Courtney Whitmore (comics)

Courtney Whitmore
Artwork for the cover of JSA #81 (Mar, 2006) featuring Stargirl and S.T.R.I.P.E. Art by Alex Ross.
Publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. # 0 (July 1999)
Created by	Geoff Johns
In-story information
Alter ego	Courtney Elizabeth Whitmore
Team affiliations	Justice Society of America Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. Suicide Squad Young Justice Justice League
Notable aliases	Star-Spangled Kid, Stargirl
Abilities	Trained gymnast and kickboxer Via Cosmic Converter Belt: Enhanced strength, speed, agility, and stamina Ability to project 'shooting stars' Via Cosmic Staff: Flight Energy manipulation

Courtney Elizabeth Whitmore is a superheroine known as Stargirl (often called "Stars" or "Star") in the DC Comics Universe. Originally known as the second Star-Spangled Kid, she began using the name "Stargirl" after she was presented with the Cosmic Staff by Jack Knight. The character is a creation of Geoff Johns, who based her personality on that of his sister, also named Courtney, who died in the explosion of TWA Flight 800 in 1996. Johns is a fan of Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew, and Courtney's original outfit is similar to Zoo Crew member Yankee Poodle's; in the comics, this is explained by Courtney being a fan of Yankee Poodle.

Courtney Whitmore, stepdaughter of Pat Dugan, finds the original Star-Spangled Kid's gear in her stepfather's belongings. She dons the costume to annoy Dugan; she resents his marrying her mother and moving the family from Los Angeles to Blue Valley, Nebraska. Dugan, a skilled mechanic, designs and builds S.T.R.I.P.E., a robotic suit that he uses to accompany and protect her.

During her time in Blue Valley, her frequent nemesis is the young villainess known as Shiv, daughter of the immortal Dragon King. Their most recent rematch was in Infinite Crisis, on a page added to the hardcover edition.

Courtney joins the Justice Society of America. After being given Starman Jack Knight's cosmic staff, she changes her identity to Stargirl.