S.T.A.R. Labs

S.T.A.R. Labs is a business that features in DC Comics.

History

Pre-Crisis

The Scientific and Technological Advanced Research (S.T.A.R.) Labs was a scientific brain trust that existed in the world. (Superman v1 #246)

Dr. Farr was conducted experiments in creating an artificial algae that could be used to help purge pollutants and replace it with clean air. However, an accident caused the rapidly mutating algae to become an amoeba-like organism that preyed on people after escaping into the sewers. (Superman v1 #246)

A computer engineer scientist at the Labs was responsible for creating a robot he called Click-Clock the Clockwork Man after being inspired by the stories of the Wizard of Oz from his childhood. He left the machine in his laboratory where the mechanical man intended to serve his masters wishes and noted that he was always late for work. Thus, it linked with the technology at S.T.A.R. Labs where it gained the power to control time where it created a time-tornado to speed up events. Superman confronted the robot and was forced to shut it down whereupon he threw it into the sun to protect everyone on Earth from it. (Action Comics v1 #522)

S.T.A.R. Labs was involved in the development of a new type of nuclear missile with one of its components being built in Metropolis and the other in Gotham. During this time, an alien named Tonatiuh who long ago crashed on Earth and was worshipped as a sun god by the Aztec's had his followers sent to claim these components. This drew him into conflict with Superman and Batman who helped thwart his plans at Metropolis whereupon he redirected his efforts in capturing the Man of Steel to drain him of the power he sought to leave Earth. (World's Finest v1 #294)

Post-Crisis

Following the Crisis on Infinite Earths, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.

Rumors persisted that Lex Luthor intended to buy out S.T.A.R. Labs that led to fears among employees some of whom threatened to resign. Eventually, LexCorp made a big for the company seeking to take its new Colorado psionics research facility. To evade his acquisition, the company instead sold the asset to Simtech Corporation. (Superman v2 #31)

It later provided sponsorship to the superhero team known as the Conglomerate alongside other companies that included American Steel, Dante Foods, Dupree Chemical, LexCorp, Ferris Aircraft, Ovel Oil, Pax Entertainment and Stagg Enterprises. (Justice League Quarterly v1 #1)

Modern

Kobra had used stolen S.T.A.R. Labs technology to harness the Metahuman ability of the captured Airwave to allow them control of any system using the electromagnetic spectrum. (JSA v1 #11)

After being shot on a machine, Roy Harper stayed at S.T.A.R. Labs medical facility in Star City in order to recuperate. (Outsiders v3 #8)

WayneTech partnered with S.T.A.R. Labs on a joint project to build the Orbiter whose purpose was to harness dark matter particles as a source of clean renewable energy for mankind. The experiment required immense data flow with Superman providing a Kryptonian processor for the experiment but the project failed due to the actions of Doctor Light. (Superman/Batman v1 #43) A S.T.A.R. Labs relief operation worked alongside with Waynetech in the devastated remains of Bialya but all the relief workers were slain by outside forces. (52 Aftermath: The Four Horsemen v1 #1)

It came to be involved in the rebuilding initiatives in Metropolis along with other parts of the world. (Superman/Batman v1 #68)

Post-Flashpoint

Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events.

After getting a tip from Young Justice, Superman exposed the illegal S.T.A.R. Labs facility known as the Constellation with Clark Kent publishing the secret experiments conducted at the site. (Superman v5 #17)

Overview

It had a number of divisions that included:

• Advanced Ideas Division : a small branch that consisted of highly skilled scientists and a support team. (Superboy v6 #30)

S.T.A.R. Labs holdings were said to rival those of LexCorp with it being worth billions. (Superman v2 #30)

One of its branches was located in Hawaii with this site being known as Tektown. (Cyborg v2 #23) It maintained a secret unsanctioned facility situated in the Utah deserts that was known as the Constellation. This site was home to scientists that worked on illegal experiments involving interdimensional travel where they uncovered the existence of a larger Multiverse. (Superman v5 #17)

Members

• Garrison Slate :
• Alton Stuart : male Board Chairman who was forced to sell the company's psionics research facility to evade an acquisition attempt of S.T.A.R. Labs by LexCorp. (Superman v2 #31)
• Wilson Farr : a male scientist who operated at S.T.A.R. Labs. (Superman v1 #246)
• Emil Hamilton :
• Kitty Faulkner :
• Silas Stone :
• Sarah Charles :
• Wilson Farr : an older male scientist, Dr. Farr was genetically mutating special algae in an attempt for them to feed on pollution but they got accidently released and transformed into a rogue protoplasmic mass that was stopped by Superman. (Superman v1 #246)
• Jenet Klyburn : (Superman v1 #304)
• Murray Takamoto : male Asian head of the Chicago branch of S.T.A.R. Labs who was studying the applications of Promethium. (Blue Beetle v1 #1)
• Rose Beryl : a brilliant red-haired female biologist who was the former head of the Chicago branch who conducted private and illegal experiments in splicing her genes with her friend Daniel Garrett to create the first prototype of an improved human race. The experiments resulted in a boy who suffered from a genetic defect that left him no natural immunisation to common disease and the child was relegated to living in a sealed environment in the sub-basement where he was cared for by Beryl's colleagues. Rose continued her experiments to improve upon her results when an explosion occurred at her private lab that seemingly killed her. She actually survived though she abandoned her civilian identity and took up the name of Doctor Animus where she continued her experiments in secret. (Blue Beetle v6 #19)
• Burton Thompson :
• Karen Lou Faulkner :
• Rudy Jones :
• Tina McGee :
• David Connor : a male scientist who was the top xenobiologists but was suffering from an inoperable cancer when he began study of the Eradicator. The cancer spread to the point that he was dying but prior to death he managed to bond to the Eradicator merging the pair into a new body. (Action Comics v1 #693)
• Valerie Perez :
• Kimiyo Hoshi :
• Samuel Register : a male doctor who worked with Mark Logan in genetic experiments in Africa when Garfield Logan was transformed into the shapeshifting Beast Boy. Afterwards, Dr. Register began to work at the San Francisco branch of S.T.A.R. Labs. (Teen Titans v3 #14)
• Alex Ferguson : blonde haired male scientist who was Project Director of S.T.A.R. Labs Near-Earth Celestial Observation Team. (Brave New Worlds v1 #1)
• Dr. Pilings : bald headed male scientist who was the rising star of the xenogenetics program though was secretly the Kryptonian scientist Jax-Ur in disguise. (Action Comics v1 #883)
• Caitlin Snow :
• Harold Alexander Grey : an elderly scientist with white-grey hair with a long beard, Dr. Grey headed the Advanced Ideas Division. (Superboy v6 #30)
• Reiser : a black male intern who began working at S.T.A.R. Labs in Metropolis where he was tasked with decontaminating a room and left his protective mask off leading to him being infected by Doomsday spores transforming him into a creature resembling Doomsday. (Doomed v1 #1)
• Meena Dhawan : a female doctor who was a genius that formerly worked at A.R.G.U.S. who headed S.T.A.R. Labs Newton's Practical Application Department until a Speed Force storm hit Central City whereupon she headed the new Speed Force Testing Centre after she became empowered as a speedster. (The Flash v5 #3)
• Anderson Gaines : a rich reclusive man who provided the seed money for S.T.A.R. Labs as a silent partner and held as the man behind the curtain with complete anonymity who had few pictures taken of him. (Superman/Batman v1 #68)
• Susan Morning Cloud : a brunette haired female Native American scientist who aided in the construction of a warhead with a new power source. She was mind controlled into becoming an agent of the alien Tonatiuh who wanted to use the power to escape the planet. (World's Finest v1 #294)
• Dr. Glory : blonde haired female human scientist who headed interdimensional research at the Constellation facility. (Superman v5 #17)
• Wilson Farr :
• Barnabus Boulton : a black male who was a research scientist at S.T.A.R. Labs until his wife and co-worker Richards had him committed after he suffered a nervous breakdown. Swearing revenge, he adopted the identity of the Regulator where he created a suit and helmet that allowed him to control rats as well as fire telepathic blasts. (Justice League of America v1 #174)
• Diego Irigoyen :
• Virgil Adams :

Notes

• S.T.A.R. Labs was created by Cary Bates and Rich Buckler where it made its first appearance in Superman v1 #246 (December, 1971).
• It received an entry in Superman: Secret Files and Origins v1 #1 (1998) with it being referred to as the fastest growing research corporation in the world which maintained a constant presence in Metropolis for a quarter of a century. S.T.A.R. Labs was said to engage in public and private sector research along with doing work for the military though it did not merchanise or mass produce the products of its research with it instead licensing its inventions to others to explore their commercial application. After the destruction of its administrative centre, it built an expanded complex in the Queensland Park suburban.

Alternate Versions

• In Smallville Season 11 v1 (2012), Swann Technology and Research Labs appeared in the setting that followed the continuity of the Smallville television series. Under its founder Dr. Swann's will, it was established and tasked with aiding the Traveler to learn more about himself and the world around him. One of their creations were Hazardous Environment Drones (H.E.D.s) that were humanoid remote controlled robots.

In other media

Television

• In Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, S.T.A.R. Labs appeared in the setting of the 1990 live-action television series. A leading scientist named Dr. Bernard Klein served as an ally for Superman who helped him against various threats.
• In Superman, S.T.A.R. Labs made several appearances in the 1988 animated television series.
• In The Flash , S.T.A.R. Labs featured as part of the 1990s live-action television series. Dr. Christina "Tina" McGee was a scientist that operated at the laboratory who aided Barry Allen after he gained super-speed powers.
• In the DC Animated Universe, S.T.A.R. Labs made a number of appearances in the animated setting.
  • In Superman: The Animated Series, S.T.A.R. Labs made its first appearance in the episode "Feeding Time". Dr. Emil Hamilton was a scientist that operated at the laboratory where he aided in helping Superman.
• In Young Justice, S.T.A.R. Labs made a number of appearances in the animated series. Professor Adam Strange was a scientist that was part of the Erdel Initiative that was looking into achieving teleportation when he discovered Zeta Beams.
• In Krypto the Superdog, S.T.A.R. Labs appeared in the setting of the animated television series. In "Stretch-O-Mutt to the Rescue", a guard dog called Buddy fell into a vat containing S.T.A.R. Labs Experimental Elastic Solution thus giving him the ability to stretch his body similar to Plastic Man whereupon he operated as an ally of Superdog.
• In the Arrowverse, S.T.A.R. Labs made a number of appearances in the shared setting.
  • In Arrow, S.T.A.R. Labs made numerous appearances throughout the second season of the television series. Multiple mentions were made on television newsreaders and newspapers about concerns over the S.T.A.R. Labs Particle Accelerator being built at Central City. In the episode "Three Ghosts", the accelerator suffered a catastrophic meltdown that affected the town leading to a laboratory accident that led to Barry Allen being struck by lightning. In "The Man Under the Hood", two scientists from S.T.A.R. Labs were introduced namely Caitlin Sow and Cisco Ramon who were both recruited by Felicity Smoak to help synthesis a cure for the Mirakuru drug by providing a blood sample. Slade Wilson attacked S.T.A.R. Labs in order to gather some equipment that he intended for use in his plot against Oliver Queen and Starling City.
  • In The Flash, S.T.A.R. Labs returned as part of the same universe as Arrow where it featured in the pilot episode. It was situated in Central City where Doctor Harrison Wells operated the facility and headed the Particle Accelerator experiment that he claimed would revolutionize science. The accelerator suffered an explosion that led to the emergence of numerous theoretical elements and spreading them into the world leading to the emergence of Metahumans. Barry Allen was one such individual affected by a lightning bolt causing him to gaining superspeed where he operated as the superhero known as the Flash. He would team up with Harrison Wells, Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramon where they secretly helped stop criminals and villainous Metahumans. Within S.T.A.R. Labs Particle Accelerator was referred to as the Pipeline and was modified by Ramon with individual cells being made to contain Metahuman criminals. 'Harrison Wells' created a secret room in the building known as the Time Vault.
  • In DC Legends of Tomorrow, S.T.A.R. Labs was mentioned in the episode "Progeny". By 2145, they had become known as the S.T.A.R. Labs Corporation who had become the owners of Central City.
• In Justice League Action, S.T.A.R. Labs made a number of appearances in the animated television series. Harley Quinn once worked as a animal psychologist where she encountered the chimpanzee Titano with her bonding with the animal and developing a friendship with him prior to his launch on a space shuttle that led to his exposure to a Kryptonite meteor.
• In Doom Patrol, S.T.A.R. Labs was referenced in the live-action DC Universe television series where they were mentioned in the episode "Puppet Patrol". It was a research laboratory headed by Silas Stone who had the resources of the company to support Cyborg such as using the corporate accounts for his operations and also charting company planes.

Films

• In Justice League: Gods and Monsters, S.T.A.R. Labs was shown to exist in this alternate reality with Lex Luthor being attached to the organization.
• In Batman and Harley Quinn, S.T.A.R. Labs Gotham City branch appeared briefly in the animated film where Jason Woodrue and Poison Ivy broke into it to access its computers to recover the data on the Bio-Restorative Formula developed by Dr. Alec Holland. Afterwards, Batman and Nightwing investigated the facility where they determined the theft by the two supervillains.
• In the DC Extended Universe, S.T.A.R. Labs made multiple appearances in the shared continuity setting.
  • In Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice, S.T.A.R. Labs was briefly seen in the live-action movie. It was shown in Lex Luthors Metahuman files that showed recordings taken from Silas Stone's laboratory that showed his cybernetic experiments to revive his son Victor Stone.
  • In Justice League, S.T.A.R. Labs appeared in the 2017 live-action film. It was a research institution that during the Kryptonian invasion took charge of studying the Change Engine which was actually a Mother Box. Dr. Silas Stone headed the project as they sought to tap into the power of the Mother Box to revolutionise human science. The facility was based at the site of the crashed Kryptonian ship with S.T.A.R. Labs scientists being targeted by Parademons who were looking to recover the Mother Boxes for Steppenwolf.
• In The Death of Superman, S.T.A.R. Labs appeared in the setting of the 2018 animated film. One of its chief scientists was Jenet Klyburn with her team helping Superman in the study of his ship that brought him to Earth. Spies working for LexCorp leaked information to Lex Luthor about information received by S.T.A.R. Labs.
• In Superman: Man of Tomorrow, S.T.A.R. Labs appeared in the setting of the 2020 animated film. It was a research laboratory with Ruddy Jones working as a janitor at its Metropolis branch. The building was the site of a battle between Superman and Lobo with Ruddy caught in the middle of the fight. He was nearly killed by buried debris and was exposed to a biological EMP weapon that merged with his body thus turning him into the Parasite.

Video games

• In Justice League Heroes, S.T.A.R. Labs featured in the video game where Superman and Batman travelled there to fight Brainiac along with his robotic minions. Following Brainiac's defeat, Superman and Batman later discovered that the Brainiac that they had destroyed was only a clone.
• In DC Universe Online, S.T.A.R. Labs made a number of appearances in the MMORPG video game.

Appearances

• Superman v1: (1971)
• Action Comics v1:
• World's Finest v1:
• Teen Titans v1:
• Justice League of America v1:
• Adventures of Superman v1:
• Flash:
• Justice League v2:
• Cyborg v1:
• Superman v5:

External Links

• DC Database Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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