A Dark Age Saga Classic!

Astro City Special
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artist: Brent E. Anderson
Publisher: Wildstorm Signature series
Cover: Alex Ross

Can two mortal enemies form a friendship?
By John L. Daniels, Jr

The intelligent writing by Kurt Busiek and the creative artistry by Brent E. Anderson presents a great first person tale concerning the conflict between Infidel and Samaritan. “The Eagle and the Mountain” is the unusual first person memoir by Infidel featuring his origin. It details how he becomes the sorcerer and scientist that he is today.

Infidel’s remarkable account of how he became the sorcerer supreme is informative and enduring for any Astro city fan. The indelible and courageous Time-Traveler Samaritan has been a thorn in Infidel’s side since the first meeting and confrontation. At the first confrontation, Infidel realized that Samaritan’s powers, which spawned from the “empyrean fire,” were just as strong and unique as his own were.



Infidel used his sorcery and scientific alchemy powers to build parallel worlds, and surround himself with others from different worlds. One of Infidel’s treacherous violations of law was his power of persuasion into slavery. Infidel would appear at specific disasters in time, such as the volcano disaster at Pompeii and the sinking of the Titanic, to ask people in distress a simple question, “Who among you wants to live?.” Infidel promised them a redeeming future. Instead, Infidel used them as slaves to build his citadels. Samaritan thwarted so many of Infidel's plans to destroy whole worlds and build his own realm. Samaritan and Infidel continuously and tirelessly fought so many battles and encounters for so many years that Infidel in his rage destroyed the entire world. Devastated and distraught Samaritan decided to take his last stand against Infidel. Are they the only two remaining in a vast open vortex? Here they stand two nemeses one the villain and the other a super hero and all they had left in the area is each other. What do they do now? Why, they have dinner together, of course; exchange pleasantries, and reminisce about the battles they had against each other.



While reading this impeccable story about Infidel, many villains, and superheroes rivalries came to mind. Most notable are Lex Luthor and Superman. If they read this eloquent first person memoir by this mad scientist and sorcerer named Infidel, could they actually become friends?

Although this special issue features Samaritan, it seems Kurt Busiek centered more on the background of the Infidel character - conjuring up a new plan for revenge on Samaritan. Buisek is par for the course. He guides the reader in a vast history lesson of the characters and writes an incredible story filled with a rich understanding of each characters persona. Brent E. Anderson’s exquisite workmanship is sensory for the eye. The panels of parallel worlds with the timeline increments flowed smoothly from panel to panel in correlation with the story. Any Astro City fan will appreciate this forty-page special, as well as a new reader. This epic story arc is between the Dark Age storyline based on the Astro City series, as the Contents page states, “Dive on in, the water’s fine.” This is truly a fine story!

Astro City Special featuring Samaritan deserves an Inqusitive rating of five.