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Superstar: As Seen on TV
Meet Superstar, a hero for the media age: the more popular he is, the more powerful he is. With the public behind him, he can work miracles -- without them, he's nothing! Superstar's made a deal with his father, an international media tycoon, to promote him and keep him powerful enough to save the world. But now he walks a fine line between staying famous enough to do the most good, and becoming just another "property" in his father's portfolio.
This volume contains the complete saga of Superstar: The debut graphic album tale in which Superstar deals with a global threat from his deadliest enemy, the techno-genius Robo Sapiens, while coping with media intrusion, personal betrayal, and his father's merchandising plans, plus a Superstar short story centering on his relationship with his brother (plus the menace of Spacebaby!), and behind-the-scenes text and art detailing the development of the character with never-before seen art, including character designs from Paul Ryan and Alan Davis. All the action, suspense, and characterization you expect from Kurt (Avengers) Busiek and Stuart (Superman) Immonen plus, an incisive look at superheroes and celebrity in a world where fame literally is power.
This volume contains the complete saga of Superstar: The debut graphic album tale in which Superstar deals with a global threat from his deadliest enemy, the techno-genius Robo Sapiens, while coping with media intrusion, personal betrayal, and his father's merchandising plans, plus a Superstar short story centering on his relationship with his brother (plus the menace of Spacebaby!), and behind-the-scenes text and art detailing the development of the character with never-before seen art, including character designs from Paul Ryan and Alan Davis. All the action, suspense, and characterization you expect from Kurt (Avengers) Busiek and Stuart (Superman) Immonen plus, an incisive look at superheroes and celebrity in a world where fame literally is power.
- GenresComicsGraphic Novels
80 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1997
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,902 books590 followersKurt Busiek is an American comic book writer notable for his work on the Marvels limited series, his own title Astro City, and his four-year run on Avengers.
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
Busiek did not read comics as a youngster, as his parents disapproved of them. He began to read them regularly around the age of 14, when he picked up a copy of Daredevil #120. This was the first part of a continuity-heavy four-part story arc; Busiek was drawn to the copious history and cross-connections with other series. Throughout high school and college, he and future writer Scott McCloud practiced making comics. During this time, Busiek also had many letters published in comic book letter columns, and originated the theory that the Phoenix was a separate being who had impersonated Jean Grey, and that therefore Grey had not died—a premise which made its way from freelancer to freelancer, and which was eventually used in the comics.
During the last semester of his senior year, Busiek submitted some sample scripts to editor Dick Giordano at DC Comics. None of them sold, but they did get him invitations to pitch other material to DC editors, which led to his first professional work, a back-up story in Green Lantern #162 (Mar. 1983).
Busiek has worked on a number of different titles in his career, including Arrowsmith, The Avengers, Icon, Iron Man, The Liberty Project, Ninjak, The Power Company, Red Tornado, Shockrockets, Superman: Secret Identity, Thunderbolts, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, JLA, and the award-winning Marvels and the Homage Comics title Kurt Busiek's Astro City.
In 1997, Busiek began a stint as writer of Avengers alongside artist George Pérez. Pérez departed from the series in 2000, but Busiek continued as writer for two more years, collaborating with artists Alan Davis, Kieron Dwyer and others. Busiek's tenure culminated with the "Kang Dynasty" storyline. In 2003, Busiek re-teamed with Perez to create the JLA/Avengers limited series.
In 2003, Busiek began a new Conan series for Dark Horse Comics, which he wrote for four years.
In December 2005 Busiek signed a two-year exclusive contract with DC Comics. During DC's Infinite Crisis event, he teamed with Geoff Johns on a "One Year Later" eight-part story arc (called Up, Up and Away) that encompassed both Superman titles. In addition, he began writing the DC title Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis from issues 40-49. Busiek was the writer of Superman for two years, before followed by James Robinson starting from Superman #677. Busiek wrote a 52-issue weekly DC miniseries called Trinity, starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. Each issue (except for issue #1) featured a 12-page main story by Busiek, with art by Mark Bagley, and a ten-page backup story co-written by Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, with art from various artists, including Tom Derenick, Mike Norton and Scott McDaniel.
Busiek's work has won him numerous awards in the comics industry, including the Harvey Award for Best Writer in 1998 and the Eisner Award for Best Writer in 1999. In 1994, with Marvels, he won Best Finite Series/Limited Series Eisner Award and the Best Continuing or Limited Series Harvey Award; as well as the Harvey Award for Best Single Issue or Story (for Marvels #4) in 1995. In 1996, with Astro City, Busiek won both the Eisner and Harvey awards for Best New Series. He won the Best Single Issue/Single Story Eisner three years in a row from 1996–1998, as well as in 2004. Busiek won the Best Continuing Series Eisner Award in 1997–1998, as well as the Best Serialized Story award in 1998. In addition, Astro City was awarded the 1996 Best Single Issue or Story Harvey Award, and the 1998 Harvey Award for Best Continuing or Limited Series.
Busiek was given the 1998 and 1999 Comics Buyer's Guide Awards for Favorite Writer, with additional nominations in 1997 and every year from 2000 to 2004. He has also received numerous Squiddy Awards, having been selected as favorite writer four years in a row from 1995 to 1998,
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November 3, 2021An oddity which feels like it should have been the beginning of something, following the eponymous superhero who is essentially powered by the belief of his fans – obliging him to play the celebrity when he'd really rather not, which supercharges him at the expense of doing the same to his tense relationship with his venal father-manager. Immonen is in his more realist mode here, rather than Nextwave cartoonishness, but still ensures a liveliness and zip to the art. As for the leads...yeah, they're not the most original bunch, but Busiek can write the human tensions behind the superhero mask in his sleep, so it still works. And just as in Astro City, here there's the same free deployment of throwaway characters like Robo Sapiens, Mandalay, or the Quantum Mechanic, who genuinely feel like they could pass muster as regular Big Two antagonists – and indeed, probably have more mileage in them than the increasingly tedious likes of Carnage. Backmatter explains the character's origins in a doomed proposal for a sort of American 2000AD, with artists from George Perez to Alan Davis having previously been involved, and some supplying sketches. I suppose compared to some characters with such a tortured behind the scenes origin, we should be glad we got even this much.
January 18, 2012
For a short time, some writers and artists banded together to create the Gorilla Comics line. Among the creators were Mark Waid, Barry Kitson, Kurt Busiek, Stuart Immomen, Karl Kessel, and others. I really liked what they produced. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, it did not last. One of the titles that I missed was Superstar: As Seen on TV by Busiek and Immomen. Their Shockrockets was a great title that I enjoyed.
Superstar is the story of a hero whose powers increase with his popularity. Even though he does not necessarily want to be in the limelight, he has to put in public appearances, etc. to keep his power supply replenished. This one shot establishes the character, his supporting cast, the rogues gallery, and his world. It may be a one shot, but you come away feeling like you have read this character for a long time. Busiek is a master at characterization. Although Superstar takes place in a bitter hypocritical world, Busiek brings out the core concepts of the classic super hero. The best comparison I can give is a Peter Parker/Spider-Man type character in the original Booster Gold series. Most of the characters are self-centered and are looking to make a fortune but the main character has a passion for doing the right thing and helping others that is refreshing to read about. I would love to see this character be brought back for a regular series. Of course he defeats the villain at the end but suffers many personal defeats once the battle is over. The last two pages could have shown a depressed victimized hero but Busiek took it a different direction and shows that no matter what the circumstances are, a hero can keep a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
The storytelling methods he employs are similar to his Astro City title. The main difference is he shows a little more of the hero/villain battles.
Stuart Immomen and Wade Grawbarger turn in some great art. It is a perfect combination of realistic and classic super hero art. It is the same style they used in the Shockrockets book.
My only complaint about the title was that we only every saw one issue. I hope that someday the creators will return to follow the further adventures of Superstar.
Highly recommended.
Superstar is the story of a hero whose powers increase with his popularity. Even though he does not necessarily want to be in the limelight, he has to put in public appearances, etc. to keep his power supply replenished. This one shot establishes the character, his supporting cast, the rogues gallery, and his world. It may be a one shot, but you come away feeling like you have read this character for a long time. Busiek is a master at characterization. Although Superstar takes place in a bitter hypocritical world, Busiek brings out the core concepts of the classic super hero. The best comparison I can give is a Peter Parker/Spider-Man type character in the original Booster Gold series. Most of the characters are self-centered and are looking to make a fortune but the main character has a passion for doing the right thing and helping others that is refreshing to read about. I would love to see this character be brought back for a regular series. Of course he defeats the villain at the end but suffers many personal defeats once the battle is over. The last two pages could have shown a depressed victimized hero but Busiek took it a different direction and shows that no matter what the circumstances are, a hero can keep a positive attitude in the face of adversity.
The storytelling methods he employs are similar to his Astro City title. The main difference is he shows a little more of the hero/villain battles.
Stuart Immomen and Wade Grawbarger turn in some great art. It is a perfect combination of realistic and classic super hero art. It is the same style they used in the Shockrockets book.
My only complaint about the title was that we only every saw one issue. I hope that someday the creators will return to follow the further adventures of Superstar.
Highly recommended.
April 19, 2012
While naturally a well written comic (mr. Busiek does not do bad comics. Period.) it certainly doesn't hold a candle to other great works of his. Try Marvels, Astro City or Superman: Secret Identity to see a master at his best.
December 2, 2015
A really minor work by Busiek and Immonen. The story flows nicely, the art is great, but there's not much that will stay with you after having read that. Enjoyable, but not astonishing, especially if you consider the authors' standards of quality.
September 6, 2015
Another interesting idea for a superhero from Kurt Busiek, with some gorgeous art from Stuart Immonen. I'd love to see more of this character.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews