Astro City #45

   Comic book characters are always changing.

   It's not always apparent. By their nature, comics are all about the illusion of change - but it's important to maintain the status quo.

   But things are always changing in the world of pop culture, and comics change with them. Even Superman has gone through changes - from his first plain "acrobat tights" costume to his classic long johns to jeans and a T-shirt and the most recent high-tech version (we won't talk about his mullet stylings).

   But because the changes happen over a period of years, it's not always evident.

   By compressing that time period, Astro City has crafted a unique series of characters based on the popular music trends, and is tying their stories together in a series of adventures that paints a musical panorama of its own.

   It's a clever story - and with this issue we finally get a glimpse of the great threat that is tied to the phenomenon, and may threaten all of creation.

   As always, Kurt Busiek crafts a terrific, clever (and often funny) story, and Brent E. Anderson turns in his usual incredible art, with amazing character designs and vivid environments.

    This is a story arc that any comics fan will enjoy - but music fans will love it!

Grade: A-

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