4.5 Razors

• Title: Astro City #26
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Kurt Busiek
• Artist: Brent Anderson

20 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 #26Read More »

• Title: Astro City #25
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Kurt Busiek
• Artist: Jesús Merino

Astro 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]