Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. is the first regular DC series from the now superstar writer Geoff Johns. Johns is recognized for his work on DC's golden age team of heroes, the JSA, and as one of DC's top creators. JSA readers will have already been introduced to the new Star-Spangled Kid, and notice the ties to the early origins of the DCU.

This 1999 ongoing follows the lives and adventures of smart mouthed, angst driven teenager, Courtney Whitmore, and her new stepfather Pat Dugan ( aka, Stripsey, the side kick of the original Star-Spangled Kid ). Courtney's mother has just remarried and relocated to the small town of Blue Vally. Courtney is deeply unhappy with both her new stepfather and home. While peeking through some of Pat's boxes, Courtney comes accross the costume of the original Star-Spangled Kid, and his cosmic converter belt, and begins venturing out on her own with the stolen equipment. When Courtney gets cought up in a deadly conspiracy at her new high school, Pat must put his newly engineered mech armor, S.T.R.I.P.E., to use, and once again finds himself the side kick to the Star-Spangled Kid.

Geoff Johns writes a great first issue, and is a great foreshadowing to Geoff's future work. While the overall story is very simplistic, it's also remarkably well put together. The book is very light-hearted, with a great teen drama feel. I feel in love with this this series the moment I finished the last panal of this issue. It's not only a super fun read, but a great breath of fresh air.

While the art from Lee Moder isn't anything ground breaking, its a perfect fit for the feel, and the mood of the book.

I highly recomend this book for anyone who is looking for somthing a little off beat of some of the more over zealous books of today, and wants a really fun and entertaining read. With awsome writting, a great story, and great characters, you can't go wrong with Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E.