Astro City

In the late 1990s, Astro City debuted as a standalone, 10-issue series from Tilsner, offering a fresh, character-driven take on the superhero genre. Written and created by Kurt Busiek, with art by Brent Anderson, the series focused on the everyday lives and human-scale dramas of heroes and civilians alike in a sprawling, lived-in metropolis. Rather than a typical origin or epic battle, each issue explored a different corner of this world, from retired sidekicks to alien refugees, making the city itself the true protagonist. This initial run laid the foundation for Astro City's reputation as a thoughtful, emotionally resonant exploration of what it truly means to be a hero.