Reviews

Astro City Metrobook, Volume 1 by Kurt Busiek

chitownbookworm's review

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful reflective relaxing 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

5.0

wam93's review

Go to review page

5.0

A beautifully written book. An anthology series of a fictional city called Astro City with super heroes. Loved the writing and the art. The covers by Alex Ross were also excellent. Cannot wait for the 2nd book later on this year. Absolutely beautiful book. Cannot recommend it enough.

dantastic's review

Go to review page

5.0

Astro City Metrobook 1 collects Astro City 1-6, Astro City volume 2 1- 12, and Astro City 1/2.

So I didn't really get Astro City when I was a teenager but I've read a fair bit of it as an adult and dug it. In fact, I've blocked a few people on Twitter who shit talk it. Anyway, I decided to free up some shelf space and trade in my old collections for these big honkin' Metrobooks.

So Astro City seems like an homage to archetypical comics, and it is, but it mostly focuses on the human side of things. Samaritan can fly around the world in minutes but doesn't leave himself time to go one dates. Astra from the Furst Family is a third generation hero that wants to be a normal kid. Jack in the Box wonders how he's going to juggle being a super hero with fatherhood. There are dozens more examples to back up this viewpoint.

The artwork by Brent Anderson is understated but it fits the human tone of the story. You don't need a behemoth with bulging muscles and eye burning coloring to tell human focused stories. The plot of Astro City turning against the super heroes due to a political demagogue is a plot that seems just as fresh today as it did in the 1990s.

That's about all I want to say. I don't want to spoil anything for people who've never read this. This is my third time through Astro City and it just gets better with age. Five out of five stars.

fossen's review

Go to review page

5.0

It's a delight when something you remember with fondness is just as good decades later. The first six issues are perfect short-form stories, and "The Nearness of You" is still one of the best single issues ever.

mischiefphantom's review

Go to review page

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

prynne31's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious medium-paced

5.0

lacewing's review

Go to review page

adventurous medium-paced

3.5

genxian's review

Go to review page

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

It was not as earth-shatteringly revolutionary as the endorsements claimed. Yet, the vignettes of different people who live their lives in Astro City are interesting and engaging. Worth the read. 

jmbz38's review

Go to review page

adventurous slow-paced

3.75

gemgem18's review

Go to review page

Just no