***Contains Spoilers***
The Darkstars series felt like a cheap knockoff of the Green Lantern mythos, and ultimately, I didn’t enjoy it. It revolves around the Darkstars, an intergalactic peacekeeping force created by the Controllers, a splinter group of the Guardians of the Universe. Though initially presented as an alternative to the Green Lantern Corps, the series struggled to step out of its predecessor’s shadow, with its limited originality ultimately leading to its short-lived run. Key characters like Ferrin Colos and his deputies attempted to anchor the narrative, but their stories lacked depth and urgency. While the series concluded with the Controllers’ departure, the Darkstars’ legacy was wrapped up in Green Lantern: Baptism by Fire, which made the entire run feel inconsequential.
There were a few elements that stood out to me, though not enough to save the series. Ferrin Colos, as the lead Darkstar, was likable, and I appreciated his stoic determination to uphold justice despite the odds stacked against him. His deputies added a bit of color to the cast, but their development felt stunted. I also found myself drawn to the idea of the Controllers trying to create their answer to the Green Lantern Corps—there’s an inherent potential in exploring what happens when the second-best tries to compete with the best. Unfortunately, that potential never fully materialized, leaving me wanting more than the series offered.
What disappointed me the most was how it handled characters like Donna Troy and John Stewart. I was initially excited to see them involved, expecting their arcs to add emotional depth and narrative significance. Instead, their inclusion felt like a placeholder, as though the creative team didn’t know what else to do with them. Rather than elevating the series, their appearances only highlighted its shortcomings. Once the Controllers abandoned the Darkstars project, the series collapsed, leaving its conclusion to be handled in Green Lantern. It was frustrating to invest time in a story that felt half-hearted and ultimately incomplete.
In the end, Darkstars is a series I cannot recommend. While it had a few redeeming qualities, it never rose above being a second-rate Green Lantern substitute. The characters and concepts had potential, but the series lacked the creative energy to make them truly memorable. For me, this was a disappointing read that felt like wasted potential. I rate it 1 star—I finished it, but I did not enjoy it. If you’re a Green Lantern fan, you’d be better off sticking with the mainline titles, as this one doesn’t offer anything compelling or necessary to the mythos.
Feature Image Darkstars #23 cover art by Mike Deodato