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phpatrickhiggins's review
5.0
Overall this is the weakest Astro City I have read, but it has two of the strongest individual stories, the one that blows up the Lois Lane/Superman relationship hijinks, and the one that deals with the legal problems that arise from having to have a separate justice city for super heroes/villains. So still worthy of 5-stars, even the bad stuff in here is very very good.
dantastic's review
4.0
Astro City is home to lots of interesting people: a doorman who never managed to leave the city, a comic book writer struggling to write about real super heroes, a lawyer who has to defend a man whom is most certainly guilty, the would-be girlfriend of a super hero, an actor who plays a hero on tv, a girl forced to spend the summer with relatives in the country, and an old super hero who steps up when no one else is available...
Here we are, another visit to my favorite city. It's hard to keep finding new things to gush about. As with the last four volumes, there's a tremendous sense of history. What the hell happened with the Silver Agent, Kurt? Anyway, the familiar song is playing in the background instead of blaring in our ears and the humans take center stage.
The doorman's story in the first issue in this collection is a great slice of life tale. I wasn't as fond of the second one, mostly because I'm uneasy about super hero comics in a super hero universe. It was still good, though. The story of Atomicus was probably my second favorite of the book, a tribute to all those stories where Lois is trying to figure out Superman's identity. Leave Atomicus alone, bitch!
The Crimson Cougar's tale was good. There was a nice "coming to Jesus" moment near the end that I liked quite a bit. When the Samaritan is disappointed in you, it's time to rethink things. It ended nicely. Pastoral, the middle story in the book, was easily my favorite. It was the story of a girl from Astro City experiencing small town life and a small town super hero, much to her chagrin. It rang true on so many levels. So good.
The lawyer's tale was an interesting look at what a lawyer's life might be like in a city of super heroes and showed how broken our legal system can be at times. It would have been a little depressing if not for the Blue Knight. Supersonic's tale, the tale of an old man without a whole lot left to give, was another emotional one. Who can't relate to getting older and not being as capable as you used to be? The story wrapped with a tribute to 9/11 and it was short but sweet.
I see a lot of people bitching about Brent Anderson's art not being typical superhero fare. I don't think it should be since the story focuses more on the human characters. I think it suits the stories perfectly. Also, he hides things in the background. Check out Josh's reflection in lawyer story.
As with the previous four volumes, I feel like there are decades of old comics set in Astro City just waiting to be read in a storage area somewhere out there. I think the reason I like Astro City so much is because it doesn't keep rehashing the same tales of guys in costumes punching each other we've all been reading for decades. Instead, Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson go for the human approach. Four out of five stars.
Here we are, another visit to my favorite city. It's hard to keep finding new things to gush about. As with the last four volumes, there's a tremendous sense of history. What the hell happened with the Silver Agent, Kurt? Anyway, the familiar song is playing in the background instead of blaring in our ears and the humans take center stage.
The doorman's story in the first issue in this collection is a great slice of life tale. I wasn't as fond of the second one, mostly because I'm uneasy about super hero comics in a super hero universe. It was still good, though. The story of Atomicus was probably my second favorite of the book, a tribute to all those stories where Lois is trying to figure out Superman's identity. Leave Atomicus alone, bitch!
The Crimson Cougar's tale was good. There was a nice "coming to Jesus" moment near the end that I liked quite a bit. When the Samaritan is disappointed in you, it's time to rethink things. It ended nicely. Pastoral, the middle story in the book, was easily my favorite. It was the story of a girl from Astro City experiencing small town life and a small town super hero, much to her chagrin. It rang true on so many levels. So good.
The lawyer's tale was an interesting look at what a lawyer's life might be like in a city of super heroes and showed how broken our legal system can be at times. It would have been a little depressing if not for the Blue Knight. Supersonic's tale, the tale of an old man without a whole lot left to give, was another emotional one. Who can't relate to getting older and not being as capable as you used to be? The story wrapped with a tribute to 9/11 and it was short but sweet.
I see a lot of people bitching about Brent Anderson's art not being typical superhero fare. I don't think it should be since the story focuses more on the human characters. I think it suits the stories perfectly. Also, he hides things in the background. Check out Josh's reflection in lawyer story.
As with the previous four volumes, I feel like there are decades of old comics set in Astro City just waiting to be read in a storage area somewhere out there. I think the reason I like Astro City so much is because it doesn't keep rehashing the same tales of guys in costumes punching each other we've all been reading for decades. Instead, Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson go for the human approach. Four out of five stars.
bkoser's review
4.0
Astro City character design is always top-notch, but Blue Knight might be a new favorite. Solid stories, always a good time visiting Astro City.
clarks_dad's review
5.0
Another hit and for the same reason. This one is another anthology and focuses mainly on how normal people become heroes without being super. It's not so much about the masked heroes as it is about the firefighters, policemen and normal citizens whose lives are turned upside down by the presence of superhumans, both good and bad. Still lovin it.
misha_ali's review
5.0
Quite excellent. Most people seem to enjoy the later volumes which focus on a single story, but I quite like these random volumes with self-contained and separate stories more because they let me see the world and characters from a variety of angles.
shane_tiernan's review
4.0
Oh the (super)humanity! It's been a while since I read Astro City but it's everything I remember it being. I feel like I'm watching a mashup of Barney Miller and old Hulk reruns. I really thought this niche would get old but it hasn't for me. I think it's funny because there are so many creators out there trying to make interesting, kick ass heroes and here comes Busiek with his crappy 70's heroes and sells a million copies by not focusing on the heroes.
If you haven't read Astro City get to it, and also pick up "Marvels" because you'll love that at least as much.
If you haven't read Astro City get to it, and also pick up "Marvels" because you'll love that at least as much.
ostrava's review
3.0
Sort of okeysh. Some of the stories were nice, others needed more polish and emotion.
I don't know, it's enjoyable I guess, but Astro City doesn't impress me. I'll go back for more in the future but so far, only the Tarnished Angel was noteworthy.
I don't know, it's enjoyable I guess, but Astro City doesn't impress me. I'll go back for more in the future but so far, only the Tarnished Angel was noteworthy.
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
The grand re-read continues. Though I'm pretty distracted by the election week counts. This didn't work for me quite as well on this time through. Maybe because the characters felt more old and defeated. Maybe because I've liked the longer stories on the re-read better. The city girl visiting the country was probably my favorite this time through. Drop the review from 4.5 down to a 4.
Another great book. All good stories, all different and unexpected. Real characters, good writing. Maybe a little bit too heavy on living in a superhero world as a non superhero, but hey I like that kind of thing. Even the city girl visiting the country worked better than expected and showed a possible difference in the rural superhero world. 4.5 of 5.
Another great book. All good stories, all different and unexpected. Real characters, good writing. Maybe a little bit too heavy on living in a superhero world as a non superhero, but hey I like that kind of thing. Even the city girl visiting the country worked better than expected and showed a possible difference in the rural superhero world. 4.5 of 5.
davybaby's review
3.0
i liked it, because it's astro city and well-written, but the lack of a single cohesive storyline failed to draw me in all the way.