Astro City

Top 10 Comic Issues of 2013

/ / Top Tens & Lists

top-10-comic-issues-of-2013

Here’s my look back at the ten best single comic issues from the past year. Including ongoing series, one-shots, and mini-series, the only limitations I put on this list was that the comic had to have been released in 2013 (no reprints) and I limited myself to only a single issue from any one title. Because I was focusing on standout issues rather than consistently strong comics every month several of my favorite series missed the cut, but, if time permits, I may work up my regular list of best comic series of the past year as well.

…

Top 10 Comic Issues of 2013Read More »

Top 10 Comic Issues of 2013 Read More »

Astro City #6

/ / Comics

Astro City #6Astro City #6 returns to the storyline introduced in the new series’ first issue as mid-level mobster Thatcher Jones, who has had a knack all his life for realizing when to take advantage of an open door, decides on his own to make the acquaintance of Telseth whose giant door is sitting in the middle of his port.

Originally planning to shake the alien ambassador down for whatever Telseth may be inclined to give, Thatcher finds himself invited into an entirely new world as he literally walks through the latest door open to him and strikes up a friendship with alien telling Telseth much about his own life and agreeing to supply him with all kinds of Earth curiosities the ambassador has been learning about.

Thatcher also takes something from the unaware Telseth which turns his brother-in-law into a super-villain. With too much to loose of his own comfortable life, Thatcher refuses to use one of canisters on himself but holds onto them for a rainy day not knowing when another door might open.

…

Astro City #6Read More »

Astro City #6 Read More »

Astro City #5

/ / Comics

Astro City #5The latest standalone issue of Astro City gives us the return of the Broken Man and his crazy conspiracy-theory wall of clippings, yarn, and thumbtacks. Our host offers us glimpses into three separate stories from the past, but quickly pulls the reader out when he fears we may learn too much too soon.

The Broken Man is one of few pieces of the new Astro City comic that I haven’t been completely sold on. Consistently stepping in to pull the reader out of the story is a little annoying, but writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson use that template to lay the groundwork for different stories they aren’t quite ready to fully explore.

The stories break down into a secret government agency in the 1930s dealing with the alien and bizarre, a Kobra-style cult leader in India during the 1940s, and a steam-punk heroine named Dame Progress chasing down a crafty villain whose motives aren’t as black-and-white as she believes. Each story, although truncated, is worth reading.

[Vertigo, $3.99]

Astro City #5 Read More »

Astro City #4

/ / Comics

Astro City #4It seems like a foregone conclusion in comics that someone born, or later gifted/cursed, with super-powers will one day take their place as either a super-hero or super-villain. According to the latest issue of Astro City, that’s not necessarily the case.

Focusing on Martha Sullivan, a telekinetic who uses her powers not for personal gain or glory or to save the world, Astro City #4 gives us a look at an individual who uses her powers to get by but has no interest in using them as part of a grander design. Ben Parker may have called this selfish, but Martha and others known as Sideliners simply want to live their life in peace and relative anonymity.

Of course when villains such as the ridiculous Majordomo show up to forcibly recruit those like Martha who have no interest in their conquest, the Sidelineres do know how to defend themselves. Once again writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson find another niche in super-hero comics to explore with entertaining results. Worth a look.

[Vertigo, $2.99]

Astro City #4 Read More »

Astro City #3

/ / Comics

Astro City #3Astro City #3 continues the story of Marella Cowper, a computer systems major who works secretly for the Honor Guard Emergency Contact Line. At the end of issue #2, Marella realized she had made the wrong call on a cry for help that had blown up into a full-scale war zone in a small village in Ecuador. Whereas last issue was Marella’s wild-eyed wonder at discovering the Contact Line and the time it took her to grow into her place in the system, this issue focuses on her attempts to rectify her mistake.

Astro City #3 plays very much on the themes of what it means to be a hero as a call center worker goes above and beyond to rectify a mistake that no one else is blaming her for. Using the door technology, Marella travels back and forth to Ecuador bringing supplies and volunteering at various aid stations, all while searching for the little girl whose call began her involvement in the crisis.

Although it may not be as good as Astro City #2 (which is easily one of the best comics I’ve read this year), it’s a joy to see a comic delve into this side of super-hero comics again. Must-read.

[DC, $3.99]

Astro City #3 Read More »