Astro City: Through Open Doors

Astro City #9

by Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson (Illustrations)

The long awaited return of the award-winning series ASTRO CITY finally arrives!

Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson launch their next epic in the world of Astro City when a mysterious door appears, heralding the arrival of the Ambassador. But when an ordinary man is caught in a cosmic conflict, it is up to favorites like Samaritan and Honor Guard, as well as new heroes, to rise to the occasion and save the world!

Collects ASTRO CITY #1-6.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction, Fantasy

176 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2014

About the author

Kurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.

Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.

During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).

Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.

In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.

In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.

In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.

Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.

Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,

Reviews

[Baba · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a three year hiatus a third season of Astro City begins full of beans, full of the Broken Man's narration and possible the foreshadowing of a much improved serial returns to earlier glories with the stories of non super-powered people back to the fore again from the super-group's Call Line, through to low level powered people just getting on with their lives as best they can. It feels like the Astro City ongoing history lesson has taking a back seat, maybe even a bumper tailgate, as the present comes hurtling to the fore. :) 8 out of 12, Four Star read.

2016 and 2019 read

You are now leaving Astro City.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's some great stories here. The framing sequence by a Sandman type character talking to the reader is odd, but I loved the story about the girl working as a "911" operator for Honor Guard and how much her colleagues loved helping people. The story about those with powers who decided not to be a hero or villain is fantastic as well. Busiek has some really smart writing in these two stories.

[mark monday · Rating 3 out of 5]

after a 4-year hiatus, Busiek returned to his beloved series Astro City in a relaxed mood, confident in what makes his world unique. namely, its focus on the non-heroes. various super-powered types function as oft-discussed but seldom-met Famous People, stratospheric beings to the normies. life among the gods just goes on for the majority of Astro City's residents, be they intrepid call center workers or maverick film crew or mid-level mob boss. after the epic scope of prior volumes The Dark Age and the deeply emotional focus on superheroes in Shining Stars (all excellent stories), this return to where the series started was a welcome, minor note reset. Astro City began by being all about the minor notes in a grand symphony. as always, I love the nonchalant diversity of this city and its stories' frequent focus on women. my jury is still out on a new Grant Morrison-esque, vaguely Lovecraftian meta-narrative that looks like it will continue throughout future volumes.

the hiatus helped to improve Brent Anderson's often sloppy art, because he's at his most focused and polished here. he does especially well illustrating Lady Progress, a steampunk heroine in 1903 Astro City, and the gate-creating hero The Assemblyman.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm used to Astro City being, essentially, a group of loosely linked short stories. This isn't exactly that. It also isn't exactly like The Dark Age, a single, large-scale story concentrating on a relatively small cast of characters. This is something in between, sort of short stories, but definitely linked, and definitely leading up to... something. I don't know where this is going yet, but I'm intrigued. I want to know what, exactly, is going on with The Broken Man (who looks sort of Bowie to me). The individual stories (more like chapters, I suppose) still work on their own merits. Best, for me: the two issues about a young lady working at a superhero call center, and how she reacts when she makes a mistake.

[Kevin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unlike volume 1 of Busiek's masterwork, this one took a while to read simply because I just didn't get into it. About a half dozen different stories involving the Astro City heroes and I just wasn't feeling it. Some were great and some just weren't. There was one storyline that occupied two issues (deservedly so) but it was just strange to have that happen when they've all been standalone single issue stories that I've read, to date. They're all intertwined and related ultimately, but still standalone. I'm hoping to get more of that old feel in the next volume.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The stories here mostly follow characters to the side of the actual superheroes of Astro city and that’s honestly some of the most interesting people in the city! I really enjoyed these stories and the overall kind of tied together craziness from the fourth wall breaking purple man. This world is always interesting and a clear passion project for Busiek and Ross- they’re able to work through the history of comics and kind of dabble wherever they want for however long they want. Really cool stuff.

I’m giving this a 3/5 only because I enjoyed these stories but none of them really stand out- I will most likely have difficulty recalling any key details in a few months. Sometimes a comic is just good and that is good.

[Cale · Rating 4 out of 5]

The rebirth of Astro City under the Vertigo heading has done nothing to dampen the imagination and heart of this series. In fact, some of the stories in here are some of the best I've read of Astro City - the story of an emergency services hotline operator was very touching to me, well played and even though it hit the three act structure a little obviously, worked perfectly in its case. And the story of the Sideliners, people with powers who aren't up to being heroes or villains, was another perfect slice of people you don't usually see in Super hero comics. The wraparound story, of the Broken Man, seems to be channeling a lot of Grant Morrison, but didn't go very far in this collection. In spite of that, I would have given this five stars just for Sideliners and Humano Global (and American Chibi's brief presence, which I found very funny). Unfortunately, the printing of the book (at least the copy I saw) was off - the upper frames on several pages were cut off, to the point that some dialog was missing. This content deserves better presentation than that.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good, just not as satisfying as previous volumes.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s somewhat ironic that this series has ended up at Vertigo, because it’s pretty much the anti-Vertigo title. Neither ironic nor gritty nor nihilist, Astro City is the kind of place we imagined the future would be at our most optimistic, and filled with the kind of superheroes that the people who would build such a city deserve. Endings aren’t always happy, but they are fulfilling, and sacrifices within them serve a high purpose.

This collection focuses mainly on the people you don’t always see in comic book superheroes or even real-life superstars: the support staff who handle fans and who filter calls; the super powered people who don’t see super-heroing as their calling, and use their powers for (somewhat) normal jobs.

And there’s an inmate who talks to the reader. But that story doesn’t wrap up in these issues.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I’ve read Astro City, but it wasn’t hard to get back into the swing of things. I liked the smaller stories in this volume, and I’m intrigued by the larger ones introduced that will take more books to tell.
I love that many of these superhero stories are told from the point of view of characters who would traditionally play a minor role, if any. It makes me smile when I come across a big spread of heroes and villains duking it out, and it’s all background stuff in the story. Not always—there are still herocentric stories—but I like it when they turn that structure on its head.
Good fun. I’m back on the Astro City train!

[Trike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Busiek often does slow burn set-ups which pay off years (sometimes a decade) later, and the framing story of this book with the mysterious Broken Man feels like that sort of thing. Astro City has also often had background characters suddenly leap to the fore in later volumes, and I suspect some of the minor things we've seen here, such as Mr. Cakewalk or the Blasphemy Boys, are going to loam large in the future story of Astro City's past, and possibly of The Broken Man.

I'm generally not a fan of breaking the fourth wall, but here it's used infrequently enough that it wasn't terrible, and Astro City has delivered in the past so I'm willing to cut them some slack on this Broken Man guy.

That said, we get to see more world-building as we focus on ordinary people working unusual jobs in this extraordinary world. That's one of the things Busiek and Anderson have always excelled at, making this world feel much larger and richer than most superhero universes.

The story of Marella who takes a job at the call center for the Honor Guard (Astro City's version of The Avengers or Justice League) is the real stand-out here. It's one of those things you don't think about in superhero books: how do they find out where trouble is brewing? In this world, the Honor Guard have a hotline where people can call in tips. And because this is a superhero world full of Super Science and High Magicks, the call center is everywhere and nowhere, shielded from the outside but with access portals all over the place.

"On The Sidelines" is the other feature of note for me, as we see people who have smaller, less showy powers making their way in the world. They've decided to opt out of the superhero game for one reason or another (the main character can't deal with the stress) and they get ordinary jobs. One utilizes his super strength as a construction worker, another is a technomancer who has become an auto mechanic, while the main character uses her small telekinesis ability to assist in movie and TV production. This story was a very slow burn that started off as a background piece which ended up as quite the slam-bam action story.

The rest of the stuff is also really good, and we have great diversity of characters here. Young, old, black, white, male, female, human, alien, it runs the gamut. You don't see that much in comics these days, where everyone looks like a supermodel or bodybuilder.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 4 out of 5]

ASTRO CITY

Open Doors & Broken Men (1,5-6). The spine of the comic is built around two intertwining plotlines, an ambassador come through a door from another place and a Broken Man.

The door plotline is evocative and intriguing. The events of the first issue nicely integrate the normal people of the Astro City universe, while the second issue of the plotline starts to hint at a bigger picture [7+/10].

The Broken Man plotline involves a crazy, secretive man hinting to us the readers about future badness, and it's unfortunately annoying. Don't get me wrong, some of the stories he reveals are fun, but his broken method of talking detracts from the comic, as do the broken stories of #5. [6/10]

The other stories were standalones of the sort that Busiek excels at … or at least appeared to be so far.

Humano Global (2-3). I liked this story from the start, with a great protagonist who's abruptly dumped into the world of super humans. However, it's what she does when she makes a mistake that's really great and highlights what it is to be a real hero [10/10].

Sideliners (4). A nice alternate look at superpowers in the Astro City universe that's strong in large part because Busiek continues to give us characters that we care about [8/10].

Despite the annoyingness of the Broken Man this is a great new start for Astro City that highlights some of what makes it terrific.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Continuing the re-read. This one definitely feels uneven. I still don't like the Broken Man. And I didn't like the mobster as much. But the American Chibi was fun. As were the Sideliners. And the superhero call center.

So this is what a less good Astro City looks like. A weird through story starring The Broken Man. A story that comes and goes in fits and starts and I wish would just go away. And a fantastic story about being someone with a job on the superhero call center. And another with minor powers that just want to live their lives doing normal stuff. As always minus the Broken Man great writing and good enough art. Actually the mobster and the father with the door on the river were pretty good, though not quite as good. If you start with this one, try to ignore the Broken Man story.

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always liked this title, but never really loved it. I like the idea of what Busiek is doing here, but the payout always seems a bit light. Without an ongoing, over-arching story, each volume tends to focus on smaller stories and, as interesting as they can be (I especially liked the "Sideliners" in this volume), they can't help but feel a bit slight. The artwork is good and a lot of time has obviously been put into this, but when you compare it to something like Warren Ellis' Planetary, which is very similar, it can't help but come off looking inferior. Heck, even Bendis' work on Powers tends to overshadow a lot of what I've read in Astro City. That said, it certainly isn't bad, nor is it a waste of time, but for me, it's really second- or even third-tier stuff.

[Alejandro García · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not your usual comic book. Astro City is the story of people who make mistakes, that care about others, who lie, who cry. It is the story of superheroes that don't want to live as it.
If you still do not know Astro City this should be your next acquisition.

Great art, sometimes a lot of ink on the page. Great characters also. I love Human Global and On the Sidelines.

[Melissa Koser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was absolutely stellar the entire way through! I love the introduction of the Broken Man, the broadening of stories only hinted at until now, and the interconnectedness of the stories (reaching all the way back to book 1!). Can't wait to see where the story goes next!

[Brian Koser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't realize until afterward that this started Astro City's run as a Vertigo title, but it definitely feels like a new start. Obviously the Broken Man; the notes hint about Mister Cakewalk, and the aging gangster feels like a classic Astro City "stealth recurring character".

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Astro City book. I particularly Marella Cowper's story. She's a wonderful character. I continue to marvel at how fleshed out the entire world feels.

[Fizzgig76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reprints Astro City (2) #1-6 (August 2013-January 2014). Astro City is the town where the heroes (and villains) never sleep. The appearance of strange giant doors and the arrival of Telseth mark a new beginning for the city and once again not only the heroes but the everyday citizens of Astro City find themselves effected. Be it a monitor at the Honor Guard’s crisis line or a D-Level hero that used her powers for entertainment, Astro City is always an exciting place…but who is the Broken Man and what does he know?

Written by Kurt Busiek, Astro City: Through Open Doors is the first collection of the second ongoing series of Astro City. Following Astro City: Shining Stars, the series features art by Brent Anderson and cover art by Alex Ross.

Astro City has been one of my favorite comic for years, but also a comic that I often neglect. I don’t keep up with it and other than the first series of Astro City, I have never bought Astro City individual comics regularly. After years of being behind, a chance encounter of this volume for a discount had me back in Astro City…and it is always good.

Astro City has always been a great anthology series, and I almost like the individual stories more than the story arcs, but it is hard to sell individual stories today. This volume succeeds in creating an individual issue, but also starting out a bit of a story arc for the second volume of the series. With both the mystery of the gate and the Broken Man, the series continues to introduce characters that may or may not find a resolution…but that’s ok in Astro City.

The best parts of Astro City are the standalone issues. The series however has been going a long time and sometimes some of the back-up storylines feel a bit repetitive of earlier issues. This isn’t too big of a problem at this point, but I hope Busiek can keep it fresh, new, and exciting with a regular comic book and a regular schedule.

The art is solid. You are lured in by Alex Ross’s covers which always seem inventive, but Brent Eric Anderson keeps the energy going with his interior art. I don’t think you’d ever accuse Anderson of being the best artist ever (though he’s good), but he is what works for this series…the fun of the series involves looking at all the details that Anderson slips into the story in the backgrounds, etc.

Astro City continues to be a strong comic and with a continuing series, the new comic could go new direction starting with a throwback to the very first issue of the original series. I hope Busiek can keep up the quality and keep up the schedule…it is the challenge of writing a regular series, but since it is his creation, I hope it makes it easier. Astro City: Through Open Doors is followed by Astro City: Victory.

[Brandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is what I've come to expect from Kurt Busiek when it comes to Astro City.

In my review for Astro City: Shining Stars, I complained that some of the stories seemed superfluous to me. I argued that maybe that was to be expected, given the scope of Astro City: The Dark Age but Astro City: Through Open Doors disabuses that notion. Like Shining Stars nothing in this volume seems to have the heft of The Dark Age but unlike Shining Stars the stories here seem to be more at "ground level" which I think Busiek is at his best.

While everything here is pretty much gold (including an homage to the Superman villain Mr. Mxyzpltk that Busiek promises in the character sketches at the end will be back) the two stand outs here are the two part story about the Honor Guard "help line" and one of its employees and a story about a telekinetic who doesn't want to be a superhero OR supervillain. This latter story is probably one of the best of the series, and the first time I've seen someone with powers in a comic book that wasn't impressed into some sort of service for one side or the other.

There was a three year break between Astro City going from a Wildstorm title to the Vertigo imprint. We can only wonder if Busiek was listless and burnt out after completing The Dark Age and needed some time away from the book to recharge his batteries. Astro City: Through Open Doors sure makes it feel like that's the case.

[Clint · Rating 4 out of 5]

A largely transitional collection of stories that kickstarts the most recent extended run of AC issues under Vertigo/DC. The most noticeable change to me is a shift in tone and perspective: until now AC has felt like it’s reflecting on the heritage/past of its world in a mostly contained way, but these issues overwhelmingly seem to be hinting at intriguing future revelations that expand far beyond these issues. That’s not a bad thing, but it is unexpected (and probably a smart idea to refresh what was a relaunch of sorts for the series.)

The method for delivering that tone shift is a promising meta-narrator that reminded me visually of Sandman, though the sketchbook notes says that’s a common misconception of his actual mostly 70s Joker-inspired origin. His book-ending appearances are a lot of fun in any case, and give opportunities for multiple quick genre riffs on Lovecraft, steampunk, and Indian folklore, while hinting at those much larger reveals to come.

Other stories here include a two issue look at the emotional fallout for civilians doing the logistical grunt work necessary to support an omnipotent superteam, and a reappearance of a side character that shows what life is like in the limbo between being more than an unpowered civilian but not quite a super-powered hero. Overall I enjoyed vol9 a lot, even if my full appraisal is a little more contingent on what’s to come than usual for AC.

[Graeme Dunlop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting. "Through Open Doors" begins with a fourth-wall breaking framing device, which continues -- off and on -- throughout the volume. Someone called the Broken Man needs our help!

We then cycle through seemingly unconnected stories, and yet the Broken Man is interested in them all.

There are some lovely gems here. There's a two-parter about someone who works for the Honor Guard call centre -- yes, they have a call centre! As high-tech and complex as you might imagine. Excellent story.

But my favourite is one called "On the Sidelines", about people with abilities who choose not to be either heroes or villains, but use their abilities in their everyday life and work. It's wonderful, heartfelt and -- as is often the case with Astro City -- there's a very human component about what you choose to do with your life and abilities. Had me grinning from ear to ear. And the villain in this story is priceless!

[Rex Hurst · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first Astro City graphic novel published through the Vertigo imprint (ninth book in the series). This is a collection of individual stories, thought two revolving around a mysterious giant alien ambassador are connected. The others deal with a woman who works for the Honor Guard's call center and the difficulties of the job; a woman with superpowers who wants nothing to do with heroics, being shanghaied into service by a villain; and the fractured storytelling style of a character called the Broken Man. Loads of fun forth those who like the genre

[Jacob A. Mirallegro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an incredible start for this third series. It was self aware and acknowledged past lore while also adding so much to the world. I really loved the 4th story about the psychic lady who didn't want to be a superhero. The addition of like the superhero hotline center felt very original and made up such a comfy story. The Ambassador was an amazing character all around and I'm really excited to see where The Broken Man plotline goes.

[B · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a change for Astro City. It feels like a playful tweak on Grant Morrison's Multiversity (and similar titles) combined with long-term plans on the title. Usually the stories are much more self-contained arcs. Here, these are seemingly unrelated chapters that are clearly building toward one big thing. I wonder what it could be.

Also, the individual stories were good, again.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great volume of Astro City. The art is good and always consistent, and the stories vary but are always interesting as well. I love the way Busiek mixes up the "everyman" stories with the somewhat more traditional superhero stories. This was more of an "everyman" volume, and was well worth the read. Great series.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The stories are up and down but mostly good. They have a lot of heart. The character design for a new being is great. There is a 4th wall breaking fellow and things didn't seem to really go anywhere with him so hopefully something with that resolves in the next book. Overall though quite a satisfying experience and enjoyable series entry.

[Rockito · Rating 4 out of 5]

After having read all this volumes I have to the conclusion that "Confessions" is the best thing to come out of Astro City, but also Busiek is at his best when doing stand-alone stories of two-parters as opposed to "epics".

[Matthew WK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner! What's not to like about this series? This one deals with a mobster, a call center worker, and a movie fx tech who are all in the orbit of superheroes. Astro City continues it's stellar run of great stories!

[Brent · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just amazing: and, you really do not need previous exposure to Astro City to enjoy these stories.
Recommended!