[1][2][3][4] Created by writer Paul Levitz and designed by artist Steve Ditko, the character debuted in Adventure Comics #467 in November, 1979 (cover dated January 1980).

In 1986, he was briefly mentioned in the crossover comic Crisis on Infinite Earths as having recently died while trying to protect his native planet.

The same series reveals Gavyn's life energy survives in the body of Will Payton, another DC Comics hero called Starman.

Guided by the alien sage M'ntorr, Gavyn evolves from being an arrogant, self-involved person into a noble, affable hero determined to protect life and end oppression.

I had just read a history of the Ottoman Empire, which talked about a period when it was the practice to kill off all rival claimants to the throne when a new sultan was named.

The same issues feature the debut of Gavyn's advisor M'ntorr, his sister Queen Clryssa, his love interest Lady Merria, and his aide Jediah Rikane.

The panel shows footage of him fighting to protect his home as narration by the character Harbinger informs the reader that he died while doing so.

A new Starman ongoing series begins in 1988 featuring Will Payton, a man of Earth who gains powers when he is struck by energy from outer space.