#IReadsYou Review: STAR WARS #108

STAR WARS No. 108
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

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

STORY: Matthew Rosenberg
PENCILS: Giuseppe Camuncoli; Andrea Broccardo; Kerry Gammill; Jan Duursema; Stefano Landini; Luke Ross; Leonard Kirk
INKS: Cam Smith; Andrea Broccardo; Ze Carlos; Jan Duursema; Stefano Landini; Luke Ross; Leonard Kirk
COLORS: Chris Sotomayor
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Walter Simonson with Antonio Fabela
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: John Tyler Christopher; Michael Golden; Carmine Infantino and Dan Green with Dean White
52pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (July 2019)

Rated “T”

Marvel Comics is in the middle of celebrating some kind of 80th anniversary or birthday.  Marvel is 80 when you count the debuts of Marvel's “predecessors,” Timely Comics (1939) and Atlas Comics (1951 to 1971).  The declaration, “80 Years,” is currently emblazoned on the Marvel logo.

As part of the celebration, Marvel has been publishing a series of one-shots that act as a brief continuation of odd, off-beat, and forgotten Marvel and Timely comics titles (such as the recent Ziggy Pig - Silly Seal Comics and Gunhawks one-shots).  One of those one-shots, Star Wars No. 108, is a continuation of Marvel's original Star Wars comic book series, which was published from 1977 to 1986 for a total of 107 issues, three annuals, and the Return of the Jedi miniseries, which was a comic book adaptation of the 1983 film.

Star Wars #108 is written by Matthew Rosenberg, who divides the story into eight chapters.  The team of Giuseppe Camuncoli and Cam Smith draws the first four pages of Chapter 1, with Andrea Broccardo drawing the rest.  Chapter 2 is drawn by the team of Kerry Gammill and Ze Carlos.  Chapter 3 is drawn by Broccardo.  Chapter 4 is drawn by Jan Duursema (who drew numerous Star Wars comic books for Dark Horse Comics).  Chapter 5 is drawn by Broccardo.  Chapter 6 is drawn by Stefano Landini.  Chapter 7 is drawn by Luke Ross (who has drawn several Star Wars comic books for Marvel).  Chapter 8 is drawn by Leonard Kirk.  The colorist for this comic book is Chris Sotomayor, and the letterer is Clayton Cowles.

Star Wars #108 is a sequel to “The Crimson Forever,” which was published in Star Wars #50 (cover dated: August 1981) and was written by late Archie Goodwin and drawn by the late Al Williamson and Walter Simonson.  The story also features the character Valance the Hunter, a character that originates in Marvel's original Star Wars comic book and not in the Star Wars films.  Valance was created by writer Goodwin and Simonson and first appeared in Star Wars #16 (cover dated: October 1978).  Simonson, with colorist Antonio Fabela, provides the main cover art for Star Wars #108.

Other Star Wars comics-only characters appear in #108.  First, they are the bounty hunters, Jaxxon (a rabbit-like humanoid) and the female, Amaiza Foxtrain, both of whom first appeared in Star Wars #8 (cover dated: February 1978) and who were created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Howard Chaykin.  Another is the lead villain of “The Crimson Forever,” the vengeful Domina Tagge, who first appeared in Star Wars #35 (cover dated: May 1980) and who was created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist Carmine Infantino.

Star Wars #108, entitled “Forever Crimson” opens some time after the events depicted in Return of the Jedi.  The story finds Domina Tagge again seeking to use the mysterious twin red jewels to avenge herself on both the Rebel Alliance (now known as the “Alliance of Free Planets”) and the remnants of the Galactic Empire.  When separated, the jewels create a deadly plague called “the Crimson Forever.”  Now, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO must stop Tagge.  Jaxxon and Amaiza Foxtrain are allies-of-sorts to Luke and company, but they have their own plans.  And Domina's actions have inadvertently served to revive Valance the Hunter, but whose side is he on?

First, let me say that I am disappointed and somewhat upset that Lando Calrissian does not appear in Star Wars #108, especially because he was directly involved in the original story, “The Crimson Forever.”  That aside, this is a really nice way to celebrate and to remember – even honor – Marvel's original Star Wars comic book series.  For many Star Wars fans (myself included, dear readers), Marvel's Star Wars was the only way we got a regular Star Wars fix during the three-year wait between the release of the original Star Wars films.  [No newspaper local to me carried the very good Star Wars newspaper comic strip that ran from 1979 to 1984.]

Writer Matthew Rosenberg was also someone who was a big fan of those early Marvel Star Wars comic books.  His love for them shows up in “Forever Crimson,” which is true in spirit, tone, and storytelling style to those old Star Wars comic books.  We would be so lucky if Rosenberg produced sequels to other Star Wars stories from those bygone days.

The artists turn in excellent work, and Giuseppe Camuncoli and Cam Smith expertly mimic Walt Simonson's graphic style in their four-page retelling of the story of Valance the Hunter.  Luke Ross delivers his usual stellar work, and Leonard Kirk's closing chapter, with its Art Adams and Mike Mignola-like flourishes, gives us award-worthy art.

Superstar colorist Chris Sotomayor displays his wicked skills coloring seven different artists or art teams in bright colors that recall old-school Marvel comic book coloring.  And superstar letterer Clayton Cowles helps to give each chapter its own tone and atmosphere.

I was quite excited when I first heard about Star Wars #108.  It surpasses my expectations, and it makes me anxious to go back and reread those old Star Wars comic books.  That is high praise indeed.

This issue also includes an afterword in which several people who worked on the original Star Wars comic books recount, to editor Mark Paniccia, their experiences working on the title, some taking a paragraph or more to tell their story.  These include Jo Duffy, Ron Frenz, David Michelinie, Tom Palmer, Louise Simonson, and Walter Simonson.

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: THE STAR WARS #1

THE STAR WARS #1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.]

SCRIPT: J.W. Rinzler
ART: Mike Mayhew
COLORS: Rain Beredo
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Nick Runge
VARIANT COVERS:  Jan Duursema, Douglas Wheatley
EDITOR: Randy Stradley
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2013)

Apparently, filmmaker George Lucas had ideas for what would become his film, Star Wars, years before he completed the 1977 Oscar-winning, box office record-setting movie.  In May 1974, Lucas completed the first-draft full screenplay, entitled The Star Wars, the first of four drafts.

Dark Horse Comics has initiated a comic book adaptation of that 1974 screenplay, and the result is The Star Wars, a new eight-issue Star Wars comic book miniseries.  The creative team on The Star Wars is J.W. Rinzler (writer and script adaptation), Mike Mayhew (artist), Rain Beredo (colors), and Michael Heisler (letters).

The Star Wars #1 opens after the recent “Great Rebellion,” in which the Empire has given way to the “New Galactic Empire.”  On the fourth moon of Utapau live Kane Starkiller and his two sons, Annikin and Deak.  Events force great change, which present to Annikin Starkiller the chance to follow in his father’s footsteps.  Meanwhile, the Emperor sets his sights on the Aquilaean System, the last of the independent systems.

Of all the Star Wars comic books that I’ve ever read, The Star Wars is the one that I think will have the least appeal to readers who are either not interested in Star Wars or are only casually interested.  Still, it is good to get this visual and graphical interpretation of early Star Wars, which makes The Star Wars the comic book equivalent of a curio-piece.

If anything The Star Wars makes it obvious how much influence Edgar Rice Burroughs’ “Barsoom” book series had on George Lucas.  In fact, Mike Mayhew’s art, with Rain Beredo’s colors, recall the magazine illustration and pulp art from the first half of the twentieth-century that Lucas says influenced his storytelling.  As of now, Mayhew and Beredo are good reasons to keep reading.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.

Review: STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI – Force Storm #1

STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI – FORCE STORM #1 (OF 5)
DARK HORSE COMICS

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.] 

STORY: John Ostrander and Jan Duursema
SCRIPT: John Ostrander
PENCILS: Jan Duursema
INKS: Dan Parsons
COLORS: Wes Dzioba
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Gonzalo Flores - variant (Jan Duursema – main cover)
36pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

In the Star Wars Expanded Universe timeline, there is a period known as “Before the Republic.” This era occurs from 36,000 to 25,000 years before the Battle of Yavin, the climatic battle in the 1977 film, Star Wars, in which Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star. Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi is a new series of comic book miniseries situated in the “Before the Republic” age.

The first miniseries is Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi – Force Storm. It takes place a few centuries before that time, 36,453 before the Battle of Yavin (also known by the acronym, BBY). The series takes readers back to the beginnings of the Jedi, then known as the Je’daii. On the planet Tython, in the center of the galaxy, these Je’daii (a word in the Bendu language that means “mystic center”) form an order of warrior monks that strives to maintain peace and to balance the mysterious power known as the Force.

In Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi – Force Storm #1, Je’daii Master Ketu recounts the birth of the order to two of his students. This includes the first great conflict in which the Je’daii must take an active role, The Despot War (a conflict that takes place 12-years before Ketu tells the story). Meanwhile, on the lush world of Tatooine, Predor Tul’Kar of the Infinite Empire culls Force sensitives with the help of his Force Hound, Xesh.

I was surprised when Dark Horse Comics sent me a copy of Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi – Force Storm #1. It must be obvious to them (and even some of you, dear readers) that I enjoy reading Star Wars comic books. I certainly enjoyed reading the Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi – Force Storm comic book.

The first 11 pages of issue #1 recount the beginnings of what would become the Jedi Order (thus, the term, “Dawn” in the title). I expected a different story. To me, at least, it lacks grandeur, as if this was something Stan Lee and Steve Ditko cobbled together for Strange Tales back in the 1960s. The story that is set in the present (Infinite Empire) is more interesting, and the character, Xesh, seems like a budding star.

The art by Jan Duursema is good, looking as right for Star Wars as any other comic book art. The storytelling is good, though a bit calm for Star Wars, but the Ostrander-Duursema team is a good one for Star Wars comic books.

[This comic book also includes a 4-page preview of Conan the Barbarian #1 by Brian Wood, Becky Cloonan, Dave Stewart, and Richard Starkings & Comicraft, with cover art by Massimo Carnevale.]