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Astro City #1
Astro City, Vol. 1: Life in the Big City
Graphic short stories present the superhereos of Astro City, and the citizens who are affected by the many superbeings who live there.
192 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 1996
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,927 books595 followersKurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 416 reviews
December 22, 2022
The first volume of Kurt Busiek's off centre modern life chronicle about Astro City, the epicentre of this reality's super and magically powered minority. Busiek introduces the layers of society in Astro City initially from a super powered point of view, but then going forward mostly from the views of ordinary civilians.
What really sets this series above others is the limited continuity across issues; the stories all being told by diverse protagonists; the multi layered non-linear chronicling of the history and development of Astro City. Busiek slowly builds up a feel of the city and via non powered non gifted civilians, an overview of many of the gifted people, whilst doing major character development of single individual civilians (many who'll never appear again) in most issues. The downside. It just feels like there's something missing - it might be the dialogue or the overall story building? This series won an Eisner Award for Best New Series! A Three Star, 7 out of 12 for me.
You are now leaving Astro City
2019 read; 2015 read
What really sets this series above others is the limited continuity across issues; the stories all being told by diverse protagonists; the multi layered non-linear chronicling of the history and development of Astro City. Busiek slowly builds up a feel of the city and via non powered non gifted civilians, an overview of many of the gifted people, whilst doing major character development of single individual civilians (many who'll never appear again) in most issues. The downside. It just feels like there's something missing - it might be the dialogue or the overall story building? This series won an Eisner Award for Best New Series! A Three Star, 7 out of 12 for me.
You are now leaving Astro City
2019 read; 2015 read
December 30, 2015
One of my all-time favorite series. I'll happily recommend it to people who don't read comics.
It is a superhero comic, but it's entirely self-contained. If you read a Batman or Green Lantern comic, you'll be confronted with 35 years of soap-opera history. But with Astro City, you can just start reading. You don't need to know anything picking up the series.
It is a superhero comic, but it's entirely self-contained. If you read a Batman or Green Lantern comic, you'll be confronted with 35 years of soap-opera history. But with Astro City, you can just start reading. You don't need to know anything picking up the series.
December 30, 2015
The Resurrection of a Genre and an Industry
In the late 1980's, the popular success of Alan Moore's Watchmen and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns increasingly presented the comic-book industry with a problem: What was there left to say about all those heroes whose colorful costumes looked rather ridiculous through the new, more sophisticated lens that Moore and Miller had developed? The mainstream publishers came up with this response: Let's sweep the ideological critique of Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns under the rug, and let's instead highlight and exploit their "grim and gritty" aspects!
And so the "Modern" or "Dark Age of Comic Books" was ushered in, marked on the one hand by excessively muscled, ultra-violent and often psychotic anti-heroes, and on the other by gimmicks designed to fuel the speculator market: trading cards, so-called limited editions, variant covers, etc. By the mid-1990's, however, the speculator bubble had burst. Sales plummeted, and all those manufactured collectors' items started filling up the bargain bins. Many collectors had never actually read the typically brain-dead content of their bagged and boarded investments, and now that they realized they had been duped, they simply turned their backs on the industry. Hundreds of retail stores went out of business, many publishers downsized or declared bankruptcy, and the industry's very survival was in doubt.
Astro City was Kurt Busiek's attempt to revive the ailing industry by resurrecting the superhero genre, that is, by inverting the trend towards empty spectacle, by restoring the genre's sense of wonder, and by once again providing it with actual meanings. Instead of showcasing still more musclebound maniacs beating the crap out of each other in grim-and-gritty fashion, the short stories collected in Life in the Big City - carefully crafted and surprisingly quiet - actually have something to say. Some explore the human side of superheroes, others focus on the city's non-powered inhabitants while keeping the superheroes in the background.
There is a strong sense of nostalgia throughout the book, as Astro City - despite its futuristic looks - in many ways feels like an idealized version of a U.S. city from the 1950's. Newspaper journalism, for example, is alive and well here, with reporters sparing no effort to uncover the truth, and with editors religiously checking the facts. Admittedly, things can get a little cheesy here and there, but after a decade of steroid-infused, mind-numbingly violent revenge fantasies, all this was a breath of fresh air. The book's highlight is the Eisner-Award-winning "Safeguards," a well-conceived and beautifully executed story about the immigrant experience.
In the late 1980's, the popular success of Alan Moore's Watchmen and Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns increasingly presented the comic-book industry with a problem: What was there left to say about all those heroes whose colorful costumes looked rather ridiculous through the new, more sophisticated lens that Moore and Miller had developed? The mainstream publishers came up with this response: Let's sweep the ideological critique of Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns under the rug, and let's instead highlight and exploit their "grim and gritty" aspects!
And so the "Modern" or "Dark Age of Comic Books" was ushered in, marked on the one hand by excessively muscled, ultra-violent and often psychotic anti-heroes, and on the other by gimmicks designed to fuel the speculator market: trading cards, so-called limited editions, variant covers, etc. By the mid-1990's, however, the speculator bubble had burst. Sales plummeted, and all those manufactured collectors' items started filling up the bargain bins. Many collectors had never actually read the typically brain-dead content of their bagged and boarded investments, and now that they realized they had been duped, they simply turned their backs on the industry. Hundreds of retail stores went out of business, many publishers downsized or declared bankruptcy, and the industry's very survival was in doubt.
Astro City was Kurt Busiek's attempt to revive the ailing industry by resurrecting the superhero genre, that is, by inverting the trend towards empty spectacle, by restoring the genre's sense of wonder, and by once again providing it with actual meanings. Instead of showcasing still more musclebound maniacs beating the crap out of each other in grim-and-gritty fashion, the short stories collected in Life in the Big City - carefully crafted and surprisingly quiet - actually have something to say. Some explore the human side of superheroes, others focus on the city's non-powered inhabitants while keeping the superheroes in the background.
There is a strong sense of nostalgia throughout the book, as Astro City - despite its futuristic looks - in many ways feels like an idealized version of a U.S. city from the 1950's. Newspaper journalism, for example, is alive and well here, with reporters sparing no effort to uncover the truth, and with editors religiously checking the facts. Admittedly, things can get a little cheesy here and there, but after a decade of steroid-infused, mind-numbingly violent revenge fantasies, all this was a breath of fresh air. The book's highlight is the Eisner-Award-winning "Safeguards," a well-conceived and beautifully executed story about the immigrant experience.
August 9, 2016
i have a favorite fantasy, although it is more of a fantasy world or even a fantasy way of how a big city could look and feel. it is a version of 1940s/50s america, but minus the stifling straight whiteness of it all, minus the prejudice and racism and sexism, and definitely minus the atrocities happening around the world during those decades. it is a world of fast-talking, wise-crackin' ace reporters in glorious black-and-white; ambitious young ladies taking on the big city in glorious technicolor; retro-futuristic inventions and space travel; gorgeous femme fatales and tough, melancholy private eyes; strange adventures with sinister villains and heroes & heroines who are kind and decent at heart. the works, all the tropes and all the imagery that movies from those eras infused into me since i was a kid.
although it is set in the 90s, the determinedly retro Life in the Big City gives me that city of my imagination. it has the whole continuum: all the enthusiasm for life in the big city, all the excitement for the future, all the snappy pessimism, all the love for the 'common man', all the noirish melancholy, all the hope and sweetness and adventure. even better, it is a multi-racial world and it doesn't include all of the isms that would nauseate me as an adult. it is rather like a dream come true. yay for dreams come true!
Busiek & Ross' series Astro City is clearly indebted to the brilliant Marvels. well since the two of them came up with Marvels, i suppose they are indebted to themselves. it takes that graphic novel's central idea of Us Common Folk living in a world of wonder and superheroes and makes it the ongoing theme: what would it be like to live in that world, to live amongst mortal gods, to read about them in the paper or to see them flying overhead? what would that feel like? and what would the city that houses such larger-than-life things look and feel like?
Busiek includes the thought processes of the heroes themselves, often but not always making them central to his stories, and usually making them nearly as mortal as us common folk. a Superman who is so busy saving the world that at night he dreams only of flying free. a lonely Wonder Woman whose sole purpose is to protect and empower women everywhere. a Fantastic Four, a bizarre clown version of Batman, and so many more. who is The Confessor? what is The Hanged Man? and what the hell is up with Crackerjack? some of the heroes are made human, some are made mysterious, others are clearly biding their time before the focus moves to them. things for the reader to eagerly anticipate.
the writing is warm, witty, and wise. the iconic covers by Ross are splendid. the art by Brent Anderson is... well, i'm not as big a fan of his work as others may be, but he is often rather good and i like many of the background details that he cleverly includes throughout his panels.
i'm not sure this is actually a '5 star book' because there is a rather high level of cheesiness that comes up in the fifth story (oh, Crackerjack, i shake my head at you). but i don't care. my 5 star books are my favorite books and now, after a third read, this remains a glorious favorite.
although it is set in the 90s, the determinedly retro Life in the Big City gives me that city of my imagination. it has the whole continuum: all the enthusiasm for life in the big city, all the excitement for the future, all the snappy pessimism, all the love for the 'common man', all the noirish melancholy, all the hope and sweetness and adventure. even better, it is a multi-racial world and it doesn't include all of the isms that would nauseate me as an adult. it is rather like a dream come true. yay for dreams come true!
Busiek & Ross' series Astro City is clearly indebted to the brilliant Marvels. well since the two of them came up with Marvels, i suppose they are indebted to themselves. it takes that graphic novel's central idea of Us Common Folk living in a world of wonder and superheroes and makes it the ongoing theme: what would it be like to live in that world, to live amongst mortal gods, to read about them in the paper or to see them flying overhead? what would that feel like? and what would the city that houses such larger-than-life things look and feel like?
Busiek includes the thought processes of the heroes themselves, often but not always making them central to his stories, and usually making them nearly as mortal as us common folk. a Superman who is so busy saving the world that at night he dreams only of flying free. a lonely Wonder Woman whose sole purpose is to protect and empower women everywhere. a Fantastic Four, a bizarre clown version of Batman, and so many more. who is The Confessor? what is The Hanged Man? and what the hell is up with Crackerjack? some of the heroes are made human, some are made mysterious, others are clearly biding their time before the focus moves to them. things for the reader to eagerly anticipate.
the writing is warm, witty, and wise. the iconic covers by Ross are splendid. the art by Brent Anderson is... well, i'm not as big a fan of his work as others may be, but he is often rather good and i like many of the background details that he cleverly includes throughout his panels.
i'm not sure this is actually a '5 star book' because there is a rather high level of cheesiness that comes up in the fifth story (oh, Crackerjack, i shake my head at you). but i don't care. my 5 star books are my favorite books and now, after a third read, this remains a glorious favorite.
June 29, 2018
I normally start reviews with a teaser but this is a really difficult collection to write a teaser for. Astro City was Kurt Busiek's follow up to Marvels. I'm only a couple decades late to the party but I have to say this is a good beginning.
While tales featuring The Samaritan, Astro City's Superman analogue, bookend the tale, it's more about the non-superpowered denizens of Astro City. Like the reporter who witnessed a battle between the Honor Guard and some shark men. Or the crook who saw the Jack in the Box unmasked. Or Marta, the girl from Shadow Hill, the scary part of town. Or the weird old man who seems to be cataloging super heroes.
One thing that knocked me on my ass about Astro City is that in six issues, Kurt Busiek has created a deep sense of history. It feels like there are decades worth of Astro City comics before this that no one has ever read. It would be easy to dismiss this as Busiek's attempt at playing with the Big Two's toys without permission, filing off the serial numbers and calling them something else, but it's a lot more than that.
It's about people living in a world with super heroes in it and the super heroes feel pretty human to me. Samaritan and Winged Victory are overworked. Crackerjack wishes he was the top of the super hero food chain. Marta just wants to escape Shadow Hill. Eyes wants to be a big shot.
I picked this up used for $4, thinking I wouldn't be out much if I didn't enjoy it. Well, now I'm in for the long haul. I've got a couple decades worth of comics to catch up on. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
While tales featuring The Samaritan, Astro City's Superman analogue, bookend the tale, it's more about the non-superpowered denizens of Astro City. Like the reporter who witnessed a battle between the Honor Guard and some shark men. Or the crook who saw the Jack in the Box unmasked. Or Marta, the girl from Shadow Hill, the scary part of town. Or the weird old man who seems to be cataloging super heroes.
One thing that knocked me on my ass about Astro City is that in six issues, Kurt Busiek has created a deep sense of history. It feels like there are decades worth of Astro City comics before this that no one has ever read. It would be easy to dismiss this as Busiek's attempt at playing with the Big Two's toys without permission, filing off the serial numbers and calling them something else, but it's a lot more than that.
It's about people living in a world with super heroes in it and the super heroes feel pretty human to me. Samaritan and Winged Victory are overworked. Crackerjack wishes he was the top of the super hero food chain. Marta just wants to escape Shadow Hill. Eyes wants to be a big shot.
I picked this up used for $4, thinking I wouldn't be out much if I didn't enjoy it. Well, now I'm in for the long haul. I've got a couple decades worth of comics to catch up on. 4.5 out of 5 stars.
December 23, 2010
Yeesh. I must not be artsy-fartsy enough to appreciate Astro City's...whatever it is that I'm supposed to appreciate.
It was boring. And the art was fugly. However, everyone else seemed to love it, so it's probably just me.
It was boring. And the art was fugly. However, everyone else seemed to love it, so it's probably just me.
December 16, 2019
Thought I'd go back and do a re-read of this seminal series.
I love the perspective Busiek brings to each story. Yes, it's superhero comics but sometimes it's told from eyes of a Superman who is so busy saving the world that he has no time to have a life of his own. Sometimes it's the perspective of a small time hood who learns the identity of a hero when he sees him changing in a back alley. Sometimes it's an alien spy sent to watch Earth and call in an invasion when he feels Earth is ripe for a takeover. Just like he did in Marvels, Busiek brings a unique angle to his stories. One, you as a reader, have never seen before even though you've read comics since childhood. It's that perspective that makes this book unique.
I love the perspective Busiek brings to each story. Yes, it's superhero comics but sometimes it's told from eyes of a Superman who is so busy saving the world that he has no time to have a life of his own. Sometimes it's the perspective of a small time hood who learns the identity of a hero when he sees him changing in a back alley. Sometimes it's an alien spy sent to watch Earth and call in an invasion when he feels Earth is ripe for a takeover. Just like he did in Marvels, Busiek brings a unique angle to his stories. One, you as a reader, have never seen before even though you've read comics since childhood. It's that perspective that makes this book unique.
January 3, 2019
A meta-commentary on the superhero comic genre, Busiek takes us into the alleyways and apartments of average bystanders, the interior thoughts and personal struggles of superheroes. As Busiek himself compares this to Marvels, he says it’s not a realist’s approach to comics, it’s a post-realism, post-Modern Age return to optimistic storytelling, a place to tell stories that matter more than cosmic bombast. Well done.
February 15, 2018
I've been wanting to read Astro city a long time. I love Kurt's stuff usually and I really wanted to love this. Did I? Well...I loved parts of it.
The volume really focuses on the city itself. We get a bunch of different stories, some intertwined with each other somewhat, but mostly it's there to build these characters in the city up. The idea is to give the people of this amazing city their own life and through their eyes learn about the heroes. On the flipside it also gives us focus sometimes on the heroes themselves and why they're interesting. This brings it all together a interesting experiment but also can cause some flaws.
Good: Loved 2 stories, enjoyed 2 others, and thought 2 were duds. Let's talk about the two I loved. There's one where this criminal sees a hero unmasked. He then goes the rest of his days always afraid, always looking always the shoulder. It's a great, tense, interesting chapter. I also really loved the last story here that two superheroes, basically wonder woman and superman characters, going on a date. It has love, politics, and sexism all in one great chapter.
Bad: There's one really boring issue about a bug human who's story isn't only dull but also leaves you not giving a shit what happens. I also thought the first story was a tad boring and didn't give the series the start it deserved.
Overall this was a solid, good, interesting idea. I have a feeling as it goes it gets even better. Right now it's good, so a 3 out of 5, but I'm eager to keep trying.
The volume really focuses on the city itself. We get a bunch of different stories, some intertwined with each other somewhat, but mostly it's there to build these characters in the city up. The idea is to give the people of this amazing city their own life and through their eyes learn about the heroes. On the flipside it also gives us focus sometimes on the heroes themselves and why they're interesting. This brings it all together a interesting experiment but also can cause some flaws.
Good: Loved 2 stories, enjoyed 2 others, and thought 2 were duds. Let's talk about the two I loved. There's one where this criminal sees a hero unmasked. He then goes the rest of his days always afraid, always looking always the shoulder. It's a great, tense, interesting chapter. I also really loved the last story here that two superheroes, basically wonder woman and superman characters, going on a date. It has love, politics, and sexism all in one great chapter.
Bad: There's one really boring issue about a bug human who's story isn't only dull but also leaves you not giving a shit what happens. I also thought the first story was a tad boring and didn't give the series the start it deserved.
Overall this was a solid, good, interesting idea. I have a feeling as it goes it gets even better. Right now it's good, so a 3 out of 5, but I'm eager to keep trying.
July 13, 2013
A couple of years ago I tried reading Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross' Marvels, a book I was assured was a superhero classic and an incredible comic. It feels like superheroes could exist in our world! is the general sentiment around that book. I got about a third of the way through before I gave up. Terrible art - I don't like Ross' ultra-realistic painted style, the figures are too static - and boring characters telling unimpressive superhero stories made me drop the book long before the end.
More recently I read Superman: Secret Identity and finally saw why Busiek is praised, so I decided to try another of his books, the critically acclaimed Astro City from 1995. I got further than I did with Marvels but I also gave up on this one too - it's essentially Marvels with a different artist.
The city is full of Busiek-created superheroes, all of them analogues of DC/Marvel characters (and forgettable to boot) and the chapters are told from the perspective of different narrators in the fictional town of Astro City. The comparison to Marvels isn't immediately apparent as the first story is told from the perspective of the Superman analogue but from then on we get a string of ordinary people telling you their stories encountering superheroes in their everyday lives, one of whom - the newspaper editor - seemed exactly like the Marvels narrator.
It doesn't help that the narrators are bland and uninteresting or that the superheroes are equally dull, but the stories feel decidedly one note - narrator tells you their ordinary life, a superhero saves them from a crime of some sort, the end. It's exactly the same formula as Marvels minus the Alex Ross art, though Brent Anderson's art is a long way from impressive either.
It's not that it's badly written, it's just a really dull read. I suppose if Marvels is your bag, you'll love Astro City - if like me you didn't enjoy Marvels, you definitely won't like this one.
More recently I read Superman: Secret Identity and finally saw why Busiek is praised, so I decided to try another of his books, the critically acclaimed Astro City from 1995. I got further than I did with Marvels but I also gave up on this one too - it's essentially Marvels with a different artist.
The city is full of Busiek-created superheroes, all of them analogues of DC/Marvel characters (and forgettable to boot) and the chapters are told from the perspective of different narrators in the fictional town of Astro City. The comparison to Marvels isn't immediately apparent as the first story is told from the perspective of the Superman analogue but from then on we get a string of ordinary people telling you their stories encountering superheroes in their everyday lives, one of whom - the newspaper editor - seemed exactly like the Marvels narrator.
It doesn't help that the narrators are bland and uninteresting or that the superheroes are equally dull, but the stories feel decidedly one note - narrator tells you their ordinary life, a superhero saves them from a crime of some sort, the end. It's exactly the same formula as Marvels minus the Alex Ross art, though Brent Anderson's art is a long way from impressive either.
It's not that it's badly written, it's just a really dull read. I suppose if Marvels is your bag, you'll love Astro City - if like me you didn't enjoy Marvels, you definitely won't like this one.
February 16, 2022
Whilst it's not always a pleasure to look at, this is a really well done ode to the superhero genre. Not many anthology books manage to maintain momentum throughout, but Astro City is one that does just that. There are stories focusing on heroes, villains and citizens, chronicling their daily lives in Astro City and how the superhero phenomenon affects them.
August 19, 2013
I love Marvels. It's one of the few graphic novels that I've read over and over, and loved every time. So it's hardly surprising that I also loved Astro City.
I think the best and easiest way of describing Astro City as Marvels, with original heroes. There are a few more differences in setup. Marvels was essentially the history of the Marvel U to that point, while Astro City is more a series of slice-of-life vignettes in a superhero world. And honestly, I didn't love each of them equally. The fifth story, with its focus on the Booster Gold-esque Crackerjack, wasn't quite as good as the first one, which focused on a Superman-ish hero who dreams about flying, really flying, without hurry or interruption. But there wasn't a single story in here weak enough that I didn't like it.
The cast of characters is really interesting. Some of the superheroes look like obvious expys of iconic heroes (Winged Victory is almost painfully Wonder Woman), while others look like far more original creations. I'm especially intrigued by Beautie, who looks like a life-sized original Barbie. Expy or not, the designs are convincing and, for the most part, look great. And we get just enough of a taste of most of them to leave me wanting more. Who or what is the Hanged Man? Why is the Hill so Lovecraftian? Lots of questions, mostly because the world is simply presented as is, without any more exposition than is absolutely necessary.
I read several Astro City trades, though I don't remember how many or which ones. I do remember that this was my favorite of the bunch. I might read more, to see if that still holds true.
I think the best and easiest way of describing Astro City as Marvels, with original heroes. There are a few more differences in setup. Marvels was essentially the history of the Marvel U to that point, while Astro City is more a series of slice-of-life vignettes in a superhero world. And honestly, I didn't love each of them equally. The fifth story, with its focus on the Booster Gold-esque Crackerjack, wasn't quite as good as the first one, which focused on a Superman-ish hero who dreams about flying, really flying, without hurry or interruption. But there wasn't a single story in here weak enough that I didn't like it.
The cast of characters is really interesting. Some of the superheroes look like obvious expys of iconic heroes (Winged Victory is almost painfully Wonder Woman), while others look like far more original creations. I'm especially intrigued by Beautie, who looks like a life-sized original Barbie. Expy or not, the designs are convincing and, for the most part, look great. And we get just enough of a taste of most of them to leave me wanting more. Who or what is the Hanged Man? Why is the Hill so Lovecraftian? Lots of questions, mostly because the world is simply presented as is, without any more exposition than is absolutely necessary.
I read several Astro City trades, though I don't remember how many or which ones. I do remember that this was my favorite of the bunch. I might read more, to see if that still holds true.
September 7, 2013
Astro City captures the sort of awe this superhero fiction lover has felt since being a young kid and watching shows and movies about superheroes. I grew up in the 80s and we had the Christopher Reeve Superman movies, which were huge for that time period. I watched them again a couple of months ago, and while some aspects are a bit cheesy and dated, the essence is pure and still meaningful, and will bring me back to watch those movies again and again. Having said that, I've never been as huge a fan of Superman as Batman, honestly. Mainly because I sense a dark pain (and emotional conflicts) in Batman that feels more vivid to me and draws me deeper into his story. However, recently, my feelings have evolved to see Superman in a more elemental way. Superman has his own share of angst to carry around. He's alone amongst a crowd--the only one of his kind (at least early on). His powers cause him to always be abnormal, despite the facade he wears as Clark Kent. He chooses to stand up for good and right. And Lord knows that can be very hard to do. Right there is plenty of pathos, and I don't need an uber-dark storyline to get it. So I think that was I in the right mindset for this graphic novel.
In the introduction of this graphic novel collection, Kurt Busiek talks about how he didn't want to deconstruct superheroes because it's been done so much. I can understand that. Lately, we look at the dark side of superheroes because the so-called innocence of our Millennial world has been lost, and now we need icons who are in the dark along with the rest of us so we can relate. However, I think it's good to go back to basics and look at things for what they are, the potential that's never left behind with this subject matter, looking at the superhero archetype in its essential form. Having said that, there is still an 'authenticity' here. You have superheroes who not only deal with the ins and outs of saving the world, but also have to integrate their superhero-ness into a normal life.
One such hero has a day that is crammed full of tasks (and fortunately is able to use a quirk of his brain anatomy to do his work while he's in and out of the office, attending to his work as a caped crusader). He accomplishes so much every day, but few know just how much. At night, when he gets much-needed rest, he dreams of just flying with no particular goal, just because. I can relate to him in that I know I've felt my days were crammed chock-full, and there was no time to stop and smell the roses. I wonder where all that time went? But that's my life, so needs must.
How about how others perceive superheroes? This book covers this concept as well. A woman whose daily outlook is colored by the rituals that define her faith and culture looks at superheroes as special, until she realizes that they too adhere to particular rituals to make their world safe (and others with it). It gives her the strength to break out of a mold that is causing her to die a little every day on the inside. She draws courage from knowing that the superheroes aren't that different from her in the most essential ways.
How does one make sense of a world in which so much craziness goes on before one's eyes? That a reporter is an eyewitness and tries to write about the incredible things he's seen, no one will believe him? Even in Astro City, where the abnormal is normal, people don't see unless they believe it (or vice versa), and not even then.
You have the jaded view of superheroes by an extra-terrestrial observer. He sees them as just another part of what is wrong with earthlings, until he meets a very flawed superhero who makes him realize that even in their most flawed states, at least humans do try to excel for something more. Isn't a superhero just a glamorized example of that?
Lastly, can superheroes take the time to date, and another superhero in particular, who has their own set of enormous hangups and a world to save? Can they find a meeting of minds, once they take the chance to just be themselves for a night?
Astro City is a place, but it's also a concept. A way of looking at the superhero genre, at the micro and macro level. Even with more than 70 years (at least the early 20th century) under its belt, this genre still has a lot to say to a reader.
Astro City is sort of an example of just how diverse the superhero theme can be for a lens through which to examine the lives of characters. We see that being a superhero comes with its own set of problems. It's an avocation, and like any, that means sacrifices. Others may look in from the outside and see only the advantages, or even stereotype superheroes as all being the same, but each one is unique with their own story to tell, and the challenges that go along with it.
Visiting Astro City was an enjoyable jaunt. I have to come back through town again and meet a few more of its inhabitants in the near future. I will definitely follow this series, and hopefully I can write a better review about the next volume.
In the introduction of this graphic novel collection, Kurt Busiek talks about how he didn't want to deconstruct superheroes because it's been done so much. I can understand that. Lately, we look at the dark side of superheroes because the so-called innocence of our Millennial world has been lost, and now we need icons who are in the dark along with the rest of us so we can relate. However, I think it's good to go back to basics and look at things for what they are, the potential that's never left behind with this subject matter, looking at the superhero archetype in its essential form. Having said that, there is still an 'authenticity' here. You have superheroes who not only deal with the ins and outs of saving the world, but also have to integrate their superhero-ness into a normal life.
One such hero has a day that is crammed full of tasks (and fortunately is able to use a quirk of his brain anatomy to do his work while he's in and out of the office, attending to his work as a caped crusader). He accomplishes so much every day, but few know just how much. At night, when he gets much-needed rest, he dreams of just flying with no particular goal, just because. I can relate to him in that I know I've felt my days were crammed chock-full, and there was no time to stop and smell the roses. I wonder where all that time went? But that's my life, so needs must.
How about how others perceive superheroes? This book covers this concept as well. A woman whose daily outlook is colored by the rituals that define her faith and culture looks at superheroes as special, until she realizes that they too adhere to particular rituals to make their world safe (and others with it). It gives her the strength to break out of a mold that is causing her to die a little every day on the inside. She draws courage from knowing that the superheroes aren't that different from her in the most essential ways.
How does one make sense of a world in which so much craziness goes on before one's eyes? That a reporter is an eyewitness and tries to write about the incredible things he's seen, no one will believe him? Even in Astro City, where the abnormal is normal, people don't see unless they believe it (or vice versa), and not even then.
You have the jaded view of superheroes by an extra-terrestrial observer. He sees them as just another part of what is wrong with earthlings, until he meets a very flawed superhero who makes him realize that even in their most flawed states, at least humans do try to excel for something more. Isn't a superhero just a glamorized example of that?
Lastly, can superheroes take the time to date, and another superhero in particular, who has their own set of enormous hangups and a world to save? Can they find a meeting of minds, once they take the chance to just be themselves for a night?
Astro City is a place, but it's also a concept. A way of looking at the superhero genre, at the micro and macro level. Even with more than 70 years (at least the early 20th century) under its belt, this genre still has a lot to say to a reader.
Astro City is sort of an example of just how diverse the superhero theme can be for a lens through which to examine the lives of characters. We see that being a superhero comes with its own set of problems. It's an avocation, and like any, that means sacrifices. Others may look in from the outside and see only the advantages, or even stereotype superheroes as all being the same, but each one is unique with their own story to tell, and the challenges that go along with it.
Visiting Astro City was an enjoyable jaunt. I have to come back through town again and meet a few more of its inhabitants in the near future. I will definitely follow this series, and hopefully I can write a better review about the next volume.
September 21, 2022
The first story of the Superman style hero being so damn busy is great. The rest I could take or leave. Some fun stories though. Busiek knows superheroes quite well and he shows he's a master of the genre here.
July 18, 2016
A-maz-ing.
Such a love letter to old-school comics in which the setting is the lead character, kind of like Sin City without the sleaze or Top Ten without the snark.
Can't wait to get my hands on vol. 2!
Such a love letter to old-school comics in which the setting is the lead character, kind of like Sin City without the sleaze or Top Ten without the snark.
Can't wait to get my hands on vol. 2!
June 26, 2016
This is one of those series that makes me glad I started reading comic books. Since 2013, one thing that struck me about the difference between traditional novels and comic books/graphic novels is the overall setting, or "universe" that the stories exist in. In your average novel/novella/short story, the world the plot and/or characters inhabits is usually only contained in that book (and mostly by the original author). In contrast, comic books can be written by more than one author and the "world" of an individual comic is only a part of its overall "universe." This "universe" is usually held together by the publishing house of the comic book. Imagine if the works of James Joyce, Will Faulkner, and J.K. Rowling took place in the same reality and their characters were expected to be written by a successive host of people in the decades to come. This is the usual reality of comic books, I am not gonna say if it is better or worse than traditional books, but it is what it is.
I say all that, to bring us to Kurt Busiek's Astro City. Busiek seems to not have been informed that comics and novels were different in the above respects. Though he has written on various books for both DC and Marvel Comics, he has been writing his own creation, which starts with this volume, for 20 years with no real end in sight. In it he has created a universe of his own, based on previous characters but, with their own stories and development. He has created a world with its own history (well...after 1986 to be sure) and its own pacing and feel. He has been the sole writer of the books with Brent Anderson the only artist and Alex Ross the only one drawing the cover Art in 2 decades. This stability allows for a very cohesive and steady world to exist in its own way and the character development and passage of time has been very well done. You literally watch certain characters age and see superhero personas handed down from one generation to the next.
Now the other aspect of the Astro City series that makes it stand apart is the focus or point-of-view that is being looked at in these series and which we see here. I have noticed a trend in how the two big publishers have traditionally told their stories When we read a book about Superman, it is about Superman being Superman. We are given his back-story and kept up to date on his life as Clark Kent, but in the end this is a Superman story: that is (or was?) DC Comics. When we read about Spider-Man we are, reading about Peter Parker's or Miles Morales' efforts at being Spider-Man and the collateral damage/fallout that has for his personal life. We see how society views him, his family views him, his fellow superheroes (and villains) view and interact with him: Marvel is behind the "mask" the way DC is in front of it. Astro City is something else entirely.
To use Batman as an example of the way Astro City works. You start off the series with Batman's view, then you go to Bruce Wayne's view, then you go to the view of Bruce Wayne's co-workers, or his butler and this is where Astro City ultimately is. The city and its inhabitants and their relationship to the superheroes and villains is the focus of this story and most of the story-arcs are set-up this way. The heroes and villains do get spotlight and play major roles in a lot of the storylines, but the main focus is pedestrians who get involved or not involved in the story or the commotion that unfolds around them. "Superheroes battling aliens or villains or monsters are significant, but me getting bills paid and taking care of family or trying to get on my feet are just as important." This comic series could be easily titled Magical Realism: The Comic Book. I cannot recommend this series enough, Busiek writing is as much influenced by the great literary works of the 20th century as anyone and the down-to-earth feel, diversity, and realism of the book is unparalleled. Many of the stories in this book have been picked up by (or you could say homaged/plagiarized by) Marvel and DC Comics (ironically many of the locations of Astro City are named after writers and artists of those companies). At a time when "the big two" comic publishers have been coming under fire for how they have lagged behind in the diversity and multiculturalism of the places and people they write about, Busiek has excelled. For one thing, he has had more people of color as both superheroes and supervillains in 20 years than Marvel and DC has done in almost 80 years. He is not afraid to address real issues in a world populated with aliens and people who can fly. In a sense this series is sci-fi magical realism in comic book form.
This is crazy but it seems I have spent more time giving an overview of the whole series than this 1 volume. I will make sure to focus more on the actual volumes now when I review the next volume in this series.
I say all that, to bring us to Kurt Busiek's Astro City. Busiek seems to not have been informed that comics and novels were different in the above respects. Though he has written on various books for both DC and Marvel Comics, he has been writing his own creation, which starts with this volume, for 20 years with no real end in sight. In it he has created a universe of his own, based on previous characters but, with their own stories and development. He has created a world with its own history (well...after 1986 to be sure) and its own pacing and feel. He has been the sole writer of the books with Brent Anderson the only artist and Alex Ross the only one drawing the cover Art in 2 decades. This stability allows for a very cohesive and steady world to exist in its own way and the character development and passage of time has been very well done. You literally watch certain characters age and see superhero personas handed down from one generation to the next.
Now the other aspect of the Astro City series that makes it stand apart is the focus or point-of-view that is being looked at in these series and which we see here. I have noticed a trend in how the two big publishers have traditionally told their stories When we read a book about Superman, it is about Superman being Superman. We are given his back-story and kept up to date on his life as Clark Kent, but in the end this is a Superman story: that is (or was?) DC Comics. When we read about Spider-Man we are, reading about Peter Parker's or Miles Morales' efforts at being Spider-Man and the collateral damage/fallout that has for his personal life. We see how society views him, his family views him, his fellow superheroes (and villains) view and interact with him: Marvel is behind the "mask" the way DC is in front of it. Astro City is something else entirely.
To use Batman as an example of the way Astro City works. You start off the series with Batman's view, then you go to Bruce Wayne's view, then you go to the view of Bruce Wayne's co-workers, or his butler and this is where Astro City ultimately is. The city and its inhabitants and their relationship to the superheroes and villains is the focus of this story and most of the story-arcs are set-up this way. The heroes and villains do get spotlight and play major roles in a lot of the storylines, but the main focus is pedestrians who get involved or not involved in the story or the commotion that unfolds around them. "Superheroes battling aliens or villains or monsters are significant, but me getting bills paid and taking care of family or trying to get on my feet are just as important." This comic series could be easily titled Magical Realism: The Comic Book. I cannot recommend this series enough, Busiek writing is as much influenced by the great literary works of the 20th century as anyone and the down-to-earth feel, diversity, and realism of the book is unparalleled. Many of the stories in this book have been picked up by (or you could say homaged/plagiarized by) Marvel and DC Comics (ironically many of the locations of Astro City are named after writers and artists of those companies). At a time when "the big two" comic publishers have been coming under fire for how they have lagged behind in the diversity and multiculturalism of the places and people they write about, Busiek has excelled. For one thing, he has had more people of color as both superheroes and supervillains in 20 years than Marvel and DC has done in almost 80 years. He is not afraid to address real issues in a world populated with aliens and people who can fly. In a sense this series is sci-fi magical realism in comic book form.
This is crazy but it seems I have spent more time giving an overview of the whole series than this 1 volume. I will make sure to focus more on the actual volumes now when I review the next volume in this series.
April 22, 2021
I actually really ended up liking this graphic novel. I wasn't sure if I would or not when I first started reading it-being thrown headfirst into "Astro City" and it's superhero eccentricities was a little strange. After all, this book didn't come with the inherent backstory that comes with Marvel and DC. But this collection of short stories was actually a really smart take on the superhero genre, obviously mirroring certain superheroes and tropes, while also still being its own thing. I felt like there was a lot of commentary going on, not only of the superhero genre, but also of society as a whole. I haven't quite wrapped my mind around all of it yet: On its surface, these were just interesting stories. But there's a sense of "moreness" that I can't wait to discuss at my library's comic book club!
January 10, 2019
One of the greatest series’ of all time.
June 9, 2022
#ThrowbackThursday - Back in the '90s, I used to write comic book reviews for the website of a now-defunct comic book retailer called Rockem Sockem Comics. (Collect them all!)
From the January 1999 edition with a theme of "Worst of '98 and a Gem for All Time":
INTRODUCTION
Howdy, and welcome to the second entry in a new annual tradition.
Since I tend to write about the comics I like and mostly give middling to positive reviews all year long, I use New Year's Day as an opportunity to reflect on the comics I didn't review -- the dregs of the comic book industry.
Yes, it's the LWYBM Worst of '98!
Huzzah!
Note: For balance, you'll find a glowing review of one of the best superhero books of the 'Nineties -- ASTRO CITY -- after all the dreck.
Disclaimer: Keep in mind, many more awful comics exist than you'll find listed here; these are only the ones I had the misfortune of reading this year.
FROM THE BACKLIST
ASTRO CITY Volume 1 #1-6 (Image Comics)
ASTRO CITY Volume 2 #1/2-15 (Homage Comics/Image Comics)
DC Comics helped redefine superhero comic books in the 80s with the publication of WATCHMEN and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. These two limited series crystallized the grim-'n'-gritty and apocalyptic movements. They began a tradition of deconstructing the role of the superhero in a real society -- taking the consequences of superpowers to logical extremes in futuristic settings or alternate realities-- that has lasted well into the 90s. It's my hope that Image Comics' (soon to be DC Comics') ASTRO CITY represents the next wave in superhero comics: thoughtful tales of hope and wonder that respect the long history of comics.
ASTRO CITY is a labor of love for writer Kurt Busiek (AVENGERS, IRON MAN, THUNDERBOLTS, MARVELS), interior artists Brent Anderson (STRIKEFORCE: MORITURI) and Will Blyberg (DNAGENTS), and cover artist Alex Ross (MARVELS, UNCLE SAM, KINGDOM COME). Indeed, ASTRO CITY is blessed to have such outstanding covers by painter-without-peer Ross and the fine interior artwork by Anderson and Blyberg. But while they are all collaborators in the creation, ASTRO CITY's greatness is almost entirely attributable to Busiek.
Busiek's wonderful stories change viewpoint for each issue or story arc. As in MARVELS, many stories are told from the perspective of ordinary mortals who look on with respect, fear, and awe as the superheroes struggle with world-threatening menaces in the skies above Astro City. Most stories are told from the perspective of the heroes or villains of Astro City, putting a fresh spin on the hoary old icons of comics. Astro City has its own versions of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman & Robin, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, Captain America, and so on. Busiek reinvents these archetypes, giving them depth and character that make the clones superior to the originals. (Take that, Spider-Man!)
Busiek also varies the way his stories are presented. Each issue of the first volume of ASTRO CITY (collected as ASTRO CITY: LIFE IN THE BIG CITY) is a self-contained story focusing on a single character while giving tantalizing glimpses of the complex world Busiek has created and the dozens of heroes with which he has peopled it. With the second volume, Busiek begins to give deeper insights into his heroes by interspersing continued sagas with the single-issue stories. Issues #4-9 tell the saga of the Confessor and Altar Boy -- Roman Catholic doppelgangers of Batman and Robin -- and their fight against shapechanging alien invaders (Skrulls, anyone?). Issues #11-12 examine the serious repercussions superheroics have on fatherhood through the jesting hero known as Jack-in-the-Box. And issue #13 begins the saga of the villain known as Steeljack, who is trying to reform himself by becoming a detective. His only credential as a private investigator is that he looks like Robert Mitchum in "The Big Sleep," but his desire for reform is strong and my interest in his tale is high.
The single issue stories are the best, however, and my favorite ASTRO CITY story remains the one from the first issue of the first series. In it, Samaritan -- the equivalent of Superman in Astro City -- counts the seconds of flight he is allowed to enjoy as he zips from crisis to crisis. With supreme power comes supreme responsibility, Busiek shows us, as Samaritan's greatest joy in life totals up to mere minutes in the course of twenty-four hours. "In Dreams" is the best Superman story never published by DC Comics.
I could rave forever about ASTRO CITY, but suffice it to say, ASTRO CITY is the best superhero comic of the '90s. Buy it today and hope that its influence is felt for years to come.
Grade: A+
From the January 1999 edition with a theme of "Worst of '98 and a Gem for All Time":
INTRODUCTION
Howdy, and welcome to the second entry in a new annual tradition.
Since I tend to write about the comics I like and mostly give middling to positive reviews all year long, I use New Year's Day as an opportunity to reflect on the comics I didn't review -- the dregs of the comic book industry.
Yes, it's the LWYBM Worst of '98!
Huzzah!
Note: For balance, you'll find a glowing review of one of the best superhero books of the 'Nineties -- ASTRO CITY -- after all the dreck.
Disclaimer: Keep in mind, many more awful comics exist than you'll find listed here; these are only the ones I had the misfortune of reading this year.
FROM THE BACKLIST
ASTRO CITY Volume 1 #1-6 (Image Comics)
ASTRO CITY Volume 2 #1/2-15 (Homage Comics/Image Comics)
DC Comics helped redefine superhero comic books in the 80s with the publication of WATCHMEN and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. These two limited series crystallized the grim-'n'-gritty and apocalyptic movements. They began a tradition of deconstructing the role of the superhero in a real society -- taking the consequences of superpowers to logical extremes in futuristic settings or alternate realities-- that has lasted well into the 90s. It's my hope that Image Comics' (soon to be DC Comics') ASTRO CITY represents the next wave in superhero comics: thoughtful tales of hope and wonder that respect the long history of comics.
ASTRO CITY is a labor of love for writer Kurt Busiek (AVENGERS, IRON MAN, THUNDERBOLTS, MARVELS), interior artists Brent Anderson (STRIKEFORCE: MORITURI) and Will Blyberg (DNAGENTS), and cover artist Alex Ross (MARVELS, UNCLE SAM, KINGDOM COME). Indeed, ASTRO CITY is blessed to have such outstanding covers by painter-without-peer Ross and the fine interior artwork by Anderson and Blyberg. But while they are all collaborators in the creation, ASTRO CITY's greatness is almost entirely attributable to Busiek.
Busiek's wonderful stories change viewpoint for each issue or story arc. As in MARVELS, many stories are told from the perspective of ordinary mortals who look on with respect, fear, and awe as the superheroes struggle with world-threatening menaces in the skies above Astro City. Most stories are told from the perspective of the heroes or villains of Astro City, putting a fresh spin on the hoary old icons of comics. Astro City has its own versions of Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman & Robin, the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, Captain America, and so on. Busiek reinvents these archetypes, giving them depth and character that make the clones superior to the originals. (Take that, Spider-Man!)
Busiek also varies the way his stories are presented. Each issue of the first volume of ASTRO CITY (collected as ASTRO CITY: LIFE IN THE BIG CITY) is a self-contained story focusing on a single character while giving tantalizing glimpses of the complex world Busiek has created and the dozens of heroes with which he has peopled it. With the second volume, Busiek begins to give deeper insights into his heroes by interspersing continued sagas with the single-issue stories. Issues #4-9 tell the saga of the Confessor and Altar Boy -- Roman Catholic doppelgangers of Batman and Robin -- and their fight against shapechanging alien invaders (Skrulls, anyone?). Issues #11-12 examine the serious repercussions superheroics have on fatherhood through the jesting hero known as Jack-in-the-Box. And issue #13 begins the saga of the villain known as Steeljack, who is trying to reform himself by becoming a detective. His only credential as a private investigator is that he looks like Robert Mitchum in "The Big Sleep," but his desire for reform is strong and my interest in his tale is high.
The single issue stories are the best, however, and my favorite ASTRO CITY story remains the one from the first issue of the first series. In it, Samaritan -- the equivalent of Superman in Astro City -- counts the seconds of flight he is allowed to enjoy as he zips from crisis to crisis. With supreme power comes supreme responsibility, Busiek shows us, as Samaritan's greatest joy in life totals up to mere minutes in the course of twenty-four hours. "In Dreams" is the best Superman story never published by DC Comics.
I could rave forever about ASTRO CITY, but suffice it to say, ASTRO CITY is the best superhero comic of the '90s. Buy it today and hope that its influence is felt for years to come.
Grade: A+
August 13, 2019
Wow. Shockingly good. Astro City takes standard superhero fare and looks at it from an all new perspective. This volume was six separate stories, and every story was outstanding. We had a look a what a day in the life of "Superman" would really be like. There's a story showing what it would be like to be newspaper reporter in a city of heroes and villains. Another showed what it would be like if a common thug found out the secret identity of a major superhero, from the view of the common thug. Then we had a story basically showing what it would be like to be the child of immigrants from the "old country" with the superheroes only serving a backdrop. Then we saw the POV of a scout for alien invaders who develops a soft spot for humanity, but then also sees the bad side as well. Finally, we find out how hard it would really be for superheroes to have a love life.
The art is tremendous as well. We had covers and character designs from Alex Ross, who of course is known as probably the best painter in graphic novels. However, Brent Anderson did the interior art, and he has got to be one of the most underrated artists in comics. Just really good art, very reminiscent of Neal Adams, my all time favorite.
Overall this is a just a very strong volume for any fans of superhero comics, or honestly even if they aren't your thing you may enjoy this different take on them.
The art is tremendous as well. We had covers and character designs from Alex Ross, who of course is known as probably the best painter in graphic novels. However, Brent Anderson did the interior art, and he has got to be one of the most underrated artists in comics. Just really good art, very reminiscent of Neal Adams, my all time favorite.
Overall this is a just a very strong volume for any fans of superhero comics, or honestly even if they aren't your thing you may enjoy this different take on them.
May 21, 2013
So, this finally concludes my borrowed pile of graphic novels. As a result I have become a fan of Kurt Busiek's graphic novel work. His work on Marvels is unparalleled in the Marvel Comicverse and his work here in Astro City Volume 1 is likewise excellent.
Busiek explains in the foreword (one of the best forewords for a graphic novel in my eyes) how often individuals comment that his work makes the world of superheroes realistic. He pointedly argues: actually I don't. There are vampires and other creatures of the supernatural that could have come straight from Lovecraft's work in this volume. Then there are the superheroes themselves, each a unique creature of science or magic straight from Busiek and his team's minds. So rather than make realistic superhero stories what Busiek does is make superhero stories that humanise the hero.
Busiek writes in his foreword, the superhero tale has often been frowned upon as being far too immature, of being a macho wish fulfilment metaphor for the teenage male. And he agrees that the hero has been used in this way with its archetypical basis. However, he disagrees that this should be frowned upon entirely. He states that it is the power of the hero that he or she can be used as a metaphor. The problem, he notes, is in restricting the imaginative power of the superhero, of allowing the superheroic to only be a male power figure. He challenges that female empowerment, civil rights movements and historical periods can also become subject to the metaphoric power of the superhero. In fact, near anything can be done by the superhero, such is their figurative stature.
As such Busiek clearly tries to explore this kind of ability of the superhero figure in his novel, observing how power and reality intertwine. And in his own way Busiek turns the heroes of his world into symbols for the ordinary man and woman with extraordinary abilities. He observes what other graphic novel authors do not: the effect of the superheroic upon the ordinary world and the struggle of the superheroes to be more than ordinary.
In essence this volume is an entire love-letter, or perhaps a volume of sonnets in graphic novel form, to the figure of the superhero. Busiek makes the telling remark that in recent years authors have been taking apart the psychoses and quirks of the superheroes in the Watchmen and Batman: The Dark Knight Returns of the world. But, he notes, why take anything apart (say a watch for instance) unless you intend to put it back together again? And that is also what Astro City Volume 1 aims to do. It aims to put together the superhero and show them as the legendary and powerful figures that they are. And I believe Kurt Busiek and his team have succeeded excellently.
March 4, 2018
The concept behind this series intrigues me. I've always been interested in the behind the scenes lives of citizens that live in worlds where superheroes exist. You only see glimpses of it in most series and there are some oddballs like Gotham Central and Marvels. I loved the bit of She-Hulk that talked about how the law works in these societies. It has always been interesting to me.
However, this series didn't really grab my attention.
The first chapter was quite good. I liked Samaritan as a character and it was perhaps one of the first comics to make superhero-ing really seem like a job. Several comics show how hard the life is on heroes but this issue really made me feel the fatigue and the frustration and the fact that Samaritan was constantly going from one task to another in a few seconds. It was the best issue in the book.
After that, my interest seriously waned. This is basically a series of one shots that look at different aspects of life in Astro City. We get the story of a new reporter who stresses the importance of writing only what can be proved. Unfortunately, I wanted to hear a lot more about the Old Soldier instead of this reporters story. There was the story about the crook that learned of Jack In the Box's secret identity and fled the city out of few for some reason. There was Marta, the woman who decided to stay close to home after nearly dying in Astro City. Props for that because it's a running gag amongst DC and Marvel fans why anyone ever lives in New York. Then Samaritan goes on a date and is pretty much an asshole.
It was all mildly interesting but not enough to hold my attention. I'm unsure why; I've greatly enjoyed Busiek's work. I found Secret Identity to be an unexpected hit with me because it told the story of a superhero trying to live a normal life and I could not put it down. This book just did nothing for me, unfortunately.
Bummer.
3 stars
However, this series didn't really grab my attention.
The first chapter was quite good. I liked Samaritan as a character and it was perhaps one of the first comics to make superhero-ing really seem like a job. Several comics show how hard the life is on heroes but this issue really made me feel the fatigue and the frustration and the fact that Samaritan was constantly going from one task to another in a few seconds. It was the best issue in the book.
After that, my interest seriously waned. This is basically a series of one shots that look at different aspects of life in Astro City. We get the story of a new reporter who stresses the importance of writing only what can be proved. Unfortunately, I wanted to hear a lot more about the Old Soldier instead of this reporters story. There was the story about the crook that learned of Jack In the Box's secret identity and fled the city out of few for some reason. There was Marta, the woman who decided to stay close to home after nearly dying in Astro City. Props for that because it's a running gag amongst DC and Marvel fans why anyone ever lives in New York. Then Samaritan goes on a date and is pretty much an asshole.
It was all mildly interesting but not enough to hold my attention. I'm unsure why; I've greatly enjoyed Busiek's work. I found Secret Identity to be an unexpected hit with me because it told the story of a superhero trying to live a normal life and I could not put it down. This book just did nothing for me, unfortunately.
Bummer.
3 stars
October 8, 2020
A re-read. Not quite as impressive as the first time I read this. I guess the difference this time is I know this book is not a standout. That there are at least ten other volumes basically just as good. And the characters are more familiar, because I've seen them before. And not familiar because they are supposed to just feel familiar.
This is not a series I even remember hearing about. Its definitely a modern take on what it means to be a superhero comic and not be Watchmen or Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1. It kind of has a flavor of the really old comics that I didn't like, say the original Brave and the Bold. What makes this like the old comics is its campiness. Almost anything happens in Astro City. What makes it like a modern book is its seriousness and its world building. The characters are real like a modern book, but they are goofy like the old books. With quite good enough art and excellent writing.
This is not a series I even remember hearing about. Its definitely a modern take on what it means to be a superhero comic and not be Watchmen or Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1. It kind of has a flavor of the really old comics that I didn't like, say the original Brave and the Bold. What makes this like the old comics is its campiness. Almost anything happens in Astro City. What makes it like a modern book is its seriousness and its world building. The characters are real like a modern book, but they are goofy like the old books. With quite good enough art and excellent writing.
August 18, 2018
As morning commuters make their way to work and as kids take the bus to school, witnessing the superhuman Samaritan flying across the sky to stop a bank robbery or seeing the Winged Victory silhouetted against the sun as she heads out to stop a menace is a regular everyday occurrence. In Astro City, the metropolis is filled with superheroes rubbing shoulders with regular joes.
This long running series is an anthology detailing different stories that take place in Astro City, highlighting not only the superhumans and vigilantes that operate there but the other citizens as well. It's Buseik's love letter to classic age superhero stories but the great thing that sets this apart is the focus on the everyday human elements in the stories rather than the hero action itself. In this debut volume, we see the tiring toll that being a superhero takes on the Samaritan, his attempted date with Winged Victory, and in one of the better stories, we witness a small-time hood's increasing paranoia after he discovers the secret identity of the vigilante Jack-in-the-Box. I'm excited to dive deeper into this iconic series.
This long running series is an anthology detailing different stories that take place in Astro City, highlighting not only the superhumans and vigilantes that operate there but the other citizens as well. It's Buseik's love letter to classic age superhero stories but the great thing that sets this apart is the focus on the everyday human elements in the stories rather than the hero action itself. In this debut volume, we see the tiring toll that being a superhero takes on the Samaritan, his attempted date with Winged Victory, and in one of the better stories, we witness a small-time hood's increasing paranoia after he discovers the secret identity of the vigilante Jack-in-the-Box. I'm excited to dive deeper into this iconic series.
March 9, 2017
Really good, laid back, day in the life book. I get people calling it boring but I liked it.
February 3, 2019
I have not read a lot of Kurt Busiek, but based on the few titles I’ve read of his, such as Marvels and Superman: Secret Identity, great work he has produced. Marvels in particular where he collaborated with painter Alex Ross, Busiek explored the first thirty-five years of the Marvel Universe through the perspective of an Everyman character. Reuniting with Ross, the writer pushes the idea of "everyday life in a superhero universe" further in the Image Comics series, Astro City.
As a superhero anthology comic, the first volume tells six short stories centred on the fictional Astro City, where many superheroes existing alongside the citizens they save, all of which have their own tale to share. From the first issue that show a day in the life of Samaritan – a superhero in the vein of Superman and Captain Marvel – he may be perceived as a god among us, but he tries desperately to be normal as he creates a civilian identity for himself as "Asa Martin", a fact-checker for a news magazine based in the city.
Published in 1995, based on the first issue alone, you can tell that this is a reaction to the Dark Age of Comic Books where creators such as Alan Moore would deconstruct superheroes in a dour human nature. As with Marvels, Astro City is all about humanising superheroes in a positive fashion as even though Samaritan may have his struggles as explored in the final issue where he goes out on a date with Winged Victory, what he dreams about is flying in the sky naked, feeling nothing but freedom.
For the most of the volume, the superheroes function more as the defining moment in certain events as experienced by the Everyman, from a young reporter in the 1950s trying to break his first story, a petty crook trying to make it big in the city, to an immigrant who tries to find a home in order to escape from her history. All these stories have something to say, not just about our best and worst perceptions towards superheroes, but what they say about ordinary people with everyday problems and how in the end we have to be our own solutions.
Along with character designs and painted covers by Alex Ross, Astro City is mostly illustrated by Brent Anderson, who previously made his name on X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills. As the eponymous city is an extension of other fictional cities like Metropolis, Anderson presents something very classical in the superhero element with splash pages presenting big and broad action sequences. At the same time, because it’s mostly about ordinary people, there is an intimacy in the street-based settings, showing how the city itself is as much of a character as its inhabitants.
There are so many stories within the city (that have been told for over twenty years of the title’s publication), these six first issues are a perfect gateway to not just Astro City, but superhero comics in general.
As a superhero anthology comic, the first volume tells six short stories centred on the fictional Astro City, where many superheroes existing alongside the citizens they save, all of which have their own tale to share. From the first issue that show a day in the life of Samaritan – a superhero in the vein of Superman and Captain Marvel – he may be perceived as a god among us, but he tries desperately to be normal as he creates a civilian identity for himself as "Asa Martin", a fact-checker for a news magazine based in the city.
Published in 1995, based on the first issue alone, you can tell that this is a reaction to the Dark Age of Comic Books where creators such as Alan Moore would deconstruct superheroes in a dour human nature. As with Marvels, Astro City is all about humanising superheroes in a positive fashion as even though Samaritan may have his struggles as explored in the final issue where he goes out on a date with Winged Victory, what he dreams about is flying in the sky naked, feeling nothing but freedom.
For the most of the volume, the superheroes function more as the defining moment in certain events as experienced by the Everyman, from a young reporter in the 1950s trying to break his first story, a petty crook trying to make it big in the city, to an immigrant who tries to find a home in order to escape from her history. All these stories have something to say, not just about our best and worst perceptions towards superheroes, but what they say about ordinary people with everyday problems and how in the end we have to be our own solutions.
Along with character designs and painted covers by Alex Ross, Astro City is mostly illustrated by Brent Anderson, who previously made his name on X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills. As the eponymous city is an extension of other fictional cities like Metropolis, Anderson presents something very classical in the superhero element with splash pages presenting big and broad action sequences. At the same time, because it’s mostly about ordinary people, there is an intimacy in the street-based settings, showing how the city itself is as much of a character as its inhabitants.
There are so many stories within the city (that have been told for over twenty years of the title’s publication), these six first issues are a perfect gateway to not just Astro City, but superhero comics in general.
July 31, 2016
A refreshing collection of great vignettes and world building stories heavy influenced by the golden age of comics. Excited to keep reading this series.
November 5, 2019
It was kinda boring actually. There were some good parts but the boring ones overshadowed what little action was in it. The writing was poor but the artwork was decent. I did like Samaritan and Jack-in-the-Box but the other super heroes/villains were just alright. I want to read volume 2 to see if it gets any better.
August 25, 2013
Astro City - the beginning. - Collects Kurt Busiek's Astro City #1-6 (the original miniseries). Originally printed under the Homage Comics imprint at WildStorm in 1995. Most recently got a new edition at DC in 2011 in both trade paperback and hardcover format.
Astro City Volume 1 Life in the Big City marked the beginning of Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross and Brent Anderson's take on superhero comics.
Busiek and Anderson take the superhero genre and, sort of, turn it upside down.
Welcome to Astro City, home of superheroes, super-villains and simple people. A little bit like Marvels, a little bit like Kingdom Come, Astro City remains its own thing.
Astro City is Metropolis and Gotham City all in one. Its bright and glorious but also dark and petty. Its filled with proud superheroes that, despite having godlike abilities, have very earthly life issues.
Kurt Busiek chooses a very interesting approach to superheroes in Life in the Big City. Instead of the usual (DC and Marvel's) take on superheroes Busiek portraits his characters in a very mundane manner. The Superman like character only wishes to be happy and longs for the simplest of things. The Wonder Woman like character is just as insecure as you or me. Also the common Astro City citizen has hopes and dreams and fears, just like everyone.
The parallelism between Astro City's characters, superheroes and locations their counterparts from DC and Marvel's Universe is evident. Most archetypes are present and Busiek makes the most of this. Its not a parody but a new take on most popular superhero mythos.
The storytelling is not continuous like in most collections. There are no story arcs. Instead Busiek takes an episodic approach to the story. Each chapter (issue) tells one tale and there is no conducting line between them. This first volume seems to be about getting the reader up to date with what is Astro City. Its superheroes, its lore and its spirit.
The first chapter introduces the Samaritan. The Samaritan is Astro City's Superman. A boy scout with God like superpowers that lives with the weight of the world on his shoulders. But all he wants is to fly, that is what he truly loves.
Then comes the story of the Silver Agent, a Captain America-ish like character. This is told through flashbacks by Astro City's "Perry White". In the third story we get to know the Gotham side of the city where a lowlife discovers the secret identity of a famous superhero, Jack in the Box, and we see him dealing with the situation in imaginary scenarios.
In the fourth we follow one day of a suburbia woman that works in Astro City. She lives conflicted between these two worlds and has to find her place in the world. The fifth chapter follows an alien that is evaluating the human race and reporting back to his masters. This story tends to lean towards humor a bit more.
The sixth and last chapter is the tale of the date between The Samaritan (Superman) and Winged Victory (Wonder Woman). Its an interesting way to approach this subject, mainly because Busiek doesn't portrait his heroes like the pinnacle of all that's good and true and that DC and Marvel many times do.
Art wise Brent Anderson does a very good job. This book manages to hide its age due to great writing and very good art. I particularly love the difference between the Metropolis side of Astro City and its Gotham side. Its so distinguishable that its almost perfect. The character designs are also very good. The homage their DC or Marvel counterpart but at the same time are original and new.
Alex Ross provides some glorious covers that are available in the cover galery at the back of the book.
This is one of the best superhero books I've ever had the pleasure to read. I know I'm many years late to the party, but this is as glorious today as (I imagine) it was back in 99 (the original issues are from 1996). Its aged fantastically well, in fact had I not looked for the publishing date I wound't have guessed it wasn't hot off the press.
Very highly recommended.
Astro City Volume 1 Life in the Big City marked the beginning of Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross and Brent Anderson's take on superhero comics.
Busiek and Anderson take the superhero genre and, sort of, turn it upside down.
Welcome to Astro City, home of superheroes, super-villains and simple people. A little bit like Marvels, a little bit like Kingdom Come, Astro City remains its own thing.
Astro City is Metropolis and Gotham City all in one. Its bright and glorious but also dark and petty. Its filled with proud superheroes that, despite having godlike abilities, have very earthly life issues.
Kurt Busiek chooses a very interesting approach to superheroes in Life in the Big City. Instead of the usual (DC and Marvel's) take on superheroes Busiek portraits his characters in a very mundane manner. The Superman like character only wishes to be happy and longs for the simplest of things. The Wonder Woman like character is just as insecure as you or me. Also the common Astro City citizen has hopes and dreams and fears, just like everyone.
The parallelism between Astro City's characters, superheroes and locations their counterparts from DC and Marvel's Universe is evident. Most archetypes are present and Busiek makes the most of this. Its not a parody but a new take on most popular superhero mythos.
The storytelling is not continuous like in most collections. There are no story arcs. Instead Busiek takes an episodic approach to the story. Each chapter (issue) tells one tale and there is no conducting line between them. This first volume seems to be about getting the reader up to date with what is Astro City. Its superheroes, its lore and its spirit.
The first chapter introduces the Samaritan. The Samaritan is Astro City's Superman. A boy scout with God like superpowers that lives with the weight of the world on his shoulders. But all he wants is to fly, that is what he truly loves.
Then comes the story of the Silver Agent, a Captain America-ish like character. This is told through flashbacks by Astro City's "Perry White". In the third story we get to know the Gotham side of the city where a lowlife discovers the secret identity of a famous superhero, Jack in the Box, and we see him dealing with the situation in imaginary scenarios.
In the fourth we follow one day of a suburbia woman that works in Astro City. She lives conflicted between these two worlds and has to find her place in the world. The fifth chapter follows an alien that is evaluating the human race and reporting back to his masters. This story tends to lean towards humor a bit more.
The sixth and last chapter is the tale of the date between The Samaritan (Superman) and Winged Victory (Wonder Woman). Its an interesting way to approach this subject, mainly because Busiek doesn't portrait his heroes like the pinnacle of all that's good and true and that DC and Marvel many times do.
Art wise Brent Anderson does a very good job. This book manages to hide its age due to great writing and very good art. I particularly love the difference between the Metropolis side of Astro City and its Gotham side. Its so distinguishable that its almost perfect. The character designs are also very good. The homage their DC or Marvel counterpart but at the same time are original and new.
Alex Ross provides some glorious covers that are available in the cover galery at the back of the book.
This is one of the best superhero books I've ever had the pleasure to read. I know I'm many years late to the party, but this is as glorious today as (I imagine) it was back in 99 (the original issues are from 1996). Its aged fantastically well, in fact had I not looked for the publishing date I wound't have guessed it wasn't hot off the press.
Very highly recommended.
April 25, 2013
Who remembers when Busiek and Ross's 'Marvels' hit the stands and made history with it's new take on capes storytelling?
That was the only time I really ever loved Busiek's work. And that's because I never picked up a single issue of Astro City. Around 96-97 I started falling in love with music an spent all of my money on concert tickets for Ozzfest and new CDs and fell out of love with a lot of comic books, although I often reread my collection hundreds of times without buying anything new for nearly ten years. I guess I really missed out. When I came back into it, there was just so much of missed, I'm still catching up.
But when DC announced that they were going to be resurrecting Astro City as a Vertigo title a few months from now, I decided I might want to see what kind of work had been done under the Image banner way back when. God damn it, I'm glad I took a chance.
I'm often severely critical of many writers in the Big 2 for just coasting on the names and histories that have already been built for them. Busiek, though, doesn't get much criticism from me. That's because I can't remember a single thing he did on Avengers even though I read his entire run in the single issues back in the day. I just always thought of the man as forgettable. Like I said, though, Marvels, as we all know, was a big story with huge ramifications for a Big 2 publisher and grabbed everyone by the throat when it hit stands. So it's no surprise that Astro City is basically Marvels all over again.
Busiek tells stories in Astro City from the perspective, mainly, of average citizens inhabiting a city filled to the brim with DC-styled heroes. If you were going to compare this work to anything else, it would be very closely related to Will Eisner and a amalgam of Gold and Silver Age superhero stories. It's grandiose and extremely human. The inner dialogues, the monologues, the conversational tone- it all just feels so perfect, so fluid. Everything converges and coalesces, and there isn't a single thing to change in any of these issues.
Grade: A+
That was the only time I really ever loved Busiek's work. And that's because I never picked up a single issue of Astro City. Around 96-97 I started falling in love with music an spent all of my money on concert tickets for Ozzfest and new CDs and fell out of love with a lot of comic books, although I often reread my collection hundreds of times without buying anything new for nearly ten years. I guess I really missed out. When I came back into it, there was just so much of missed, I'm still catching up.
But when DC announced that they were going to be resurrecting Astro City as a Vertigo title a few months from now, I decided I might want to see what kind of work had been done under the Image banner way back when. God damn it, I'm glad I took a chance.
I'm often severely critical of many writers in the Big 2 for just coasting on the names and histories that have already been built for them. Busiek, though, doesn't get much criticism from me. That's because I can't remember a single thing he did on Avengers even though I read his entire run in the single issues back in the day. I just always thought of the man as forgettable. Like I said, though, Marvels, as we all know, was a big story with huge ramifications for a Big 2 publisher and grabbed everyone by the throat when it hit stands. So it's no surprise that Astro City is basically Marvels all over again.
Busiek tells stories in Astro City from the perspective, mainly, of average citizens inhabiting a city filled to the brim with DC-styled heroes. If you were going to compare this work to anything else, it would be very closely related to Will Eisner and a amalgam of Gold and Silver Age superhero stories. It's grandiose and extremely human. The inner dialogues, the monologues, the conversational tone- it all just feels so perfect, so fluid. Everything converges and coalesces, and there isn't a single thing to change in any of these issues.
Grade: A+
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