- Title: Astro City #22
- Comic Vine: link
- Writer: Kurt Busiek
- Artist: Jesús Merino
The latest issue of Astro City offers readers a brief look back at the life of the cosmic hero Starfighter near the end of his career. Touching more on his life outside of the tights than inside (as is the comic’s long-running custom) Astro City #22 offers a beautiful character study of a man who found love on an alien world and a purpose through the use of scrolling mysterious symbols unlocking knowledge and power to allow him to play the hero on Earth and throughout space for decades.
Jesús Merino steps in seamlessly to provide the art for an issue that looks and feels very much like any other in the current run of the series.
As with most of these one-off stories writer Kurt Busiek creates a beautiful tale that leaves us wanting more. From the man’s life as a cosmic hero, a very John Carter-ish father and husband on an alien world, to life on Earth as a sci-fi author, there are many facets to Starfighter I certainly wouldn’t mind be explored more in future issues. Worth a look.
[Vertigo, $3.99]