The Darkstars were a group of intergalactic policemen that appeared in comic books published by DC Comics. They were introduced in Darkstars #1 (October 1992), and were created by Michael Jan Friedman and Larry Stroman. The series lasted a total of 39 issues, ending with issue #38 (Jan. 1996), with an issue #0 (Oct. 1994) published between issues #24 and 25 during the ' crossover event storyline.
In an interview, Michael Jan Friedman spoke on the genesis of the group, stating:
The Darkstars were founded by the Controllers, an offshoot of the Guardians of the Universe. Though their goal was to establish order in the universe, the Controllers were isolationists by nature.
The Controllers created NEMO, the Network for the Establishment and Maintenance of Order, to isolate the troubles of the galaxy away from the Controllers' domain. Over the millennia, the Controllers realized they would have to take a more active stance by attacking chaos at its roots. Despite all the good they did, there were too many NEMO operatives in too many different places. NEMO and the Controllers devised a new plan to ensure order, which resulted in the creation of the Darkstars.
As time went on, the Controllers express concerns about the effectiveness of the Darkstars. More specifically, they are troubled that Darkstar agents are mostly looking after their own agendas rather than those of the Controllers. The Controllers eventually withdraw their support for the Darkstars; this causes the members who use early Darkstar uniforms to lose their powers, as they rely on energy from the Controllers. The later, self-contained suits are unaffected. Many Darkstars are killed or lose their battlesuits in battle with Grayven. The last of the Darkstars (Ferrin Colos, Chaser Bron, and Munchuk) are killed while battling Starbreaker.
The Controllers, on the brink of extinction, capture the Guardians of the Universe in an attempt to convert them into Controllers. It is also revealed that they have created new exo-mantles which are far more lethal than the previous generation and possess tactical capabilities that surpass those of the Green Lanterns. However, the Controllers soon discover that the Darkstars' mantles are beyond their control when one activates itself and begins searching for a suitable volunteer, ignoring the Controllers' orders. Tomar-Tu later reveals to Hal Jordan that the mantles had gained sentience. During the last stand against the Darkstars, Jordan makes the Darkstars' mantles malfunction, ending their threat.
The Darkstars utilize armor called an "exo-mantle" which grants superhuman strength, speed, high-speed flight, and the ability to project a force field that can absorb kinetic impacts. The exo-mantle is equipped with twin maser units capable of firing energy bolts with pinpoint accuracy, as well as a shoulder-mounted cannon.
A group partially inspired by the Darkstars called the Blackstars appear in Absolute Green Lantern.