posted
In this, the long-delayed story in which we meet Samaritan's arch-enemy the Infidel, Busiek manages to turn the notion of "arch enemy" on its head.
The hero and the villain fully realize they're each other's equal.
They also fully realize that such a situation makes the entire series of super-battles they were engaged in...pointless.
So, they just treat each other to dinner once a year, and try to convince each other to change through...subtler means.
Not only does the issue tell a complete, self-contained story that's actually interesting...but it builds up a "villain" who's just as interesting as his foe.
Well worth checking out, if one likes super-heroes from a different angle.
Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
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Thanks for the recommendation, Puffy Treat; I just finished a couple of Astro City graphic novels, and was pretty impressed by them.
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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When this issue is collected in a trade, I hope the "Wizard Dark Book" article from 9+ years ago about Infidel's creation is collected. It was a cool look at how Busiek and Ross built an "arch foe" from the ground up.
Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
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This is a stand-alone special, not connected to the current "Dark Ages" maxi-series going on in the regular comic.
Posts: 6689 | Registered: Jan 2005
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A stand alone special consisting of a single issue?
See, I've only read the compilations entitled Astro City: Life in the Big City and Astro City: The Tarnished Angel (both of which I read this past weekend). Those are the sum total of my exposure to the Astro City universe. I like the comic, but probably not enough to buy it. (With two exceptions, neither of which I'm sure were completely worth it (Kingdom Come and Age of Bronze: A Thousand Ships) , I've gotten all of the graphic novels I've read as an adult from the library, so this is more a commentary on my desire to save money than my lack of appreciation of the comic).
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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posted
It's a much larger issue than normal, though if you're following the series by trades I'd suggest your read Astro City: Confession and Astro City: Family Album next.
The first is an extended arc that details the attempt of a boy to become a sidekick...right at the moment Astro City is entering a dark, dark period.
The second is a collection of single and two-issue stories from the viewpoints of multiple characters.
Both are well worth reading.
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