Review: JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: The Rise of Skywalker - Allegiance #1

JOURNEY TO STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER – ALLEGIANCE No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. And visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

STORY: Ethan Sacks
ART: Luke Ross
COLORS: Lee Loughridge
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Marco Checchetto
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Brian Stelfreeze; Will Sliney with Guru-eFX
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (December 2019)

Rated T

Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance Part I - “An Old Hope”

Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance is four-issue Star Wars comic book series from Marvel Comics.  Published weekly this month (October 2019), Allegiance takes place before the events depicted in the upcoming film, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.  Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance is written by Ethan Sacks; drawn by Luke Ross; colored by Lee Loughridge; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance #1 (“An Old Hope”) opens in the aftermath of the film, Star Wars: The Last Jedi.  The Resistance is in tatters, and its adversary, the First Order, and its Supreme Leader, Kylo Ren, will stop at nothing to crush what is left.  General Leia Organa, the head of the Resistance, leads the last of the rebels, which includes Rey (Jedi-in-training), Finn, Poe Dameron, Rose Tico, Chewbacca the Wookie, and the droids:  C-3PO, R2-D2, and BB-8.

The story opens on the Mid Rim ice planet, Tah'Nuhna, which the First Order's General Hux uses as a warning to any other worlds that may be considering offering any kind of assistance to the Resistance.  General Organa decides that it is time for her to be proactive with a new mission, for which she takes Rey, Rose, and Tico with her.  On the refueling station, “The Wayward Comet,” Finn, Poe, and BB-8 hope to meet a contact who will point them to a weapons cache that the Resistance can use.  However, they are unaware that they are being watched.  Meanwhile, Leia and her delegation approach “an old hope” with lots of hope and some trepidation...

I wish I could say that Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance #1 temporarily sates my appetite for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, but it doesn't.  Hell, it doesn't even whet my appetite for the film.

Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance #1 is not a bad comic book; it simply reads like filler material.  It also seems like a movie tie-in that is mostly a cynical money grab.  I will say that writer Ethan Sacks has presented a scenario that does have potential; so there is... hope.  Perhaps, this issue is mostly set-up, and future issues will read more like a complete story and less like... just-another-Star-Wars-thing.

I must note that the art team of Luke Ross (pencils) and Lee Loughridge (colors) turns in some really pretty art.  Clayton Cowles' lettering is sharp, and the back matter is a nice addition to this first issue.

Will my mixed feelings about Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance #1 stop me from reading the second issue?  No.  Like a true Star Wars sucker, I will probably get all four issues!

[This comic book includes a script-to-art-to-colors look at the process of scripting, drawing, and coloring five pages of Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance #1.  There is also a look at Marco Checchetto's cover art for all four issues of Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Allegiance.]

6 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Age of Resistance - Finn #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF RESISTANCE – FINN No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. And visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

STORY: Tom Taylor
ART: Ramon Rosanas
COLORS: Guru eFX
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Phil Noto
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Giuseppe Camuncoli with Elia Bonetti; Mike McKone with Guru eFX; Glyn Dillon (Concept Design Variant Artist)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2019)

Rated T

“Infestation”

Finn is one of the new Star Wars characters that appear in the “sequel” film series.  Finn debuted in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015).  Finn was a stormtrooper of the “First Order,” and he was known as “Designation FN-2187.”  Finn was shocked by the cruelty of the First Order that he witnessed on his first mission.  He escaped the First Order and eventually joined “the Resistance.”

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that is comprised of three series:  Star Wars: Age of Republic and Star Wars: Age of Rebellion (both of which have been completed, and the new series, Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).

Star Wars: Age of Resistance – Finn #1 is the first release in the Age of Resistance series.  It is written by Tom Taylor; drawn by Ramon Rosanas; colored by Guru eFX, and lettered by Travis Lanham.  This comic book is set before the events depicted in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and offers a look at the origins of Finn's doubts about his life as a stormtrooper.

Star Wars: Age of Resistance – Finn #1 (“Infestation”) opens on “Starkiller Base.”  We meet FN-2187, a young First Order stormtrooper.  Like his partner, FN-3761, FN-2187 is a janitor, and he has a mop in his hand, even when he meets the mysterious Kylo Ren.  His commander, Captain Phasma, orders the two stormtrooper janitors to join a cleaning crew.  Upon arrival, however, 2187 and 3761 discover that the members of this cleaning crew are holding weapons instead of mops.  There seems to be some kind of pest control issue, but how will that lead FN-2187 to question everything?

I have not read all the “Age of” Star Wars comic books that Marvel Comics have released (as of this writing).  I read only two of the Age of Republic titles, but I read five of the Age of Rebellion titles because the “Age of Rebellion,” otherwise known as the “original trilogy” era, is the Star Wars time period I truly love.  I have not made up my mind about how much I want to delve into the Age of Resistance comics.  I do really like the Resistance's heroic trio of Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron, but I can't say I care much for characters like Captain Phasma and General Hux.

I like Star Wars: Age of Resistance – Finn #1.  Like the Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader entries in this series (or series of series), Finn #1 gives us a look at the development of Star Wars figure's character and personality.  Clearly, something had been going on in Finn's mind that led him to take the actions that separated him from the First Order, as seen early in Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  You know, there are the makings for a potentially high-quality Star Wars comic book series in Finn's life before his debut in “Episode VII.”

Although I like this story, “Infestation,” it is not anything heavy.  Tom Taylor offers something sweet and gentle that does not rock the continuity boat.  I like Ramon Rosanas' art, and Guru eFX's color effects, which are nice against the somewhat muted colors.  There is also something sweet and gentle in Rosanas' graphical storytelling and in Guru's coloring that makes me like this comic book more than I probably should.  As I usually say, letterer Travis Lanham has been providing excellent work on these AOR titles, and continues to do so here.

I can't say that Star Wars: Age of Resistance – Finn #1 will make me read all the Age of Resistance titles, but I like this enough to give all of them at least a cursory glance.

[This comic book includes the text piece, “I'm Gonna Call You Finn,” by Bryan Young.]

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Age of Rebellion - Princess Leia #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – PRINCESS LEIA No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.  And visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

STORY: Greg Pak
ART: Chris Sprouse and Karl Story; Will Sliney, Marc Deering and Karl Story
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Giuseppe Camuncoli with Elia Bonetti; Mike McKone with Guru eFX
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2019)

Rated T

“Princess Scoundrel”

Princess Leia is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars film series.  In fact, her rescue is what forces Luke Skywalker to answer the call to adventure in the original 1977 Star Wars film (also known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope or simply, Star Wars: A New Hope).

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that comprises three books:  Star Wars: Age of Republic, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1 (“Princess Scoundrel”) is one of the first two releases in the Age of Rebellion series (along with Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Grand Moff Tarkin #1).  It is written by Greg Pak.  The story is drawn by two art teams:  Chris Sprouse (pencils) and Karl Story (inks) on pages 1-12 and page 20 and Will Sliney, Marc Deering and Karl Story on pages 13 to 19.  The story is colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Travis Lanham.  “Princess Scoundrel is set sometime between the events depicted in The Empire Strikes Back (Star Wars: Episode V) and Return of the Jedi (Stars Wars: Episode VI).

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1 (“Princess Scoundrel”) finds Leia and Chewbacca, the longtime Wookie partner and friend of Han Solo, aboard the Millennium Falcon.  They are one their way to rescue Han, who has been captured by the galactic crime lord and gangster, Jabba the Hutt, when they get a call from the Rebel Alliance.  A rebel craft has been shot down over the Outer Rim planet of Arkanis.  Who needs rescuing but Lando Calrissian, the man who is responsible for Han's current state of affairs.  Now, to rescue him, Leia must play a game of bounty hunters.

First, I have to say that I think that Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1 would make a better miniseries than it does as a one-shot, but I guess it is best not to encourage Marvel Comics when it comes to Star Wars miniseries.  Still, in this twenty-page story, writer Greg Pak composes what is an interesting depiction of the relationship dynamics between Leia and Lando.  Pak also offers a compelling game of deception involving Leia, Lando, and Chewbacca and the infamous bounty hunters, Boushh and Bossk.

The art, produced by two teams for this comic book, is beautiful.  I think the second team does a good job producing art that looks like that of the first team.  The art especially captures the visual appearances of the characters as we expect them to look (like the actors that originally portrayed them) and also creates the exotic environments and landscapes we expect of a Star Wars world.

Tamra Bonvillain's gorgeous colors are perfect for a Star Wars comic book, and I have to be honest.  I always think that Bonvillain's colors are gorgeous.  Travis Lanham's lettering and effects are also excellent; he is seems like a just-right letterer for Star Wars, too.

I would like more of Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Princess Leia #1.  In fact, once again, let me say that I wish it were a miniseries.

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Age of Rebellion - Luke Skywalker #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – LUKE SKYWALKER No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. And visit "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

STORY: Greg Pak
PENCILS: Chris Sprouse; Scott Koblish; Stefano Landini
INKS: Karl Story; Marc Deering
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Chris Sprouse and Karl Story with Neeraj Menon; Mike McKone with Guru eFX; Ralph McQuarrie (Concept Design Variant Artist)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2019)

Rated T

“Fight or Flight”

Luke Skywalker is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars film series.  He is my personal favorite.  I think that he has the most fascinating character arc in the Star Wars films, although some would argue that Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker does.  Luke debuted in the original 1977 Star Wars film, but he appears as an infant in the “prequel trilogy” film, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (also known as Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith).

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that is comprised of three series:  Star Wars: Age of Republic, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Luke Skywalker #1 is a new release in the Age of Rebellion series.  It is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Chris Sprouse, Scott Koblish, and Stefano Landini (pencils) and Karl Story and Marc Deering (inks); colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Travis Lanham.  The story finds Luke Skywalker facing his first temptation from the Sith.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Luke Skywalker #1 (“Fight or Flight”) opens in the galaxy's Outer Rim at the Imperial Refining Platform M36.  The Imperial Support Vessel 49AX3 approaches the refinery, but it is actually under Rebel control.  One of the rebels involved in this mission is Luke Skywalker.  Although the rebels are able to secure desperately needed fuel from the Imperial facility, the ease of the operation makes one rebel major uncomfortable, especially because of Skywalker.  Meanwhile, Luke begins to have concerns of his own, unaware of a dark influence from far away.

The few “Age of” Star Wars comic books that I have read have been average, good, and really good.  Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Luke Skywalker #1 is really good.  Its central theme of trust is one that would seem to be an obvious one for Star Wars comic books, but has rarely come up in Star Wars comic books that I have read.  Here, Greg Pak expertly uses it in this tale of an important rebel mission and of an important moment in the development of Luke Skywalker's personality and in his journey from farm boy to Jedi Knight.

Although there are three artists illustrating this issue, the art looks consistent.  When an “Age of” book has to have more than one artist or art team, it seems that editor Mark Paniccia manages to find artists whose work has at least a passing resemblance to one another.

Colorist Tamra Bonvillain and letterer Travis Lanham have been providing excellent work in their respective roles on these AOR titles.  They don't disappoint here.  I am also not at all disappointed in Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Luke Skywalker #1.  I am even surprised at how much I like it.  Perhaps, I like Luke Skywalker so much that am appreciative (maybe even overly-appreciative?) of any even remotely good story starring Luke, my first Star Wars hero.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Age of Rebellion - Lando Calrissian #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – LANDO CALRISSIAN No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Greg Pak
ART: Matteo Buffagni
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Mike McKone with Guru eFX; Nilo Rodis-Jamero (Concept Design Variant Artist)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2019)

Rated T

“Cloud City Blues”

Lando Calrissian is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars film series.  However, Lando had a controversial start in the 1980 film, The Empire Strikes Back (also known as Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back or simply, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back).

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that comprises three books:  Star Wars: Age of Republic, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1 is a new release in the Age of Rebellion series.  It is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Matteo Buffagni; colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Travis Lanham.  The story finds Lando trying to take care of his money problems while dealing with his bad luck that often ruins his plans.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1 (“Cloud City Blues”) opens on Cloud City, the gas mining facility that floats above the planet Bespin.  Former smuggler Lando Calrissian is now Cloud City's “Baron Administrator.”  Calrissian has a beautiful dream of a life of leisure and luxury and of being totally legitimate, but he has money problems.  Along with his cyborg aide, Lobot, Lando becomes involved in a scam that will gain him the fantastic wealth and the peace of mind that comes with it, except that his bad luck won't make it that easy.

Since Marvel Comics started publishing Star Wars comic books again (in 2015), the publisher has given us two Lando Calrissian miniseries and now this one-shot comic book.  Charles Soule and Alex Maleev's 2015 miniseries, Lando, remains one of Marvel's best Star Wars publications.  2018's Lando: Double or Nothing, a tie-in to the 2018 film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, is an average work with some entertaining moments.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1 falls somewhere between.  As far as the story, “Cloud City Blues” is average like Lando: Double or Nothing.  It is filler material that finds the character to be in the same place, in the end, as he was in the beginning. The best writer Greg Pak seems able to do here is say that Lando is a rogue with a heart of gold and possessing some morals and ethics.  But I am always happy to see Lando's cyborg aide, Lobot, whose only film appearance was in The Empire Strikes Back.

On the art side, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1 is closer to Alex Maleev's fantastic work on the 2015 miniseries.  Artist Matteo Buffagni's clean line work and smooth brushstroke create comic book art that is classic cool science fiction.  As Maleev had colorist Paul Mounts, Buffagni also has a talented comic book colorist in Tamra Bonvillain.  Travis Lanham does fine lettering for this comic book, the same way he has been doing for other AOR titles.

So yes, I found things to like in Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Lando Calrissian #1.  As a Lando comic book, it, like Lando: Double or Nothing, is a missed opportunity.

6 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Age of Rebellion - Han Solo #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – HAN SOLO No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Greg Pak
PENCILS: Chris Sprouse
INKS: Karl Story
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Gerald Parel; Mike McKone with Guru-eFX; Yasmine Putri; Ralph McQuarrie (Concept Design Variant Artist)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2019)

Rated T

“Running from the Rebellion”

Han Solo is one of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars film series.  Han Solo was the first ally farm boy, Luke Skywalker, and former Jedi Knight, Ben Kenobi, gathered as Luke answered the call to adventure in the original 1977 Star Wars film (also known as Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope or simply, Star Wars: A New Hope).

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that comprises three series:  Star Wars: Age of Republic, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).  [The project is abbreviated as “Star Wars AOR.”]

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Han Solo #1 is a recent release in the Age of Rebellion series.  It is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Chris Sprouse (pencils) and Karl Story (inks); colored by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettered by Travis Lanham.  “Running from the Rebellion” is set not long (apparently) after the events depicted in A New Hope.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Han Solo #1 (“Running from the Rebellion”) finds Han Solo and his Wookie friend, companion, and copilot, Chewbacca, counting the 17,000 in Imperial credits they have received as a payoff from the promise made to them by the “late” Ben Kenobi.  Now, Han has plans.  He is ready to move back to his life as a smuggler, which includes paying the crime lord Jabba the Hutt the money that he owes them.  Thus, Han is a bit perturbed when Luke Skywalker asks for one last favor, and Han gets pulled into a rebel mission that might wreck all his plans.

First, I have to say that I think that Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Han Sol #1 is, thus far, my favorite of the four comic books in the “AOR” line that I have read.  If I understand correctly, Marvel Comics' Star Wars comic books, as of 2015, are official Star Wars canon.  So this delightful story, “Running from the Rebellion,” explains how Han Solo became a member of the Rebel Alliance.  Or it at least explains why he is still stuck with the rebels at the beginning of The Empire Strikes Back (1980).

Greg Pak's script for this comic book is well written, and Pak can be hit or miss.  Unlike the recent AOR Princess Leia comic book, the art team of Chris Sprouse and Karl Story draws the entirety of “Running from the Rebellion,” and an entire issue of Chris Sprouse's pencils is always a good thing.  Tamra Bonvillain's gorgeous colors are perfect for a Star Wars comic book, especially for a Chris Sprouse-Karl Story drawn Star Wars comic book.  And, of course, I see you, Travis Lanham, with your always high-quality lettering.  It's all good.

I hope more AOR comics are like Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Han Solo #1.

8.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Vader - Dark Visions #1

STAR WARS: VADER – DARK VISIONS No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum
ART: Paolo Villanelli
COLORS: Arif Prianto
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Greg Smallwood
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Giuseppe Camuncoli & Elia Bonetti; Leinil Franics Yu with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (May 2019)

Rated T

“Part 1 of 5

Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions is a new five-issue, Star Wars comic book miniseries from Marvel Comics.  The series presents characters who view the Star Wars universe's ultimate villain, Darth Vader, in ways that are different from how most familiar Star Wars characters view the Sith Lord.  Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions is written by Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum.  The art team for the first issue is comprised of illustrator Paolo Villanelli; colorist Arif Prianto; and letterer Joe Caramagna.

Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions #1 opens on a lush green, but devastated world where we meet a young native boy.  The boy, who also narrates this story, refers to his world as “Cianap.”  His people live underground, but enjoy a brief time above ground, a time called “the Slumber.”  While enjoying the current season of the Slumber, our narrator witnesses a fireball that explodes above Cianap's atmosphere.  This conflagration is the result of a fierce battle above the planet between forces of the Galactic Empire and of the Rebel Alliance.

One of the participants in the battle is Darth Vader, whose TIE fighter is damaged, forcing him to crash land on Cianap.  When Vader emerges from his fighter, to the boy, he looks like a “Black Knight.”  To the boy, this Black Knight may be the one to save his world from the god called “Ender.”

Fans of the Star Wars Expanded Universe, especially the Star Wars novels, remember the series of novels now known as the “Thrawn trilogy.”  In the second novel of the three, Dark Force Rising (1992), Princess Leia visits the planet, Honoghr, where the denizens of the world view Darth Vader as a savior (a matter which turns out to be a bit more complicated).  When I first read the novel, I became intrigued by the idea of people and sentient beings who viewed Vader as some kind of hero or savior, especially people that did not directly serve or work for the Empire.  In the years since, I have waited for someone to take that idea present in Dark Force Rising and expand on it.

In this standalone story that is Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions #1, the writer Dennis Hallum (who previously wrote under the pen name, “Dennis Hopeless”) offers a nice tale that satisfies may craving for Vader-as-hero.  Hallum's story has a fairy tale quality, and it strips Darth Vader of the complexities that surround the character and focuses on his power and on the striking nature of his black costume-suit and physicality.  At thirty pages in length, this story, which is more like a campfire tale, is a nice Star Wars tale, a desert for readers who are used to the main Star Wars narratives, which often seem like the storytelling equivalent of a elaborate, dark, and heavy 12-course meal.

Artist Paolo Villanelli's illustrations for Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions #1 have an eye-catching quality and remind me of the work of Bryan Hitch.  Villanelli's storytelling here is stirring and always seems to be striving forward, carrying the reader just as the boy-narrator is dragged along by the circumstances of an epic battle.  Colorist Arif Prianto offers a muted palette that still manages to make the story crackle, and, as usual, Joe Caramagna delivers lettering that makes the story bigger.

I hope the rest of Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions is like this really nice first issue.  I heartily recommend it to Star Wars comic book readers.  And it gives me what I want – characters who have a view askew of Darth Vader.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Lost Stars Volume 1

STAR WARS: LOST STARS VOL. 1
YEN PRESS – @yenpress

[This review was originally posted on Patreon. Please, visit the "Star Wars Central" review page here.]

ORIGINAL STORY:  Claudia Gray – @claudiagray
STORY ADAPTATION: Yusaku Komiyama
ART: Yusaku Komiyama
LETTERS: Abigail Blackman
ISBN: 978-1-975326-53-1; paperback (May 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
258pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Star Wars: Lost Stars is a 2015 young adult science fiction novel written by Claudia Gray.  Set in the Star Wars universe, this novel offers a narrative the occurs before, during, and after the events depicted in the original Star Wars film trilogy:  Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), and Return of the Jedi (1983).  Gray's story focuses on two childhood friends from different backgrounds who eventual find themselves on different sides of a galactic war.

LINE Manga, a manga-reading app, published a manga adaptation of Star Wars: Lost Stars, adapted, written, and drawn by Yusaku Komiyama.  Yen Press is currently reprinting the Star Wars: Lost Stars manga in a series of paperback graphic novels. Star Wars: Lost Stars Volume 1 reprints the first six chapters of the manga.

Star Wars: Lost Stars, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 6) introduces Thane Kyrell, a hotshot pilot for the Rebel Alliance who finds himself right in the middle of the “Battle of Hoth.”  After the battle, Thane has time to think upon his past because he was once a lieutenant in the Galactic Empire, but his memories go further back – fourteen years prior to be specific.

Thane was born on the planet Jelucan to the higher caste group, “the Second Wave.”  He befriends, Ciena Ree, a girl who belongs to the lower caste, “the First Wave,” the original settlers of Jelucan.  As children, Thane and Ciena have an unexpected and shocking encounter with a powerful Imperial officer shortly after the Galactic Empire makes Jelucan an Imperial world.  That leads to the two friends eventually being accepted into the Royal Imperial Academy, but as the two teenagers move through rigorous training and study, they discover that they see Imperial culture differently.

I have not read Claudia Gray's Star Wars: Lost Stars original novel, but after reading the manga/comics adaptation, I want to start right away (time permitting).  I can say that Yusaku Komiyama's adaptation results in clean graphical storytelling.  From a narrative and graphics standpoint, the Star Wars: Lost Stars manga does not focus on the lore of Star Wars so much as it does focus on a personal or character drama within the larger story, which I assume the novel does.  The story of Thane Kyrell and Ciena Ree is the focus and the larger galactic war is the backdrop.

As for the illustrations, the characters do look like what readers may expect of characters drawn by a manga or mange-influenced artist.  As for the visual elements of Star Wars:  costumes and clothing; ships and crafts, weapons and tools, and interior and exterior environments and spaces, Komiyama draws everything to look like authentic Star Wars.  Komiyama does this as well as the best Star Wars comic book artists who have drawn Star Wars comics for Marvel Comics and Dark Horse Comics.

Komiyama really emphasizes the dialogue and the moments that define the birth and growth of Thane and Ciena's relationship.  Even when the story focuses on one or the other, the story is about their relationship.  Star Wars fans, however, will be excited to know that this first volume recreates scenes from both Star Wars: New Hope (Episode IV) and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Episode V), and some beloved characters make appearances or even play a sizable role in the story.

Star Wars: Lost Stars Volume 1 is the first Star Wars manga that I have read, and I like it a lot.  I am anxious to read the second volume.  It is not perfect, but I won't let perfect be the enemy of good.  I would not compare this manga to the some of the best Dark Horse and Marvel Star Wars comic books, but for young readers, probably as young as middle school age, Star Wars: Lost Stars Volume 1 is true Star Wars.

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Age of Rebellion - Darth Vader #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – DARTH VADER No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Greg Pak
ART: Ramón Bachs
COLORS: Stéphane Paitreau
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Gabriele Dell'Otto; Mike McKone with Guru eFX; Tommy Lee Edwards; Ralph McQuarrie (Concept Design Variant Artist)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2019)

Rated T

“To The Letter”

Darth Vader is one of the most beloved and feared characters in the Star Wars film series.  Many fans think that he has the most fascinating character arc in the Star Wars films (although some, like myself, dear readers, would argue Luke Skywalker does).  Darth Vader debuted in the original 1977 Star Wars film, but he appears as Anakin Skywalker in the “prequel trilogy” films, and as Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (also known as Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith).

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that is comprised of three series:  Star Wars: Age of Republic (which has been completed), Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1 is a new release in the Age of Rebellion series.  It is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Ramón Bachs; colored by Stéphane Paitreau, and lettered by Travis Lanham.  This issue, which is set after the events depicted in Revenge of the Sith, finds Vader having to bend his knee to an Imperial bureaucrat.

Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1 (“To the Letter”) opens on the “Mid Rim” world of Namzor.  Aboard a Star Destroyer, its commander, Governor Ahr, seethes after Darth Vader goes against his wishes.  When he takes his complaint against Vader to Emperor Palpatine, Ahr is surprised by the result.  Vader, however, realizes that he has something left to prove and to learn.

The few “Age of” Star Wars comic books that I have read have been average, good, and really good.  Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1, like the recent Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Luke Skywalker #1, is one of the really good issues.  The best entries in this series offer insight into the characters or into their relationships or focus on some stage of character development.  Darth Vader does both.  Without spoiling the story, I can say that writer Greg Pak presents a nifty tale showcasing the badness we expect from Vader and Palpatine.

Artist Ramón Bachs is an interesting choice for this story.  For one, his graphical style is appropriate for science fiction comics.  Secondly, his graphical interpretation of Darth Vader recalls the designs for the villain executed by the late Ralph McQuarrie.  It is as if the earliest version of Darth Vader has finally come to life, and Bachs presents him as a tall, dark, menacing figuring.  In this story, Vader is a black wraith stomping through this story to bring death.

Colorist Stéphane Paitreau adds layers of hues that have a threatening aura.  Letterer Travis Lanham have been providing excellent work on these AOR titles, and continues to do so here.  Lanham especially strikes a dark note on Palpatine's dialogue.  Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1 is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I hope the next arc, Age of Resistance, can offer a least one or two issues as good a this Darth Vader comic book.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: LANDO - Double or Nothing #1

STAR WARS: LANDO – DOUBLE OR NOTHING No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Paolo Villanelli
COLORS: Andres Mossa
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: W. Scott Forbes
VARIANT COVER: Joe Quinones
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2018)

Rated T

“Part I”

Lando Calrissian was the first Star Wars character portrayed onscreen by a Black man (Oscar-nominated actor, Billy Dee Williams).  Although Lando is one of the oldest Star Wars characters (in terms of first appearance), he did not get his first solo comic book series until 2015 (from Marvel Comics after Dark Horse Comics having the license for two decades).

Lando is a supporting character in the most recent Disney/Lucasfilm Star Wars movie, Solo: A Star Wars Story, where he is portrayed by actor Donald Glover.  The film features a young Lando, early in his criminal career, and that Lando is the star of a second Lando Calrissian comic book miniseries.  Star Wars: Lando – Double or Nothing is written by Rodney Barnes; drawn by Paolo Villanelli; colored by Andres Mossa; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

Star Wars: Lando – Double or Nothing #1 finds Lando Calrissian, the “greatest smuggler in the galaxy,” contemplating ways in which he can transform his ship, “the Millennium Falcon,” into a place of luxury and vice, much to the chagrin of his droid, L3-37.  Meanwhile, a young woman named Kristiss needs a smuggler as part of her and her father's plan to free their home world, Petrusia, from the Galactic Empire's enslavement.  She knows just the smuggler, Lando, but will he do it?  And if he does it, will it be for the cause or for the cost paid?

Solo: A Star Wars Story is about a young Han Solo, but young Lando Calrissian steals the show.  Donald Glover is magnificent in making young Lando a magnetic personality.  Writer Rodney Barnes captures the essence of Glover's Calrissian in his script, and every page is simply fun to read.  Barnes has made Lando a character readers will want to shadow, and Barnes' take on the acerbic L3, who has a female voice, is also quite engaging.

Illustrator Paolo Villanelli picks up the Glover vibe and transforms that into a graphical storytelling that recreates the humorous side of the Solo film.  Andres Mossa, one of the best colorists working in American comics today, blends his incandescent colors into Villanelli's illustrations to spectacular effect.  Joe Caramagna's strong sense of graphic design plays this dialogue-heavy script just right with some of his usual high-quality lettering that enhances the rhythm of this story.

I cannot wait to read the second issue of Star Wars: Lando – Double or Nothing.  Is it too early to ask that this creative team plan a second young Lando comic book for us?

8.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS ADVENTURES Destroyer Down #1

STAR WARS ADVENTURES: DESTROYER DOWN NO. 1 (OF 3)
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Scott Beatty
PENCILS:  Derek Charm; Jon Sommariva
INKS: Derek Charm; Sean Parsons
COLORS: Derek Charm; Matt Herms
LETTERS: Tom B. Long
EDITORS: Bobby Curnow; Denton J. Tipton
COVER: Derek Charm
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jon Sommariva
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2018)

“Destroyer Down” Episode I: “Explore” and “The Ghost Ship” Part 1 “There and Then”

Star Wars Adventures is an all-ages Star Wars comic book series from IDW Publishing.  The series is geared toward readers ages 7 to 10 and features one and two-part stories that are not steeped in Star Wars continuity.  Star Wars Adventures features a rotating cast of characters, and the stories range from settings that take place before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace all the way up to Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII) and beyond.

There have already been two spin-off miniseries, Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny (January 2018) and Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader's Castle (October 2018).  Each was a five-issue miniseries published weekly.  The third spin-off miniseries is entitled, Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down.  This three-issue comic book miniseries is written by Scott Beatty.  The stories are drawn by artist-colorist Derek Charm and the art team of Jon Sommariva (pencils), Sean Parsons (inks), and colorist Matt Herms.  Tom B. Long letters the stories.

Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down #1 is set before the events depicted in the 2015 film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  The first story, “Explore,” opens on Jakku, where the remnants of the Galactic Empire made its last stand.

Legend has it that the shifting sands of Jakku swallowed the Imperial Star Destroyer “Spectral.”  It has been lost for two decades and rumors of hauntings and buried treasure have arisen around its legend.  Now, an epic sandstorm has revealed the ruins of the Spectral, and the renowned scavenger, Rey, now races to claim whatever lies within.  However, salvage and junk boss, Unkar Plutt, and a host of shady types plot to take whatever Rey finds and perhaps, also to harm her.

In the second story, “There and Then,” the Rebel Alliance fighter group, the “Shepherd Squadron,” engages remnants of the Imperial Navy in the last days of the Empire.  It is, however, just a prelude to the last days of Spectral.

IDW Publishing declares in its press releases that its Star Wars Adventures comic books and its “Young Adult” titles are “dedicated to bringing the element of FUN back into comic books...”  IDW sure has.  I cannot think of a young adult or kids' comics title from the publisher that I have read that is not just fun to read, but is also a blast to read.

I could have read Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down #1 in one sitting even if it were 100 pages long.  I plain love it.  Destroyer Down may be better than Tales from Vader's Castle, which got better with each issue and turned out to be pretty damn awesome itself.

I think I have already praised artist Derek Charm Star Wars works to the heavens, but I am also a fan of Jon Sommariva's fantastic Star Wars Adventures art.  Both are good storytellers who make wonderful Star Wars comic books that can be enjoyed by comics fans of all ages.  Inker Sean Parsons and colorist Matt Herms also shine with their work on Destroyer Down #1, and letterer Tom B. Long delivers his usual stellar work.

With this series, Scott Beatty is showing that he is no slouch next to writers of Star Wars comic books for older readers.  He has convinced me that this comic book is the shit, so I am going to recommend that we get down with Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down.

9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

----------------------

Review: STAR WARS: Age of Republic - Qui-Gon Jinn #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REPUBLIC – QUI-GON JINN No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jody Houser
PENCILS: Cory Smith
INKS: Walden Wong
COLORS: Java Tartaglia
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Paolo Rivera
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Cory Smith with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.; Giuseppe Camuncoli with Elia Bonetti; Mike McKone with Guru-eFX
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2019)

Rated T

“Balance”

Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi Knight, was one of the breakout characters in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.  He was killed in that movie, but his presence was a fixture in later films and animated television series, directly and indirectly.

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that comprises three books:  Star Wars: Age of Republic, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).

Star Wars: Age of Republic – Qui-Gon Jinn #1 (“Balance”) was the first release (December 2018) in the nine-issue Age of Republic series.  It is written by Jody Houser; drawn by Cory Smith (pencils) and Walden Wong (inks); colored by Java Tartaglia; and lettered by Travis Lanham.  The story is set sometime before the events depicted in The Phantom Menace.

The story entitled “Balance,” opens on the planet of “Bri'n.”  Qui-Gon was trying to negotiate a peace between Mistress Th'er, the “Priestess of the Wood,” who wants to save the trees of the planet and the “Metal Clan,” who want to cut down the trees.  Ultimately, Qui-Gon and his padewan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, have to take Th'er back to Coruscant, much to her chagrin.

Troubled by what happened on Bri'n, Qui-Gon has a philosophical discussion with Master Yoda of the Jedi Council.  The result of this conversation is that Qui-Gon seeks a place where he can commune with the Force, but only the Force will decide this place of communion.

Star Wars: Age of Republic – Qui-Gon Jinn #1 is a nice read.  Perhaps, here, writer Jody Houser is offering a tale that is a little stronger than the one she offers in Star Wars: Age of Republic – Darth Maul #1.  “Balance,” with its refusal to offer concrete answers, seems to personify the Qui-Gon of The Phantom Menace, a Jedi conflicted about the state of things concerning and surrounding the Jedi.

Artist Cory Smith is certainly a good Star Wars comic book artist.  The environments, characters, costumed, ships, etc.:  Smith illustrations here are convincing, and Walden Wong's inking makes Smith's pencils seem solid.  That is good thing in a story that can be a bit dreamy and ethereal in places.  Java Tartaglia's coloring is quite good, especially on the Bri'n scenes and in the “dream” sequence.  Travis Lanham keeps his lettering unobtrusive, but he tells the story in an effective manner while his lettering seems to blend into the scenery of the story.

I would like more of Star Wars: Age of Republic – Qui-Gon Jinn #1.  In fact, like all the Age of Republic comic books, this one especially should be a double issue.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Age of Republic - Darth Maul #1

STAR WARS: AGE OF REPUBLIC – DARTH MAUL No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jody Houser
ART: Luke Ross
COLORS: Java Tartaglia
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Paolo Rivera
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Luke Ross with Nolan Woodard; Mike McKone with Guru-eFX
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2019)

Rated T

“Ash”

Darth Maul was a breakout character in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace.  Although he was seemingly killed off in that movie, he returned in the animated series, “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” and was a major recurring character in a second animated series, “Star Wars Rebels.”  He even makes a surprise appearance at the end of Solo: A Star Wars Story.

Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that comprises three books:  Star Wars: Age of Republic, Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance.  This project will span 30 issues in total, with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras:  Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).

Star Wars: Age of Republic – Darth Maul #1 (“Ash”) is the second comic book in the nine-issue Age of Republic series.  It is written by Jody Houser; drawn by Luke Ross; colored by Java Tartaglia; and lettered by Travis Lanham.

The story opens on Coruscant, the “Lower Levels.”  Darth Maul, still seething with hate and itching to fight the Jedi, has found a new target, Zek Peiro.  Is the highly-regarded thief really worth Maul's efforts?  Will a trip to Malachor help the Sith apprentice learn patience, if patience is really something a Sith should have?

Illustrator Luke Ross was the artist of Marvel's 2017 Darth Maul miniseries, so it is nice to see his work in this Age of Republic Darth Maul comic book.  Writer Jody Houser offers what is essential two plots, each of which would make for a nice standalone comic book story.

The problem is that Star Wars: Age of Republic – Darth Maul #1, with its $3.99 cover price, offers only twenty pages of story.  American comic book publishers either don't get it or think that they can get away with charging $3.99 for a comic book with only twenty pages of story.  Thus, far they have, but there are signs that they have not gotten away with it by much and may not get away with it much longer.  Basically, the price of a comic book has increased while the page count has gone down.  This would be tolerable if those twenty pages offered an outstanding story.

“Ash” is not at all bad, but it is more a brief interlude in the (mis)adventures of Darth Maul than it is an actual fully-realized Darth Maul story.  Anyone who read the Darth Maul miniseries will realize that here Houser merely revisits familiar Darth Maul themes and conflicts.  There is nothing new here – at least nothing new that is worth $3.99.

Star Wars: Age of Republic – Darth Maul #1 was originally published in December 2018, and I ignored it then.  Something told me that it was not worth the price or effort to read it.  The latter is not entirely true, as this comic book is nicely written, and the art is good.  No, it is not worth the cover price.

6 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: The Last Jedi Adaptation #1

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI ADAPTATION No. 1 (OF 6)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gary Whitta
ART: Michael Walsh
COLORS: Mike Spicer
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Heather Antos
COVER: Mike Del Mundo
VARIANT COVERS: Joe Quesada with Richard Isanove
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2018)

Rated “T”

“The Last Jedi” Episode VIII, Part 1

Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) is the second movie in the Star Wars “sequel trilogy” (which began with 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens).  Marvel Comics is producing a comic book adaptation of the Oscar-nominated film, entitled Star Wars: The Last Jedi Adaptation.  It is written by Gary Whitta; drawn by Michael Walsh; colored by Mike Spicer; and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Adaptation #1 opens on Ahch-To, the oceanic planet where Luke Skywalker has been hiding for several years.  Hoping to find an end to things... alone... Skywalker suddenly realizes that someone has found him.  Meanwhile, the First Order launches an attack on D'Qar, where the Resistance has a base.  As General Leia Organa directs the evacuation from the planet, Poe Dameron leads an attack against the First Order.  However, as the various players make their moves, events are being set in motion that will shock everyone.

I did not like Star Wars: The Last Jedi the way I really liked Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  However, I think that I might end up liking the comic book adaptation Star Wars: The Last Jedi more than I liked the comic book adaptation of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, which I was surprised I liked.

Artist Michael Walsh does not offer pretty illustrations, and he draws somewhat unattractive faces on characters.  However, his graphical storytelling is strong, and I find that The Last Jedi's story moves faster and smoother in words and pictures (graphics) than it did in motion pictures.

Screenwriter Gary Whitta, who wrote the story for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, has previously written for comics.  His comic book script for Star Wars: The Last Jedi Adaptation #1 is good storytelling.  For some reason, Whitta makes The Last Jedi seem almost new, as if it were a story not already introduced in another media.  Together with Michael Walsh, Whitta offers a first issue of a Star Wars comic book adaptation that is quite nice, which is not something readers always get.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS ADVENTURES: Tales from Vader's Castle #1

STAR WARS ADVENTURES: TALES FROM VADER'S CASTLE No. 1
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Cavan Scott
ART: Derek Charm; Chris Fenoglio
COLORS: Derek Charm; Chris Fenoglio
LETTERS: Robbie Robbins
EDITOR: Denton J. Tipton
COVER: Francesco Francavilla
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Chris Fenoglio; Francesco Francavilla; Derek Charm
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

“The Haunting of the Ghost”

Star Wars Adventures is an all-ages Star Wars comic book series from IDW Publishing.  The series is geared toward readers ages 7 to 10 and features one and two part stories that are not steeped in Star Wars continuity.  Star Wars Adventures features a rotating cast of characters, and the stories range from settings that take place before Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace all the way up to Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Episode VIII) and beyond.

There has already been one spin-off miniseries, Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny, a five-issue miniseries published weekly in January 2018.  The second spin-off miniseries is entitled, Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader’s Castle.  This five-part comic book event will see a new issue in comic book stories every Wednesday in October 2018, of which there are five.  Fan-favorite Star Wars Adventures creators, writer Cavan Scott and artist Derek Charm, team up with a roster of guest artists for this special miniseries, which will explore the creepiest corners of the Star Wars universe just in time for Halloween.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader’s Castle #1 (“The Haunting of the Ghost”) opens with an adventure of Lina Graf that is recounted in her journal.  Graf, an ace pilot and engineer, is a commander in the Rebel Alliance and is captain of the freighter star ship, “The Auric.”  She and her crew:  Skritt the technician; Lieutenant Hudd; XM-G3, the former bodyguard droid; and CR-BR, a droid that has been Graf's life-long companion and is an intelligence specialist, are on the run from Imperial TIE fighters.

Graf is forced to land “The Auric” on the planet, Mustafar.  To lift everyone's spirits, CR-BR recounts a tale involving Kanan Jarrus, Captain Hera Syndulla, and the astromech droid, Chopper, aboard their star ship, “Ghost.”  Both Graf and company and Captain Syndulla and company may not escape from situations that are not only difficult, but are also both scary.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader’s Castle #1 has a framing sequence, which focuses on Lina Graf and her crew and that is written by Cavan Scott and drawn by Derek Charm.  This will apparently run through all five issues of Tales from Vader's Castle.  I am interested to see where this story goes, but it is only seven pages long – five to start the issue and two to finish.  So I cannot really grade it, but I can say that it has potential.

The main story stars characters from Disney XD's popular “Star Wars Rebels” series and is written by Scott and drawn and colored by Chris Fenoglio and lettered by Robbie Robbins.  It is a nice little story that stays true and consistent with the characters' television iterations.  This is certainly the kind of Star Wars comic book tale that I would have loved as a kid, and it is one of the better Star Wars Adventures stories that IDW has published over this first year or so of publishing all-ages Star Wars comic books.  I am surprised, but delighted, by how much drama and tension Scott and Fenoglio pack into 13 pages.

Chris Fenoglio holds his own as a Star Wars Adventures artist against the formidable Derek Charm, who seems to be the marquee Star Wars Adventures artist.  Robbie Robbins' lettering simply looks like perfect comic book lettering to me.  I hope Cavan Scott writes more stories set in the world of “Star Wars Rebels,” preferably with Chris Fenoglio as artist.

Star Wars Adventures: Tales from Vader’s Castle is a publishing mini-event that I can get behind.  I recommend it for young Star Wars comic book readers, and those young at heart... like me.

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Tag & Blink Were Here #1

STAR WARS: TAG & BINK WERE HERE #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[The review was originally posted on Patreon.]

EDITORS: Dave Land; Mark D. Beazley (collection)
COVER: Lucas Marangon with Michelle Madsen
MISC: Lucas Marangon with Michelle Madsen; Lucas Marangon; Lucas Marangon with Dan Jackson; John McCrea and Jimmy Palmiotti with Dan Jackson
ISBN: 978-1-302-91490-5; magazine (Wednesday, May 2, 2018)
104pp, Color, $7.99 U.S., $10.99 CAN (Diamond order code – MAR180947)

Rated “T”

Tag and Bink are Star Wars characters that debuted in Star Wars humor comic books first published by Dark Horse Comics (which had the license to publish Star Wars comic books from 1991 to 2014).  Tag and Bink were created by writer Kevin Rubio and artist Lucas Marangon and starred in two two-issue Star Wars spoof comic book miniseries.

The first was Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead #1-2 (cover dated: October to November 2001), and the second was Star Wars: Tag & Bink II #1-2 (cover dated: March to April 2006).  An earlier version of the story that appeared in Star Wars: Tag & Bink II #1 was published in Star Wars Tales #12 (cover dated: June 2002).  Dark Horse initially collected Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead #1-2 and Star Wars: Tag & Bink II #1-2 in a trade paperback entitled Star Wars: Tag & Bink Were Here (cover dated: November 2006).

Marvel Comics has regained the license to produce Star Wars comic books that it originally held from the mid-1970s to about 1990.  In May 2018, Marvel published its own version of Star Wars: Tag & Bink Were Here, apparently released to coincide with the May 2018 release of the Star Wars film, Solo: A Star Wars Story.  Tag & Bink were supposed to appear in Solo, but their scene was reportedly cut from the film.

Entitled Star Wars: Tag & Bink Were Here #1 and published in the comic book format, this standalone comic book reprints the story pages and cover art of Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead #1-2, Star Wars: Tag & Bink II #1-2.  It also reprints the Tag & Bink story in Star Wars Tales #12 (cover dated: June 2002) and also the cover art for Dark Horse's Star Wars: Tag & Bink Were Here.

Tag & Bink are Tag Greenly, a male human from the planet Corellia, and Bink Otauna, a male human from Alderaan.  In the comics, writer Kevin Rubio presents the duo as playing a role or at least being present in pivotal moments depicted in the following Star Wars films:  Star Wars (1977), The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999), Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.

The title of Tag & Bink's first appearance, Tag and Bink Are Dead, is a direct reference to Tom Stoppard 1966 play, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.  Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are minor characters in William Shakespeare's Hamlet, and in Stoppard's play, the duo's actions take place in the background or “in the wings” of the main events of Hamlet.  In that manner, Kevin Rubio makes Tag & Bink the stars who view and comment upon the main events of the Star Wars story and sometimes play a pivotal role in main events.

For instance, as background players, Tag & Bink are rebel soldiers aboard Princess Leia's starship (the "Tantive IV") that is captured by Darth Vader's Imperial Star Destroyer at the beginning of the original Star Wars film.  As players in a main event, Tag, in disguise as a storm trooper, is the trooper that shoots C-3PO during the “Cloud City” sequence of The Empire Strikes Back.

Writer Kevin Rubio plays Tag & Bink as being the most important Star Wars characters fans never knew existed.  He is revealing their true roles in the epic Star Wars saga, but the hapless duo's fateful adventures and misadventures will make you wonder whose side they are on.  Honestly, with these characters, Rubio offers some of the best Star Wars humor ever published in comic book form.  Rubio cleverly weaves Tag & Bink into Star Wars moments – both major and minor, and he creates some inventive side stories and back stories.  The scenes with Lando Calrissian are, quite frankly, quite nice.

Artist Lucas Marangon seems like the perfect collaborator for Rubio.  Marangon is an excellent Star Wars cartoonist and comic book artist.  He draws the characters, creatures, beings, costumes, sets, backgrounds, backdrops, ships, tech, environments, etc. with stunning accuracy, and does so while creating a humorous and comedic tone.  Marangon's illustrations and storytelling are perfect for the Star Wars spoof that is Tag & Bink.

I recommend Marvel Comics' Star Wars: Tag & Bink Were Here #1 to fans of Star Wars humor and, of course, to collectors of Star Wars comic books.  I am confident both groups will enjoy reading these truly funny Star Wars comic books.

8 out of 10

Below are the creator credits for the story material reprinted in Marvel's Star Wars: Tag & Bink Were Here #1:

Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead #1 - “Episode IV.1: Tag and Bink Are Dead” (originally published by Dark Horse Comics; cover dated: October 2001)
STORY: Kevin Rubio
PENCILS: Lucas Marangon
INKS: Howard M. Shum
COLORS: Michelle Madsen
LETTERS: Steve Dutro

Star Wars: Tag & Bink Are Dead #2 - “Episode IV.1: Tag and Bink Live” (originally published by Dark Horse Comics; cover dated: November 2001)
STORY: Kevin Rubio
PENCILS: Lucas Marangon
INKS: Howard M. Shum
COLORS: Michelle Madsen
LETTERS: Steve Dutro

Star Wars: Tag & Bink II #1 - “Episode VI.1: The Return of Tag and Bink – Special Edition” (originally published by Dark Horse Comics; cover dated: March 2006)
STORY: Kevin Rubio
ART: Lucas Marangon
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Michael David Thomas

Star Wars: Tag & Bink II #2 - “Tag & Bink: Episode I – Revenge of the Clone Menace” (originally published by Dark Horse Comics; cover dated: April 2006)
STORY: Kevin Rubio
ART: Lucas Marangon
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Michael David Thomas

Star Wars Tales #12 – “The Revenge of Tag & Bink” (originally published by Dark Horse Comics; cover dated: June 2002)
STORY: Kevin Rubio
PENCILS: Rick Zombo
INKS: Randy Emberlin
COLORS: Dan Brown
LETTERS: Steve Dutro

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: STAR WARS: Thrawn #1

STAR WARS: THRAWN No. 1 (OF 6)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jody Houser
ART: Luke Ross
COLORS: Nolan Woodard
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Paul Renaud
VARIANT COVERS: Francesco Mattina; John Tyler Christopher
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2018)

Rated “T”

Based on the novel by Timothy Zahn

Grand Admiral Thrawn is a character in the Star Wars media franchise.  An Imperial military commander, Thrawn was introduced in the 1991 novel, Heir to the Empire, written by Timothy Zahn and also known as the first novel in the “Thrawn trilogy.”  Zahn also wrote a two-novel set known as the “Thrawn duology” that brought the character back, seemingly from the dead.

After the Walt Disney Company bought Lucasfilm, the owner of the Star Wars franchise, Thrawn became a “Star Wars Legends” character – meaning he was not part of Star Wars canon, also known as “official Star Wars lore.”  Thrawn became a cannon character when he appeared in the third season of the animated television series, “Star Wars Rebels” (Disney XD).

Now, Marvel Comics is adapting Timothy Zahn's 2017 novel, Star Wars: Thrawn, as a six-issue miniseries.  Like the novel, the comic book adaptation chronicles the origins of Grand Admiral Thrawn.  The comic book miniseries is written by Jody Houser; drawn by Luke Ross; colored by Nolan Woodard; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Star Wars: Thrawn #1 opens in that area of the galaxy that is beyond the “Outer Rim” and that is referred to as “Wild Space.”  Captain Parck of the Imperial Navy leads a squad of Myomar Imperial Academy cadets on a mission to an unnamed planet in Wild Space to search for a possible new alien species.  What they find is a highly-skilled non-human that calls itself “Thrawn.”  Being the only member of the mission who can speak to Thrawn, Cadet Vanto soon finds himself ensnared in Thrawn's surprising Imperial ambitions.

I am not familiar with the original novel of the same name upon which this comic book, Star Wars: Thrawn, is based.  I can say that writer Jody Houser has fashioned an excellent first issue in this adaptation of the novel.  The pacing is excellent, and the dialogue is evocative and detailed in conveying the machinations and personalities of the characters, especially Thrawn.  Houser creates a comic book that is a joy to read and also does not feel like another Star Wars retread.

As always, artist Luke Ross delivers strong compositions and page design.  Ross arranges the panels in a way that allows the story to flow while it presents the characters, plots, and settings in rich detail.  Nolan Woodard's vivid colors, especially the blue and green hues not only make the art sparkly, but also heighten the sense of mystery and danger about Thrawn.

Clayton Cowles' lettering make the story hum with energy and creates a sense that a surprise is coming around every corner on the way to the next panel.  All of this wonderful graphical storytelling simmers underneath another striking example of Paul Renaud's art – the cover illustration for this first issue.

I was merely interested in Star Wars: Thrawn; now I can't wait for the next issue.

9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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