Astro City

Astro City is a comic book series co-created by writer Kurt Busiek, artist Brent Anderson and designer and cover artist Alex Ross. Anderson was originally inked by Will Blyberg. Other partners include colorists Steve Buccellato and Alex Sinclair and letterers Richard Starkings and John Roshell from Comicraft. The series focuses on a fictional American city, Astro City, where super beings interact with regular citizens on a daily basis. Most of the stories are told through the eyes of a regular Joe. The first limited series, Kurt Busiek's Astro City, was published in 1995 by Image Comics. It was followed by a regular series, first published by Image, then by DC Comics through, in both cases, the Wildstorm imprint. Most of the Astro City stories have also been published as a series of graphic novels. Astro City won both Eisner and Harvey Awards.

Astro City Vol. 1: Life in the Big City - Welcome to Astro City, a shining city on a hill where super-heroes patrol the skies. Each chapter in this collection is a standalone story, highlighting different aspects or characters in the Astro City world. The city's leading super-hero tries to be everywhere at once, and berates himself for every wasted second as he longs for just a moment of his own. A smalltime hood learns a hero's secret identity, and tries to figure out how to profit from the knowledge. A beat reporter gets some advice from his editor on his first day on the job. A young woman tries to balance the demands of her family with her own hopes and desires. Despite the fantastic settings, the characters in these slice-of-life stories feel like real people, and that gives the stories real power. This book collects Kurt Busiek's Astro City #1-6 and includes an introduction by Busiek, a cover gallery and a sketchbook. Written by Kurt Busiek, illustrated by Brent Anderson, colored by Steve Buccellato, and lettered by Richard Starkings; cover art by Alex Ross.

Astro City Vol. 2: Confession - Brian Kinney has left his rural home, seeking adventure in the big city—Astro City. After literally working his way into the super-hero scene as a busboy and waiter, Brian attracts the attention of Astro City's vigilante Confessor. Dubbed Alter Boy, Brian becomes the Confessor's sidekick. While Astro City suffers under the looming threat of a serial killer on the loose and the city government moves to ban super heroes altogether, Brian questions the actions of his mentor. If that weren't enough, there just may be an alien invasion looming! This book collects Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #4-9 and 1/2 and includes an introduction by comic book writer and novelist Neil Gaiman, a cover gallery and a sketchbook. Written by Kurt Busiek, illustrated by Brent Anderson and Will Blyberg, colored by Alex Sinclair, and lettered by John Roshell; cover art by Alex Ross.

Astro City Vol. 3: Family Album - Snapshots. They let us capture moments of truth, fragments of time—and that's as true in Astro City, a city of heroes, villains, monsters and more, as it is anywhere. You're invited, in this Family Album, to share in some of the city's greatest memories—from the wonder and terror experienced by a family new in town, to a world famous superhero's first day at school, a crimefighter and his wife facing momentous decisions about the future, and more. Just open the pages of this book—and make them your treasured memories too. This book collects Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #1-3 and 10-13 and includes an introduction by novelist Harlan Ellison, a cover gallery and a sketchbook. Written by Kurt Busiek, illustrated by Brent Anderson, Will Blyberg and Gary Martin, colored by Alex Sinclair, lettered by John Roshell; cover art by Alex Ross.

Astro City Vol. 4: The Tarnished Angel - After serving his time, super-villain Steeljack finds himself back on the streets. But for a man who has learned to live and thrive in a world behind bars, freedom can be the greatest prison. Intent to make good with his second chance, Steeljack is unsuccessful finding work until he takes on a dangerous job investigating the murder of several super-villains in his neighborhood. But as he solves the mystery, Steeljack soon finds that he may be the latest victim on the list of deceased criminals. This book collects Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #14-20 and includes an introduction by comic book writer and artist Frank Miller, a cover gallery and a sketchbook. Written by Kurt Busiek, illustrated by Brent Anderson and Will Blyberg, colored by Alex Sinclair, lettered by John Roshell and Wes Abbott; cover art by Alex Ross.

Astro City Vol. 5: Local Heroes - Take a walk through the streets of Astro City, seeing it through the eyes of the people how know it best—the people who live there. This book collects Kurt Busiek's Astro City Vol. 2 #21-22, Astro City: Local Heroes #1-5 and the Astro City Special, plus the short story from DC's 9-11 Special and the promotional story done to announce the Local Heroes miniseries and includes an introduction by comic book writer James Robinson, a cover gallery and a sketchbook. Written by Kurt Busiek, illustrated by Brent Anderson and Will Blyberg, colored by Alex Sinclair, lettered by John Roshell, Wes Abbott, Albert Deschesne and Rob Steen; cover art by Alex Ross.

Other uncollected Astro City stories include Astro City/Arrowsmith Flip Book, Astro City: Visitors Guide, Astro City: The Dark Age, and Astro City Special: Samaritan.

Astro City - The Dark Ages Book 2 is currently being serialized.

Astro City is an association of limited and ongoing series:

Astro City: Local Heroes is showcased in Adventures Into Digital Comics.