Astro City is one of my favorite comics. I’ve read it for years. The stories told are not just about superheroes but also the citizens that live in Astro City. In a way tells what our world would be like if there were superheroes. It’s the relationship between the citizens and the city.

Characters

“…I pointed out that what's important about Astro City are the characters, the relationships, the emotional connections of the story.” - Kurt Busiek*

A man from a futuristic civilization was chosen to travel back into time to prevent a catastrophic event that would change all history and prevent the dystopian society from which he came. On the journey this man came into contact with the Empyrean Fires. He crashed landed in 1985 near Astro City with strange powers. He was able to prevent the catastrophe and save his future but he was unable to return home. Donning a red suit, blue cape he took the super-heroic name Samaritan but uses the secret identity Asa Martin at an Astro City newspaper. The thing that plagues Samaritan the most in his highly busy heroic life is his lack of relationships and emotional connections.

We all get busy – too busy, to return phone calls, send emails, to just say “good morning.” The suggestion is slow down let things happen and make those connections. Nurture the relationships and connections don’t forget your humanity. Smile and say, “Good Morning.” Make the phone call or return the phone call. Take a friend out for coffee. Sometimes the “good Morning” or phone call you offer someone can be the catalyst to change their day. But those emotional connections we make keeps us connected to family, friends and the community. Kurt Busiek speaking of “the three”, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman, said, “They're great characters, and they play well off each other.” (Kurt Busiek Interview -Trinity Writer by Aaron Albert, About.com Guide) Today, be a great character and play well with your fellows.

Samaritan
First Appearance: Astro City #1, 1995, for Wildstorm Comics

Creators: Kurt Busiek (writer), Alex Ross (art), and Brent Anderson (art)

* Kurt Busiek (http://www.busiek.com/site/notes/)