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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