Shadows on the Ice: The 1972 Andes Disaster?
“As I delved deeper into the narrative, day by day, step by step, I realized that the fact which made this story famous worldwide 
became almost secondary.”
It’s a bold claim.
But we’ll get into that later.
Just a quick note: I am very far removed from this story. And this is not the case with author Frédéric Bertocchini, who states that he was born almost 1 year after Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 and the harrowing events that followed. The first I had heard of this story was, strangely, in my high school freshmen chemistry class. Couldn’t tell you how it came up.
The story about the Uruguayan rugby team (Old Christians Club) that crash landed in the remote Andes and what they did to survive is perhaps not well-known in this day and age. Certainly, not particularly well-known to American audiences – there is one movies from the 90s that I can recall (Alive, directed by foreign media have covered the story through documentaries, films, and even theater. And seeing this book up for release, well, I was compelled to take a look. This is Bertocchini’s English-language debut.
The story is told from the perspective of Roberto Canessa; at this point in his life, he is a 19-year-old medical student and has nothing but hope for his future. The comic wastes little time; the disaster strikes early, and now Canessa is tasked with doing what he can with his medical knowledge to try to keep the first round of survivors alive. But the conditions are harsh out this far, the snow is falling, and the airplane has little amenities to offer first aid, let alone serious medical treatment. And it’s not just outside forces that threaten the survivors – infighting, power struggles, threats, dwindling supplies, and paranoia also take hold.
It is on the 10th day of their suffering that Canessa suggests eating the bodies of the deceased. Obviously, an incredibly difficult and painful thing to put forth, something that only can be done by someone who is on the brink of death with no other options for life-supporting nutrition. This is the “fact which made this story famous worldwide” that does, in fact, become secondary to the day-to-day survival activities this group of people had to endure. The story gets grimmer as the days go on – the search for their plane is eventually abandoned by the authorities, the mountain sends its arbitrary wrath, more survivors die, and the ups and downs of hope and despair are experienced with disgust and faith in turn. For the sake of the review, I will say that the survivors are eventually rescued after Canessa and Fernando Perrado trek through the mountains for 10 days, eventually coming to the nearest town and alerting the authorities. The passengers of Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571 were stuck in the remote Andes for 72 days. Of the 45 occupants on the plane, 16 survived.
The art is flat and blocky with a minimalist color pallet, reminiscent of Mike Mignola’s work. There is something matter-of-fact about the straight lines and square compositions. It makes for an enjoyable, straightforward reading experience.
This story is certainly not for everyone, but I was that kid in school reading about the Donner Party and Franklin’s lost expedition for fun, and I knew what I was getting into. The illustrations are not graphic or violent, an amazing feat, really, considering the subject matter. The book is not exploitative nor morbidly gaze-y. But the slicing of human flesh from human bodies for consumption is shown, and I would say the overall melancholy of the events depicted is definitely something to be aware of. If you can get through that, then you will be able to enjoy this harrowing narrative of loss, grit, and teamwork.
Shadows on the Ice: The 1972 Andes Disaster
By Frédéric Bertocchini
Art by Thierry Diette
Black Panel Press, 2025
ISBN: 9781990521294
Publisher Age Recommendation: High school/16+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult, High school
Character Representation: Uruguayan
Shadows on the Ice: The 1972 Andes Disaster? Vol.
By Frédéric Bertocchini
Art by Thierry Diette, Pacal Nino, ,
Not in listBlack Panel Press, 2025
ISBN: 9781990521294
Company Age Rating: 16+
NFNT Age Recommendation: Adult (18+), Older Teen (16-18)
Creator Representation: French,
Character Representation: Uruguayan,
