All Things Astro City

[Stony]

THE DARK AGE has had its moments, but to be honest I'll be glad when it's over and we move on to something new

That said, love the Blue Knight

[The Confessor]

THE DARK AGE has had its moments, but to be honest I'll be glad when it's over and we move on to something new

That said, love the Blue Knight


Did you pick up Book Four issue #2? There's an interesting developement in it concerning the Blue Knight or perhaps concerning those that are inspired by him.

[Atvar]

I am very far behind in Astro City, and all my local comic book shops have sold out of the Astro City Dark Age Book 2 and 3. So I was wondering if anyone had heard any news if/when they were going to be collected in trades... Ebay kinda blows as an option...

Thanks, Atvar

[The Confessor]

So, has anyone read Astro City: The Dark Age - Book 4 #3 yet? This was another great issue...with Brent Anderson continuing to turn in his best artwork of the whole Dark Age in this closing quarter IMHO. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Book 4 of The Dark Age is really shaping up to be a great read and far better than Book 3 was. I thought the Pale Horseman was a really interesting protagonist in this issue and there was also some great dialogue from the Silver Agent, which kinda reminded me of Captain American actually.

There was also a nice moment with Royal coming face to face with the Black Badge again, although I did find it somewhat of stretch that Black Badge would recall their original meeting all those years ago (as shown in the Astro City/Arrowsmith one-shot flip book). Still, what Black Badge had to say seemed to make Royal question his resolve in seeing his quest for revenge on Aubrey Jason through to the end....which I'm sure is gonna tie-in to next issue's conclusion.

So, we're just one issue away from the end of the Dark Age now. I think I'm gonna re-read the entire storyline again before I dive into that final issue, just to get a better perspective on the whole epic and to better judge its conclusion. I am a little burned out on The Dark Age generally but I'm still really looking forward to next issue and can't wait to see what Kurt has in store for us after this. He mentions that a two-part Silver Agent special is in the pipeline on the letters page. :smile:

[Astrozac]

It was another solid issue, but after I got home I realized I still hadn't gotten issue 2 yet though(I think a mix of it not getting pulled for me last month), but it was a nice read, even without knowing what exactly happened in issue 2. But I'm awaiting for my copy I ordered to arrive...

I thought the first couple of issues of Book Three have been some of the best of the mini-series. I don't know if it was just the long wait after Book II ended(2 years) and ready to get more Astro City. Though the later two were more so-so, at least compared to the first two issues. But Book Four has been pretty solid.

I can't wait to see the meeting again of Charles, Royal, Jason Aubrey and the Silver Agent, since that fateful day in 1959. I know they were all together for a min this issue, but there wasn't any resolution yet...

Maybe K.O. knows Royal from some of his recent exploits or something he's heard through the grapevine... Or the simplest explanation he wasn't recalling that exact meeting, but knew him from just being around Bakerville. IIRC he was a police officer as a civilian...

[The Confessor]

Maybe K.O. knows Royal from some of his recent exploits or something he's heard through the grapevine... Or the simplest explanation he wasn't recalling that exact meeting, but knew him from just being around Bakerville. IIRC he was a police officer as a civilian...


Yeah, this is kinda the same conclusion that I'd come to...that BB wasn't refering to the specific meeting shown in the Astro City/Arrowsmith flip book, just that he knew Charles and Royal from the neighborhood generally.

[The Confessor]

As regular visitors to this forum will have undoubtedly heard by now, DC have recently announced the end of their WildStorm imprint. I'm just wondering what this means for Astro City. As regular readers of Astro City will know, the series was supposed to be returning to a regular monthly schedule in 2011 but I could see the end of WildStorm throwing a major spanner in the works.

Apparently some of the characters and series currently published by WildStorm will be absorbed into the DC Universe and other licensed comics based on films or video games will also be published by DC. But I wonder what will happen to creator owned series like Astro City. Does this mean that Kurt Busiek will need to find a new publisher for the book or will the series just appear under the DC banner (although obviously not as part of the DCU).

All this makes me wonder how long it will be until get to see the next issue of Astro City. :frown:

What do you think will happen?

[Duy]

I'm willing to bet a good amount of money that DC's just going to keep putting it out like nothing happened.

[Jimmy Bond]

I think Lee and DiDio stated they would talk to Busiek and settle how they would go about Astro City. As a huge fan of the series, I certainly hope that goes well.

[Astrozac]

As regular visitors to this forum will have undoubtedly heard by now, DC have recently announced the end of their WildStorm imprint. I'm just wondering what this means for Astro City. As regular readers of Astro City will know, the series was supposed to be returning to a regular monthly schedule in 2011 but I could see the end of WildStorm throwing a major spanner in the works.

Apparently some of the characters and series currently published by WildStorm will be absorbed into the DC Universe and other licensed comics based on films or video games will also be published by DC. But I wonder what will happen to creator owned series like Astro City. Does this mean that Kurt Busiek will need to find a new publisher for the book or will the series just appear under the DC banner (although obviously not as part of the DCU).

All this makes me wonder how long it will be until get to see the next issue of Astro City. :frown:

What do you think will happen?

Well, it was supposed to have been monthly already a few months ago(From the original long-term plans)...

But here was Kurt's blog post (http://busiek.com/site/2010/09/astro_city_future.php) from a month ago. I'm not too worried, Astro City will have a home somewhere and hopefully this also lets the crew get ahead story and issues wise...

Zack

[The Confessor]

here was Kurt's blog post (http://busiek.com/site/2010/09/astro_city_future.php) from a month ago.



Very interesting Zack, thanks for linking to that blog post. Judging from that, it does indeed seem as if there's a good chance that Astro City will stay at DC and even if not, it's nice to hear that other publishers are already making overtures.

Still, I think it's fair to say that all this will only serve to delay the book. I take your point about allowing the creative team to get a good head start but having been a reader of the series since issue #1 in 1995, I've gotta say that whatever happens, there will always be delays on this book to some degree or other. Maybe that's overly cynical of me, but it's cynicism borne of experience. I guess I'm just deeply skeptical about the book maintaining a strict monthly schedule for very long anyway. I'd sure love to be proved wrong though!

As an aside, I'm really intrigued by some of that Astro City preview art, especially this page...


http://i54.tinypic.com/2qiy534.jpg




I've no idea who the little girl with the massive head is but already I like her! :smile:

[slam]

I've no idea who the little girl with the massive head is but already I like her!

Li'l American Beautie?

Came to see if there was any discussion yet of the announcement in the letter column of the Silver Agent special #2 about an Astro City movie being in the works. The mind boggles with endless possibility.

[Flash's Lightning]

Very interesting Zack, thanks for linking to that blog post. Judging from that, it does indeed seem as if there's a good chance that Astro City will stay at DC and even if not, it's nice to hear that other publishers are already making overtures.

Still, I think it's fair to say that all this will only serve to delay the book. I take your point about allowing the creative team to get a good head start but having been a reader of the series since issue #1 in 1995, I've gotta say that whatever happens, there will always be delays on this book to some degree or other. Maybe that's overly cynical of me, but it's cynicism borne of experience. I guess I'm just deeply skeptical about the book maintaining a strict monthly schedule for very long anyway. I'd sure love to be proved wrong though!

As an aside, I'm really intrigued by some of that Astro City preview art, especially this page...


http://i54.tinypic.com/2qiy534.jpg

I've no idea who the little girl with the massive head is but already I like her! :smile:

Oh, I know who she is.


Sugar...spice...everything nice. And then just a dash of chemical X.

[pariah-1972]

Li'l American Beautie?

Came to see if there was any discussion yet of the announcement in the letter column of the Silver Agent special #2 about an Astro City movie being in the works. The mind boggles with endless possibility.I don't want to be cynical but i wouldn't get your hopes up too soon.


The best bet is to wait and see if anyone has actually been cast and then it's pretty much a done deal that the movie is gonna be made.

[Astrozac]

Very interesting Zack, thanks for linking to that blog post. Judging from that, it does indeed seem as if there's a good chance that Astro City will stay at DC and even if not, it's nice to hear that other publishers are already making overtures.

Still, I think it's fair to say that all this will only serve to delay the book. I take your point about allowing the creative team to get a good head start but having been a reader of the series since issue #1 in 1995, I've gotta say that whatever happens, there will always be delays on this book to some degree or other. Maybe that's overly cynical of me, but it's cynicism borne of experience. I guess I'm just deeply skeptical about the book maintaining a strict monthly schedule for very long anyway. I'd sure love to be proved wrong though!

As an aside, I'm really intrigued by some of that Astro City preview art, especially this page...

I've no idea who the little girl with the massive head is but already I like her! :smile:

That was kind of what I was meaning. Brent has on his site July 2010 was the target date to start the monthly back up. The Silver Agent special came out August/early September and when the Wildstorm news happened, there wasn't a solicitation for OCT/NOV/DEC for Astro City. So, there was a delay before the announcement.

I came on board a year after you, my first issue was the #4 of vol. 2 and have seen most of the delays and gaps. The worst were due to Kurt's illnesses, which seem to be better on that end now.
And I know they started during the first mini series, which is why it became a "mini-series," as Brent had trouble keeping up penciling/inking a monthly book. And they brought in Will Blyberg. There were still some delays, but ran pretty smoothly til Kurt started battling illnesses.
So, you're right on that account. I think I got my hopes up that 2010 would have the most Astro city issues published in a single year, even figuring in a couple months gap after the Dark Age and Specials...
But heres to 2011 and like you am intrigued by the preview art.

Zack

[LtMarvel]

Welcome fellow Missourian! (M I Z!)

Glad you are enjoying the series, too.

[Jack-In-The-Box]

What is preventing them from releasing it under DC or Vertigo?

[The Confessor]

What is preventing them from releasing it under DC or Vertigo?


Nothing to stop them releasing it under the main DC banner but isn't Vertigo ending too? I thought I'd heard rumours that it was.

[pariah-1972]

Nothing to stop them releasing it under the main DC banner but isn't Vertigo ending too? I thought I'd heard rumours that it was.I don't think it's ending they are just becoming completely creator owned except for Hellblazer.

[V0nnegut]

Just noticed this thread this morning. I've been an avid reader for about six months now, getting all of the existing trades. Looking forward to getting the hardcover of The Dark Age vol.2 next week. Have no idea if Busiek is still reading this thread, but if you are, thanx a bunch for creating such amazing stories and characters. You're greatly loved, even as far north as Norway.

[Jack-In-The-Box]

Writer Kurt Busiek reveals that his long-running series Astro City, which had been published by the recently closed WildStorm imprint, will continue under the DC Comics banner. [Newsarama]

[Joe Acro]

Writer Kurt Busiek reveals that his long-running series Astro City, which had been published by the recently closed WildStorm imprint, will continue under the DC Comics banner. [Newsarama]I don't care where it's published, but I'm glad it still has a home.

[TheMightyTHOR]

Anyone hear about the Astro City movie!? I can't wait!

[LordEd1976]

Anyone hear about the Astro City movie!? I can't wait!

Ditto. Although I am curious to see what the story will be. Judging but what Kurt Bisek said in the Newsarama interview, it doesn't look to be canon.

[The Confessor]

Here's the link to the interview for anyone who’s interested…


http://www.newsarama.com/comics/kurt-busiek-astro-city-future-101110.html




Writer Kurt Busiek reveals that his long-running series Astro City, which had been published by the recently closed WildStorm imprint, will continue under the DC Comics banner. [Newsarama]


Well, that's good news. Hopefully the title transitioning from being published by a DC imprint to being published by DC itself will be largely hassle free and we'll see the book back on the shelves soon.




Judging but what Kurt Bisek said in the Newsarama interview, it doesn't look to be canon.


I'm confused by this statement.

No comic book or superhero film is ever canon (at least as far as the actual comics are concerned). Why would Astro City be any different? Comics and film are two totally separate mediums, necessitating changes to both storyline and characterization in order to successfully transfer one to the other. This is always the case...I can't think of a single comic book film, no matter how faithful it is to the source material, that is considered a canonical part of the ongoing comic series. :confused:

As far as Kurt's comments on the film go, I'm very encouraged to hear that it's Working Title films that are interested in making the movie. As the article rightly states, they're known for character driven films and I'd definitely like to see an Astro City movie that eschews action and spectacle in favour of intelligently written dialogue and character exploration. That would be a refreshing change for a superhero movie.

[LordEd1976]

I'm confused by this statement.

No comic book or superhero film is ever canon (at least as far as the actual comics are concerned). Why would Astro City be any different? Comics and film are two totally separate mediums, necessitating changes to both storyline and characterization in order to successfully transfer one to the other. This is always the case...I can't think of a single comic book film, no matter how faithful it is to the source material, that is considered a canonical part of the ongoing comic series. :confused:


This is true. I just thought that given the nature of Astro city as a series, it would easy to make the film canon.

[Flash's Lightning]

Funny story. Astro city was the first non big two book I ever read. It was the gateway drug that introduced me to trying others like bone and zot and countless others.

So what i am trying to say it's Kurts fault I'm broke all the time. Thanks a lot Kurt. :P

[Kurt Busiek]

Funny story. Astro city was the first non big two book I ever read. It was the gateway drug that introduced me to trying others like bone and zot and countless others.

So what i am trying to say it's Kurts fault I'm broke all the time. Thanks a lot Kurt. :P

I'll have to tell Jeff and Scott that they owe me a cut!

kdb

[Flash's Lightning]

They were mostly back issues so I doubt they'd get much from it. These days you'd have to get in touch with mark over at boom to get commission. Great stuff over ther these days.

[Jack-In-The-Box]

Funny story. Astro city was the first non big two book I ever read. It was the gateway drug that introduced me to trying others like bone and zot and countless others.

So what i am trying to say it's Kurts fault I'm broke all the time. Thanks a lot Kurt. :P

It's interesting that you post this. It was Kurt Busiek that got me into buying comics as well. I was a long time fan of RJH's Conan and stumbled on the new generation of Dark Horse comics. I had no idea that somebody was doing Conan with such great artwork (and the writing was good too). Busiek's name led me to Astro City which has become one of my favorites.
It basically spiraled from there but I place no blame on Kurt Busiek.

[Gef]

Just a wee bump and apologies if this is an obvious question - is there a list somewhere of Astro City issues (and volumes) in publication order? I'm pretty sure Wikipedia had all the info but I can't find it now, and my Google skills are failing me tonight.

Thanks!

[LtMarvel]

* Astro City: Life in the Big City (ISBN 1-56389-551-X, collects Astro City Vol. 1 #1-6)
* Astro City: Family Album (ISBN 1-56389-552-8, collects Astro City Vol. 2 #1-3, 10-13)
* Astro City: Confession (ISBN 1-56389-550-1, collects Astro City Vol. 2 #1/2, 4-9)
* Astro City: Tarnished Angel (ISBN 1-56389-663-X, collects Astro City Vol. 2 #14-20)
* Astro City: Local Heroes (ISBN 1401202845, collects Astro City Vol. 2 #21-22, Astro City: Local Heroes #1-5, Astro City Special: Supersonic, "After the Fire")
* Astro City: The Dark Age Book One: Brothers and Other Strangers (ISBN 9781401220778, collects Astro City: The Dark Age Book One #1-4, Astro City: The Dark Age Book Two #1-4, Astro City/Arrowsmith: The Flip Book one-shot)


If you are into hardback, Astro City: The Dark Age Book Two came out within the last month.

[Jack-In-The-Box]

edited to zero

[Astrozac]

Just a wee bump and apologies if this is an obvious question - is there a list somewhere of Astro City issues (and volumes) in publication order? I'm pretty sure Wikipedia had all the info but I can't find it now, and my Google skills are failing me tonight.

Thanks!
http://www.herocopia.com/index.php/Category:Order_of_Publication

[Predator]

According to DC solicits, the newest Astro City trade, Shining Stars, is going to collect the Astra issues, Silver Agent issues, and the Beautie one shot. What about the Samaritan one shot? It's image is on the cover! Did it get dropped?

[LordEd1976]

According to DC solicits, the newest Astro City trade, Shining Stars, is going to collect the Astra issues, Silver Agent issues, and the Beautie one shot. What about the Samaritan one shot? It's image is on the cover! Did it get dropped?

God I hope not. I haven't read that one yet and I'm dying to

[Carter Hall]

Okay, so I know I'm late to the party here, but I have been an Astro City fan since I met Kurt Busiek at an Emerald City Comic-Con three years ago and bought issue #1 off his own table. I was totally blown away, and to this day, I think "In Dreams" has been the best issue of the book yet.

That said, I have since read everything Astro City, with the exception of the last two books of the Dark Age (waiting for the trade) and the Astra specials.

I just read the Silver Agent specials 1-2 and thoroughly enjoyed them. Kurt is such a freaking creative writer, I swear he has the most refreshing and original ideas. Very impressed with his work (in his Avengers and Superman runs, too). And it's great to see Brent Anderson's wonderful art, for which I would use the word "classic" now, thriving in this book which is perfectly suited for his style.

Anyone know when this book is going to start its ongoing series?

[The Confessor]

Anyone know when this book is going to start its ongoing series?


...and it's over to you, Kurt.

Kurt? Kurt?!

Paging Mr. Busiek, paging Mr. Busiek.



I believe that Kurt said, on the letters page of one of the Silver Agent specials, that the series is supposed to revert to being an ongoing monthly series starting with the publication of the very next issue. I don't know when this next issue is scheduled to hit the stands but I do wonder if the demise of Wildstorm might hold things up a little bit. Hopefully not though.

It would be great to hear from Kurt himself regarding this.

[Kurt Busiek]

...and it's over to you, Kurt.

Kurt? Kurt?!

Paging Mr. Busiek, paging Mr. Busiek.



I believe that Kurt said, on the letters page of one of the Silver Agent specials, that the series is supposed to revert to being an ongoing monthly series starting with the publication of the very next issue. I don't know when this next issue is scheduled to hit the stands but I do wonder if the demise of Wildstorm might hold things up a little bit. Hopefully not though.

It would be great to hear from Kurt himself regarding this.

We haven't had serious schedule discussions yet because Wildstorm is still dealing with upheavals. Everyone who isn't leaving is moving, which makes thing something of a mess.

But we're just piling up finished pages, on Astro City and The Witchlands, and when we have enough of both, we'll be good to go.

I think people will like what's coming.

kdb

[Kurt Busiek]

According to DC solicits, the newest Astro City trade, Shining Stars, is going to collect the Astra issues, Silver Agent issues, and the Beautie one shot. What about the Samaritan one shot? It's image is on the cover! Did it get dropped?

No, it's in there.

It's just an indication that an error can be caught at three different proofreading stages and still not get corrected.

kdb

[LordEd1976]

No, it's in there.

It's just an indication that an error can be caught at three different proofreading stages and still not get corrected.

kdb

thank you for putting my mind at ease.

[Carter Hall]

We haven't had serious schedule discussions yet because Wildstorm is still dealing with upheavals. Everyone who isn't leaving is moving, which makes thing something of a mess.

But we're just piling up finished pages, on Astro City and The Witchlands, and when we have enough of both, we'll be good to go.

I think people will like what's coming.

kdb

Great to hear, Kurt! I was very glad to hear the news that AC would be continuing despite the demise of Wildstorm. What a wonderful run this has been the last fifteen years with Brent. Thoroughly enjoyable, solid reads without editorial interference or crossovers and such.

You're in my Top Ten writers list for the upcoming poll, too!

[Predator]

No, it's in there.

It's just an indication that an error can be caught at three different proofreading stages and still not get corrected.

kdb

Woohoo!!

Thanks, Kurt! I'll be preordering this bad boy shortly! :)

[The Confessor]

We haven't had serious schedule discussions yet because Wildstorm is still dealing with upheavals. Everyone who isn't leaving is moving, which makes thing something of a mess.

But we're just piling up finished pages, on Astro City and The Witchlands, and when we have enough of both, we'll be good to go.

I think people will like what's coming.


Thanks for the reply, Kurt. I can't wait for the series to resume.

I heard a rumour or perhaps read in the Astro City letters page something about the new monthly series continuing the numbering from Vol. 2 (the 1996 series) - so that the next issue to hit the stands would actually be Astro City #23. Assuming that this was ever even remotely your intention and not just some bollocks that I read online, is this still the plan or will you be starting afresh with a nice, shiny issue #1?

[Flash's Lightning]

Well, since it's getting an ongoing again, I want to request more appearances of Crackerjack. Am I the only one who found him awesomely funny?

[Carter Hall]

Well, since it's getting an ongoing again, I want to request more appearances of Crackerjack. Am I the only one who found him awesomely funny?

You're not. I think Crackerjack is hilarious, maybe even more so than Booster Gold. Great stuff.

[V0nnegut]

I want, nay, I NEED more of The Bouncing Beatnik. The funniest super hero ever. Also, agreed on love for Crackerjack. Erroll Flynn would be proud.

[Kurt Busiek]

Thanks for the reply, Kurt. I can't wait for the series to resume.

I heard a rumour or perhaps read in the Astro City letters page something about the new monthly series continuing the numbering from Vol. 2 (the 1996 series) - so that the next issue to hit the stands would actually be Astro City #23. Assuming that this was ever even remotely your intention and not just some bollocks that I read online, is this still the plan or will you be starting afresh with a nice, shiny issue #1?

We're calling it #23 at present, but if someone were to make a compelling argument for a shiny new #1, I can't say I care a lot about what number's on the outside so long as you know what order to read them in. I'd be happy if comics just had dates on the cover, like THE NEW YORKER.

But that said, we've had something in the neighborhood of a dozen ASTRO CITY comics with a #1 on them, but haven't had any #23s yet.

kdb

[Imhotep397]

I was wondering if Astro City will be moving to Image? I hope you aren't selling the title and characters out to DC?

[Jack-In-The-Box]

I think it's a great idea to make it ongoing again, especially if we're still going to have large gaps between issues.
The Dark Age was a long time going, and I can't say that I enjoyed it near as much as some of the shorter stories or one-shots.

[Kurt Busiek]

I was wondering if Astro City will be moving to Image?

Nope. We're staying at DC.


I hope you aren't selling the title and characters out to DC?

Of course not.

DC's been publishing the book for years now, and they'll still publish it. The major difference is that now, they'll put the DC bullet on it instead of the Wildstorm bullet.

No change in ownership.

kdb

[Flash's Lightning]

Hey, quick question. This is something I just realized. I'm trying to see if I'm just that slow that it took me a while, or what.

Silver Agent is a play on "silver age"?

Does that mean the possibility of a Golden Agent or a Bronze Agent? :tongue:

[Kurt Busiek]

Hey, quick question. This is something I just realized. I'm trying to see if I'm just that slow that it took me a while, or what.

Silver Agent is a play on "silver age"?

Yes.


Does that mean the possibility of a Golden Agent or a Bronze Agent? :tongue:

Anything's possible, of course. But just because a bit of wordplay works well once is no reason to beat it into the ground.

I will note that the Golden Agency is the Squadron Supreme's WWII equivalent to the JSA. So there's that.

kdb

[Carter Hall]

I think it's a great idea to make it ongoing again, especially if we're still going to have large gaps between issues.
The Dark Age was a long time going, and I can't say that I enjoyed it near as much as some of the shorter stories or one-shots.

I think I'm coming to that conclusion, as well. As wonderful as Confession, Tarnished Angel and the Dark Age have been, I think my favorite Astro City stories have been one-shots. I just re-read "The Nearness of You," and Leo the Lion, which were both brilliant, and "In Dreams" is still my favorite AC story ever.

I think one-shots allow focus to shift to different characters, which really strengthens the premise that this book is about a city after all, one of the reasons I find this book so original and refreshing.

So count me in as one who's eagerly awaiting an Astro City ongoing!

[The Confessor]

So, has there been any news lately about the forthcoming Astro City ongoing? Is it still going to come out on the regular DC imprint and when can we expect the first issue to hit the shelves?

Enquiring minds want to know!

[Flash's Lightning]

So, has there been any news lately about the forthcoming Astro City ongoing? Is it still going to come out on the regular DC imprint and when can we expect the first issue to hit the shelves?

Enquiring minds want to know!

And is it going to be $2.99? Comic prices are killing me, and now DC's doing new 52, there's going to be some cuts.

[rmfwfu]

For someone new to Astro City and who infinitely prefers hardcovers, is there a reprinting due in HC form?