As a child of 1971, the accompanying loss of American innocence that dominated the news during that decade wasn't something I really experienced or learned firsthand. History has taught me about the period, the lessons learned and the lasting changes the events of that time have had on Western society as a whole. Kurt Busiek explores that period and that tense atmosphere through the filter of a super-hero story, and if anything, he's too successful in his effort. The mood is palpably downtrodden and angry. The execution here is perfect. I just wonder if mixing the inherent brightness of the genre with the inherent darkness of 1970s America was the right move. I look to Astro City for its mix of realistic, logical plotting and social circumstances with the fun and hope of Silver Age super-heroics. The latter elements aren't really to be found here.
Two brothers, natives of Astro City, walk radically different paths. One becomes a cop, sworn to serve and protect, and the other is a criminal, preying upon others in order to put a few bucks in his pocket. The cop sees the tide turning not only in the city but throughout the country. People are angry, they're tired and they don't trust those they revered before. His pickpocket brother simply sees opportunity, but the cop knows things are going to get worse before they get better. He feels his prediction is borne out when one of the greatest examples of idealism America has to offer is arrested for a horrible crime.
Anderson's art conveys the embittered tone of the script quite well. Though this is a color comic book, it almost seems as though a grey pallor looms over every panel. Anderson employs thick, loose lines to capture a gritty tone. After seeing Neal Adams's work on last week's Giant-Size X-Men #3, I'm struck by just how much of an influence he has on Brent Anderson's art. The colors here are appropriately muted, given the overall tone of the story.
Busiek doesn't dwell on the details of history, and it's a smart move. This isn't a "What If There were Super-Heroes During the Watergate Era?" story. This isn't about events, but about a pervading feeling throughout America. The writer brings that feeling alive with strong narration in the voices of the two brothers. Each has a radically different perspective and reaction to what's going on, but both appreciate its importance and that the world is changing.
It makes sense that in a story about one of the darkest eras in America's history that Busiek would explore the effect on a symbol of innocence and idealism: the super-hero. This plot is also a significant payoff for those of us who have been following Astro City since the beginning, as it finally addresses a long-hinted-at turning point in Busiek's continuity. As I noted earlier, this is an enjoyable and intelligent read. Busiek does his job so well that one comes away from the story feeling almost infected with the same uneasiness that possesses the characters. That's effective storytelling, but some may confuse the feeling with disappointment. 7/10
