A monstrous "Space God", recently acknowledged the Star-Brand as a monstrous Space God himself (Avengers 34.2). Now while this may at first appear to be hyperbole because they did not actually fight, I don't see why the creature wouldn't have treated him like a gnat. The Brand is as powerful as the wielder believes that it is. So if he believes that he is as powerful as a High Herald that's what he will be. The Brand is capable of outputting far more power than a High Herald Zop. I can't wait until an exceptional artist sketches the Star Brand, so that I can make a sig.
Avengers 34.2 just came out. I'm telling you that you're going to have egg on your face over this Herald level at max thing. The Brand is capable of outputting far more than Herald level power. Just wait and see. Don't forget that Kevin is still extremely new to the use of the Brand. Also, a being of Galactus' power level could be a planetary defense agent, just like a being of Quasar's power level can be the protector of the Universe and given that title by an acknowledged cosmic being.
We'll see. Also, I saw the scans of the issue you are referencing in the ownage thread. Nothing of consequence happened. Starbrand convinced a failed sun to find a new host instead of Earth.
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..even the outer hells are indifferent matters for they bow only to potent and archaic Nodens.
Lol...Starbrand has already proven he is far above Herald level unless you think the full Avengers squad including Thor, Hulk, Hyperion, Captain Marvel and Ironman is a bunch of metas. Starbrand took it to all of them and was holding back.
He was also cut and hurt by a butcher knife, which shows that he's as powerful as he perceives himself to be. i mean compare being tickled by Mjolnir thrown by Thor, to a civilian wielding a pocket knife.. I think Marvel is building Kevin up to be it's Kyle, and although it's apparent that he (The Star brand) got the nerf bat, I don't believe that decline is as steep as you're eluding to.