versions of this issue ... MonsterMart Exclusive, MonsterMart Gold Foil and MonsterMart Holofoil.

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#13: Stalingrad Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Mar 2001 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: Patriot and Matthew Bright are called in to take control of the deadly situation in Chicago ... by any means necessary. Soon, it's the fight everybody's been waiting for ... Patriot versus Matthew Bright. Critical Maas looses it and the final truth behind the murders is revealed at last. OTHER EDITIONS: I have collected another version of this issue ... Dynamic Forces Gold Foil.

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#14: Things Change Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: May 2001 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: The best of all the Specials passes away and it brings them all together to mourn. John (Poet) finally realizes what their powers were meant for and is ashamed it took them this long to figure it out. This realization will change the world ... but how?

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#15: Power Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: July 2001 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: The acts the Specials take to "improve" the world continue and not everyone is happy about them. Someone comes forward with the news that their is something that can destroy the Specials ... even Jason (Patriot)!

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#16: Selah Author: J. Michael Straczynski -- Published: Sept 2001 -- Format: Single Comic

DESCRIPTION: In the final issue of the second arc story in this series, the Specials find themselves with a difficult task at hand. Having realized they abused their powers, the Specials take responsibility for their actions and and now want to clean up the mess they made of the world. Have they learned their lesson, or will one of the Special succumb to the temptations that come with such great power? MONICA'S REVIEW: This was so eerie reading the end of this act ... especially in light of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11th, 2001. One Special's solution to the problem in the Middle East, strikes pretty close to home and is an understandable (but nonetheless wrong) reaction. Also, you will see some echo's from JMS's other work which are nice to see dealt with in an entirely different situation. I can't wait for the final act and I am looking forward to reading the series again in its entirety ... for those things I missed or misinterpreted the first time around. OTHER EDITIONS: I have collected a few other versions of this issue ... Top Cow Gold Foil and Top Cow Virgin.

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Issue: 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 16

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