As the Star Brand, Ken Connell attends a comic book convention in Pittsburgh. The Old Man returns and demands that Connell return the Star Brand to him. The two battle, destroying the convention site, killing over 5,000 people. The Old Man "kills" Connell by fusing with him, pouring all of his energies and memories into Connell. Ken flies to Myron Feldman who convinces Connell that he must get rid of the Star Brand. Myron tells Connell to fly into deep space and attach the Star Brand to a common barbell, leaving Ken with only 10% of his current Star Brand power. But, Ken only flies 10 miles up above Pittsburgh, thinking that would be far enough. Connell attaches the Star Brand to the barbell causing a massive explosion that destroys Pittsburgh and its environs.