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Stardust (Lambda-Zero) is a fictional character appearing in the comic books published by Marvel Comics and existing in that company's Marvel Universe. Stardust is one of the many Heralds of Galactus. Unlike most of Galactus's Heralds, Stardust seeks to kill all who attempt to escape the planets that Galactus feeds upon, an action that Galactus neither requires nor forbids. This Stardust should not be confused with the other Marvel Character known as Stardust, a former enemy of Rom the Spaceknight, or with the golden age comics character named Stardust by Fletcher Henderson.
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Character history
The Ethereal Lambda-Zero, who later became known as Stardust, the Herald of Galactus, was first introduced in the Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill. The first planet Stardust fed to Galactus was New Korbin, after he slaughtered most of the planet's inhabitants. This led to the confrontation with Beta Ray Bill, who was busy attempting to rescue the Korbinites. The two fought each other, and after the first confrontation, Stardust sought out Bill after he obtained the Meta-Orb. Planning on crushing Bill with it, the two fought each other until Stardust opened a portal to a dimension filled with the most evil beings of the universe hoping to trap Bill in there. Bill managed to escape, but a being named Asteroth escaped and began devouring galaxies. Stardust and Bill joined forces, with Stardust using his powers to open a black hole behind Asteroth hoping to lock Asteroth in it. However, Asteroth resisted and the hole instead sucked both Stardust and Bill to a near death. As the two recovered, Stardust had earlier found Galactus' former Herald, Alpha Ray. Galactus had empowered Ray once again to help Stardust take down his opponent. With the black hole still open, Ray managed to do this, but in return was together with Asteroth sucked into the hole. Stardust has returned off-panel through unknown means, evident by his presence in Annihilation.
Annihilation
In the Annhilation: Silver Surfer miniseries, Stardust is sent by Galactus to ask the Silver Surfer to meet with Galactus. Stardust meanwhile is under orders to help the other remaining heralds Red Shift and Firelord as they combat the Annihilation fleet. Later the three heralds join with Nova's United Front and defeat and capture one of Annhilus' queens. With the Silver Surfer and Galactus now captured and Firelord half-dead, Stardust and Red Shift are the only two active heralds. In Annihilation #3, both Stardust and Red Shift were presumed dead after holding back a massive energy blast from Galactus' absorbing device. In the Annihilation: Heralds Of Galactus – Terrax/Stardust oneshot, it was revealed that Stardust is an Ethereal, a race of beings of pure energy, and that being imbued with the Power Cosmic, in effect, made Stardust immortal, allowing him to reconstitute himself if "destroyed". He was then confronted by the few remaining members of his race, who were nearly made extinct by the Annihilation Wave. Trying to attack Stardust in treason for leaving them, Stardust "kills" the remaining members of his race in self-defense, and then absorbs their still sentient remains. However, he then finds Galactus and, distraught that he has been replaced as Herald by the Silver Surfer, he gives up the remains of his race to feed Galactus, against their protests; an act that surprises Galactus, as no herald has ever willingly given up their race to Galactus. Stardust is then named Galactus's second herald, as Galactus's now increased hunger requires more worlds to devour. It is also then revealed to the reader that Galactus is the only creature that Stardust will ever love.
Gender Clarification
When it first revealed its existence, Stardust claimed that it existed as pure cosmic energy, making it hard to say whether Stardust is a "he" or "she". Though a particular reference to Stardust in Fantastic Four makes the character appear to be female, Stardust has been most repeatedly referred to as "he" by other Heralds, Ethereals, and Galactus himself. Stardust was also referred to as "he" in Stormbreaker his first appearance. However most fans tend to refer it as female.
Powers & Abilities
Stardust is a Herald of Galactus imbued with the Power Cosmic and as such possesses high levels of superhuman strength, durability [1][2], reflexes and stamina to confront and match powerhouses such as Beta Ray Bill [3] as well as the other standard abilities of a Herald, such as creating a black hole[4] or opening inter-dimensional portals [5]. Stardust is an Ethereal, a race of beings of pure energy and being imbued with the Power Cosmic makes Stardust immortal, allowing him to reconstitute herself if "destroyed", such as during the Annihilation Wave[6] or having its physical structure dispersed .[7].
References
- ^ Stormbreaker the Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1-#6 (2005)
- ^ Annihilation: Silver Surfer #2
- ^ Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1-#6 (2005)
- ^ Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #5
- ^ Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill # 3
- ^ Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus #1-#2 (2006)
- ^ Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill # 3
Bibliography
- Stormbreaker: The Saga of Beta Ray Bill #1 (March 2005)
- Annihilation: Silver Surfer#2-3 (July-August 2006)
- Annihilation#1-3 (October-December, 2006)
- Annihilation: Heralds of Galactus#1 (April, 2007)
