Astra (manga)

Infobox animanga/Header
name = Astra


caption =
ja_name =
ja_name_trans =
genre = Comedy, science fictionInfobox animanga/Manga
title =
author = Jerry Robinson (original concept and story)
Sidra Cohn (original story)
Shojin Tanaka (art)
Ken-Ichi Oishi (script and adaptation)
publisher = flagicon|Japan Media Factory
flagicon|USA CPM Manga
demographic =
magazine = n/a
first = 1999
last = 1999
volumes = 1

"Astra" is an 8-part manga mini-series collaboration between Americans golden age "Batman" artist Jerry Robinson and singer/songwriter Sidra Cohn along with Japanese mangaka Shojin Tanaka and Ken-ichi Oishi. "Astra" was originally conceived as a theatrical musical and represents one of the few instances of Americans collaborating with Japanese to create a true manga, as opposed to Amerimanga, which is Americans drawing in the manga style.

Plot

Astra is a girl from the planet of Eros whose Amazonian race of women have evolved to the point where they only bear females. The entire male population having been wiped out for centuries and their sperm supply running out, she must set off to Earth to find a sperm donor.

It should be pointed out that, despite the storyline, "Astra" is not an H manga.

American release

The American release of "Astra" #1 had two different covers which were shipped in equal amounts. The original cover was drawn by Shojin Tanaka and the alternate cover was drawn by American Jim Balent. Additionally, there were 500 limited edition copies signed by Jerry Robinson that retailed for $29.95 (the normal editions were $2.95).

While the American release consisted of eight standard comic books, the Japanese version was released in a single "tankōbon".

Astra was turned into an American off-Broadway musical of the same name that ran in summer of 2007.

References

*cite web
url = http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/394.html
title = CPM to Publish Jerry Robinson's Manga Crossover
accessdate = 2006-08-09
date = 2001-05-15
publisher = ICv2 News

External links

* [http://www.ybfree.com/35ASTRA1.html Review of issue #1 at ybfree.com]