Northstar (Marvel Comics)

Northstar
Cover to Uncanny X-Men #392. Art by Salvador Larroca.
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Uncanny X-Men #120 (April 1979)
Created by	Chris Claremont (writer) John Byrne (artist)
In-story information
Alter ego	Jean-Paul Beaubier
Species	Human Mutant
Team affiliations	X-Men Children of the Vault HYDRA Alpha Flight Secret Defenders FLQ Alpha Squadron Dawn of White Light
Notable aliases	Jean-Paul Martin
Abilities	Superhuman speed and durability Flight Light manipulation

Northstar (French: Étoile du Nord) (Jean-Paul Beaubier) is a fictional superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, the character first appeared in X-Men #120 (April 1979) as a member of the fictional Canadian superhero team, Alpha Flight.

Northstar is a member of a fictional subspecies of humanity known as mutants, who are born with superhuman abilities. The character possesses the ability to travel at superhuman speeds, fly, and project photonic energy blasts. His twin sister, Aurora, possesses similar abilities. Although the character was initially depicted as a member of Alpha Flight, he has appeared regularly as a member of the X-Men since joining the team of mutants in Uncanny X-Men #414 (December 2002).

The character is one of the first openly gay superheroes in American comic books, and the first openly gay character to come out in a book published by Marvel Comics. He married his husband, Kyle Jinadu, in Astonishing X-Men #51 (June 2012), which was the first depiction of a same-sex wedding in mainstream comics.

Northstar debuted in Uncanny X-Men #120 (April 1979) as part of the Canadian government sponsored team Alpha Flight, who sought to take Wolverine of the X-Men into custody. In 1983, Alpha Flight went on to star in its own comic, with Northstar as a charter member. In addition to the Alpha Flight comic and associated annuals, Northstar and other members of the team made numerous guest appearances in other titles, particularly Uncanny X-Men and Wolverine. Northstar was also featured in miniseries including two X-Men and Alpha Flight series and Secret Wars II.