Astro City: That Was Then... Special

One of the biggest crimes in all the modern history of comic books has got to be DC Comics cancelling Kurt Busiek, Brent Eric Anderson and Alex Ross' amazing Astro City. Or maybe I should say, it's a crime DC let this series slip through their fingers! Anyways, running for an amazing 52 issues as part of DC's Vertigo imprint, I was taken away to a new world every time I read a new story. It was immersive and lived in, much like George Lucas' original Star Wars trilogy. 

Sure, Astro City had originally been published by Image and Wildstorm prior. But the DC/Vertigo run from 2013-18 was sheer perfection. Shortly after Astro City left DC, promises were made that Image Comics would become the new home to AC. And then the pandemic hit...

Lots of comic book projects stopped. Many were delayed. And for one reason or another, the trio of Busiek, Anderson and Ross just weren't able to get the Astro City mojo going. Then in the Spring of last year, the architects of Astro City reopened the metropolis once again for public visit. Sadly, it was a brief visit. But it was a memorable one.

There's only one story in this special. It takes place a several years in the past as a group of teenage superheroes, similar to the Teen Titans or Young Avengers, spend one last outing together before the team breaks up for the college experience or life as a solo act. Amongst the roasting of hot dogs and drinking of pop, the kiddies get a visit from Astro City's greatest hero, The Samaritan. Then in classic Astro City fashion, the action jumps ahead to the modern day and things get a tad nostalgic and oh so sentimental. 

The plan after the 2018 series ended was that a graphic novel story would be released regularly. I don't know if that meant every 6 months or annually. But it's been 4 years and all we have to ask for is this 32-pager. It was a great read. But man, was it just too gosh darn short!

I'm going to need another visit reaallllll soon!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, Vol. 17: Aftermaths

This volume is Astro City's last with DC Comics/Vertigo as its landlord. With this in mind, Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross and Brett Anderson craft a trio of stories that poignantly closes the chapter on this fabled metropolis.

We first meet G-Dog. A chance encounter with a magical amulet melds a small time crook with his new dog, Hank. First experimenting as a villain, Hank's instinct to be a good boy slowly changes Astro City's newest hero over to the side of the angels.

Before I go on with my overview of this volume, I have to admit: I cheated. The rule for me with any comic book story is 'don't kill the dog!' or whatever cute little fuzzy there is. So I had to read ahead. 

SPOILER- the puppy dies. Thankfully, it's not a shocking death like in The Weatherman. But gosh darn it. No matter how much I prepared myself, I was devastated. Though I wasn't so sad for Hank. He seemed okay with his passing and so I was okay with it. I was in tears for Pet Patrol, Hank's animal teammates who must move on without their canine heavy. 

The second story is about a superhero named Resistor. Anytime a protest goes awry, this hero empowers the persecuted to become human shields from counter-protesters.  It was an interesting story told from the point of view of a reporter who is convinced that her estranged father is behind the creation of the Resistors. 

Lastly, the story of Astro City comes full circle as we revisit Michael Tenicek. Michael first appeared in the Wizard co-produced Astro City #1/2. In that opening salvo, which introduced Astro City to the DC/Wildstorm universe, a cross-time battle of heroes and villains ended up erasing Michael's wife Miranda from existence. Given a choice to move on or allowed The Hanged Man allows Michael the opportunity to forget his bride. But in a tragic twist, Michael decided to for-go that choice and moves on with his set of fractured memories.

Now 25 years have passed. Michael has started Miranda's Friends; a support group for the citizens of Astro City whose lives have been impacted by the influence of those ubiquitous heroes and villains and the tragedy that follows in their wake. Mysterious benefactors have honored Michael's sacrifices by paying for his bills and every needs. Thus 7-days a week, multiple times per day, Tenicek takes care of the lost and broken, all the while basically ignoring his own broken heart. But when a new addition to Miranda's friends attacks him as being a faker who feasts on the emotional needs of the support group, Michael Tenicek will finally have to face the pain of having memories of a woman and romance that both was very real and never occurred at all.

The opening and closing stories were very good. Tenicek's story was the perfect ending to this series. I love how the saga came full circle. 

The Resistor story was okay. One would think it was rushed to reflect the changing culture of the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. However, those tragedies took place in 2020 almost a full year after this story debuted. So, there's a sort of eerie forbording, especially with a small scene in which both BLM and the police are attacked by snipers. 

But the VIP of this volume was the G-Dog story. It both broke my heart and warmed it at the same time. When Doctor Monkey is rebuffed after offering G-Dog membership into the Pet Patrol team, I felt so bad for the genius Capuchin monkey. Knowing Hank's time is growing short, the decision to have G-Dog have as much fun as possible with the Pet Patrol just made me so happy. But again when tragedy struck, I was grieving for Doctor Monkey and his teammates. Hopefully, their story isn't over. Oh man- wait a minute. The series is over... 

THINK AGAIN!!!

I decided to research if this is truly the end for Astro City. Thanks to an announcement from about a month ago, Astro City will be re-incorporated into the Image Comics lineup. Hopefully, the Pet Patrol will be back on rounds when the comic is revived in March, 2022! That would be such a treat and a great tribute to Hank! And fans such as me!!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, Volume 16: Broken Melody

For a couple of volumes now, the mysterious Broken Man has been floating in and out of continuity; warning readers of some terrible doom. In Astro City, Volume 16: Broken Melody, many (but not all) of the questions of the Broken Man's origin are explored. Also, we get an in-depth look at the importance of Astro City's music scene and it's long history of music genre themed superheroes.

Somewhere in the middle of this volume is the 100th issue ever published about one of my favorite comic book cities. It explores the controversial origin and history of the Astro-Naut. This Clark Kent/Tony Stark/Howard Hughes hybrid is whom the city gets it's moniker. It was a wild 1940s era ride.

This entire volume was absolutely fantastic. Every story was top notch stuff from Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson and Alex Ross. I also pride myself at solving the mystery behind this entire story before the big reveal!

Astro City hasn't dropped in quality. But Broken Melody is one of the best volumes in this series. And it's the best story arc I have read since Volume 14: Reflections; the Tarnished Angel sequel. 

If you read one non-main stream superhero this year- this volume is in a very close tie for the one I recommend. Jeff Lemire's Black Hammer, Volume 1 is the other honoree. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, Volume 15: Ordinary Heroes

I really don't think it is possible for the creative team behind Astro City to come up with a bad story. Astro City, Volume 15: Ordinary Heroes is another fantastic collection of Vertigo Comics by Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Alex Ross. 

This collection answers some of Astro City's must pressing questions such as just really how did the original Jack-In-The-Box die? But the question that I have been waiting a near eternity for is who is the Hanged Man? 

I was ultra excited for that issue and the City Councilmen of Astro City did not disappoint!

As Astro City neared in's 25th anniversary, several guests artists were brought in to help with the festivities. But honestly, I couldn't tell you who they were or really how they contributed because I couldn't discern any slip in the level of quality here.

There were a couple of other stories added here such as one starring a cat named Kittyhawk. The new pet of one of Astro City's countless superheroes, there's more than meets the eye with this precocious feline. Another great story. 

I love Astro City. It's one of my all-time favorite titles. When I find a new volume, I know that I am in for a treat as this city has been carefully placed in the hands of three masters.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, Volume 13: Honor Guard

This is the collection Astro City fans have been asking for. The origin of Wolf Spider- revealed! The secrets of the American Chibi uncovered! Plus an epic battle between Samaritan and Nightmare and much more. 

This was one of the best collections of Astro City. This announcment is pretty difficult to surmise considering that's rarely ever been a bad story ever in lengthy history of Astro City. 

Featuring artwork by guest artist Jesus Merino, Merino has proven that he's got what it takes to be a member of the Astro City Architects. He could sub in for Brent Anderson and Alex Ross anytime in my opinion!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, Volume 14: Reflections

 Excerpt from Amazon.com:

"Then, a spotlight on three generations of Jack-in-the-Box, as the second Jack-in-the-Box's son must decide whether to follow in the family footsteps or take another path. Also featuring the Trouble Boys, Mister Drama, the Weirdies and more."

Nope- that does not happen in this book! I'm not sure which volume Amazon is detailing, but they got this wrong!

What is in Volume 14 of Astro City is as follows:

• When a member of the First Family is kidnapped by inter-dimensional beings, the team declare all-out war! But this story isn't told from the heroes perspective but from that of the enemies. It's a very intriguing tale about propaganda and just who are the real enemies in war.
• In an anniversary story, the Samaritan is troubled by terrible nightmares. In order to determine the source of the problem, the hero will need to be quarantined for 24-hours. Marvel at how the entire Astro City superhero community comes together to pick up the slack for the fallen leader of the Honor Guard.
• Busiek, Anderson, and Ross revisit a classic forgotten character: Steeljack. Has the aged villain finally gone straight? Will he be able to stay righteous when he's approached by a former for help?

       This was a great volume. Steeljack's story, Tarnished Angel, is my favorite Astro City tale. So it was great getting to see what he was up to again. The First Family epic was very thought provoking and the Samaritan story was extremely touching.  The trio of Kurt Busiek, Alex Ross, and Brent Anderson did it again with this volume! 

        Amazing stuff!

      Worth Consuming!

      Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, Volume 12: Lover's Quarrel

    Enjoy another trip to Astro City with your guides Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Alex Ross. On this trek, discover the love/ hate on again/ off again relationship of Quarrel and Crackerjack through the numerous back alleys and secret headquarters of the community. Then enjoy the music scene of Astro City as the silver-back (and super-smart) gorilla Stick ventures from his Arctic paradise homeland to the City of Heroes in hopes of becoming a drummer.

     It's another fun journey to one of my favorite fictional cities. The Quarrel story started off a little rough, but once I realized who the narrator really was, the story got quite intriguing and quite good. The Stick story was brilliant. It was a tribute to comicdom's long-running obsession with apes. I'll admit, I had to flip ahead because I was going to be quite mad if this volume ended with dead monkey.

(SPOILER: It didn't.)

    Another great volume. I was a bit disappointed that this volume didn't include the ubiquitous sketch book section. There was a script section instead but it wasn't quite the same...

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, Volume 2: Confession

  Volume 2 of Kurt Busiek's award-winning series stars the Confessor and his new sidekick, Altar Boy. The duo is the Astro City equivalent of Batman and Robin. So I thought I would be reading a sort of tribute to the Dynamic Duo but with a Catholic slant to their personas. Instead, Confession is the Astro City version of Watchmen. 

    A serial killer is on the loose in the poor neighborhood of Silent Hill and the carefree superheroes of the metropolitan marvel seem unable or unwilling to do anything about it. Along with several destructive episodes of careless heroics, the inaction of the city's heroes has allowed the Mayor to sway public opinion and opened the city up to an alien invasion. Added to the chaos is the Confessor's strange behavior as he the only hero who conducts searches for the Silent Hill killer. But why does even the burg's mystical protector, the Hanged Man, shy away from this troubled Man of God in his pursuit of justice and what is the horrible secret that keeps the Confessor awake at night?

    With Halloween almost here, I thought this would be an eerie (but fun) little jaunt through Astro City. I was not disappointed. Busiek crafted not one but two great mysteries in this story. The main one about the Confessor- just who or what is he? Since this is technically the second volume of the franchise, if you view all of the comics published under different publishers as a whole and I've read all of these out of order, I already knew his secret. But I was completely unawares of the whole alien invasion plotline and so my a priori knowledge of Astro City didn't detract from enjoying this story. Also, the intimidating presence of the Hanged Man throughout this book just deepens my level of interest in wanting to know more about his origin, which after 20-years of publication, Busiek has just scratched the surface with him.

     With completing Confession, my historic tours of Astro City is now complete. Thankfully, there's an all-new series being published monthly by Vertigo. So, I'll get to make some return trips from time to time. But with the inclusion of the rare Wizard issued mini-comic #1/2 added at the end of this volume, I am all caught up on all of the classic Astro City stories. 

     This really is one of the best franchises in all of the modern age of comics. With it's timeless approach to honoring all genres and levels of comics and pop culture history, my trips to Astro City is always fresh and never do I see the same thing twice. Plus, with the very rare exception of a fill-in artist or guest writer, it's rare to have the same trio of writers and artists working on the same project for as long as Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Alex Ross have. To put the trio's 20-year run into perspective, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby's longest continuing collaboration on a title, which was Fantastic Four, was only 9 years. 

     That's dedication not just to the craft but to the level of pride and care Busiek, Anderson, and Ross put into every issue of Astro City.

    Worth Consuming

    Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

    

Astro City: Private Lives

• A day in the life of the personal assistant of the world's greatest sorceress.
• An ex-con with exquisite taste in clothes struggles to go straight on a minimum wage salary.
• A museum devoted to evil robots, curated by an elderly woman with a shadowy past.
• A city, bit by the love bug, when the personification of desire visits planet earth.
• A teenaged criminal mastermind's birthday wish.

    Privates Lives is another volume into the world of Astro City. This volume focuses some of the lesser known heroes, villains, and citizens that have appeared in the background of one of those most all-encompassing comic universes of all-time. It's also one of my personal favorites. 

    Writer Kurt Busiek could write the Astro City phone book and I'd love it. Artist Brent Anderson would design all of the logos of businesses advertised therein and Alex Ross would paint the front and back cover and I'd adore it! That level of masterful detail into each and every corner of Astro City is what makes the 'Busiekverse' one of my all-time favorite worlds in all of comicdom.

    If you don't believe me, take a look at the nearly 40 pages of sketches, notes, and drafts at the end of this volume. Busiek might be the brains behind Astro City, but the community would be nothing without the extensive input the writer has with his artists cohorts. One of the great things about this series is that it doesn't just use comic books for inspiration but all of history and pop culture.

    A good example of this is the cover to issue 15. It shows the mysterious curator of the robot museum repairing an exhibit piece. That image alone by Ross is stunning. But look in the background of this work. There's a Cyberman's head from Doctor Who, a dormant Sentinel from the X-Men, the arm of C-3PO, and at least one of DC's Metal Men hiding in the curator's workshop. Not to mention countless more goodies lying about. This is a classic example of all the exciting eye candy that the trio of Busiek, Anderson, and Ross sprinkle throughout every page of this amazing series. 

    Yes, I'm giving great lip service to this series and its creators. But that doesn't mean that I thought everything was great. Storywise, I thought the tale about the wandering personification of desire was terrible. The prose was inconsistent and rambled just about as much as the story itself. One scene might take place at 4 pm and the next at 4 am. But, Busiek neglects to tell the reader if the story jumps to 4 am tomorrow or 4 am earlier that morning.  The art at least was of the same superior quality of the other issues in this volume, but it couldn't save this story.

    Despite my misgivings of that story, this volume was spectacular. With a cliffhanger that promises to tie in all of the stories in Privates Lives into a single sweeping mosaic, I can't wait for that follow-up volume to drop. At least I don't have to wait very long for it. (It's due in stores on Nov. 24th.) 

    So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags for an all-expenses-paid tour of Astro City. Just be sure to pack a basket for all the Easter eggs you're sure to find when your there.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Astro City: Family Album

    This Astro City anthology collects issues from the second volume of the award-winning series after it switched publishers from Image to Vertigo (known as Homage/ Wildstorm at the time.) Thankfully, the collective creative team of Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Alex Ross is still the same, as is the city itself. Now, I know why Homage/ Wildstorm eventually became Vertigo as it was bought out by DC- so the only change was ownership rights. But I cannot find a definitive answer as to why the switch from Image. But really, it's all pretty seamless between quality and publishers, if you ask me.

   In this volume, tourists of Astro City will see the superhero metropolis through the eyes of a brand new resident during a major crisis that draws in just about every superhero imaginable against a weather god. Then, explore the wonders of Challenger Mountain as young Astra Furst ponders what it's like to be a normal kid. When she runs off to investigate for herself, her family will literally move heaven and earth to find her in a dazzling voyage to the underworlds of the Busiek-verse.

   The next stop on our tour of the City will have us being bad as a washed up criminal pulls off the crime of the century. But, his new found fortune and cross-country tastes are not enough for the villain who desires a little recognition for his brilliant scheme. Guests will then have a chance to meet Jack-In-The-Box, a clown themed superhero who is given three possible glimpses into his future when his wife announces that she it with child.

    Finally, relive the glory days of 1940s Hollywood with a tale from Loony Leo, a cartoon lion who came about during a mad scientist's testing of a camera that brings motion pictures literally to life. It's a tale of ups and downs, but it's also the best story in the collection and is the purrfect ending of your trip through Astro City.

    This was a very good collection. As I mentioned earlier, the Loony Leo story was the best. But I also really enjoyed the Jack-In-The-Box story too. In previous readings of Astro City, Jack pops up often but his backstory is never explored. I was glad to finally get my hands on the volume that answered all of my questions about the mysterious vigilante.

    Once again Anderson's interior art brings this city to life in vivid color and candor. Busiek's imagination pulls no punches and neither does Anderson's art. You see the city as it really is, warts and all. This is all capped off by cover art and designs from my all-time favorite artist, Alex Ross. You'll really want to look at the back-up feature about the designs and art of the comic as you get glimpses of rare live-action photographs of the muses of Ross' cover work. (You won't believe who or what he used as inspiration for Rex on the First Family covers but it makes complete sense.)

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Astro City: Shining Stars

   This Astro City volume collects the origins of some the super-powered residents of Kurt Busiek's metropolis.

    Up first is a glimpse of Astro City's pride and joy: the Samaritan. But the real star of this story is his arch-enemy, an ageless sorcerer called the Infidel. This story was an interesting game of cat and mouse between the two adversaries as they search for weaknesses in each other's armor during a meal. Their uneasy truce reminds me of the strange relationship that the Wally West Flash had with the rogues. It was quite a good read. (Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.)

   Next is the history of a heroine called Beauty. She's a life-sized version of the famous doll beloved by millions of girls worldwide. But where did she come from? And who built her? This was an intriguing mystery that I didn't want to end. Once I learned of her origin, I wanted to know what happened next. Plus, the art was an amazing rendering of another famous doll that name also starts with B... (Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.)

   Our third tale stars Astra Furst of the First Family, an amalgam of the Fantastic Four and the Doom Patrol. Astra is the eldest granddaughter of the team's leader and she just graduated college. The sky is the literal limit for this budding young woman with superpowers as she's offered numerous positions on superhero squads, potential appointments to the throne of a mystic underwater kingdom, and much more on her first night of freedom. It was an enjoyable tale, but a little predictable and a tad too technical in some of its explanation of scientific phenomena. (Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.)

   Lastly, we travel through time with the Silver Agent. Though this wasn't quite my favorite story in this collection, I really appreciated getting to learn about the hero's journey across the timeline. In the Dark Age storyline, the Silver Agent keeps jumping through time, warning of a terrible coming holocaust. But I didn't know what he was talking about or why he kept leaping back and forth in time- until now. Another story with some great art and a super awesome origin to boot. (Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.)

   All four stories were released as either one-shots or two-parters. Since they were originally meant to be read as a group, I felt it was fair and unnecessary to rate each story individually. With an overall average rating of 8.75, this book mighty not seem to be such a good read. But don't let that score fool you. This collection was engaging, engrossing, and a read not only Worth Consuming but something I just couldn't put down.

Kurt Busiek's Astro City: The Tarnished Angel

   Rough Neighborhoods.

   Every city and town have those places where family members warn you not to go alone or at night... OR BOTH! These are communities that due to drugs, alcohol, and crime and rampant unemployment, have very little hope left in it's citizens and future. 

   Even with its host of superheroes and bustling cityscapes, Astro City isn't immune to the phenomena. It's called Kiefer Square and because of it's noted reputation of being the headquarters of scores of B-list super villains, the Square is where you go to hire your goon squad for your next heist or plot to take over the world. It's also where old villains and ex-cons go to die. And right now, someone is killing off those villains, one by one.

   Just fresh from parole is Carl Donewicz. You might remember him as the Steel-jacketed Man AKA Steeljacket. He grew up in Kiefer Square, turned to a life of crime in Keifer Square, became a super villain in Kiefer Square, and would like to retire in Kiefer Square if his past would just let him. 

   It's bad enough trying to get a job as an ex-con, but Carl has an even harder time because of his appearance, in which a medical experiment gave him shiny silver skin and super strength. Unable to find a job and not wanting to break parole, Carl reluctantly takes on a role as an amateur private investigator to the recent string of serial killings of old associates and neighbor's of Steeljacket. 

    With the cops refusing to even enter the neighborhood, Steeljacket will need any and all resources available to catch the killer referred to by residents as the 'Black Mask Killer.' But Carl is going to have to act fast as his snooping has put him not only back on the radar of the ACPD but the killer as well.

   I love Kurt Busiek's Astro City stories. They are fun, exciting, and great tributes to the works of legendary DC and Marvel writers and artists. The Tarnished Angel is all of that plus it has that gritty noir element added to it. This was like reading a graphic novel based on the works of Dashiell Hammett with Robert Mitchum starring in the lead (All-time favorite artist Alex Ross even based the look of Steeljacket on the late actor.)

   But the Tarnished Angel also has something more to this story than other Astro City works- it has a human element that is unbridled and raw. It's that quality, which is rare and ironic to find in a superhero book, that knocked Astro City: the Dark Ages out of first place of my favorite AC stories. At 224-pages, this is one of the longest Astro City works to date, but it is worth the read. Every panel oozes pathos and the entire book is nearly flawless. I just wish a few certain characters in this book had lived. AND I kinda wished Steeljacket's story never had to end.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9.99 out of 10 stars.

Astro City: Victory

 

Astro City has always been one of those comics that was both a social commentary and parody of comic books and superheroes. But it's never been this obvious. The main three characters in this story are Samaritan, The Confessor, and Winged Victory. But in reality, these characters are Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.
 
   So, I got excited about an all-new Astro City story and I was really reading Trinity (the name for DC's short-lived Superman-Batman-Wonder Woman team-up from 2008-2009.) Astro City is now published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics. Thus, DC is technically the owner of Astro City right now. With 52 potential incarnations of the DC Trinity, do readers really need a 53rd
 
    I've known for a while that Samaritan is an analog of the Man of Steel. But he's not the star of the comic- the city is! Yet in this storyline, that changes very much.
 
    In Victory- the mysterious Winged Victory is under attack by a smear campaign when a group of super villains and students of Victory's women self-sufficiency centers accuse the Champion of the Council of Nike of setting up battles to make her look better in the front of the media's cameras. Naturally, Winged Victory wants to be an independent woman and solve this crisis on her own. But this controversy is proving to be a conspiracy and it may be too much for just one person to solve when the government agency EAGLE comes to shut down her operation and take her in for questioning.
 
    Enter the Confessor and Samaritan.
 
    I really love Kurt Busiek's Astro City. But this storyline is not classic Astro City and that's very disappointing. The story was pretty good. But, it's just too cliched and too similar to other comic book tales I've read in the past.
 
     Thankfully, this volume isn't just about the 'Big Three." Included in this book is the Astro City Visitor's Guide. From 2004, this book is quintessential Astro City because it is about the main character of this series- the bustling city itself. There's some great back story here along with a really neat short story about a girl who takes a superhero tour of the city and ends up becoming a part of the action. There are also about two dozen character sheets about the generations of superheroes to operate in the fair city. Some of these, especially the First Family, are a parody (or knock-offs) of established Marvel and DC properties. Again, they aren't the focus of the book, so it's forgivable.
 
    I got this book from (everyone all at once-) my local library. I'm actually glad I didn't buy this book. In fact if I came across these books as individual issues, the only thing I'd consider buying would be the visitors guide. I look forward to my return visit to Astro City. I just hope that forthcoming trips don't follow the same formula as this venture did.

   Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Astro City, volume 9: Through Open Doors

  The end of just about every issue of Astro City has a street sign on the bottom last page that says “Now Leaving Astro City. Please Drive Safe.” Well every time I read an Astro City comic book, I feel like I’ve taken an extensive tour or a living, breathing city filled with costumed heroes, villains, and everyday Joes just trying to make a living while hell breaks loose daily. During this tour, series creator Kurt Busiek recalls tales of the city’s early days, gives glimpses into the workings of city hall, the local food trucks (like Luft Waffle, A German brunch truck!), and provides in depth character studies of the residents.

    I love it.

   During this tour of the city, a strange ambassador from outer space has requested some assistance in learning about life on earth. While this official is educated, a group of super-powered citizens team up to take down a megalomaniac trying to build a super powered army with kidnapped Astro City residents, and we learn about the Astro City call center, designed to help super heroes know when and where a crisis has arisen. Plus, we take a small trek through the Astro City underworld through the eyes of an up-and-coming mob boss.

  This hard cover collects the first 6 issues since Astro City became a Vertigo property. The completion of this volume made it my fourth or fifth trek through Astro City. Even with a new land lord, the quality of stories, the pathos of characters, and the gritty beauty of the city has not been altered one bit! Plus, there are some awesome painted covers and character sketches by my favoricomic artist, Alex Ross!

I love this book so much. I cannot wait for more. I’m very glad to learn that Astro City has a home with DC/ Vertigo and maybe one day we’ll see Superman face his ‘dopple-danger’ the Samaritan someday soon.

   Did I mention I loved this book?

Worth Consuming.

 Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.