The 40 Years of Comics Project - Day 1963: Aster #0, 1995

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We get a look at Aster's past, and at the events leading directly to the beginning of the series...which is what a zero issue ought to do, I suppose.

I'm even more intrigued by the setting of these stories now - Aster seems to have come from a Green Lantern-style corps of knights whose job it was to follow the directions of the Celestial Guardians. Often, it seems, this job involved destroying planets that the Guardians felt were a threat to the balance of the universe. So he worked for the fascist overlords of the universe, but felt compassion for a race on his first time out destroying a planet.

The other fascinating part is that the Guardians have control over the Knights' memories, so they don't actually remember committing genocide on multiple occasions. Aster is aware of this, and still decides to become a knight. As I say, a fascinating setting, so I may have to track down the rest of them. (Note: a few weeks later, I've ordered the second series as well as some ancillary series that grew from this one. Honestly, just great story and great art. Worth tracking down.)

More to follow.

The 40 Years of Comics Project - Day 1962: Aster #4, March 1995

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Aster's strange adventure ends with a battle against the evil Dessa, now possessing the body of one of Aster's comrades. It also ends with the death of one of the main players, a death I was not expecting. It's always nice when a comic surprises you.

I've just had a look, and my favourite mail order place, Doug Sulipa's Comic World, has the issues of the series I'm missing (#3 [As yesterday's post proves]), and some of the follow-up series. I may have to grab it. I'm intrigued by the universe this story takes place in, and I'm curious about Aster's story within it. Plus, the covers are all decorated with this pretty well-rendered muscly guy, which isn't usually my thing, but I'm quite enjoying these covers.

I think the isolation is getting to me. ;D

More to follow.

The 40 Years of Comics Project - Day 1961: Aster #3, March 1995

For information on stopping the spread of COVID-19, and on what to do if you are quarantined, have a look at the World Health Organization site.

On the way to the gem that Aster needs to regain his former strength, our intrepid heroes are beset by an enemy. They all assume that this is Dessa, the corrupted Guardian, though it turns out to simply be someone else on the planet looking to take power.

The idea of a planet assembled from fragments of the planets Aster destroyed is a cool one. It reminds me of Battleworld, but far more permanent.

And, honestly, I don't have a lot more to say about this one. The story moves along, facilitating some really interesting revelations and surprises, I'm sure. We'll find out more tomorrow.

More to follow.