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4.6 AVERAGE
4.6 AVERAGE
Just as enjoyable as when I first read through it. Now to buy the next one.
A compilation of the early run of Astro City, Kurt Busiek's brilliant deconstruction and critique of the superheroic comic-book genre told through a comic-book universe at the same time unique and strangely familiar, as it is built on all the recognizable tropes of the genre. Kurt Busiek taps into the same kind of genius of Straczynski and "Lower Decks," often examining the lives of ordinary people in an extraordiary, super-powered world. Great stuff!
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A super hero comic where the main character is the city
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
adventurous
I did not grow up reading superhero comics. As a child I read the Duck comics and some violent foreign-language noir I found lying around (kudos to my parents). So when I started reading reading them as an adult, I lacked the connection or the nostalgia seemingly needed to enjoy most superhero comics and tended to prefer the weird (e.g. Saga of the Swamp Thing), the deconstructive (Watchmen) or visually distinctive (David Aja's run of the Hawkguy). Plus I've never much liked the art style of most superhero comics (hence also the preference for the alternative).
But Kurt Busiek's Astro City is something different within the norm. Its world of superheroes, humans, aliens, villains, multidimensional elemental power beings etc is very much modeled after more famous superhero mythologies (their Samaritian is unapologetically heavily influenced by Superman) and the art style hews closer to what I usually dislike, but the stories they tell have such sense of verisimilitude and interest in the psychological and everyday aspects of living in a world with superheroes, that I absolutely love it.
And in this Metrobook are the stories that first made me fall in love with Astro City. I felt I was reading something special from the very first story, a day from the life of their Superman, concentrated on what does it mean to be the most powerful superhero with a martyr-like need to protect others while still slave to the ticking of a clock? The work stress this guy has is insane, but the most beautiful thing in the story might be that the guy who can fly dreams of flying - the waking flight is not an offer of ultimate freedom, but a tool that allows him to get anywhere fast (so he feels he also must be everywhere fast); but in dreams he can slow down to actually feel the air massage his soaring form.
That very first chapter is a promise that Astro City rarely breaks. It is first and foremost interested in the psychological aspects of a world with superheroes and other such things, and through that becomes a mirror to ourselves (like the best superhero comics often are). It pursues the perspectives of both superheroes, regular humans and villains alike (there's a good story here about a villain, but an even better storyline in the next Metrobook, one of my absolute favourites). It was apt to choose "beautiful" to describe a moment from the first story, for Busiek often reaches for the emotionally beautiful, and often enough achieves it.
As for the Metrobook version of the Astro City itself, well, if you've already got the old Astro City editions, there's no need for this one. For as a Deluxe edition, it's a disappointment - regular sized, soft-cover, no extras, and the panels are a too close to the spine, cutting off a bit more than the older editions. Unfortunately if you don't already own the old versions, you're out of luck - these are the only way to get the older Astro City books, unless you're willing to pay considerable extra on abebooks or some such (and let me tell you, shipping these books outside America isn't something to not bat your eye at). And for that these books do the jobs. The stories are still great, the psychology still deep, and the art still nice to look at (even for a style I'm not usually a fan off; at least Busiek never twists his female characters in the insane ways superhero comics so often love to do; the worst you get here is female costumes modeled after classic female superhero costumes; but the best is somethike like an outspoken Wonder Woman running self-defense training places for women and Superman commenting on how dumb her detractors are).
Even so, I don't think this will be recommendable to everybody who doesn't usually read superhero comics. I do think you need the ability to accept the inherent absurdity of superheroes. But if you can, oh boy is this a treat. And the only "normal"-looking superhero comic I care to recommend.
But Kurt Busiek's Astro City is something different within the norm. Its world of superheroes, humans, aliens, villains, multidimensional elemental power beings etc is very much modeled after more famous superhero mythologies (their Samaritian is unapologetically heavily influenced by Superman) and the art style hews closer to what I usually dislike, but the stories they tell have such sense of verisimilitude and interest in the psychological and everyday aspects of living in a world with superheroes, that I absolutely love it.
And in this Metrobook are the stories that first made me fall in love with Astro City. I felt I was reading something special from the very first story, a day from the life of their Superman, concentrated on what does it mean to be the most powerful superhero with a martyr-like need to protect others while still slave to the ticking of a clock? The work stress this guy has is insane, but the most beautiful thing in the story might be that the guy who can fly dreams of flying - the waking flight is not an offer of ultimate freedom, but a tool that allows him to get anywhere fast (so he feels he also must be everywhere fast); but in dreams he can slow down to actually feel the air massage his soaring form.
That very first chapter is a promise that Astro City rarely breaks. It is first and foremost interested in the psychological aspects of a world with superheroes and other such things, and through that becomes a mirror to ourselves (like the best superhero comics often are). It pursues the perspectives of both superheroes, regular humans and villains alike (there's a good story here about a villain, but an even better storyline in the next Metrobook, one of my absolute favourites). It was apt to choose "beautiful" to describe a moment from the first story, for Busiek often reaches for the emotionally beautiful, and often enough achieves it.
As for the Metrobook version of the Astro City itself, well, if you've already got the old Astro City editions, there's no need for this one. For as a Deluxe edition, it's a disappointment - regular sized, soft-cover, no extras, and the panels are a too close to the spine, cutting off a bit more than the older editions. Unfortunately if you don't already own the old versions, you're out of luck - these are the only way to get the older Astro City books, unless you're willing to pay considerable extra on abebooks or some such (and let me tell you, shipping these books outside America isn't something to not bat your eye at). And for that these books do the jobs. The stories are still great, the psychology still deep, and the art still nice to look at (even for a style I'm not usually a fan off; at least Busiek never twists his female characters in the insane ways superhero comics so often love to do; the worst you get here is female costumes modeled after classic female superhero costumes; but the best is somethike like an outspoken Wonder Woman running self-defense training places for women and Superman commenting on how dumb her detractors are).
Even so, I don't think this will be recommendable to everybody who doesn't usually read superhero comics. I do think you need the ability to accept the inherent absurdity of superheroes. But if you can, oh boy is this a treat. And the only "normal"-looking superhero comic I care to recommend.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This has been on my TBR since Jason Inman recommended it as one of the top comics every fan should read on their podcast, Geek History Lesson (iykyk). Like Jason and Ashley, I believe this is a great jumping on point for readers as each issue is self contained while still existing in its namesake, Astro City.
More familiar comic book readers will recognize analogues of well known characters from the big two, DC and Marvel. The Samaritan is akin to Superman, while the First Family is your Fantastic Four analogue. And there are other superhero conventions (read as mashed together) that still offer a fresh take into well known troupes.
But the other part I enjoyed about the stories is that it’s not always focused on the supers, rather you get civilian perspectives, from the “ordinary folks” who need saving or even the wrong-doers who are the cause of the conflict. Overall you get a well rounded understanding of life in Astro City, still with the room to expand the universe.
The last thing I’ll add is that the cover art is beautiful!! I need to have the Samaritan and Winged Victory framed, even the whole Honour Guard racing to save the day is gorgeous.
I would recommend this to any type of comic fan. Those already familiar with DC or Marvel or any of the others will appreciate the similarities of getting to know another world of heroes; while newer comic readers will get to experience all the cliches while also finding versions of heroes they can fall in love with