Astro City

• Title: Astro City #11
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Kurt Busiek
• Artist: Brent Anderson

The latest single-issue tale of the new Astro City offers a glimpse into the daily life of the assistant to the most powerful magic user in the realm of Astro City – the Silver Adept (a powerful sorceress with a bit of both Dr. Fate and Doctor Strange thrown in).

Although the Adept makes appearances throughout the issue, Astro City #11 focuses almost entirely on the sorceress’ assistant who keeps the mystic warrior’s house in order, tries to rearrange an impossible schedule allowing the Adept to appear when needed, and, when called upon (as she is here) step up for the missing Silver Adept to reconcile issues for very powerful other-wordly creatures.

Writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson have a flair for telling this kind of story focused on those on the periphery of the super-powerful individuals and eventful moments in the world of Astro City while continuing to deliver one of the best monthly comics available. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

• Title: Astro City #10
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Kurt Busiek
• Artist: Brent Anderson

Astro City #10 concludes Winged Victory‘s storyline as the heroine faces not only the villain who has systematically destroyed her public image but also stands in judgement by the Council of Nike as to whether the hero will be allowed to continue as their champion given the recent events.

Tying back in the storyline of the young man whose arrival at Winged Victory’s compound at the beginning of the arc, writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson wrap-up all the arc’s various storylines by allowing our hero to rediscover the confidence needed to stand-up to those who would do her, and those who she protects, harm.

Although the full effect of the smear campaign isn’t yet clear, Winged Victory earns her hard-fought victory and proves her worthiness to continue her quest to help troubled and abused woman (and her first male student) across the globe as her story, thankfully, isn’t over quite yet. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

• Title: Astro City #9
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Kurt Busiek
• Artist: Brent Anderson

As the conspiracy behind framing Winged Victory as a super-villain continues, the heroine is forced to abandon her schools. Continuing to investigate the elaborate frame, the Samaritan and The Confessor urge the heroine to go into hiding until they can uncover the proof to clear her name.

Winged Victory’s only respite comes from answering the call of the voice which has slowly grown in strength over recent days. On an inaupsicious rooftop garden she will come face-to-face with one the Council of Nike (those whose power flows through her veins) who offers the hero the story of her only life, a brief moment of rest, and the support to continue to fight for her cause.

Although the overall story isn’t advanced much (the investigation hits dead ends and the evidence against Winged Victory mounts), in terms of exploring the effect of the attack on the hero Astro City #9 works well. And before it’s over we get the tease of how the young man who came to her door just before her world started crashing down might have a big role to play in the arc’s final issue next month. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

• Title: Astro City #8
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Kurt Busiek
• Artist: Brent Anderson

The latest issue continues to follow the events of the very effective public smear campaign on Winged Victory by an unknown enemy who has been able to convince authorities and the press that the hero is really a super-villain mastermind and her camps for battered women are little more than recruiting and indoctrination stations.

Even with the help of the Samaritan and The Confessor (whose appearance at the compound raises suspicions and causes conflict between the detective and the Samaritan) Winged Victory acknowledges that even if they are able to eventually prove her innocence the damage to her public reputation, and the power she receives from the women around the world who believe in her, has been irreparably damaged.

With the help of The Confessor the group begins to narrow potential suspects, but Winged Victory appears dangerously close to throwing in the towel. However, I’m betting she’s got at least one good fight left in her. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

• Title: Astro City #7
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Kurt Busiek
• Artist: Brent Anderson

Although the comic begins with the perspective of a young boy badly beaten looking for help, Astro City #7 is the first issue of new series to focus primarily on heroes rather than that normal people whose lives are affected by them. The new four-issue arc finds Winged Victory under attack by super-villains who are claiming that the heroine and protector of women is actually the brains behind their entire operation.

While offering both an origin story for the hero as well as a glimpse of her romantic relationship with the Samaritan, the comic explains how public perception of the heroine, and lack of trust in her, could very well spell the end of her career.

The focus may be different than the adventures we’ve gotten so far, but the storytelling is still just as good. Given what we’ve already seen over six issues I’d expect the role of the battered young boy to play a larger role in the story than we’ve seen so far, as will The Confessor who makes an appearance in the comic’s final panel. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $3.99]