Astro City

Astro City #29

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Astro City #29Known for taking a different perspective on the super-hero concept, the latest issue of Astro City is presented not from the view of a hero, villain, or even civilian of the planet Earth. Instead the entire issue takes place on the planet Zirros, throneworld of the Zirr Empire, from the perspective of a young dreamer named Zozat who grows up hating the alien invaders known as humans.

Although mostly backstory for the story which should unfold in the next issue, Astro City #29 does what writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson do best: flip a familiar story on its axis and present it in a new way. The result means delving deep into Zirros and the life of Zozat in particular. I have no doubt that Zozat’s talent as a bonder will play a large role in the story to come which begins with the capture of a member of the First Family and an attempted rescue by her teammates.

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Astro City #28

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Astro City #28The latest issue gives us a look into the life and career of the smallest super-hero in Astro City – Wolfspider. Along with explaining the minature hero’s condition and unique tools, gizmos, and vehicles, Astro City #28 also features Wolfspider meeting the fictitious heroes who inspired him to become a hero whose appearance in the real world throws everyone for a loop.

As with nearly every issue of Astro City, I’m always wanting more. Although I enjoy these one-off issues I could easily spend far more time with Wolfspider and his unique view of the world from his tiny stature.

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Astro City #26

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Astro City #2620 years after the very first issue of Asto City hit comic shops the latest issue of the current harkens back to that very first story as, once again, the series takes a look into the dreams of the world’s mightiest super-hero – Samaritan. It seems out hero still dreams of flying, but lately those dreams have turned into nightmares which are beginning to concern the hero even in his waking hours.

“In Dreams 2015” is a nice nod to the series’ first story that should work perfectly well on its own for those who never read the original (or, like me, had forgotten about it). The issue gives us a look into the dreams, desires, and fears of the most powerful man on the planet and shows that even the mightiest can be taken down by their own psyche.

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Astro City #25

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Astro City #25Astro City #25 offers a snapshot of the life of a second-generation super-hero in Hummingbird who is both gifted and cursed with unique gifts which begin to express themselves during adolescence including wings that give her the power of flight.

Drawn by guest-artist Jesús Merino, the latest issue of Astro City is very much a throwback to the kinds of comic tales that DC and Marvel, for whatever reason, seem to have gotten out of the habit of telling in favor of large-scale event tie-ins. In a single issue you could argue we get a better feel of Hummingbird than any recently-rebooted version of a major character from either of the big two comic publishers.

And she’s heroic! Presented with hard choices our hero rises to the challenge to save not just one world but two. There’s no cynicism or unnecessary grim filter that Busiek and Merino are forced to tell their tale through. This results in a fresh take on a rather basic premise that, like nearly all issues of the series, delivers just the kind of story you’ve been looking to read. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

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Astro City #24

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Astro City #24While offering glimpses into the world Sticks left behind, and his reasons for doing so, the latest issue of Astro City concludes the warrior-ape turned drummer turned super-hero turned nomad’s story which includes a stint with the super-group Reflex 6 who, among other adventures, fought to close illegal alien speakeasies in Astro City where human brain chemistry and dreams were the drug of choice for an elite clientele. Like super-apes who play the drums are known to do.

As with the opening issue to this two-part tale Astro City #24 offers some twists and turns as Sticks struggles to find his role in Astro City where it’s too dangerous to be a drummer and too hard to be a hero. His solution, thanks in part to an unexpected pep-talk from the Samaritan allows the character to create an unorthodox solution that not only allows him to live the life he’s always wanted but still find a way to put his obvious skills to use. And if he’s got to occasionally dress up in a monkey suit, so to speak, well that’s a small price to pay for finding the freedom to play beautiful music. Isn’t it? Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

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