Star Brand #12
In "Farewell, Pittsburgh," the final chapter of John Byrne’s Star Brand series, Ken Connell—now burdened by the immense power of the Star Brand—faces a devastating choice at a comic book convention in Pittsburgh. As the Old Man reappears, demanding the Star Brand’s return, their clash spirals into tragedy, leaving Connell shattered and transformed. With guidance from Myron Feldman, Connell attempts to rid himself of the power by launching the Star Brand into space, but his decision to fly only ten miles up leads to a catastrophic explosion that changes everything. The story, written and illustrated by John Byrne with inks by Tom Palmer and colors by Andy Yanchus, features a cover by Byrne and Palmer, capturing the emotional weight of a hero’s final, heartbreaking act.
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As the Star Brand, Ken Connell attends a comic book convention in Pittsburgh. The Old Man returns and demands that Connell return the Star Brand to him. The two battle, destroying the convention site, killing over 5,000 people. The Old Man "kills" Connell by fusing with him, pouring all of his energies and memories into Connell. Ken flies to Myron Feldman who convinces Connell that he must get rid of the Star Brand. Myron tells Connell to fly into deep space and attach the Star Brand to a common barbell, leaving Ken with only 10% of his current Star Brand power. But, Ken only flies 10 miles up above Pittsburgh, thinking that would be far enough. Connell attaches the Star Brand to the barbell causing a massive explosion that destroys Pittsburgh and its environs.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).