Adastra in Africa

by Barry Windsor-Smith

Barry Windsor-Smith originally conceptualized this self-contained adventure as the third "Lifedeath" story for Marvel Comics' Uncanny X-Men. The book was shelved for several years when Marvel claimed that Windsor-Smith's ending condoned and/or promoted suicide, an assertion that Windsor-Smith says is as laughable as it is unfounded. He refused to acquiesce to the editor's demands to change the story and pulled the book from them. He liked it so much,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1560973579
• ISBN13: 9781560973577
• Release Date: September 1999
• Publisher: Fantagraphics Books
• Length: 56 Pages
• Weight: 1.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 8.4" x 11.4"

Customer Reviews

"Ad Astra" means "To the stars"

-- but I don't know the Latin for "From the stars," the original home of this alien princess. As with any good art, this story leaves a tumult of feelings behind it. The first, for a reader sensitive to women's beauty, is beauty. Adastra captures all that the cover picture promises: youth, strength, and that strength unique to women's bodies. Given that vital beginning, the story seems to miscarry. Children and adults both suffer, but in different ways, and Our Heroine's attempts at Heroism land with a thud. But, despite herself, Adastra's attempts to save the unsavable evoke something greater - the thing that, perhaps, she meant to imitate in the first place. Then, under all this, there's a parable for the technological world, about offering only the help that can survive on its own. (Remember the "green revolution" that fizzled for that reason?) Then ... well, a lot more. It's pretty clear why Marvel turned this story down way back when. They had a formula, and wanted only Super Heroes In Tights (S-H-I-nevermind) that fit the formula. Adastra does not conform to formulas, she creates them. Like her or don't. That's your choice. But, if you wholly like her or wholly don't, you probably missed what mattered. -- wiredweird

No other way to tell the tale

I have to detract from the previous reviews which focus on the the art and the story's original place as part of the over-burdened pantheon that is Marvel's X-Men comics' continuity. Instead I want to focus on the eloquence of a story that pits miracles againt hope and reality. Miracles may save a life, a village, a world but it cannot be counted upon. People have to sacrifice in order to get what they want. That's the universal truth that brings conflict to the relationship between a well meaning goddess and those who depend upon her good works to solve their real world problems. That's all that needs to be said about this classic reminder that people have to make their own miracles rather than depend on the omnipotent powers of gods.As an aside; this story was indeed part of an X-Men story involving a mutant named Storm. Marvel's editor at the time this was meant to see print almost 20 years ago was squeamish about presenting a story that he believed endorsed suicide as a viable option to an entire village's death. In fact it's a story about real faith and moving beyond your fear and false assurances.As for the art, well Barry did extensive re-drawing to make this work in a black and white. Color would have doubled the cost and the price of this beautiful book. Barry did more work to keep this book available instead of making minor changes and keeping the book so expensive that most would not have bought it. I guess that's the thanks he gets for his efforts.As for over-drawn, again the reviewer would prefer Barry did less? Barry drew this book in a style used by great illustrators like Edward Burne-Jones and Howard Pyle. I can find no fault with well rendered images and luscious line work.To each his own.I've given this book as a gift on three occasions and the recipients all wanted to know where there was more work by Barry Windsor-Smith? I happily passed on the information.