Galaxy: The Prettiest Star

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**Galaxy: The Prettiest Star** is a story written by Jadzia Axelrod and illustrated by Jess Taylor. The story features Galaxy, a transgender lesbian, as well as her girlfriend Katherine Angelica Silverberg.

## Plot

Every day in Taylor Barzelay's life might seem perfect...but every day is torture. Taylor is actually the Galaxy Crowned, an alien princess from the planet Cyandii, and one of the few survivors of an intergalactic war. For six long, painful years, Taylor has accepted her duty to remain in hiding as a boy on Earth. But that all changes when Taylor meets Metropolis girl Katherine "call me Kat" Silverberg, whose confidence is electrifying. Suddenly, Taylor no longer wants to hide, even if exposing her true identity could attract her greatest enemies.

## Characters

GalaxyArgusBuckCarl BarzelayPhil BarzelayKat SilverbergPrincipal Oscar DiggsSally BarzelayZinnia
### Mentioned

* Jenny Addison
* Tommy Andrews
* Sean Carmichael
* Eddie Martin
* Superman
* The Vane
* Galaxy's Mother (Unnamed)
* Galaxy's Father (Unnamed)
* Kat Silverberg's Father (Unnamed)
* Carl Barzelay's Mother (Unnamed)
* Carl Barzelay's Father (Unnamed)

## Locations

* Ozma Gap
	+ The Barzelay home
	+ Kat's House
	+ Ozma Gap High School
	+ Ozma Radio Telescope
	+ Mombi's Pizza (Mentioned)
	+ Gas Station (Unnamed)
	+ Cafe (Unnamed)
	+ Meteor/Meateor Burger
* Metropolis (Mentioned)
	+ A-Town (Mentioned)
* Cyandii (Flashback)
* Blue Valley (Mentioned)

## Production

First announced in June 2019, Galaxy: The Prettiest Star came about as a result of DC Comic's then current Young Adult line head, Michele Wells reached out to Jadzia Axelrod's agent in search of "writers who are familiar with the DC stable of characters, but who have an unusual point of view". After suggesting that she had a Renee Montoya idea, Axelrod was told to stick with the companies marquee characters, so she sent in four pitches about cosplayers in the DC Universe, Superman reacting to the death of Pa Kent, and Lex Luthor took over a boarding school. Feeling as though she would regret missing the chance to create a trans hero for DC, she included the two sentence pitch that would later become Galaxy. "There's an alien princess in exile who's hiding out on earth disguised as a human boy, and falls in love with the new girl in town and decides to be herself." To Axelrod's surprise, that pitch would be the one to catch the publisher's attention.

Jadzia's idea for *Galaxy* sparked from memories of seeing the queer struggle often represented through metaphor, giving her a desire to tell a story where the transness was both literal and metaphorical. An aim that she hoped meant "cis people and straight people could read the story and still get something out of it." while also being true to a smaller, transgender, audience. "We know when something is being told about us that we did not have involvement within because we’ve seen that time and time again."

At the insistence of DC, Jadzia developed a second, longer pitch, allowing her to dig into the characters backstory to make sure they were as unique as possible when compared to other DC alien superheroes. The company liked Axelrod's idea and had her work on a script with Sara Miller, their editor of young adult content. When the contract was drawn up, Jadzia was asked to send in a design of Galaxy, which ultimately went unused. This request also included a version of the design with the hero in a superhero outfit for potential sequels. A draft of the script was sent in for editorial approval on February 20th, 2019.

Jul Maroh was in early consideration for art, and at some point Cait Zellers was briefly attached to the project. However, some time after the script was finalized, Sara Miller and Jadzia Axelrod began looking for new artists. Jadzia quickly fell in love with Jess's style, and as a result Sara approached Jess Taylor to gauge whether they were interested in working on a DC project. A few weeks later, Jess was told there was an opening on Galaxy and was given the script. Taylor "instantly fell in love" with the story, having cried through their first read as they were at a point where they were starting to recognize themself as non-binary and trying to come out. The new artist was announced in December 2019, but Jess began working on designs with Jadzia before they even signed the contract .

Taylor and Axelrod designed Galaxy over a Zoom call, in which Taylor designed approximately 62 different horned variations of the character in an attempt to strike a design that would avoid "connotations that you definitely don’t want to be associating with the trans community". Early on, Jess had conversations with Sarah Miller about color language. The two decided that Taylor's world needed to be a little more closed off before she "stepped into the joy of who she is", which led to the idea of a desaturated palette in the earlier parts of the story. Throughout the process, the artist would send the editor what they've referred to as "a piece of squiggle art" and tell them to use their imagination as the artist went to work painting and texturing from there.

Outside of Miller having helped with script structure, both creatives have cited a creatively free work environment, with Taylor stating "DC was very hands-off" and Jadzia adding "With G*alaxy*, I said, 'I’m not going to change any of the queer stuff. That’s my line.' They didn’t ask me to so I didn’t even have to push back." Reportedly, the only change requested from DC was to cut the aftermath of Galaxy seeing herself in the mirror for the first time as it was felt pacing would be better if things moved to the party scene more quickly, but Jadzia pushed back against the note believing it to be important "because it's something that I've felt. It's something that, I've talked to other trans people and they have felt."

Jess Taylor painted the books final page on January 31st 2022.

## Publication History

Galaxy: The Prettiest Star, created by writer Jadzia Axelrod and artist Jess Taylor, first appeared in a Special Edition #1 released on Free Comic Book Day 2022. Days later, the graphic novel arrived in stores on May 17. As of April 2023, the book's initial run was announced as "nearly sold out" by Axlerod herself, with DC meeting demand with a second print run.

The titular character, Galaxy, would become a supporting character for Axelrod's upcoming run on Hawkgirl.

## Trivia

* The books original schedule was on track for an Autumn 2020 release, but was later changed to Summer 2021 before finding it's eventual 2022 release. Jadzia has cited the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the reason for the delay.
	+ Jadzia pitched the book 5 years before it released.
* Axelrod has stated that being prescribed antidepressant medication helped her write *Galaxy: The Prettiest Star.*
* Sally Ride and Walt Whitman were both alluded to in this book as a means of punctuating the theme that queer people are everywhere.
* Jadzia has remarked that Taelyr's idolization of Superman was the result of her attempting to embody masculinity when she arrived to Earth, but also serves to underline "how impossible her pursuit of being a man is."
* Jess Taylor has said that they wanted the splash page where Taelyr first showed off her true appearance"to feel like an explosion", further explaining "I approached it as I would have an action scene - breaking down the structure of panels. Then it kind of came to me. In society, gender is this... neat little box that other people put you in for most of your life. Galaxy deserved to be free of that for her moments of euphoria, of self. The panels kind of took on the role of society - perfect little boxes - so I kicked them off the page."
* Jadzia Axelrod has stated that a potential follow up would be titled "Galaxy: Ashes to Ashes", which would bring The Vane to Metropolis. She's also mentioned ideas for a third entry that would see Galaxy return to Cyandii, titled "Galaxy: Looking For Satellites"
	+ Jess Taylor has already made sequel designs, including one of Argus in a top hat.

* Jadzia has stated that her ideal voice cast for an animated Galaxy series would include:
	+ Hunter Schafer as Galaxy
	+ David Hyde Pierce as Argus
	+ Janelle Monae as Kat
	+ Jason Mantzoukas as Carl
	+ Ron Perlman as Phil
	+ Eric Edelstein as Buck
	+ Danielle Brooks as Zinnia
	+ Christian Slater as Principal Diggs

### Unrealized ideas

* There was talk about setting the story in Smallville early on, but needing specific geographical locations (such as the radio telescope) as plot points, Jadzia was granted the chance to create her own piece of DC real estate.
* At one point Ma Hunkel was part of the story, but was removed to better serve the notion of being in a small town removed from the rest of the action of the DC Universe. Jadzia has voiced interest in including her in a potential sequel, however.
* Late in the script stage, Sara Miller suggested adding more focus on The Vane, but this became impossible due to the page limit.
	+ Earlier drafts, however, included a more action oriented ending in which Lobo would arrive as a harbinger of The Vane. This idea was jettisoned by Michele Wells.
* Zinnia was almost cut from the book, but was left in at the loss of two additional members of the Barzelay family.
* There were discussions about an ending that had Buck and Taelyr make up with each other, but having based the character off of a high school friend and her own experiences with coming out as an adult, Jadzia felt that would be inauthentic. "The ending I fought for was like, these people are not going to accept Taelyr but it doesn't matter because there are people that do, and that's what's important."

### Influences

* There are many references to David Bowie throughout the book. At one point, Jadzia had almost gone with another artist, but couldn't think of one that resonated in the same way. She has commented on this, saying "I think Bowie was my first exposure to an idea of queerness that was sexy, and not tragic or a joke or something to be afraid of or worried about. It was beautiful, genderqueer, definitely queer with a capital Q."
	+ The Prettiest Star was chosen as the book's subtitle due to the line "One day, though it might as well be someday/You and I will rise up all the way/All because of what you are/The prettiest star" mirroring the themes of the book.
	+ DC asked the Bowie estate if Jadzia could use his lyrics in the book, but they were told "No, you can't. You can use the song titles, and you can use a little bit of one of the lyrics if you wanted to, and you can have characters listening."
	+ The *Blackstar* joke towards the end of the bit had to be re-written multiple times as it was initially felt to be too harsh.
* Jadzia considers this book her approach at Fooly Cooly, and even requested Ozma Gap's color palette to be based after that series setting, Mabase.
* "A Better Son/Daughter" by Rilo Kiley and "Pretty Pimpin" by Kurt Vile have both been said to influence Jadzia's work on this book.
* Christian Slater's "Pump Up the Volume" has been cited as an influence for the novel.
* Ozma Gap is named after Princess Ozma from The Marvelous Land of Oz.
* Kat was inspired in part by Jadzia's wife as well as an ex-girlfriend.
* Since she transitioned in her 30s, Axelrod had to research stories and narratives of trans teenagers.
* As a student in animation art, Jess Taylor's approach is heavily inspired by old Disney artists (as well as retro travel posters, and sci-fi book covers)
	+ In addition, when discussing inspirations for the art style Taylor has noted their expressions were influenced by manga, character movements were patterned from "trans icon" The Legend of Zelda, and color palettes were derived from David Bowie's visuals.

## Reception

The School Library Journal named Galaxy: The Prettiest Star as one of the best books of 2022. Galaxy was nominated in the Outstanding Original Graphic Novel/Anthology category for for the 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards.

Galaxy was given a 3 1/2 star review by *The Queer Review* praising "the authenticity of the experience" brought to the project from Axelrod and the "ebullient emotional tone" present in Taylor's art. AIPT Comics gave the story a perfect 10 claiming the minds behind it "coalesce stardust to create a vividly beautiful and poignant story that speaks to the unique shine in all of us." Comic Book Resources praised the Graphic Novel for "taking the trans experience and demonstrating it not as the discovery of a new identity but as the expression of one that is already present."

Other outlets, such as Women Write About Comics, critiqued the book for being "too much metaphor and not enough representation", noting that the only place the book uses the word "trans" was "in the resources section in the back listing the number for Trans Lifeline."

The graphic novel features cover quotes from transgender activist and author Nicole Maines, who said “As a metaphor for transness, *Galaxy: The Prettiest Star* is refreshing, original, and *fun*! With breathtaking illustrations and beautifully written characters to fall in love with, it’s a brilliant new addition to DC’s YA lineup.” as well as Jul Maroh who added “An enchanting new addition to queer myths that celebrates everything we gain, everything our world gains, when we stand up for becoming ourselves.”

Jadzia has stated that she received a message from a mother of a transgender daughter who carried the book to school with her as "emotional armor". Another message from a teacher who recommended the book to her student said after reading it "this was the first time that they could experience a piece of media without sacrificing a part of themselves."

## Gallery

### Promotional Material

DC Connect #20DC Connect #20DC Connect #22Galaxy: The Prettiest Star AdGalaxy Pride PromoCustom art by Jess Taylor for Jadzia Axelrod's birthday.Galaxy- The Prettiest Star Twitter AdGalaxy: The Prettiest Star Twitter Ad
### Merchandise and Collectibles

Argus stickersMCM comic con limited Argus-Tok mini print (signed and numbered)MCM comic con limited Galaxy: The Prettiest Star print (signed and numbered)
### Process Art

A process piece of Jess Taylor's Galaxy Pride promoA process piece of Jess Taylor's MCM comic con print
### Preview Pages

Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Edition Page 1Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Edition Page 2Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Edition Page 3Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Edition Page 15Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Edition Page 16Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Edition Page 17Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Edition Page 18Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Edition Page 19Galaxy: The Prettiest Star FCBD Edition Page 20
#### Textless Pages

Page 10 textlessPage 22-23 textlessPage 84 textless
## External Links

* Galaxy: The Prettiest Star on DC Universe Infinite
* Galaxy: The Prettiest Star at DC Comics
* Galaxy: The Prettiest Star at Penguin Random House Comics

1. ↑ *GALAXY THE PRETTIEST STAR TP (JAN222858)*. (n.d.). https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/JAN222858
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Axelrod, J. (2019, June 27). *Working With Superman*. Retrieved July 12, 2023, from https://www.jaredaxelrod.com/2019/06/
3. ↑ DC Publicity. (2019, June 22). DC announces new young adult and middle grade graphic novels at ALA Annual. *DC*. https://www.dc.com/blog/2019/06/22/dc-announces-new-young-adult-and-middle-grade-graphic-novels-at-ala-annual
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 4.8 4.9 Kaplan, A. (2022, June 2). INTERVIEW: Trans Celebration with Jadzia Axelrod & Jess Taylor on GALAXY: THE PRETTIEST STAR. *The Beat*. https://www.comicsbeat.com/interview-jadzia-axelrod-jess-taylor-on-galaxy-the-prettiest-star/
6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 Axelrod, J. (2022, May 30). *Jadzia Hot Ones Herself 2: Galaxy Boogaloo*. YouTube. Retrieved July 15, 2023, from https://www.youtube.com/live/GUFjNxDCx-I
7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Gullickson, L. (2022). YA Free Period: Jadzia Axelrod and Jess Taylor talk GALAXY: THE PRETTIEST STAR — Comics Bookcase. *Comics Bookcase*. https://www.comicsbookcase.com/updates/galaxy-the-prettiest-star-dc-comics
8. ↑ Axelrod, Jadzia. “Today I Accidentally Had Real Coffee Instead of Decaf, so I Sent an Editor a 6500-Word Document That Isn’t Due until next Week and Shoveled My Neighbor’s Snow so I Would Stop Incessantly Checking My Email.Also My Heart Has Been Replaced by a Jackhammer? So, That’s a Thing.” *Twitter*, 20 Feb. 2019, twitter.com/planetx/status/1098334904708927488?s=20.
9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 The Comics Collective. (2022, November 9). *Galaxy the Prettiest Star ft. Jadzia Axelrod*. Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-comics-collective-comic-book-podcast/id1493143752?i=1000585603903
10. ↑ Axelrod, Jadzia. “Hello, New Followers! If You Came Here Looking for Info on Galaxy, There’s Not Much I Can Give You Other than to Say Writing for @dccomics Has Been a Blast and Working with @caitymayhem Has Been a Dream. You’re Going to Love This Book. Pic.Twitter.Com/Ya1fzpkcbw.” *Twitter*, 23 June 2019, twitter.com/planetx/status/1142626537411424258.
11. ↑ Axelrod, Jadzia. “One Thing That’s Wild about Writing a Book for @dccomics (Galaxy: The Prettiest Star with Art by @caitymayhem!) Is That All Those ‘What Would You Do with a Big 2 Superhero?’ Conversations Are...Kinda Moot Now?I’ve Definitively Answered It. I Would Write Galaxy. so, Now We Know.” *Twitter*, 1 July 2019, twitter.com/planetx/status/1145703608899518465.
12. ↑ Axelrod, Jadzia. “Just Updating with the Ol’ Pinned Tweet with a Mention of Galaxy (Coming in the Autumn of 2020, with Art by @caitymayhem!!!).” *Twitter*, 3 July 2019, twitter.com/planetx/status/1146509097497481216.
13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Lazorwitz, M., & Grote, D. (2022). WMQ&A Episode 214: Curtis Clow and Jadzia Axelrod. *ComicsXF*. https://www.comicsxf.com/2022/06/14/wmqa-episode-214-curtis-clow-and-jadzia-axelrod/
14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 Brooke, D., & Simmons, N. (2022). AIPT Comics podcast episode 175: Jadzia Axelrod and Jess Taylor on crafting DC’s newest hero in ‘Galaxy: The Prettiest Little Star.’ *AIPT*. https://aiptcomics.com/2022/06/12/aipt-comics-podcast-ep-175-jadzia-axelrod-jess-taylor/
15. ↑ *DC Books for Young Readers launches first original IP titles*. (n.d.). PublishersWeekly.com. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/81999-dc-books-for-young-readers-launches-first-original-ip-titles.html
16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 16.4 16.5 16.6 *Gotham Outsiders: A Batman Bookclub: Galaxy: The Prettiest Star with Jadzia Axelrod and Jess Taylor*. (2022, August 18). https://batmanbookclub.libsyn.com/galaxy-the-prettiest-star-with-jadzia-axelrod-and-jess-taylor
17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 *Transqat Episode 05: Jadzia Axelrod - Transqat*. (2022, September 23). Buzzsprout. https://www.buzzsprout.com/2019522/11310901-transqat-episode-05-jadzia-axelrod
18. ↑ Taylor, Jess. “Am I Painting the Last Page of Galaxy: The Prettiest Star?Why Yes, Yes I Am 😈🔥💫💫💫.” *Twitter*, 31 Jan. 2022, twitter.com/deuxdel/status/1488125811286814724.
19. ↑ *FCBD 2022 GALAXY THE PRETTIEST STAR SPEC ED #1 25 BUNDLE (NE (JAN228473)*. (n.d.). https://www.previewsworld.com/Catalog/JAN228473
20. ↑ Axelrod, Jadzia. “I Have Been Informed That Galaxy: The Prettiest Star Has Nearly Sold out of Its Initial Print Run, and DC Is Doing a Second Printing!!!Thank You, Thousands of People Who Bought a Copy of My Little Gay Story. You’re Incredible. Pic.Twitter.Com/J5szq4zd3s.” *Twitter*, 5 Apr. 2023, twitter.com/planetx/status/1643646316600336386.
21. ↑ Axelrod, Jadzia. “Galaxy Is Absolutely a Supporting Character in Hawkgirl. Https://T.Co/Tuyeqdlvnz.” *Twitter*, 10 Mar. 2023, twitter.com/planetx/status/1634248046849531905.
22. ↑ Axelrod, Jadzia. “Just Updating with the Ol’ Pinned Tweet with a Mention of Galaxy (Coming in the Autumn of 2020, with Art by @caitymayhem!!!).” *Twitter*, 3 July 2019, twitter.com/planetx/status/1146509097497481216.
23. ↑ Axelrod, J. (2020, January 9). *Trans Pizza Winner*. https://www.jaredaxelrod.com/2020/01/
24. ↑ Axelrod, Jadzia. “It Took Me Forever to Write Books before Getting on Antidepressant Medication. the Amount of Time Galaxy Took to Write Is Infinitesimal in Comparison.Antidepressants Didn’t Rob Me of Creativity, They Made It Much Easier to Access.” ''Twitter'', 12 Feb. 2020, twitter.com/planetx/status/1227592397892222979.
25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Clarke, C. (2022). INTERVIEW: Galaxy: The Prettiest Star Creators illuminate DC Comics’ newest trans hero. *Daily Dead*. https://dailydead.com/interview-galaxy-the-prettiest-star-creators-illuminate-dc-comics-newest-trans-hero/
26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 *HAWK TALK – Galaxy: The Prettiest Star*. (2022, September 19). Jay & Miles X-Plain the X-Men. https://www.xplainthexmen.com/2022/09/hawk-talk-galaxy-the-prettiest-star/
27. ↑ Jaffe, A. (2022b, June 3). You Pretty Things: Jadzia Axelrod talks trans heroes and glam rock. *DC*. https://www.dc.com/blog/2022/06/03/you-pretty-things-jadzia-axelrod-talks-trans-heroes-and-glam-rock
28. ↑ Diaz, S. M., Eliopulos Andrew, Maluck, T., Perez, A., & Riemer, C. (2022, November 21). *Best Graphic Novels 2022 | SLJ Best Books*. School Library Journal. https://www.slj.com/story/best-graphic-novels-2022-slj-best-books
29. ↑ Kleinmann, J. (2023, March 6). *Nominees announced for 34th annual GLAAD Media Awards by Drag Race stars Salina EsTitties & Sasha Colby*. The Queer Review. https://thequeerreview.com/2023/01/18/nominees-announced-for-34th-annual-glaad-media-awards-by-drag-race-stars-salina-estitties-sasha-colby/
30. ↑ Armstrong, C. (2023, February 4). *Graphic Novel Review: Galaxy – The Prettiest Star by Jadzia Axelrod & Jess Taylor ★★★1/2*. The Queer Review. https://thequeerreview.com/2023/02/03/graphic-novel-review-galaxy-the-prettiest-star-by-jadzia-axelrod-and-jess-taylor/
31. ↑ Chan, M. (2022). Galaxy: The Prettiest Star review. *AIPT*. https://aiptcomics.com/2022/05/18/galaxy-the-prettiest-star-review/
32. ↑ Bishop, B. (2022). DC’s Galaxy: The Prettiest Star is beautiful, smart trans allegory. *CBR*. https://www.cbr.com/dc-galaxy-the-prettiest-star-trans-allegory/
33. ↑ Guido, S. (2022). Galaxy: The Prettiest Star is too much metaphor and not enough representation. *WWAC*. https://womenwriteaboutcomics.com/2022/10/galaxy-the-prettiest-star/
34. ↑ *Author Jadzia Axelrod contributes to transgender representation in literature*. (2022, June 21). 6abc Philadelphia. https://6abc.com/author-jadzia-axelrod-lgbtq-books-trans-stories-representation-in-literature/11966129/