Amit Malaviya
Another classic member of the Justice Society of America joins DC Universe’s upcoming Stargirl series as Lou Ferrigno Jr signs on to play the recurring role of Rex Tyler, the original Golden Age Hourman. A thrill-seeking master chemist, Tyler has the ability to manifest super-strength, but only for one hour a day, hence his superheroic moniker. One of the JSA’s founding members, when he’s not out saving the world, Tyler struggles to find balance in his life as a father as well.
Starring Brec Bassinger as the eponymous heroine, Stargirl follows a high school sophomore named Courtney Whitmore who inspires and rallies a motley crew of young, aspiring heroes to help her battle villains from the past. A member of the Justice Society of America, Starman charges into battle with a mysterious anti-gravity weapon called the cosmic staff.” It is as yet unclear as to whether or not he’ll also have his cosmic belt, or if that will be part of Courtney’s arsenal.
The original Hourman debuted in 1940, in Adventure Comics #40 and gained his powers through a miraculous vitamin that he called Miraclo. He was succeeded by his son, Rick Tyler and, in the 853rd Century, by an android that was modeled on Rex Tyler’s DNA.
Ferrigno Jr is not the first person to essay the role of Hourman. Patrick J Adams had a short stint as Rex Tyler on the DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, which had its own special take on the Justice Society of America.
Executive produced by DC Entertainment’s wunderkind Geoff Johns, the character of Stargirl was created by Johns himself in 1999. Modeled on Johns’ late sister – also named Courtney – Stargirl went on to become one of the biggest hit new creations of the late 90s and early 00s. In addition to executive producing the show, Johns will also be writing the pilot episode.
While a solid premiere date has not been given yet, Stargirl is expected to debut sometime in 2019.
