Flip Book
From Herocopia
Full Title: Astro City/Arrowsmith #1
Story Title: On Mulberry Street: A Prelude
Cover Date: June 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
Credits: Kurt Busiek (Story), Brent Anderson (Art), Alex Ross (Cover Art), Wendy Broome (Colors), John Roshell and Comic Comicraft (Lettering and Design), Ben Abernathy and Kristy Quinn (Editors), Ann Huntington Busiek (Managing Editor)
Publisher: Homage/Cliffhanger (Wildstorm and DC Comics Imprints)
Appearances: Charles Williams (First), Royal Williams (First), Honor Guard,- (Starwoman, Cleopatra I, Leopardman, Kitkat, Silver Agent, Max O'Millions, N-Forcer), Pyramid, Black Badge
Mentions: Kroseth, Commissar Hammer & The Steel Sickle, Beast-Men, Stone Gang, All-American, Slugger
Narrative Voice: Charles Williams
Issue Summary:
Date of Story: October 14, 1959
Note: This was a flip book that featured a a short Astro City story and Arrowsmith #0, a story previously only available online. Plus maps, sketches and an interview with Kurt.
"In the late 1950s, two brothers have a chance encounter with Honor Guard and with the Black Badge, hero of the Bakerville neighborhood ... on a day that'll change the course of their lives."
-Astro City Rocket
Synopsis
Charles and Royal Williams are two children from the Bakerville district of Astro City. In this issue, they witness the recently formed Honor Guard in their first battle with PYRAMID agents after their attempted to kidnap the Mercury astronauts. When the boys leave the scene, they are approached by the Black Badge. The Black Badge witnessed Charles stealing an apple from a local grocer and so, gives the boys a lecture on what it means to be a good member of the community. He then asks the boys to fetch the police in order to make sure two unconscious agents of Pyramid are apprehended, before setting out to capture additional members of Pyramid that had scattered after the battle.
While at home, Charles and Royal's father mentions that things are beginning to change, and although he says these words often, given the events experienced by the boys, they begin to believe him.
The issue ends with agents of Pyramid rappelling from a rotor-craft onto the roof above the Williams' apartment.
Speculation:
Charles mentions that the general populace had been saying that "it was the start of something new -- the second big wave of heroes." Given that Honor Guard had only recently been formed, the reader is left wondering about the details and impact of that first "big wave of super heroes."
