Jack Knight didn’t need a Delorean to get to 1951 but he should have learned a lesson from Marty McFly about what happens when you meet one’s parents in the past. In his last adventure as Starman, Jack magically ended up in 1951 where he discovered the Starman of 1951 was his brother David, who was mysteriously plucked minutes away from his tragic death, and his father Ted Knight has retired from the role due to mental illness. As he tries to ascertain the reason for his presence in the past, Jack’s actions will not only help to ensure his father returns to his responsibilities as the original Starman but also that his father and mother will meet thus cementing his existence completely. Great Scott, indeed!
In Starman #77-79 written by James Robinson and illustrated by Peter Snejbjerg, Jack finds himself in 1951 where his brother inherited the role of Starman, previously portrayed by Justice Society of America member Charles McNider (aka Dr. Mid-Nite), with his time as Starman coming to an end shortly. Amazed at his brother’s work despite knowing his fate, Jack learns that his father Ted Knight retired his role as Starman due to his nervous breakdown caused by his guilt from helping to engineer the atomic bomb as well as the unsolved murder of his first love, Doris Lee. Jack does his best to keep his real identity and knowledge hidden from his father as well as other notable characters in Starman (and Opal City’s history) as he helps David and other DC heroes investigate Ted’s old nemesis The Mist and his current scheme to sell some of his trademark vapors to the Russians during this precursor to the Cold War.
Jack had to witness as his father had good days, where he’d gladly assist the heroes in their investigation, and days when he could barely answer a question or even witness someone using his technology. Near the end of the arc, Ted managed to pull himself together and went to confront Doris’ father, of his own free will. After revealing that Doris had learned of his identity as Starman, Ted is able to coax the truth from her remorseful father: Doris had discovered her father’s dealings with the Mist and that discovery got her killed. With Jack and David distracted by a movie theater full of people driven mad by the Mist’s gas, Ted suited up again as Starman and took to the sky to stop the exchange while also confronting the Mist. Although the Mist would escape, one thing was clear, the original Starman was back.
Shortly after New Years, Jack and Ted share a moment together where Ted can’t help but notice details such as a familiar family resemblance in David or that they both use Ted Knight’s technology. Jack deflects these details that’d most likely reveal him and his brother’s true identity with a reminder that while Starman has made a return, Ted Knight has yet to make a reappearance. Learning that his father got invited to a gala by John Radcliffe, he has Ted suit up and gives him an encouraging pep talk reminding him “Knight’s know how to party”. With a smile and comment suggesting that Ted might know more than he lets on, Jack watches his father drive away and casually brings up the moment to David. David then reveals that the party was the same one that Ted Knight would meet Adele Doris Drew, their mother. Jack’s purpose in 1951 wasn’t just to help his father get back in the saddle but also unconsciously make sure his parents would meet, and this time Johnny B. Goode wasn’t playing in the background.
With David returned back to his proper place in the timeline, Jack had enough time to leave his father a note explaining the entire situation, the knowledge that his father hinted at earlier in the series, before he got a ride back to present-day Opal from his friend Thom Kallor, the Star Boy from the Legion of Superheroes in the 31st Century and future Starman. With a few similarities to events that happened in Back to the Future, this story also benefited from good storytelling as writer Robinson coordinated and tied up all the loose ends of his memorable Starman in a way that seemed both effortless and fun. With no more adventures to be had, Jack’s return to present-day Opal would mark the end of his time as Starman. Jack realized that despite all his experiences throughout time, that his future is unwritten and he’d rather make it a good one, for his family and his new home in San Francisco.
