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Issue: Kurt Busiek's Astro City: Life in the Big City #[nn]
Publication Date: May 1996
 
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Title:
Variant: Fifth Printing
Rating:
Publisher: FlagDC
Brand: Homage ComicsView Brand Images
Indicia Publisher: WildStorm Productions
On Sale Date: 03/1999
Volume: none
Pages: 196
ISBN: 156389551X
UPC/EAN: 76194121859500112
Price: $31.99 CAD 6th Printing
$31.50 CAD 2nd Printing
$19.95 USD
Indicia Frequency: none
Content Items: 46 (6 stories, 1 cover)
Editor(s):  
Disclose Notes: Copyright on item 1995 and 1996.

Went through four printings at Image, so despite the barcode number, this is likely the fifth printing and the first from DC.
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Publication Type: Trade Paperback
Color: color
Dimensions: standard Modern Age US
Paper Stock: cardstock cover; glossy interior
Binding: softcover
Publishing Format: collected edition
Format Notes:  
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Disclose Images2
Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 

Cover, Front
Original Artwork
Digital Edition
Adult Image
Title Page
Indicia on this Page
 
 
Assets0
 
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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Cover, Front
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typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
Samaritan
Reprinting
FlagAstro City #1 Special Edition #[nn] published August 2010
 
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1
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[untitled]

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Frontispiece
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Kurt Busiek's Astro City: Life in the Big City

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2
Title page
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[untitled]

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1
Publishing data page
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[untitled]

Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Afterword  on  Interior Page(s)
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Subject Matter
Samaritan
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1
Dedication page
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Introduction

Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Afterword  on  Interior Page(s)
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typeset
Subject Matter
Samaritan; Honor Guard [The Black Napier; MPH; The N-Forcer; Cleopatra; Quarrel [Jessica Darlene Taggart]]; Jack-in-the-Box
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Miscellaneous
5
Background art taken from the story from Kurt Busiek's Astro City (Image, 1995 series) #1 (August 1995).
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Chapter 1

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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
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Subject Matter
Samaritan
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1
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In Dreams

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
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
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.
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #1 [unnamed variant] published August 1995
was In Dreams [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
24
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.
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Chapter 2

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[untitled]

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The Silver Agent
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1
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The Scoop

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
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
Newspaper editor Eliot Mills explains the meaning of the brief, seemingly insignificant article he has framed on his wall to a novice reporter.
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #2 published September 1995
was The Scoop [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
24
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.
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Chapter 3

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[untitled]

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Subject Matter
Jack-in-the-Box
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1
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A Little Knowledge

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
Jack-in-the-Box [Zachary Johnson]; Andrew Eisenstein; Tamra Dixon; The Deacon; Quarrel [Jessica Darlene Taggart]
A small-time crook sees Jack-in-the-Box unmasked and has to decide what to do with that knowledge.
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #3 published October 1995
was A Little Knowledge [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
24
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.
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Chapter 4

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Chapter number page
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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
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Subject Matter
superhero
Winged Victory
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #6 published January 1996
was [untitled] [Letters Page on Interior Page(s)]Winged Victory illustration only
 
Miscellaneous
1
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Safeguards

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
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]
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.
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #4 published November 1995
was Safeguards [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
24
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.
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Chapter 5

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[untitled]

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Jack-in-the-Box
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1
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Reconnaissance

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
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
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.
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #5 published December 1995
was Reconnaissance [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
24
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.
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Chapter 6

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1
Chapter number page
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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
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Subject Matter
Samaritan
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Miscellaneous
1
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Dinner at Eight

Story  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
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]
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.
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #6 published January 1996
was Dinner at Eight [Story on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
24
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.
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Infrastructure

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Chapter title page
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City Planning

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2
AstroBank tower, skyline, and city map sketches
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Samaritan

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Subject Matter
Samaritan
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Miscellaneous
2
Design sketches
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Honor Guard

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
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typeset
Subject Matter
Honor Guard [Cleopatra; The Silver Agent; N-Forcer; Quarrel [Jessica Darlene Taggart]; Starwoman; Beautie; MPH]
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
3.25
Design sketches. MPH spelled with periods here (M.P.H.), but everywhere else without.
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Jack-in-the-Box

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
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Jack-in-the-Box
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0.75
Design sketches
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Shark Men

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1
Design sketches
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First Family

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Subject Matter
Rex
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1
Design sketches of the generic First Family outfit and Rex
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Ordinary People

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
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Subject Matter
Asa Martin [Samaritan]; Eliot Mills; Marta
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Miscellaneous
1
Design sketches
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Cover Gallery

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?
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Chapter title page
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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Samaritan
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #1 [unnamed variant] published August 1995
was Astro City Character Gallery [Illustration on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Pencil design sketch
Disclose
[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
Samaritan
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #1 [unnamed variant] published August 1995
was [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
typeset
Subject Matter
The Silver Agent
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #2 published September 1995
was Astro City Character Gallery [Illustration on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Pencil design sketch
Disclose
[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
The Silver Agent; Eliot Mills
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #2 published September 1995
was [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
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[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Jack-in-the-Box
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #3 published October 1995
was Astro City Character Gallery [Illustration on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Pencil design sketch
Disclose
[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
Jack-in-the-Box
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #3 published October 1995
was [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
typeset
Subject Matter
First Family [Nick Furst; Natalie Furst; Julius Furst; Augustus Furst; Rex; Astra Furst]
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #4 published November 1995
was Astro City Character Gallery [Illustration on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Pencil design sketch
Disclose
[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
Winged Victory; Marta
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #4 published November 1995
was [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
Crackerjack
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #5 published December 1995
was Astro City Character Gallery [Illustration on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Pencil design sketch
Disclose
[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
typeset
Subject Matter
superhero
Crackerjack
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #5 published December 1995
was [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
Disclose
[untitled]

Illustration  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
typeset
Subject Matter
Winged Victory
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #6 published January 1996
was Astro City Character Gallery [Illustration on Interior Page(s)]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Pencil design sketch
Disclose
[untitled]

Cover Reprint (on Interior Page)  on  Interior Page(s)
Subject Matter
superhero
Samaritan; Winged Victory
Reprinting
FlagKurt Busiek's Astro City #6 published January 1996
was [untitled] [Illustration on Cover, Front]
 
Miscellaneous
1
Reprint of cover with all text elements removed
Disclose
Acknowledgements

Text Article  on  Interior Page(s)
Credits
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typeset
Reprinting
 
Miscellaneous
1

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