Star Wielder #1, written and illustrated by Jay Hero, tackles a classic superhero trope: the hero who experiences a powerful awakening after conquering their greatest fear. Clinically known as post-traumatic growth, this recurring theme is Star Wielder’s most redeeming quality, and possibly its most complicated drawback.

Star Wielder centers around 14 year old Kiara and her fear of fire and anything associated with the element (i.e. fire trucks, stoves, smoke, etc.). This fear is tied to a variety of emotions ranging from grief, loss and neglect. Kiara’s adoptive grandmother Roxy Mae (affectionately referred to as Gram) embodies the physical connection to her ancestral history that keeps her emotionally moored.

As this superhero trope dictates, our hero experiences an amazing metamorphosis after a series of events removes this spiritual anchor from her life. That isn’t a spoiler per se. Pop culture fans should see this coming a mile off. Jay does a wonderful job establishing Gram’s character and the impact she has on Kiara and her community. As a storyteller, Jay is at his best when creating touching vignettes of Gram tending her garden and frying green tomatoes; a quiet metaphor for the way she tends to her family and community. That groundwork makes her loss a powerful impetus of change.

The Gift and the Curse

I’m enjoying the duality of the fire motif as a vehicle of change and of destruction; the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes. There’s also a subtle homage to Detroit, where the story is set, and its history with fire and arson (Devil’s Night). In this light, Star Wielder’s focus on grief is both life changing and at times smothering.

Star Wielder holds onto grief and loss much like Ryan Coogler did in Black Panther 2. Rather than being an obstacle to overcome, grief was a theme that consumed the entire narrative to the point that victories were not satisfying. As the impetus of Kiara’s powers, grief tends to weigh on the story’s pacing due to its all-consuming presence, and as we ultimately arrive at the story’s climax, the moment feels a bit flat. The fire at the community center illustrates this point. A moment that normally would have announced the arrival of a new hero in our midst seems like a footnote. I believe pulling back on some of the sentimental moments would have given the victories more room to be monumental.

Star Power

Star Wielder is a departure from your typical superhero story, therefore the emotional weight may be its best quality for some readers. In spite of my personal need for more grandiose moments, Star Wielder #1 is a strong opening chapter that introduces not just a fascinating Black superheroine in Kiara, but an equally promising storyteller in Jay Hero.

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