Star Brand #5
In "Crossing the Line," Star Brand #5 (1987) delivers a tense, character-driven chapter as Ken Connell finds himself entangled in a web of international intrigue after university students try to reach him through the classifieds. Written by Jim Shooter and illustrated by John Romita Jr., with inks by Al Williamson and colors by Janet Jackson, the story unfolds with a sharp focus on moral choices and personal consequences, culminating in a dramatic flight to Libya and a quiet, emotional reckoning at home. The cover by Vince Giarrano and José Marzán Jr. captures the issue’s high-stakes atmosphere, making this a standout entry in the series’ early run.
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The university students attempt to contact Ken Connell through the classifieds. Ken follows them back to their hideout and finds they are Libyan spies gathering supplies and weapons. Connell makes an anonymous call to the police who arrest the terrorists. Connell then flies to a military base in Libya and destroys it as a threat to the Libyan government. The next day, Connell tries to break up with Debbie so he can settle down with Barbara, but she is distraught and breaks down in tears. Connell decides he must stay in contact with her. He then visits Barbara and patches up their relationship.
Plot details indexed by the Grand Comics Database (CC BY-SA).