Astro City is an ongoing comic book series created by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson . It is written by Kurt Busiek, illustrated by Brent Anderson, and features painted covers by renowned comic book artist Alex Ross .
Astro City was highly acclaimed for its Confession story arc, which garnered the Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favorite Reprint Graphic Album of 1998 and 1999, the 1998 Eisner for Best Serialized Story, and the Comics Buyer's Guide Fan Award for Favorite Story for 1998.
Summary (No major spoilers)
Brain Kinney is a young adult in a small town with big dreams. After the sadness and ingratitude he experienced at the death of his father, he decided to move to Astro City with the hopes of meeting -- and possibly even being -- a superhero.
One day he meets a mysterious figure, the Confessor, who saves him from a gang assault. He is grateful, and the courage he displayed makes the Confessor offer him a position as his personal sidekick, Altar Boy. Brian, after a bit of thinking, agrees, albeit with some uncertainty. His first few days as a hero go well -- girls find him cute, and the public looks up to him. He then learns that the life of a hero is not always like what he expected -- despite getting high praise and cheer early on, as strange events begin happening in Astro City, including a string of unsolved (and ongoing) murders, the abrupt change in personality (from good to bad) of some heroes, and the mayor's sudden and unusual irrationality and irritability -- the public's view of superheroes radically changes. Heroes are hastily treated as vigilantes and outlaws, jeered and mocked by the majority of the public, and pursued -- dead or alive -- by the local government.
Brian experiences, through both the Confessor's wisdom and personal experience, that being a hero is not all joy and praise -- it entails personal sacrifice, fighting for what's right, and accepting one's past and heritage. True heroes do not help people and do to receive personal fame, glory, money, attention, or proper recognition -- they do it because they can and because people need them. The true happiness of becoming a hero comes from knowing that you did what you did for the sake of doing good and because you helped others, whether they knew you helped or not.
Art Critique
One of the best elements of this graphic novel series is its art, which is very good, considering it was done in 1998. Characters have very well-defined expressions and physical features, like wrinkles and hair, and are easy to tell apart from one another. Shadows are drawn appropriately and good detail is given to faces and other key images in close-ups. Heroes are all colorful, and it is hard not to be wowed by the breathtaking landscapes that Brent Anderson draws of the city. The city itself is very colorful during the day, while it is filled with tones during the night. Colors are where they should be; the grasses and plants are bright green, buildings have a variety of blue, yellow, red, and gray shades, and people have well-colored and shaded skin.
The visually appealing art fits well with the storyline. The emotion the characters display help the reader sympathize and empathize with them, and the mood of the story is reflected by the color scheme of that particular part of the story. The colorful heroes help you remember them well and make them easy to identify in key scenes. Of course, the good visuals also help in keeping the reader hooked to the series, aside from the great story.
Review (No major spoilers)
We've all seen many comic books about well-established superheroes, but how often have we seen graphic novels about a civilian who wants to be one? This is one comic that focuses on this topic -- an ordinary citizen with high hopes for a bright future in a good, superhero-filled city.
Astro City: Confession follows the story of Brian Kenney, an orphan who desires to leave his small, quaint village and go to Astro City to get a better life. After the ungratefulness he experienced at his father's death, he was determined to make a name for himself by going to Astro City with the intention of meeting -- hopefully even becoming -- a superhero himself. The plot of Astro City isn't exactly new, but the way it's told is original and interesting. A refreshing change from more well-known superheroes, this comic tackles the trouble of actually being a superhero, including being disliked by the public, hunted by the authorities, and not receiving gratitude or recognition for the good one has done. This more human and realistic element not normally present in other superhero comics not only separates this novel from the pack; it also makes the novel more engaging and relatable, and it ensures that the character development of the story is naturally very good. We get a very good glimpse at the development of not just Brian, but several characters in the novel. Character development is perhaps the best element of the novel, with each story meaningfully building up one or more of the numerous personalities in the story. There is very little filler material, and much of the issues contribute something new to the story. The story contains many interesting sub-plots which normally play a significant part in the story. Many of the questions raised throughout the series are answered by the end, leaving the reader satisfied. Although the novel ends on a bittersweet note, viewers will still be left contented. Good virtues prevail, though at great cost, and this is the message that Astro City tries to tell -- though good deeds are not rewarded immediately, in the long term, they make the world a better place. The novel also shows that in order to make a difference, we must set aside pride and take action -- actions speak louder than words. With morals like this, the story's message is very positive and encouraging. In terms of plot, character development, and message, the novel succeeds.
The art is what defines a graphic novel from any other text-based piece of literature. The art of Astro City is very appealing, considering the period when the novel was made. Art is generally not as sharp as what we get today, but this is very understandable. Facial expressions are very detailed and help the viewer get closer to the characters. The superhero costumes range from colorful to dark and reflect the attitudes of the heroes. Colors during the day are bright and vibrant while they are appropriately toned down and dark at night. The art contributes a lot to the story since it helps us to see through the text and into what could be into the minds of the characters. The art also enhances the emotion in many scenes and helps identify important events or sequences in the story, such as the numerous times where the Confessor hints of his true being. The art of this novel is definitely very good and is one of the pros of the novel.
Overall, Astro City: Confession is very good -- featuring an engrossing story, deep, well-developed characters, poignant storytelling, and pleasing art, the novel succeeds on practically all fronts. The length of the arc is also very good overall -- not so short that it feels compressed but not so long that it drags on. In the end, it's one heck of a good novel and should please anyone who is into superheroes, even though the ones in Astro City aren't as well known as folks like Superman or Batman.
Rating: 9.5/10 - Excellent!
Plot Analysis (Spoilers)
The Hero Cycle
Call to Adventure - Brian desires to go to Astro City, seeking a better life. One day, after doing a heroic deed, his coworkers get jealous of him and get ready to beat him up. The Confessor saves him on that day and offers Brian a position as his sidekick, Altar Boy.
Helper I - The Confessor helps him train and become a crime fighter.
Crossing - Astro City starts experiencing strange things, such as the mayor suddenly becoming irrational, the unexplainable misdoings of some superheroes, and a string of gruesome murders.
Helper II - The Confessor continues to be there for him, despite his vampirism being discovered, as he finds out that being a superhero is not the happy job he expected. He learns of the different virtues heroes must keep, including self-sacrifice, courage, and honor.
Supreme Ordeal - The city discovers that the numerous strange incidents occur as a result of an alien invasion. The heroes fight epic battles against these aliens, and the Confessor makes the ultimate sacrifice to save Astro City.
Flight - In the midst of the fighting and realization, Brian is rescued by the Crossbreed and brought to their headquarters, where he is asked to rest.
Return - Things eventually return to normal, including the mayor being good again, superheroes being viewed in a positive light, and the Shadow Hill murders being put to rest.
Boon - Brian, discovering strength within, coming to terms with his past, and finally respecting and understanding what is required to truly be a superhero, takes up the mantle of the Confessor to continue his legacy of good and to honor his father, whom he has newfound respect for.
7 Basic Plots
I believe that the story can be considered a Quest since the main character's objective is to find out what it's like to be a true superhero. Along the way, many difficulties and obstacles are encountered, but he does have a "party" in the form of the Confessor, who helps him whenever he needs assistance. The Confessor shows Brian what it's like to be a real superhero -- that behind the good publicity, superheroism is harsh and requires a lot of the superhero. He shows, though, that good is attainable by being good, with patience, good morals, and perseverance. The characters encounter a "final ordeal" in the form of the alien invasion and the Confessor's sacrificial death. At the end of the story, Brain is able to achieve his goal -- he finds out the true meaning of being a superhero and goes out to do good.
Character Analyses (Spoilers)
The Confessor I (Jeremiah Parrish)
The Confessor and Altar Boy on the cover of Astro City: Confession. Art by Alex Ross.
He is Brian's mentor and guardian. The Confessor taught Brian all he knows about crime-fighting and detective work. He was a priest that was bitten by a vampire over a hundred years ago, and after dying from the wounds of the bite, was resurrected three days later, resembling the pattern of Jesus' death and resurrection. As a vampire, he desires human blood, but he curbs this temptation by having a cross on the clothing on his chest, a form of mortification since vampires have a natural aversion to Catholic symbols. Closely resembling Batman, he fights street-level thugs and wrongdoers. He took Brian under his wing when he discovered the boy's courage during an incident where he was taken hostage by a villain then at risk of getting beaten to death by his coworkers, who were jealous of him for looking like a hero in his encounter with the villain.
Comparison to Brian Kinney/Altar Boy
He, like Brian, is determined to fight crime. A lot of the similarities between them end here though, as while Brian is headstrong and prideful, the Confessor, is patient, calculating, and meek. If Brian believes that he should get positive recognition for doing heroic deeds, the Confessor acknowledges that the comfort of being a hero is taken from knowing that you did good for others, not from getting credit and fame. The Confessor is able to see deep within situations while Brian normally only looks at the surface of issues and situations. The Confessor has a dark, but optimistic personality while Brian has a brighter, yet more cynical attitude. A more obvious difference is that the Confessor is a vampire while Brian is human.
Mayor Stevenson (Enelsian)
He is the evil alien masquerading, with his shapeshifting abilities, as Astro City's Mayor Steven. The specific name of the alien is not mentioned. Among the mayor's harsh policies were the order to capture and hunt down the city's heroes, secretly organizing the Shadow Hill murders, and coming up with false reasons to bring "extra troops" (actually additional aliens to help start their campaign to take over the planet) down to earth. He is irrational and seemingly devoid of compassion, especially for the heroes, initiating a smear campaign against the heroes and influencing everyone, with his power as mayor, to view the heroes as the true evildoers. His decisions seem rash but are often well-thought out, assisting the aliens and gaining them a strong foothold on Earth.
Comparison to Brian Kinney/Altar Boy
The Enelsian "Mayor Stevenson" views the heroes negatively and wants to get rid of them, while Brian loves the heroes to the point of wanting to be one and promotes the actions of superheroes. Mayor Stevenson and Brian meet in that they both seemingly make quick and impulsive decisions. They both like taking quick action over thinking things over, preferring to act before they think. An obvious difference is that while one fights for and is an alien, Brian Kinney is human and defends the human race. Both Mayor Stevenson and Brian seem prone to outbursts and tantrums, getting angry, rash, and irrational over matters that are sometimes simple and shallow.
Crackerjack
Another local superhero, Crackerjack fights crime in a colorful, daredevil-esque outfit with a baton he uses both as an offensive weapon and to swing around the city. He is a very boisterous and audacious superhero, not afraid to make loud comments and become the center of attention at parties, gatherings, or media coverage. He loves getting credit for what he does, occasionally to the point of lying and stealing credit that should go to other heroes, as evidenced when he took practically all the credit for the bust of his evil Enelsian impersonator, which was actually all done by Altar Boy. He doesn't seem to care too much about how other people see him, as his loud and self-centered personality seems to show. Despite being a braggart and sometimes an annoying person, he still fights for justice and good.
Comparison to Brian Kinney/Altar Boy
Crackerjack and Brian meet eye to eye in that they both like getting recognition for what they do. They're different though in that while Crackerjack is a reckless, egotistic, shameless megaphone, Brian is a little bit more reserved, quaint, and low-key. Crackerjack also is not afraid of attention while donning his costume, while Brian, like the Confessor, keeps to the shadows as Altar Boy. If Brian takes things seriously most of the time and is generally pretty quiet about things, Crackerjack injects fun, sometimes when not desired, in everything he does, with all of his joking and audacity. Finally, they're both the same in that they're both human beings.
Symbolisms
The Confessor as Jesus Christ
One of the more obvious symbolisms in the story, they are both very similar people and have several parallel incidents in their lives. They are both religious people who are dedicated to doing good, even though what they do might be against the law. They both inspired fear into the hearts of their nemeses -- the Confessor strikes fear into the hearts of criminals while Jesus scared the Pharisees and high priests to the point where they wanted to get rid of him. The most telling of their connection is the fact that both of them were killed, then rose three days later, reinvigorated. Both characters were misunderstood individuals, the writings of the Confessor only made people want to burn him at the stake and Jesus' preaching only made the general public hate Him to the point of wanting Him to be crucified. They were both sent on missions to do good -- to help the rejected in society, spread God's word, and make Him known. Finally, they both died very dramatic and iconic deaths that both led them to exposing and defeating a great evil -- in Jesus case, the evil would be sin and death, and in the Confessor's case, the evil would be the impending alien invasion.
The Crossbreed as Representatives of God's Redemptive Powers and Love
The Crossbreed are uniquely named -- the six member team consists of Daniel, a half-lion half-human, David, a giant, Peter, whose skin is made of rocks, Mary, a winged heroine who can fly, Moses, a weather manipulator, and Joshua, who has a supersonic scream as his power. Do the names of the heroes and their powers ring any bells? Daniel, in the Bible, was a character who survived being in a lion's den. David was a small man in the Bible who defeated the giant Goliath. Peter was the rock of the Church. Mary was met by the angel Gabriel who came to tell her of God's plans for her. Moses built the ark which allowed him to survive the flooding and stormy weather that God unleashed. Joshua was the successor of Moses whose charisma and leadership led the Israelites to many great victories.
The powers of some of the characters, like Daniel, Moses, and David, represent the elements that tried to destroy them, showing how God loves us and tries to redeem us from the evil that tries to destroy us. The other three, Joshua, Peter, and Mary, have powers that represent the abilities and grace that God granted, assigned, or sent them in life, showing how God loves us and tries to make us closer to Him and showing that He has good plans for us and gives us many great talents and abilities that we must use for His greater glory, which is ultimately the mission of the Crossbreed -- using their unique, God-given talents to spread His word and do things for His greater glory.
The Crossbreed Saving Altar Boy as God's Intervention in Times of Great Need
When Altar Boy was saved, any of the dozens of superheroes in Astro City could have rescued him, but the ones that came were the Crossbreed, a religious group of metahumans who try to spread the word of God both on and off duty as superheroes, believing that God is the source of their power. This intervention was also very unexpected and quick; call it deus ex machina, but I think that what Kurt Busiek was trying to show was that God can come in at any time, with or without warning, to save us when we need Him most. Brian even comments that he "was saved by an angel" when the aptly named Crossbreed member, Mary, carries him away to help him recover from the wounds he received in the fighting. God and Mary -- the Father and the Mother who help us when we need help most.
Astro City
Astro City is an ongoing comic book series created by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson . It is written by Kurt Busiek, illustrated by Brent Anderson, and features painted covers by renowned comic book artist Alex Ross .
It was first published in 1995 by Image Comics , then moved to Homage Comics . Homage Comics was acquired in 1998 by DC Comics, and Astro City is now printed as part of the Wildstorm Signature Series .
Astro City: Confession (Vol. 2 #4-9)
Summary (No major spoilers)
Brain Kinney is a young adult in a small town with big dreams. After the sadness and ingratitude he experienced at the death of his father, he decided to move to Astro City with the hopes of meeting -- and possibly even being -- a superhero.One day he meets a mysterious figure, the Confessor, who saves him from a gang assault. He is grateful, and the courage he displayed makes the Confessor offer him a position as his personal sidekick, Altar Boy. Brian, after a bit of thinking, agrees, albeit with some uncertainty. His first few days as a hero go well -- girls find him cute, and the public looks up to him. He then learns that the life of a hero is not always like what he expected -- despite getting high praise and cheer early on, as strange events begin happening in Astro City, including a string of unsolved (and ongoing) murders, the abrupt change in personality (from good to bad) of some heroes, and the mayor's sudden and unusual irrationality and irritability -- the public's view of superheroes radically changes. Heroes are hastily treated as vigilantes and outlaws, jeered and mocked by the majority of the public, and pursued -- dead or alive -- by the local government.
Brian experiences, through both the Confessor's wisdom and personal experience, that being a hero is not all joy and praise -- it entails personal sacrifice, fighting for what's right, and accepting one's past and heritage. True heroes do not help people and do to receive personal fame, glory, money, attention, or proper recognition -- they do it because they can and because people need them. The true happiness of becoming a hero comes from knowing that you did what you did for the sake of doing good and because you helped others, whether they knew you helped or not.
Art Critique
One of the best elements of this graphic novel series is its art, which is very good, considering it was done in 1998. Characters have very well-defined expressions and physical features, like wrinkles and hair, and are easy to tell apart from one another. Shadows are drawn appropriately and good detail is given to faces and other key images in close-ups. Heroes are all colorful, and it is hard not to be wowed by the breathtaking landscapes that Brent Anderson draws of the city. The city itself is very colorful during the day, while it is filled with tones during the night. Colors are where they should be; the grasses and plants are bright green, buildings have a variety of blue, yellow, red, and gray shades, and people have well-colored and shaded skin.The visually appealing art fits well with the storyline. The emotion the characters display help the reader sympathize and empathize with them, and the mood of the story is reflected by the color scheme of that particular part of the story. The colorful heroes help you remember them well and make them easy to identify in key scenes. Of course, the good visuals also help in keeping the reader hooked to the series, aside from the great story.
Review (No major spoilers)
We've all seen many comic books about well-established superheroes, but how often have we seen graphic novels about a civilian who wants to be one? This is one comic that focuses on this topic -- an ordinary citizen with high hopes for a bright future in a good, superhero-filled city.Astro City: Confession follows the story of Brian Kenney, an orphan who desires to leave his small, quaint village and go to Astro City to get a better life. After the ungratefulness he experienced at his father's death, he was determined to make a name for himself by going to Astro City with the intention of meeting -- hopefully even becoming -- a superhero himself. The plot of Astro City isn't exactly new, but the way it's told is original and interesting. A refreshing change from more well-known superheroes, this comic tackles the trouble of actually being a superhero, including being disliked by the public, hunted by the authorities, and not receiving gratitude or recognition for the good one has done. This more human and realistic element not normally present in other superhero comics not only separates this novel from the pack; it also makes the novel more engaging and relatable, and it ensures that the character development of the story is naturally very good. We get a very good glimpse at the development of not just Brian, but several characters in the novel. Character development is perhaps the best element of the novel, with each story meaningfully building up one or more of the numerous personalities in the story. There is very little filler material, and much of the issues contribute something new to the story. The story contains many interesting sub-plots which normally play a significant part in the story. Many of the questions raised throughout the series are answered by the end, leaving the reader satisfied. Although the novel ends on a bittersweet note, viewers will still be left contented. Good virtues prevail, though at great cost, and this is the message that Astro City tries to tell -- though good deeds are not rewarded immediately, in the long term, they make the world a better place. The novel also shows that in order to make a difference, we must set aside pride and take action -- actions speak louder than words. With morals like this, the story's message is very positive and encouraging. In terms of plot, character development, and message, the novel succeeds.
The art is what defines a graphic novel from any other text-based piece of literature. The art of Astro City is very appealing, considering the period when the novel was made. Art is generally not as sharp as what we get today, but this is very understandable. Facial expressions are very detailed and help the viewer get closer to the characters. The superhero costumes range from colorful to dark and reflect the attitudes of the heroes. Colors during the day are bright and vibrant while they are appropriately toned down and dark at night. The art contributes a lot to the story since it helps us to see through the text and into what could be into the minds of the characters. The art also enhances the emotion in many scenes and helps identify important events or sequences in the story, such as the numerous times where the Confessor hints of his true being. The art of this novel is definitely very good and is one of the pros of the novel.
Overall, Astro City: Confession is very good -- featuring an engrossing story, deep, well-developed characters, poignant storytelling, and pleasing art, the novel succeeds on practically all fronts. The length of the arc is also very good overall -- not so short that it feels compressed but not so long that it drags on. In the end, it's one heck of a good novel and should please anyone who is into superheroes, even though the ones in Astro City aren't as well known as folks like Superman or Batman.
Rating: 9.5/10 - Excellent!
Plot Analysis (Spoilers)
The Hero Cycle
7 Basic Plots
I believe that the story can be considered a Quest since the main character's objective is to find out what it's like to be a true superhero. Along the way, many difficulties and obstacles are encountered, but he does have a "party" in the form of the Confessor, who helps him whenever he needs assistance. The Confessor shows Brian what it's like to be a real superhero -- that behind the good publicity, superheroism is harsh and requires a lot of the superhero. He shows, though, that good is attainable by being good, with patience, good morals, and perseverance. The characters encounter a "final ordeal" in the form of the alien invasion and the Confessor's sacrificial death. At the end of the story, Brain is able to achieve his goal -- he finds out the true meaning of being a superhero and goes out to do good.Character Analyses (Spoilers)
The Confessor I (Jeremiah Parrish)
Comparison to Brian Kinney/Altar Boy
He, like Brian, is determined to fight crime. A lot of the similarities between them end here though, as while Brian is headstrong and prideful, the Confessor, is patient, calculating, and meek. If Brian believes that he should get positive recognition for doing heroic deeds, the Confessor acknowledges that the comfort of being a hero is taken from knowing that you did good for others, not from getting credit and fame. The Confessor is able to see deep within situations while Brian normally only looks at the surface of issues and situations. The Confessor has a dark, but optimistic personality while Brian has a brighter, yet more cynical attitude. A more obvious difference is that the Confessor is a vampire while Brian is human.Mayor Stevenson (Enelsian)
He is the evil alien masquerading, with his shapeshifting abilities, as Astro City's Mayor Steven. The specific name of the alien is not mentioned. Among the mayor's harsh policies were the order to capture and hunt down the city's heroes, secretly organizing the Shadow Hill murders, and coming up with false reasons to bring "extra troops" (actually additional aliens to help start their campaign to take over the planet) down to earth. He is irrational and seemingly devoid of compassion, especially for the heroes, initiating a smear campaign against the heroes and influencing everyone, with his power as mayor, to view the heroes as the true evildoers. His decisions seem rash but are often well-thought out, assisting the aliens and gaining them a strong foothold on Earth.Comparison to Brian Kinney/Altar Boy
The Enelsian "Mayor Stevenson" views the heroes negatively and wants to get rid of them, while Brian loves the heroes to the point of wanting to be one and promotes the actions of superheroes. Mayor Stevenson and Brian meet in that they both seemingly make quick and impulsive decisions. They both like taking quick action over thinking things over, preferring to act before they think. An obvious difference is that while one fights for and is an alien, Brian Kinney is human and defends the human race. Both Mayor Stevenson and Brian seem prone to outbursts and tantrums, getting angry, rash, and irrational over matters that are sometimes simple and shallow.Crackerjack
Another local superhero, Crackerjack fights crime in a colorful, daredevil-esque outfit with a baton he uses both as an offensive weapon and to swing around the city. He is a very boisterous and audacious superhero, not afraid to make loud comments and become the center of attention at parties, gatherings, or media coverage. He loves getting credit for what he does, occasionally to the point of lying and stealing credit that should go to other heroes, as evidenced when he took practically all the credit for the bust of his evil Enelsian impersonator, which was actually all done by Altar Boy. He doesn't seem to care too much about how other people see him, as his loud and self-centered personality seems to show. Despite being a braggart and sometimes an annoying person, he still fights for justice and good.Comparison to Brian Kinney/Altar Boy
Crackerjack and Brian meet eye to eye in that they both like getting recognition for what they do. They're different though in that while Crackerjack is a reckless, egotistic, shameless megaphone, Brian is a little bit more reserved, quaint, and low-key. Crackerjack also is not afraid of attention while donning his costume, while Brian, like the Confessor, keeps to the shadows as Altar Boy. If Brian takes things seriously most of the time and is generally pretty quiet about things, Crackerjack injects fun, sometimes when not desired, in everything he does, with all of his joking and audacity. Finally, they're both the same in that they're both human beings.Symbolisms
The Confessor as Jesus Christ
One of the more obvious symbolisms in the story, they are both very similar people and have several parallel incidents in their lives. They are both religious people who are dedicated to doing good, even though what they do might be against the law. They both inspired fear into the hearts of their nemeses -- the Confessor strikes fear into the hearts of criminals while Jesus scared the Pharisees and high priests to the point where they wanted to get rid of him. The most telling of their connection is the fact that both of them were killed, then rose three days later, reinvigorated. Both characters were misunderstood individuals, the writings of the Confessor only made people want to burn him at the stake and Jesus' preaching only made the general public hate Him to the point of wanting Him to be crucified. They were both sent on missions to do good -- to help the rejected in society, spread God's word, and make Him known. Finally, they both died very dramatic and iconic deaths that both led them to exposing and defeating a great evil -- in Jesus case, the evil would be sin and death, and in the Confessor's case, the evil would be the impending alien invasion.The Crossbreed as Representatives of God's Redemptive Powers and Love
The Crossbreed are uniquely named -- the six member team consists of Daniel, a half-lion half-human, David, a giant, Peter, whose skin is made of rocks, Mary, a winged heroine who can fly, Moses, a weather manipulator, and Joshua, who has a supersonic scream as his power. Do the names of the heroes and their powers ring any bells? Daniel, in the Bible, was a character who survived being in a lion's den. David was a small man in the Bible who defeated the giant Goliath. Peter was the rock of the Church. Mary was met by the angel Gabriel who came to tell her of God's plans for her. Moses built the ark which allowed him to survive the flooding and stormy weather that God unleashed. Joshua was the successor of Moses whose charisma and leadership led the Israelites to many great victories.The powers of some of the characters, like Daniel, Moses, and David, represent the elements that tried to destroy them, showing how God loves us and tries to redeem us from the evil that tries to destroy us. The other three, Joshua, Peter, and Mary, have powers that represent the abilities and grace that God granted, assigned, or sent them in life, showing how God loves us and tries to make us closer to Him and showing that He has good plans for us and gives us many great talents and abilities that we must use for His greater glory, which is ultimately the mission of the Crossbreed -- using their unique, God-given talents to spread His word and do things for His greater glory.
The Crossbreed Saving Altar Boy as God's Intervention in Times of Great Need
When Altar Boy was saved, any of the dozens of superheroes in Astro City could have rescued him, but the ones that came were the Crossbreed, a religious group of metahumans who try to spread the word of God both on and off duty as superheroes, believing that God is the source of their power. This intervention was also very unexpected and quick; call it deus ex machina, but I think that what Kurt Busiek was trying to show was that God can come in at any time, with or without warning, to save us when we need Him most. Brian even comments that he "was saved by an angel" when the aptly named Crossbreed member, Mary, carries him away to help him recover from the wounds he received in the fighting. God and Mary -- the Father and the Mother who help us when we need help most.Back to top ☝
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