Astro City

[Trout]

Do we have a thread dedicated to this little gem? I could only find GN queries when I searched so I thought I would start one.

Astro City, for the few who may not know, is the creation of Kurt Busiek and Brent Eric Anderson, with covers by Alex Ross. It's a superhero comic, yes, so a bit of a guilty pleasure, but it's not really about the superheroes. Astro City focuses on the ordinary people: the innocent bystander in the interplanetary war, the sidekick hoping to be a hero, the villain whose luck has run out again. It's bloody tremendous stuff.

A new ongoing series is three issues in. I managed to pick up all three yesterday (I'm just getting back into paper comics after my big emigration disruption) and I can recommend it. It's back to its best, especially with issues two and three, after the too-long and too-dark Astro City: the Dark Age.

Is anyone else picking this up?

Anyone want to name some favourite Astro City stories?

- Trout

[Link Prime]

I read most of the Astro City run when it was under the 'Homage' imprint years ago, but due to its erratic publishing schedule / scarcity in my LCS since, I never continued after that.

I've heard nothing but good things since the Vertigo relaunch, and absolutely intend to get this in trade format / comiXology sale (whichever comes first).

My favourite story was the mystery surrounding The Confessor; a religious type superhero investigating a spate of murders. Only problem is, his teen sidekick Alter Boy suspects that his mentor is somehow involved and begins an investigation of his own...with unexpected consequences. Great comic.

[Art]

It's ally lovely stuff, and any given story tends to be fairly self contained so it's easy to dip into.

[The Adventurer]

I love Astro City. It was one of the first comics I was recommended back in the early 2000s when I was getting into independent comics heavily. I fell in love with its brand of super-hero examination.

I believe I started following the series regularly with Local Heroes, then of course the The Dark Ages, and all the one shots. Dark Ages rambled a bit, but over all I enjoyed it as much as the rest of the series. The one-shots that got sprinkled in were great, and I loved the Silver Agent epilogue two-parter.

I think my favorite Astro City saga to date is still Tarnished Angel. A lot of people like Confession more, but I love stories about badguys who really aren't bad guys.

Current series is starting out on some pretty good high notes. I recommend it!

[Trout]

I think my favorite Astro City saga to date is still Tarnished Angel.

Me too.

[IronGraham]

Can't for next month steeljacks back baby!