Review by Frank Plowright
This penultimate MetroBook returns to a significant number of characters seen earlier in the series, picking them up later in their lives, and in the case of Steeljack especially, it’s a crowd pleasing selection. Stories are also available spread over earlier paperbacks Private Lives, Lovers Quarrel and Honor Guard, while the content of Reflections appears in its entirety.
The longest inclusion clocks in at four chapters spotlighting crimefighting couple Crackerjack and Quarrel, both nearly fifty and sustaining their careers with pills, technology and magical remedies. At what point is this going to catch up with them? Crackerjack has always been wise-cracking, brash and impulsive, and Busiek delves into their past, revealing what at times seems a dysfunctional relationship, running that against new mistakes currently being made. It’s a strong character piece, but because the personalities are so developed regular readers may find the clues as to where things are heading too easily uncovered.
There’s an admirable variety to Busiek’s stories, but they all connect on some very human level, emotion and feeling playing high for characters we want to see pull through. He’s gradually moved the series away from adhering exclusively to the original idea of superheroes as seen by ordinary members of the public, but even when that’s not on the menu there are touching moments.
MetroBook 4 introduced the perhaps not very welcome idea of artists other than Brent Eric Anderson drawing Astro City. Presumably a necessity to ensure a regular publication schedule, the artists here and in the concluding MetroBook 6 are generally well chosen, but the exception is Joe Infurnari. The story requires a transition to a cartoon world, which Infurnari handles well, but his scratchy pencils heavy on crosshatching show no effort to maintain the series look. Gary Chaloner’s layouts also differ greatly from Anderson by constantly moving the viewpoint close in, but the style is similar, while Graham Nolan’s is an even closer match, but lacking Anderson’s detail. The sample pages show Anderson’s versatility.
Seasoned readers of superhero comics will pick up the analogues of characters and stories. Crackerjack and Quarrel greatly resemble Green Arrow and Black Canary for instance, but the best of Astro City always ensures that’s just the beginning. ‘Wish I May…’ takes Superboy in Smallville as its starting point, but becomes a heartbreaking succession of judgemental misunderstandings, yet redemption is on the agenda. It’s clever and it’s touching.
Given Steeljack starred in Astro City’s longest story (MetroBook 2) leaving a lasting impression, there’s a risk that returning him could tarnish his memory, but instead Busiek and Anderson supply this collection’s highlight over three chapters. Both he and readers are aware he’s not the smartest guy in Astro City, yet he’s well-intentioned and we want him to succeed. Opening with a disaster and his arrest sets the tone, and the mystery is whether or not he’s been played by an old villainous colleague on the run for something she claims she didn’t do.
Other highlights include a Jack Kirby homage and a delightful twist on the fact of Reed Richards and Victor Von Doom once being college room-mates. The good outweighs the ordinary by a massive ratio, again making this a collection to invest in.
