Daredevil Message Board

Neilan · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 2:57 pm Post subject: Astro City - Deja vu?

So last week, I finally got around to reading the 1st 5 trades of Astro City. What a great title. I hadn't been that familiar with Busiek's work. I only knew Untold Tales of Spidey which I thoroughly enjoyed, Avengers-Thunderbolts, which did nothing for me, and Marvels, which I loved. In fact, in some ways, Astro City is reminiscient of Marvels, but goes even deeper into what everday life might be like in a world of superheroes, and instead of commenting on the Marvel Universe, allows for Busiek and company to create a new, wonderfully rich universe.

My favorite arc, was in the Vol. 3 trade (I think the issues were Vol.2 4-9), although it did seem very familiar.

WARNING: SPOILERS COMING.

In this arc, a tragedy acts as a catalyst for the government to start registering heroes and treating those who refuse as criminals. It turns out that the government official who was leading the registration movement, was really a shape shifting alien who was laying the groundwork for a major alien invasion. Does this ring any bells? But don't hold that against this title. The Astro City story besides being extremely riveting and entertaining, also told a coming of age tale, commented on racial/ethnic intolerance while making a strong statement on true heroism. I highly recommend it. Now I'm looking forward to the next trade of the current title, Astro City: The Dark Age, when it comes out.
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It's never too late to have a happy childhood!

MaxP · Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:07 pm Post subject:

I believe the Astro City dark age story was originally going to be a 'Marvels' type Marvel Universe story focusing on the late 80's and 90's when the MU (and comics) became very dark and violent. One could say Frank Miller was ultimately responsible for this also.
But I was looking foward to that, and thought it would have been very cool. Pity it was never done as a Marvel story. At least it was still done as an Astro City story.
I wonder what Busiek thinks of Millar and Marvel stealing his ideas?
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Later from MaxP

Gloria · Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 9:36 am Post subject:

The Message Board is currently in read-only mode, as the software is now out of date. Several features and pages have been removed. If/When I get time I intend to re-launch the board with updated software.