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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Man, I really wanted to love this. The story and the characters were captivating. But the art is terrible, it would take me days to flip the next page because I just couldn't stand the artwork. If you can get past the art in this book I think you would really enjoy this. Sadly I couldn't and it sort of ruined the experience for me.
This was just fantastic. I read it for a book club & I definitely have my fingers crossed that the library carries the rest of these volumes. There are 6 stories in this one, each one from a different perspective, answering the question...in a world with superheroes, *what else* happens? What is life like for the regular joe surrounded by supernatural heroes & villains? There are also stories about the heroes themselves, but more from the perspective that these are living breathing (mostly) humans. What is LIFE like for them, too?
Don't let the medium turn you off. I don't normally pick up comics either, but take a chance & see if you become hooked like I am.
Don't let the medium turn you off. I don't normally pick up comics either, but take a chance & see if you become hooked like I am.
One of the pieces in Neil Gaiman's new non-fiction collection, [b:The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction|24331386|The View from the Cheap Seats Selected Nonfiction|Neil Gaiman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1460911005s/24331386.jpg|43910444], is his introduction to [b:Astro City, Vol. 2: Confession|72112|Astro City, Vol. 2 Confession|Kurt Busiek|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348357445s/72112.jpg|1392773]. The way he wrote about the series interested me so much that I decided to go and find it and read it right there and then.
I really enjoyed this; will be reading more.
I really enjoyed this; will be reading more.
Astro City is a place where superheroes fight super-villains. But unlike most superheroes, Astro City is not about adolescent male power fantasies. Rather this is a short story collection that explores middle age fears of being overworked. Women's dreams of independence. First dates of superheroes. Ideas and concepts uncovered by the likes of DC and Marvel.
Beautifully illustrated, this volume belongs on the shelves of most comic fans.
Beautifully illustrated, this volume belongs on the shelves of most comic fans.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Originally read pre-2007, re-reading April 2015.
I had forgotten just how awesome the Winged Victory/Samaritan story in this collection was. Completely amazing.
I had forgotten just how awesome the Winged Victory/Samaritan story in this collection was. Completely amazing.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An intriguing beginning. I feel like I have yet to be fully immersed in Astro City, but I really like the first volume, with all its different viewpoints and stories.
I love the first chapter of this volume. It's so beautiful. And so sad.
It's interesting - I always thought of this as "what might superheroes be like in the real world." But Kurt Busiek (in the introduction) states that's exactly what he wasn't trying to do.
The superhero genre had already been deconstructed by Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. Busiek set out to put it back together and explore it.
And he does a fantastic job.
And he's right. These stories are less about what it would be like if superheroes were real. It's more about what would life feel like to us if we were in theirs.
And it works.
I love that Busiek creates a new world and can do whatever he wants with the stories. Peeking into every nook and cranny. Exploring the lives of heroes. Investigating the lives of ordinary (well, as ordinary as they can be in this world) citizens.
And I like how the stories make me alternately feel happy and sad.
Good stuff. Great stuff.
If you're like me and have waited a long, long time to get into Astro City, don‰ЫЄt wait any longer. Check it out.
It's interesting - I always thought of this as "what might superheroes be like in the real world." But Kurt Busiek (in the introduction) states that's exactly what he wasn't trying to do.
The superhero genre had already been deconstructed by Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns. Busiek set out to put it back together and explore it.
And he does a fantastic job.
And he's right. These stories are less about what it would be like if superheroes were real. It's more about what would life feel like to us if we were in theirs.
And it works.
I love that Busiek creates a new world and can do whatever he wants with the stories. Peeking into every nook and cranny. Exploring the lives of heroes. Investigating the lives of ordinary (well, as ordinary as they can be in this world) citizens.
And I like how the stories make me alternately feel happy and sad.
Good stuff. Great stuff.
If you're like me and have waited a long, long time to get into Astro City, don‰ЫЄt wait any longer. Check it out.