Monday, October 5, 2009

Astro City: Astra Special #1 (of 2)

Here we see another Astro City comic telling the kind of personal stories that have made the series such a treat to follow. (And it's monthly again - how cool is that?)

Writer Kurt Busiek and artist Brent Anderson are on top of their game as they bring us an update on Astra, a member of the cosmic First Family. The last time we saw her (as I remember), she was trying to fit in with regular kids in a grade school.

Now she's grown up and graduating college (and without checking, I assume that the timeline matches the real world, as scary as that might be). As a super-hero without a secret identity, she's a target for the gossip rags, and must deal with life in the glare of the spotlight. She's used to it, but it seems to be a struggle for her boyfriend, the normal Matt Zimmer.

The issue gives us a look at the life of the grown-up Astra (her full name is Astra Jeannine Majestros-Furst) and a glimpse of the larger-than-life world she lives in.

It especially hits home for me, because my wife and I are going through the whole empty nest thing, with both our sons off living their own lives halfway across the country - one just graduated from college, and the other is in his senior year.

Hard to believe that they - and Astra - aren't kids anymore. Where does the time go?

Anyway, great comic, excellent story, incredible art - I'm looking forward to the next issue!

Grade: A-

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