Astro City Reading Order: Where to Start With Kurt Busiek’s Astro City Comics

Astro City is one of the best non-Big 2 superhero universes in comics. Writer Kurt Busiek has written some excellent stories for some of comics most well known figures, such as the Avengers and Justice League. Nonetheless, it’s been Busiek’s ability to find the realism and humanity at the heart of superhero comics, particularly in his work with Alex Ross in Marvels, that sets the stage for Astro City.

Much like the George R.R. Martin edited Wild Cards, Astro City is a must-read for superhero lovers looking for more mature perspectives on the genres.

Since Astro City has seen a variety of publication runs and publishers throughout its history, collecting the full run can be mildly confusing. I’ve put together a complete reading order to Kurt Busiek’s Astro City below to make matters easier!

Astro City Universe Reading Order

Astro City: Life in the Big City

Collects: Astro City Vol. 1 #1 to #6

Astro City: Confession

Collects: Astro City Vol. 2 #1/2, #4 to #9

Astro City: Family Album

Collects: Astro City Vol. 2 #1 to #3, #10 to #13

Kurt Busiek’s Astro City: The Tarnished Angel

Collects: Astro City Vol. 2 #14–20

Astro City Vol. 5: Local Heroes

Collects: Astro City Vol. 2 #21–22, Astro City: Local Heroes #1–5, Astro City Special: Supersonic

Astro City: The Dark Age Book One

Collects: Astro City: The Dark Age #1 to #8

Astro City: The Dark Age Book Two

Collects: Astro City: The Dark Age #9 to #16

Astro City: Shining Stars

Collects: Astro City: Samaritan Special, Astro City: Astra #1–2, Astro City: Silver Agent #1–2 and Astro City: Beautie #1

Astro City: Through Open Doors

Collects: Astro City Vol. 3 #1–6

Astro City: Victory

Collects: Astro City Vol. 3 #7-10 and Astro City Visitor’s Guide #1

Astro City: Private Lives

Collects: Astro City Vol. 3 #11-16

Astro City Vol. 12: Lovers Quarrel

Collects: Astro City Vol. 3 #18-21 and 23-24

Astro City Vol. 13: Honor Guard

Collects: Astro City Vol. 3 #13, 22, 25, 27-28 and 31

Astro City Vol. 14

Collects: Astro City #32 to #36