1. Meet Astro City's greatest hero, Samaritan, who uses his job at the newspaper to find out and stop crimes and disasters. For a hero who spends his day defending others, can he ever find time for himself? A day in the life of Samaritan. We meet Samaritan, a Superman-like character, who only uses his job at a newspaper as a way to find out about crimes and disasters he needs to stop. All he does is dream of taking time out for himself and just flying, but there is never any time in the day.
2. The story of the century stumbles into a newly arrived reporter's lap--but in the world of Astro City, where the fantastical and bizarre is commonplace, where do the ethics of reporting stand? In 1959, a reporter can't publish the story of a battle he witnessed between the newly formed Honor Guard and Shark-men, because he can't verify the facts.
3 .When a small time crook discovers the secret identity of Jack-in-the-Box, he thinks to blackmail the hero, but some secrets might just be better left kept. A small time hood learns the secret identity of Jack-In-The-Box. In this issue we meet a small time hood named Jack Baschsinger. who prides himself on keeping his eyes open and learning things. In this case, on a dark night as he escapes from the police, he runs into an alley where he sees Jack in The Box removing his costume. Thinking he can find out who he really is, and that he can make a lot of money off of him, he hangs around the neighborhood. So Jack sees him with his girlfriend and learns his name. Thinking of what to do about knowing Jack N The Boxes name he begins to fear reprisals from the hero himself.
4. A young woman lives in Shadow Hill, a dangerous neighborhood in Astro City where safety is one of the biggest concerns. Why does she stay when it could mean her life? A young woman from Shadow Hill tries to start a life in Astro City. Another excellent issue of this mini series. In this one we meet a young woman from Shadow Hill a neighborhood no one goes into due to its dangerous reputation. She has grown up there, and recognizes the dangers and is able to handle herself with it. She is subjected to question after question. Yet one day a super villain group attacks the city near where she works, and she finds out there is danger even in the "safe" part of Astro city. She feels that sometimes the evil you are used to is better than the evil you are not.
5. An alien disguised as an human studies and catalogs earth's superheroes, and especially Crackerjack.So in this issue we meet an old retired man, who reveals himself as an alien. He is here on Earth to observe humanity and prepare his race to invade earth. He has finished his report, but has second thoughts on if to send it or not. So he decides to Observe one of Astro Citys champions. His name is Cracker Jack, and unfortunately, for all the good he tries to do. He is less than a stellar example of human decency.
6. The origin of Samaritan is revealed as a date is arranged between him and his fellow hero Winged Victory.