Stripes was formerly the Star Spangledman but was forced to turn his Star Staff over to a young Brittany Spears wannabe by the higher up Justice Lords, and retire. He swore to one day get revenge. Batman approached him with a suit that would give him similar powers to his Star Staff. (If you haven't guessed Starman never existed in this world. The Star Spangled kid was the on with the Star Staff) Batman offered him a chance to get his revenge against the very people who had forced him into retirement. From that day forth he was known as Stripes.