Kurt Busiek has still got it.
I read but didn’t love the
Dark Age mini-series; too many of my favorites were off-screen. But they are
back here in the new volume, along with fun new creations like American Chibi
and Wolfspider. It’s odd, these characters haven’t appeared anywhere but in
this title, but they’ve been around so long, seeing the Samaritan, MPH, and
Winged Victory is pretty great.
The first issue gives us the Sandman-esque Broken Man. He
opens the issue breaking the fourth wall and addressing the reader directly.
According to him, the reader is actually helping save the world by reading the
first issue of Astro City! That’s a great idea, and the twist on the final page
left me with a smile on my face. It’s an issue that keeps you thinking for a
bit.
Issues 2&3 feature Marella Cowper, a phone bank operator
for the Honor Guard. It’s a high-stress position, but one where Marella can do
a lot of good. Busiek keeps the story nicely grounded on her, but still
delivers some nice moments with the Guard members themselves, especially
Cleopatra. It’s funny, but I almost wish Busiek could leave the “normal human”
point of view a bit more; I’d love to see straight up super-heroics featuring
these characters. Astro City always had a bit of a DC feel to it, so this could
really scratch an itch for me these days!
One thing the series is lacking at this point is a strong
antagonist. None of the villains in the first three issues have enough weight
or danger to them to give any strong sense of suspense. The Honor Guard has the
situation under control pretty much the whole time, so there is a bit of
tension that is lacking.
Brent Anderson continues to deliver strong, emotional work
as he has for years now. I love the new Wolfspider character, with his awesome
jet-bike. I never realized quite how cool Cleopatra was until these issues
either. She’s basically a female Thor, and Anderson really gives her the
gravity and power she deserves.
I hate paying $3.99 for these issues that don’t even have a
digital code, but now that I’m back, I don’t think I can leave Astro City
again.
Astro City is a place where comics are GOOD.
No comments:
Post a Comment