Created and written by Kurt Busiek, Astro City is an American superhero anthology series (mostly) illustrated by Brent Anderson (from X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills’ fame), with character designs and painted covers by Alex Ross. Still ongoing (?), it all started in 1995 at Image Comics, but it changed publishers multiple times—Homage Comics (1996–2004), Wildstorm (2004–2010), Vertigo Comics (2013–2018), then back to Image Comics.
Composed of three volumes, some miniseries, and special issues, Astro City is about the superheroes of the city, a mid-sized American metropolis, and the citizens who are affected by the many super-beings who live there since the end of World War I. It’s an exploration of the relationship between society and heroes, and how they shape each other.
It was seen as a modern reinvention of the genre, an exploration of the possibilities coming with a shared superhero universe. It clearly came from Busiek’s love of comics.
Due to its anthological format, you can easily jump into Kurt Busiek’s Astro City at any point. The reading order follows the publication order. Some books are hard to find nowadays if you can buy them now, you can skip them without worry.
Astro City Reading Order
The New Editions
After being out of print for some time, Astro City is back with Image Comics and new collected editions.
- Astro City Metrobook, Volume 1
Collects Astro City vol. 1 #1-6 & vol. 2 #1-12, #1/2. - Astro City Metrobook, Volume 2
Collects Astro City vol. 2 #13-22, Astro City: Local Heroes #1-5, Astro City Special #1, portions of 9-11 – The World’s Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists tell stories to remember #2 and Astro City: A Visitor’s Guide. - Astro City Metrobook, Volume 3
Collects Astro City: The Dark Age Book One #1-4, Astro City: The Dark Age Book Two #1-4, Astro City: The Dark Age Book Three #1-4, Astro City: The Dark Age Book Four #1-4, Astro City: Silver Agent #1-2, And Portions Of Astro City/Arrowsmith: The Flip Book. - More coming soon
The Original Publication order
Astro City Volume 1
- Astro City: Life in the Big City
Collects Astro City vol. 1 #1–6.
Astro City Volume 2
- Astro City: Confession
Collects Astro City vol. 2 #1/2, 4–9. - Astro City: Family Album
Collects Astro City vol. 2 #1–3, 10–13. - Astro City: Tarnished Angel
Collects Astro City vol. 2 #14–20. - Astro City: Local Heroes
Collects Astro City vol. 2 #21–22, Astro City: Local Heroes #1–5, Astro City Special: Supersonic, “Since the Fire”.
Astro City mini-series and special issues
- Astro City: The Dark Age Book One: Brothers and Other Strangers
Collects Astro City: The Dark Age vol. 1 #1–4, Vol. 2 #1–4. - Astro City: The Dark Age Book Two: Brothers in Arms
Collects Astro City: The Dark Age vol. 3 #1–4, vol. 4 #1–4. - Astro City: Shining Stars
Collects Astro City: Samaritan Special, Astro City: Astra #1–2, Astro City: Silver Agent #1–2 and Astro City: Beautie #1.
Astro City Volume 3
- Astro City: Through Open Doors
Collects Astro City vol. 3 #1–6. - Astro City: Victory
Collects Astro City vol. 3 #7–10, Astro City Visitor’s Guide #1. - Astro City: Private Lives
Collects Astro City vol. 3 #11–16. - Astro City: Lovers Quarrel
Collects Astro City vol. 3 #18–21, 23-24. - Astro City: Honor Guard
Collects Astro City vol. 3 #17, 22, 25, 27-28, 31.
- Astro City: Reflections
Collects Astro City vol. 3 #26, 29-30, 32–34. - Astro City: Ordinary Heroes
Collects Astro City vol. 3 #35-36, 39-40, 42, 44. - Astro City: Broken Melody
Collects Astro City vol. 3 #37-38, 41, 43, 45-46. - Astro City: Aftermaths
Collects Astro City vol. 3 #47–52.