Kurt Busiek's Astro City: Life in the Big City
[Fifth Printing]
(1996 [May 1999])
- Price
- 19.95 USD; 31.50 CAD
- Pages
- 196
- On-sale Date
- 1999-03
- Indicia / Colophon Publisher
- WildStorm Productions
- Brand
-
Homage Comics
- ISBN
-
1-56389-551-X
- Barcode
- 761941218595 00112
- Editing
- Scott Dunbier (group editor, Wildstorm); Ann Busiek (managing editor, Juke Box Productions)
- Color
- color
- Dimensions
- standard Modern Age US
- Paper Stock
- cardstock cover; glossy interior
- Binding
- softcover
- Publishing Format
- collected edition
Issue Notes
Went through four printings at Image, so despite the barcode number, this is likely the fifth printing and the first from DC.
This issue has variants:
![Cover Thumbnail for Kurt Busiek's Astro City: Life in the Big City (DC, 1999 series) [Fifth Printing]](https://files1.comics.org//img/gcd/covers_by_id/353/w200/353362.jpg?6434170815474243136)
![Cover Thumbnail for Kurt Busiek's Astro City: Life in the Big City (1999 series) [Sixth Printing]](https://files1.comics.org//img/gcd/covers_by_id/1343/w100/1343190.jpg?-4388977403197235953)
Kurt Busiek's Astro City: Life in the Big City
credits, title page / 2 pages
- Pencils
- Art Nichols (background art)
- Inks
- Art Nichols (background art)
- Colors
- ?
- Letters
- typeset
Indexer Notes
Title page
[no title indexed]
foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 1 page
- Script
- Kurt Busiek; Brent Anderson; Alex Ross
- Pencils
- Alex Ross (painting)
- Inks
- Alex Ross (painting)
- Colors
- Alex Ross (painting)
- Letters
- typeset
- Characters
- Samaritan
Indexer Notes
Dedication page
Introduction
foreword, introduction, preface, afterword / 5 pages
- Script
- Kurt Busiek
- Pencils
- Brent Anderson (background art)
- Inks
- Brent Anderson (background art)
- Colors
- ?
- Letters
- typeset
- Characters
- Samaritan; Honor Guard [The Black Napier; MPH; The N-Forcer; Cleopatra; Quarrel [Jessica Darlene Taggart]]; Jack-in-the-Box
Indexer Notes
Background art taken from the story from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #1 (August 1995).
In Dreams
Astro City / comic story / 24 pages
- Script
- Kurt Busiek
- Pencils
- Brent Anderson
- Inks
- Brent Anderson
- Colors
- Steve Buccellato; Electric Crayon
- Letters
- Richard Starkings; John Roshell
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Samaritan [Asa Martin]; Rich; Karen; Shakira; Dr. Saturday; Honor Guard [MPH; The Black Rapier; Cleopatra; Quarrel [Jessica Darlene Taggart]; N-Forcer; Beautie]; The Menagerie Gang [Foxy Loxy]; Ms. Cavendish; The Living Nightmare
- Synopsis
- Though Samaritan devotes every moment of his waking day to using his great powers to aid humanity, it is only in dreams that he can enjoy them.
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #1 (August 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
The Biro Island in the story is most likely an homage to comics creator Charles Biro. Jack-in-the-Box's name appears in a newspaper's headline. The Irregulars appear in a page pinned on Asa Martin's office wall. Asa Martin is assigned an article on the First Family to proof-check. Gnomes, The Deacon, and Pyramid are discussed at an Honor Guard meeting.
The Scoop
Astro City / comic story / 24 pages
- Script
- Kurt Busiek
- Pencils
- Brent Anderson
- Inks
- Brent Anderson
- Colors
- Steve Buccellato; Electric Crayon
- Letters
- Richard Starkings; John Roshell
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Eliot Mills; The Silver Agent; Jack Meskin; Karnus; Shirak the Devourer; The Honor Guard [Max O'Millions; Cleopatra; Leopardman; Kitkat; Starwoman; The N-Forcer; The Bouncing Beatnik]; The Old Soldier
- Synopsis
- Newspaper editor Eliot Mills explains the meaning of the brief, seemingly insignificant article he has framed on his wall to a novice reporter.
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #2 (September 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Samaritan's battle with The Living Nightmare headlines a newspaper. Other newspaper headlines include references to The First Family, Commando K, and The Experimentals. Eliot Mills' cup says "World's Finest Granddad" in the style of the classic World's Finest Comics logo. In 1959, The Frontiersman advertises cigarettes. Homages include Briefer's, Toth's Fineries, Maneely's, Tripp's, Jack Meskin, Elias Street Station, Feldstein's Bar & Grill, and Iger Square Station. In Mills' story, The Lamplighter and The All-American are referred to as having just retired in 1959. The Silver Agent's tragic fate is obliquely referred to.
A Little Knowledge
Astro City / comic story / 24 pages
- Script
- Kurt Busiek
- Pencils
- Brent Anderson
- Inks
- Brent Anderson
- Colors
- Steve Buccellato; Electric Crayon
- Letters
- Richard Starkings; John Roshell
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Jack-in-the-Box [Zachary Johnson]; Andrew Eisenstein; Tamra Dixon; The Deacon; Quarrel [Jessica Darlene Taggart]
- Synopsis
- A small-time crook sees Jack-in-the-Box unmasked and has to decide what to do with that knowledge.
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #3 (October 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Homages in this story include the Chesler neighborhood, Biro Island, Craig Avenue Bar & Grill, Ingels Street, Davis Grocers, Kamen's Deli, and Elder's Gym. Winged Victory, The Confessor, Boilermaker, The Middleman, and Samaritan are mentioned in the story.
[no title indexed]
Astro City / illustration / 1 page
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Winged Victory
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #6 (January 1996) [Winged Victory illustration only]
-
Safeguards
Astro City / comic story / 24 pages
- Script
- Kurt Busiek
- Pencils
- Brent Anderson
- Inks
- Brent Anderson
- Colors
- Steve Buccellato; Electric Crayon
- Letters
- Richard Starkings; John Roshell
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Marta; The Hanged Man; Mr. Irons; Winged Victory; Darcy Conroy; Shellie; Jenny; Mama (Marta's mother); Nicu (Marta's father); First Family [Nick Furst; Natalie Furst; Julius Furst; Augustus Furst; Rex]; Unholy Alliance [Demolitia; Flamethrower; Glowworm; Spice; Slamburger]
- Synopsis
- Each morning Marta commutes from Shadow Hill to downtown Astro City. But when a co-worker offers her a place in her apartment in town, Marta has to choose between her traditional life at home and life in the city.
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #4 (November 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Homages in this story include Grandenetti Ave., Kiefer St., Szenic's Market, Fass Gardens, Rensie Avenue, Derbyfield, Binderbeck Plaza, and the Grant, Miller, Conroy, McConnell & Ingersoll law firm. Honor Guard and Samaritan are mentioned in the story.
Reconnaissance
Astro City / comic story / 24 pages
- Script
- Kurt Busiek
- Pencils
- Brent Anderson
- Inks
- Brent Anderson
- Colors
- Steve Buccellato; Electric Crayon
- Letters
- Richard Starkings; John Roshell
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Mr. Bridwell; Astro City Irregulars [El Robo; Palmetto; Ruby; Juice; Homegirl; Stray]; Crackerjack [Eugene Wallace]; Samaritan; Starwoman; Gnomicron; Quarrel [Jessica Darlene Taggart]; Steel Devil; Jack-in-the-Box; Nightingale; Sunbird
- Synopsis
- An alien disguised as a human gathers information to report to his superiors about the superheroes of Earth, including, to his surprise, his neighbor Crackerjack.
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #5 (December 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Mr. Bridwell is named after longtime DC editor E. Nelson Bridwell. Homages in this story include Nordling's Department Store and Klein St. Cleopatra's battle with Gnomicron headlines a newspaper. Starwoman appears on a cover of Current, the magazine where Samaritan works. The alien has a file on Confessor, but no pictures. On the walls of his apartment, Mr. Bridwell has articles mentioning the First Family and N-Forcer. According to Mr. Bridwell's computer, Jessica Darlene Taggart is Quarrel II.
Dinner at Eight
Astro City / comic story / 24 pages
- Script
- Kurt Busiek
- Pencils
- Brent Anderson
- Inks
- Brent Anderson
- Colors
- Steve Buccellato; Electric Crayon
- Letters
- Richard Starkings; John Roshell
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Samaritan; Winged Victory; N-Forcer; Quarrel [Jessica Darlene Taggart]; Cleopatra; The Black Napier; MPH; Beautie; Crackerjack; Goldenboy; First Family [Rex; Nick Furst; Natalie Furst; Astra Furst; Julius Furst; Augustus Furst]
- Synopsis
- Samaritan and Winged Victory go on a date, but end up discussing business. Samaritan tells how he came to the present from the future to prevent the space shuttle disaster in 1986, but when he returned to his time, it had changed and he no longer existed there. Winged Victory grows frustrated with the differences between her and Samaritan, but they come to an understanding and seal it with a kiss before heading back to work.
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #6 (January 1996)
-
Indexer Notes
Samaritan refers to a battle with Eterneon. Homages in this story include Judge Marston, Senator Haney, Goscinny's Fine Dining, Stallman Street, Arriola's Taco Cafe, and Sekowsky Street.
City Planning
text article / 2 pages
- Script
- Kurt Busiek
- Pencils
- Brent Anderson; Kurt Busiek
- Colors
- ?
- Letters
- Brent Anderson; Kurt Busiek; typeset
Indexer Notes
AstroBank tower, skyline, and city map sketches
Honor Guard
text article / 3.25 pages
- Characters
- Honor Guard [Cleopatra; The Silver Agent; N-Forcer; Quarrel [Jessica Darlene Taggart]; Starwoman; Beautie; MPH]
Indexer Notes
Design sketches. MPH spelled with periods here (M.P.H.), but everywhere else without.
First Family
text article / 1 page
- Characters
- Rex
Indexer Notes
Design sketches of the generic First Family outfit and Rex
Ordinary People
text article / 1 page
- Characters
- Asa Martin [Samaritan]; Eliot Mills; Marta
Indexer Notes
Design sketches
[no title indexed]
illustration / 1 page
- Characters
- Samaritan
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #1 (August 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Pencil design sketch
[no title indexed]
Astro City / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Samaritan
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #1 (August 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
[no title indexed]
illustration / 1 page
- Characters
- The Silver Agent
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #2 (September 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Pencil design sketch
[no title indexed]
Astro City / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- The Silver Agent; Eliot Mills
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #2 (September 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
[no title indexed]
illustration / 1 page
- Characters
- Jack-in-the-Box
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #3 (October 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Pencil design sketch
[no title indexed]
Astro City / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Jack-in-the-Box
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #3 (October 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
[no title indexed]
illustration / 1 page
- Characters
- First Family [Nick Furst; Natalie Furst; Julius Furst; Augustus Furst; Rex; Astra Furst]
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #4 (November 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Pencil design sketch
[no title indexed]
Astro City / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Winged Victory; Marta
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #4 (November 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
[no title indexed]
illustration / 1 page
- Characters
- Crackerjack
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #5 (December 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Pencil design sketch
[no title indexed]
Astro City / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Crackerjack
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #5 (December 1995)
-
Indexer Notes
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
[no title indexed]
illustration / 1 page
- Characters
- Winged Victory
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #6 (January 1996)
-
Indexer Notes
Pencil design sketch
[no title indexed]
Astro City / cover reprint (on interior page) / 1 page
- Genre
- superhero
- Characters
- Samaritan; Winged Victory
- Reprints
- from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #6 (January 1996)
-
Indexer Notes
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
Acknowledgements
text article / 1 page
- Script
- Kurt Busiek; Brent Anderson; Alex Ross
- Pencils
- Art Nichols (background art)
- Inks
- Art Nichols (background art)
- Colors
- ?
- Letters
- typeset
-
0.
[no title indexed]
Astro City -
1.
[no title indexed]
-
2.
Kurt Busiek's Astro City: Life in the Big City
-
3.
[no title indexed]
-
4.
[no title indexed]
-
5.
Introduction
-
6.
Chapter 1
-
7.
[no title indexed]
-
8.
In Dreams
Astro City -
9.
Chapter 2
-
10.
[no title indexed]
-
11.
The Scoop
Astro City -
12.
Chapter 3
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13.
[no title indexed]
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14.
A Little Knowledge
Astro City -
15.
Chapter 4
-
16.
[no title indexed]
Astro City -
17.
Safeguards
Astro City -
18.
Chapter 5
-
19.
[no title indexed]
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20.
Reconnaissance
Astro City -
21.
Chapter 6
-
22.
[no title indexed]
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23.
Dinner at Eight
Astro City -
24.
Infrastructure
-
25.
City Planning
-
26.
Samaritan
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27.
Honor Guard
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28.
Jack-in-the-Box
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29.
Shark Men
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30.
First Family
-
31.
Ordinary People
-
32.
Cover Gallery
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33.
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34.
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Astro City -
35.
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36.
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Astro City -
37.
[no title indexed]
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38.
[no title indexed]
Astro City -
39.
[no title indexed]
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40.
[no title indexed]
Astro City -
41.
[no title indexed]
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42.
[no title indexed]
Astro City -
43.
[no title indexed]
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[no title indexed]
Astro City -
45.
Acknowledgements
- Boris Ammerlaan
- Ralf Haring
- Pat Lang
- Ramon Schenk
- Jim Van Dore
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