Retro Review

Zachary Johnson is Jack-in-the-Box, one of Astro City’s protectors. A serious super-hero with a light-hearted manner, he uses incredible agility and clown-themed technology to fight criminals from thugs to masterminds. His wife, Tamra Dixon, knows about his secret identity and supports him in his good fight to keep peace on the streets of the city. However, something is about to happen that will make them both question his double life, and may wipe the smile off the clown’s face forever.

These two issues of Kurt Busiek’s Astro City are excellent. As always with Astro City, Kurt Busiek combines a  great super-hero story and the very human reactions of those affected. The pencils by Brent E. Anderson are among his best: he’s one of the best story-tellers in the business, and he proves it here. He has finally hit his stride on the book: while some of the earlier issues are a little stiff with the action cramped or too distant, here he shines. The action scenes flow, with Jack-in-the-Box’s acrobatic antics giving him plenty of room to show off, and the emotions of the characters come through wonderfully. The covers by Alex Ross are excellent,  particularly the quiet emotion of #12’s.

(art by Alex Ross, copyright Juke Box Productions, published by Homage Comics)

Jack-in-the-Box is my favorite of the Astro City characters, and the one I could see carrying his own title, not that Busiek and Anderson would ever consider tying themselves down to one character when they can play with their whole worldful. Zachary and Tamra have a believable and strong relationship: loving and trusting each other, but prone to doubts and fears in tough situations. Jack-in-the-Box has a great look as well, with a striking costume and great gadgets.

If you’re not a fan of Astro City, these issues are unlikely to convert you: great as the story is, it is typical of the book: a loving look at a classic theme of super-hero comics, with the human drama drawn to the fore. If you have enjoyed any of the later issues, and haven’t read these two yet, put them at the top of your list, because they are the best issues of the second volume.

The two issues retail for around $6 in near-mint condition. They were reprinted as chapters 5 and 6 of the Kurt Busiek’s Astro City: Family Album trade paperback, which has a striking Jack-in-the-Box cover by Alex Ross, and also reprints issues 1-3, 10 and 13, excellent stories all. The softcover has a list price of $19.95, but can retail online for as low as $10.

Kurt Busiek’s Astro City #11 and 12, Image Comics. A+ from start to finish. Look for it in the trade paperback or try your luck at finding it in back-issue bins under Image Comics or Homage Comics.

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