mjthomas43's review
4.0
First time reading anything from the Astro City series or from Homage Comics as far as I know but this was really good. Tells the story of a steel-skinned super-criminal (the word "villain" is a little strong) who is released from prison with the best of intentions, feels drawn back into a life of crime, fights against the pressure but fears the label anyway and finally redeems himself in his own and others' eyes. A subtle story about our idea of heroes and villains, good guys and bad guys, and the thin line between the two. Great story, good art.
mrjohn023's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Astro City is Kurt Busiek's stroke of genius, and The Tarnished Angel is one of his best stories from that world. The plot is familiar to any fan of film noir: A lifetime loser gets out of jail for what he swears will be the last time, but he has nowhere to go but back to the old neighborhood. There, his past looks heavily over him, and the straight and narrow is no easy path. Mix this plot with the casully outrageous world of superheroes and villains and you have The Tarnished Angel. Busiek manages to hit the right notes in our protagonist's internal monologue, finding the man inside the superhuman.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Confinement, and Violence
Probably my favorite fact about this book is that the likeness of the protagonist, Steeljack, was based on actor Robert Mitchum.ostrava's review
5.0
This is one of the best "superhero" comic books I've ever read, and it's not an exaggeration at all. It's better than most of the DC and the Marvel canon I've read.
It's insane.
How did this happen? We we're literally this close of dropping the whole thing, I was mentally preparing myself for a dissapointed one star review, and then Busiek hits me with THIS. How?
This can be read as a standalone story. In fact, if there's one thing you need to read from Astro City it's this (if it gets better, which I doubt, I'll print this review and fucking eat it). READ IT.
The Tarnished Angel is easily an instant new favorite.
It's insane.
How did this happen? We we're literally this close of dropping the whole thing, I was mentally preparing myself for a dissapointed one star review, and then Busiek hits me with THIS. How?
This can be read as a standalone story. In fact, if there's one thing you need to read from Astro City it's this (if it gets better, which I doubt, I'll print this review and fucking eat it). READ IT.
The Tarnished Angel is easily an instant new favorite.
mjfmjfmjf's review
4.0
A re-read. A single great big meaty story. Dark but not too dark. Sad but not too sad. Predictable but not too predictable. Not all that deep. But just damned good.
It's just a crime based superhero book told from the point of view of one of the villains. But a damn good one. Lots and lots and lots of text but a really fast read. Quite good enough art. Tons of characters but they don't distract. And always coming back to our main pov hero Steeljack. This book and this series is in such sharp contrast to [a:Brian Michael Bendis|12424|Brian Michael Bendis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1239763230p2/12424.jpg]' Powers. Astro City doesn't have the language or the tawdriness. Astro City has better and more writing and much much better art. It's kind of telling the some sort of story, just in a better way. 4.5 of 5.
It's just a crime based superhero book told from the point of view of one of the villains. But a damn good one. Lots and lots and lots of text but a really fast read. Quite good enough art. Tons of characters but they don't distract. And always coming back to our main pov hero Steeljack. This book and this series is in such sharp contrast to [a:Brian Michael Bendis|12424|Brian Michael Bendis|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1239763230p2/12424.jpg]' Powers. Astro City doesn't have the language or the tawdriness. Astro City has better and more writing and much much better art. It's kind of telling the some sort of story, just in a better way. 4.5 of 5.
bluenicorn's review
3.0
This had that 30's detective story feel to it, but with superheroes. And supervillains, and regular joe schmoe black masks. I liked it. Like the rest of Astro City, no previous superhero knowledge required. And this one was strangely poignant- the idea of having an unfulfilled life and watching others make your same mistakes... Very well-done.
davybaby's review
4.0
good detective story that captures what makes astro city great: flawed, "realistic" superhero characters.
rouver's review
3.0
Busiek switches it up in this one. Previously, the stories were mostly stand-alone. This one is dedicated entirely to one character; a mid-level villain, Steel Jack. A man from the wrong side of the tracks, he spent his whole life dreaming of escaping. He thought he'd found a way out when he signed up for an experiment that turned him into a steel man...but things didn't turn out the way he planned. Now that he's out of jail, someone's been killing off the small-time criminals & he's been hired by his neighbors to find out who. I'd have to say this one isn't as 'fun' as the others...it's about a man who slogs through & perseveres when everything in his situation & being tell him to give up. But sad stories are still *good* stories & this is no exception.
It's more fantastic storytelling wrapped up in brilliant illustrations. If you haven't started reading this series yet, I'm starting to wonder if there's something wrong with you.
It's more fantastic storytelling wrapped up in brilliant illustrations. If you haven't started reading this series yet, I'm starting to wonder if there's something wrong with you.
djinn_n_juice's review
4.0
This is the story of a man who becomes a minor supervillain, and I really enjoyed the exploration of the mindset a minor supervillain might have. It paints an empathetic picture of a character who most comics would've dropped in without much thought.
And, this is the same strength that makes all the Astro City comics as enjoyable as they are: they give a greater depth to character types we've seen incarnated in various ways in other comics.
And, this is the same strength that makes all the Astro City comics as enjoyable as they are: they give a greater depth to character types we've seen incarnated in various ways in other comics.
bremnerek's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0