Altar Boy

Altar Boy is the young sidekick to the Confessor, a mysterious, morally complex hero of Astro City. Taking on a religiously themed identity to partner with the brooding Confessor, he navigates the dangers and moral ambiguities of superhero life in that richly layered city.

Debuting in 1997 within the pages of Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson's beloved Astro City, Altar Boy is a Modern Age character born from one of independent comics' most celebrated superhero universes — a richly imagined city where heroism is explored with uncommon depth and humanity. Over a span of 25 years, this young figure has kept remarkable company, sharing adventures with icons of the Astro City universe like Confessor, Crackerjack, and Jack-in-the-Box. With appearances across the core series, the collected Metrobook editions, and even the Visitor's Guide — a sign of genuine in-world significance — Altar Boy is a character whose place in the Astro City tapestry is small in number but meaningful in stature. If you're discovering Kurt Busiek's extraordinary corner of the Image universe, this is exactly the kind of character who rewards a closer look.