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
Much like the George R.R. Martin edited Wild Cards
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
Collects: Astro City Vol. 2 #1/2, #4 to #9
Collects: Astro City Vol. 2 #1 to #3, #10 to #13
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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
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
Collects: Astro City Vol. 3 #7-10 and Astro City Visitor’s Guide #1
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
Collects: Astro City #32 to #36
Note: Vol. 15 is missing, was browsing Astro City on Hoopla and noticed this. Going to get into this over the summer.
Dave, I noticed you skipped Astro City: Private Lives which collects Astro City Vol 3 #11-16
Thank you, updated!
Also, I think Honor Guard doesn’t have #13 and has #17 instead.