Stan Lee’s BOOM! Studios Superheroes Deserve More Love

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In the realm of comic books, there might not be a more renowned figure than Stan Lee. For many years, he was instrumental in bringing some of the most legendary superheroes to life, like Spiderman and the Fantastic Four, significantly contributing to Marvel Comics’ success as a household name. Few have left such an indelible mark on the comic industry. Yet, it’s essential to note that Stan Lee’s contributions didn’t solely lie with Marvel Comics. Collaborating with various publishers, he used his brand, POW! Entertainment, to partner with BOOM! Studios from 2010 to 2011 and co-create an entirely new superhero universe. He worked alongside writers such as Paul Cornell, Mark Waid, and Chris Roberson to launch three titles: Soldier Zero, The Traveler, and Starborn.

Each series, titled Soldier Zero, The Traveler, and Starborn, spanned 12 issues and focused on their respective superheroes battling to safeguard humanity from menacing villains and extraterrestrial threats. In contrast to other interconnected superhero realms, these individual comic book stories had minimal crossover between Soldier Zero, The Traveler, and Starborn narratives. Characters seldom interacted beyond one or two issues. Stan Lee’s collaboration with BOOM! Studios was a significant success, as all three titles were highly popular during their release. Despite being limited mini-series produced by a less established comic book publisher, Stan Lee’s BOOM! Studios superhero universe has been largely overlooked and underrated. Although these comics may not share the same iconic status or extensive history as Marvel Comics, they offered captivating storylines, engaging characters, and profound themes that warrant recognition.

Who are Soldier Zero, the Traveler, and Starborn?

To create an effective tale, a writer must craft captivating personalities. For instance, Stan Lee’s forte was bringing to life thrilling and engaging superheroes – and he excelled spectacularly in this area with his characters from the shared universe he introduced: Soldier Zero, the Traveler, and Starborn.

The starring character for BOOM! Studios’ fresh series of superhero comics was Stuart Trautman, also known as Soldier Zero. Originally a marine, Stuart lost his leg mobility during a mission. His life took another turn when a critically wounded extraterrestrial crash-landed and came close to killing him. This alien, referred to as Soldier Zero, was a living suit that fused with Stuart for their shared survival. The alien granted Stuart the power to walk again, and together they transformed into the superhero Soldier Zero. In this form, Stuart possesses abilities such as superhuman strength, flight, energy projection, and energy blades. Their primary enemy is Soldier One, a more powerful variant of Soldier Zero’s species, who arrived on Earth with the intention of eliminating them to conceal an alien conspiracy.

The second character we meet is Ronald Lessik, better known as the Time-Traveler. Ronald’s tale revolves around a superhero endowed with time-bending abilities, weaving an extraordinary tapestry of past, present, and future events. As a theoretical physicist, Ronald was involved in a project that was undermined by his colleague, Dr. Colding, who coveted all the recognition for their scientific breakthroughs. This sabotage led to a catastrophic explosion, granting everyone in the lab unique superpowers and leaving Ronald’s girlfriend, Julia, lost in time and space.

Intriguingly, it was Ronald’s future self-a result of the explosion merging his past and present selves-who orchestrated this scenario to prevent a paradox that could have claimed his life. The blast also empowered Ronald with the ability to manipulate time, allowing him to fly, augment his strength, create illusions, and, naturally, travel through time.

Employing his extraordinary powers, Ronald embarks on a mission to locate Julia and confront Dr. Colding, who was transformed into the hideous villain Abaris as a result of the explosion.

Among the three, it’s Ben Warner, also known as Starborn, who pens captivating science-fiction tales of clashing alien empires. Yet, his creative inspirations were not born out of imagination but rather repressed recollections. Astonishingly, humanity was discovered to be the remnants of a vast intergalactic empire, with no recall of its past. Ben is the offspring of the deceased emperor, who orchestrated genocide across numerous alien planets as part of a galactic racial purge. Ben unearthed his lineage when diverse alien species invaded Earth to exact revenge for his father’s atrocities. Ben’s childhood friend and secret guardian is Tara. She was privy to Ben’s origins and equipped him with a powerful battle suit, enabling him to safeguard himself. As the champion Starborn, Ben teams up with Tara to thwart an impending interstellar conflict – and to evade assassination.

Why Stan Lee’s BOOM! Universe is Worth a Read

Stan Lee’s universe collaborated with BOOM! Studios might be compact, yet it brims with entertaining and engaging tales even in brief moments. The artwork throughout all three series is breathtaking, featuring dynamic and imaginative action sequences and distinctively vibrant and attention-grabbing character designs. The writing is equally impressive. Known for narrating tales of morally complex superheroes who impart vital messages through fantastical backdrops, Lee’s creations at BOOM! Studios are no exception.

Soldier Zero, for instance, revolves around the theme of ableism, delving into its various manifestations and showcasing that individuals are more than their impairments. The Traveler’s quest to find his missing girlfriend Julia across time and space offers insights on coping with grief and moving past the past to create a new future. Starborn presents a poignant message about historical inequalities, intergenerational trauma, and the importance of empathy and forgiveness.

Despite BOOM! Studios not revisiting Stan Lee’s shared superhero universe, the characters like Soldier Zero, the Traveler, and Starborn, and the stories told about them were among the company’s most outstanding creations. These heroes truly showcase some of Stan Lee’s exceptional work in his later career years. Onward and upward! (Excelsior is a term often used by Stan Lee, meaning “upward and onward” to good fortune.)

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2025-08-23 15:42