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blairconrad's review against another edition
3.0
Possibly a better book than I'm giving it credit for, but I've switched from single issues to the graphic novel format, and have read some of these stories before. In particular, the alien planet one feels like I've read it many times before, and it felt all too familiar. The Samaritan story was a nice callback to the series opener, but the heart of the book was Steeljack's story.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
Continuing the re-read. I didn't like Menace from Earth that much. Aliens. Fantastic Four knock-off. The ideas were fine. The Samaritan story was fine. The Steeljack story was still the standout. I don't know how I didn't notice how many of these stories are old people stories though. 3.5 of 5.
Another good solid book. Perhaps it reads a little old. But I'm old. Though to be fair, Menace from Earth (and yes I read that as a Heinlein reference), aims young. But as always its the details and the richness of the history and the environment. It's especially done well in SteelJack's story, even in flashback. A good example of why this series is worth reading.
Another good solid book. Perhaps it reads a little old. But I'm old. Though to be fair, Menace from Earth (and yes I read that as a Heinlein reference), aims young. But as always its the details and the richness of the history and the environment. It's especially done well in SteelJack's story, even in flashback. A good example of why this series is worth reading.
davybaby's review
4.0
It's been years since I read Astro City, but I was pleased to find it still holds up. It's still a wonderful love letter to superhero comics, without seeming saccharine or overly derivative. It explores interesting twists on a superheroic world, with excellent writing and likable characters.
trike's review
4.0
This should be subtitled "How Astro City Got Its Groove Back."
As others have mentioned, the description is incorrect.
The first issue is a callback to the original Astro City tale from 20 years ago. Samaritan is having issues sleeping, so he turns to the First Family (AC's Fantastic Four) for a cure. The solution requires a deep dive into Samaritans subconscious, requiring they keep him sedated for quite some time. The problem then becomes what the world will do when the bad guys figure out their Superman analogue isn't around to police the planet. It's a tidy little story with a nice "let's all step up" moral at the end.
Next we have a couple chapters detailing the adventures of the First Family on an insectoid alien planet from the point of view of a youngling who is on the cusp of going on to bigger and better things. The Fursts are branded as invaders and destroyers, but it's all propaganda. It has echoes of Cold War stuff, but it certainly rings true today with North Korea and the Trump administration's baldfaced denial of reality.
Then we come to the heart of the book with the return of ex-con turned private eye Steeljack. Like most people, I loved the original Steeljack story, which was basically a film noir/hardboiled detective tale with Robert Mitchum as Colossus from the X-Men. Here we have Steeljack's partner and old flame, the femme fatale Cutlass, asking him to figure out who's framing her, despite the fact she's been out of the life for years. He uncovers similar stories of black hats who'd gone straight suddenly and inexplicably taking up crime again. It's a fairly straightforward detective plot, except with super powers, marred only by a slightly too-pat ending. But overall I quite liked it.
As others have mentioned, the description is incorrect.
The first issue is a callback to the original Astro City tale from 20 years ago. Samaritan is having issues sleeping, so he turns to the First Family (AC's Fantastic Four) for a cure. The solution requires a deep dive into Samaritans subconscious, requiring they keep him sedated for quite some time. The problem then becomes what the world will do when the bad guys figure out their Superman analogue isn't around to police the planet. It's a tidy little story with a nice "let's all step up" moral at the end.
Next we have a couple chapters detailing the adventures of the First Family on an insectoid alien planet from the point of view of a youngling who is on the cusp of going on to bigger and better things. The Fursts are branded as invaders and destroyers, but it's all propaganda. It has echoes of Cold War stuff, but it certainly rings true today with North Korea and the Trump administration's baldfaced denial of reality.
Then we come to the heart of the book with the return of ex-con turned private eye Steeljack. Like most people, I loved the original Steeljack story, which was basically a film noir/hardboiled detective tale with Robert Mitchum as Colossus from the X-Men. Here we have Steeljack's partner and old flame, the femme fatale Cutlass, asking him to figure out who's framing her, despite the fact she's been out of the life for years. He uncovers similar stories of black hats who'd gone straight suddenly and inexplicably taking up crime again. It's a fairly straightforward detective plot, except with super powers, marred only by a slightly too-pat ending. But overall I quite liked it.
bowienerd_82's review
4.0
Excellent as always, Astro City remains one of the few comic series I will buy sight unseen, and I have suffered very few disappointments over the years. I love the universe, I love the characters, and I love the way the story is told.
Though I do need to say that the Goodreads summary is incorrect- this volume first has a 20 year anniversary look back at the first issue and its star Samaritan, then a story about the First Family, and then a check in with Steeljack. Nothing about Jack in the Box contained here.
Though I do need to say that the Goodreads summary is incorrect- this volume first has a 20 year anniversary look back at the first issue and its star Samaritan, then a story about the First Family, and then a check in with Steeljack. Nothing about Jack in the Box contained here.
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