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The Liberty Project
Criminals with superpowers. Caught. Convicted. And given an Serve hard time, or serve the their country... ...as heroes. Astro City and Marvels writer Kurt Busiek teams with artist James W. Fry to create a rollicking, action-filled romp about superconvicts on the rocky road to redemption. "If you’ve never read it before, you’re going to have a blast!" –Scott Kurtz, creator, PVP
- GenresComics
231 pages, Paperback
First published July 29, 2003
About the author
Kurt Busiek
1,852 books626 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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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 12, 2026
This was a fun series. i wish it had went on longer to see how the characters had developed. Recommended
July 2, 2011
Fun little, short lived comic, about a group of young 'super villains' who trade doing missions for the government in exchange for reduced prison sentences.
Despite that serious premise, it's a pretty light hearted, straight forward super hero adventure comic. Some serious ideas are touched on, but most of them feel a bit forced and out of place.
Likable cast, with interesting powers makes this a fun read. Nothing earth shattering, in these days of 'big events' sometimes reading 'just' a comic book story can be a nice change of pace.
Despite that serious premise, it's a pretty light hearted, straight forward super hero adventure comic. Some serious ideas are touched on, but most of them feel a bit forced and out of place.
Likable cast, with interesting powers makes this a fun read. Nothing earth shattering, in these days of 'big events' sometimes reading 'just' a comic book story can be a nice change of pace.
April 9, 2021
While unpacking after my recent move, and I came across this collection of the late 80's series which is some of Kurt Busiek's first comic work (if not his very first work). The book last 8 issues and the entire run is collected here. It features a group of super-villain's working on mission to earn parole and a better life then living behind bars. It's kind of a halfway point between Suicide Squad (without the "do it or die") and Busiek's Marvel classic Thunderbolts.
Some of things in this book are things Busiek will revisit in Thunderbolts. In Thunderbolts, the villain's are running a scam posing as villains, but end up enjoying the life as heroes and start to reform for real. The Villains in Liberty Project are not disguising themselves as heroes, but you can see the changes starting to happen in the short run of the book.
Some of things in this book are things Busiek will revisit in Thunderbolts. In Thunderbolts, the villain's are running a scam posing as villains, but end up enjoying the life as heroes and start to reform for real. The Villains in Liberty Project are not disguising themselves as heroes, but you can see the changes starting to happen in the short run of the book.
February 24, 2025
An enjoyable series about super-powered criminals being given a second chance to make something of themselves as heroes. Most of the characters are fairly likable despite their criminal tendencies--even the ill-tempered Burn-Out. However, they are forced to work with the psychotic Savage--a shape-shifting teenager who turns into a horned demon and goes on murderous rampages.
The main problem is the digest-size printing, which is not conducive to discerning the art or the print--especially if you already require reading glasses. A lot of detail is lost and its a strain to pick out the detail in the artwork.
The main problem is the digest-size printing, which is not conducive to discerning the art or the print--especially if you already require reading glasses. A lot of detail is lost and its a strain to pick out the detail in the artwork.
December 7, 2018
Amé cada maldito número y cada maldito personaje de esta serie. Mi frustración al saber que la serie se canceló a unos escasos ocho números y que casi que no hay oportunidad de volver a ese universo me parece una de las mayores tragedias que haya vivido jamás como aficionado al medio. Gracias a este grupo de descarriados adolescentes con poderes y a Astro City me enamoré perdidamente de Kurt Busiek.
February 21, 2025
Reread this.
From early in Kurt’s comic book career but you wouldn’t know it. It’s great. A half step between Suicide Squad and Thunderbolts with some great characters, nice arcs, and strong art from James Fry. One issue in the middle that crossed over with Airboy characters didn’t click for me (and I’ve read and enjoyed that Airboy series!!) but otherwise a solid run. Buy this collection if you ever find it (have to imagine it’s rare)
From early in Kurt’s comic book career but you wouldn’t know it. It’s great. A half step between Suicide Squad and Thunderbolts with some great characters, nice arcs, and strong art from James Fry. One issue in the middle that crossed over with Airboy characters didn’t click for me (and I’ve read and enjoyed that Airboy series!!) but otherwise a solid run. Buy this collection if you ever find it (have to imagine it’s rare)
December 4, 2022
This ends up working a lot better when Kurt uses some of the ideas here for Thunderbolts. It doesn't quite make it as more of a suicide squad style situation.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews