Story: "Grand Guignol, Quatrieme Partie: Darkness Not of Night" (22 Pages)

Credits:

James Robinson (plot, script)
Peter Snejbjerg (pencils, inks)
Bill Oakley (letters)
Jason Wright (colors)
Jamison (color seperations)
Peter Tomasi (edits)

Feature Character:

Starman VII (in between issue #63 and #67)

Guest Stars:

Elongated Man (in between issue #63 and #67)

Supporting Characters:

Shade (last in ???; next in ???)
Ted Knight
Sadie Falk
Hope O'Dare
Sue Dibny
Mason O'Dare
Bobo Bennetti (all six in between issue #63 and #67)
Mikaal Tomas (last in flashback in issue #64; next in issue #67)
Clarence O'Dare (in betweeb issue #56 and #69)

Villains:

Culp (also seen as the Shade in this story)
Mist II
Rag Doll II
Solomon Grundy
Crusher
Spider II
Doctor Phosphorus
Aaron Bodine
Lupe Bodine (all nine in between issue #63 and #67)

Guest Appearance:

Phantom Lady II (in between issue #63 and #65)

Synopsis:

Opal City is enveloped in darkness, and is involved in a huge, orchestrated wave of criminal activity, spear-headed by a number of villains from Starman's past and led by the Shade. Dr Phosphorus attacks Ted Knight, out for revenge, but is unable to defeat the old man. Ralph (Elongated Man) and Sue Dibny begin to pursue Sadie Falk's investigations into the Black Pirate, as Ralph has a hunch the pirate is integral to what's going on.

The Shade broadcasts live to Opal City, showing them his army of villains, assuring them that the dome (actually a sphere) of darkness is impenetrable, and displaying a number of heroes in captivity, among them a crucified Bobo Bennetti. In order to draw Jack Knight into the open, he threatens Sadie Falk's life, and in the ensuing fray, Jack's rod runs out of power.

Finally, Culp makes his entrance, from the last place anyone would expect, the body of the Shade...