Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Star Wars #1-7; Darth Vader #1-7; Princess Leia #1-5; Kanan: #1-4 (incomplete mini-series)
Marvel Comics
Aaron, Cassaday, Martin, Bianchi, Ponsor, Gillen, Larroca, Delgado, Waid, Dodson, Dodson, Bellaire, Weisman, Larraz and Curiel
Marvel began releasing Star Wars comic books nearly eight months ago and the success has been huge to say the least. Sales are in the upper end of the spectrum for every title, each month. The line has grown to three to four comics being published each month, some being mini-series, while two, "Star Wars" proper and "Darth Vader" are "ongoing." This seems like a good time to take a look at the line as a whole to determine if it is worth the hype or not. With the new film releasing in just four months, potential readers might be looking to see if the collected editions are worth the cash as an appetizer for what's coming. If I could only use one word to describe the Marvel Star Wars line it would be: exciting.
Star Wars and Darth Vader have points where they intersect. However, that doesn't mean that they crossover in a way that requires you to read both titles. What it does, basically, is repeat key points that happen to involve Darth Vader in both books because the developments are rather relevant. Taken separately the comics have to two distinct styles and paces.
"Star Wars" takes the approach of what would be cool to see that the movies never showed the viewers. Darth Vader taking down an AT-AT, Boba Fett versus Luke Skywalker, Vader threatening Jabba The Hutt and so on. The book has only two basic stories.
The first one sees Han, Chewie, Luke, Leia and the droids infiltrating a weapons facility, looking to destroy it. This provides an exciting three issues that has Luke fighting Vader, Vader noticing Luke's saber had been his and other interesting visuals like Han piloting an AT-AT. The arc doesn't do anything too lasting in terms of character development or movie plot expansion. It feels like just another Star Wars adventure. It's action packed and includes explosions and narrow escapes.
The second story is mostly on Tatooine as Vader has dealings with Fett, Jabba and attempts to trace Kenobi's steps while living there. Luke also heads there in hopes of finding something of old Ben's that might help guide him. This plot is very intriguing because it provides a small amount of background that the films do not provide. The problem is that Aaron sticks with the action instead of trying to go a little deeper into the characters, their thoughts and motivations.
"Star Wars" has an interesting subplot with Han Solo and his life prior to the rebellion. It also contains a fill-in issue that has Kenobi rescue young Skywalker from some of Jabba's thugs. This is something that has been done to death over the years, but if this is your first time reading one then you might like it.
The book is good. It caters to the readers that haven't read the original Marvel series, the Dark Horse comics like Empire or Rebellion or the novels. These comics are perfect for new readers or readers that just want the excitement and not the politics, the love story or the character's motivations. Aaron treats the characters like his own personal action figure toy box. It works well. However, it isn't doing anything to build up the back-story or pick up the strands from the original movie.
"Darth Vader" is unique because Gillen gives Vader a supporting cast. Aphra and the evil C3-PO and R2-D2 are his snarky companions for some of the missions. The driving force in the book is Vader is fed up with being blamed for the Death Star disaster and he's looking to see what The Emperor has behind the curtain in terms of replacing him.
The comic opens with Vader and Jabba. Some of the scenes played out in the 'Star Wars" book but this expands them. Vader employs some bounty hunters and then finds out he's received a new commander above him.
This leads Vader to find Doctor Aphra to assist him with getting some deadly droids and his own army. Once the setup is done at the conclusion of the third issue he begins to track the Emperor's trail.
Eventually Vader finds a new cache of replacements that The Emperor is lining up to take over for Vader. This mission takes three issues and contains a lot of action and it is all very similar to that of Return of the Jedi. The Emperor looks on and uses the combatant's angry to get the fighting going. The Emperor is just finding out which character is the strongest to stand as his apprentice.
The seventh issue has Vader go back to Tatooine to investigate the Lars farm and Ben's shack. The eighth issue is a bounty hunter's heist with some more setup for future arcs.
This series has less action than "Star Wars" and spends more time telling some stories with personality and attitude. Gillen brings in a bigger cast and uses the opportunity to create some new characters and play with lesser used characters from the movies. The comic struggles with the characterization of Vader. This is a common problem with comics and Vader. They tend to have Vader pull out his lightsaber and cut down anything and everyone that looks at him funny and we know this not the be case from his behavior in the films. He drew his saber for Obi-Wan and Luke and that was it. He killed two of his officers and a rebel commander and that was it. Comics tend to make him more of a cartoon character with his behavior and while it might entertain, it hurts the character and stunts the stories. However, the supporting cast helps to keep this book interesting and provides a nice angle on Vader that hasn't existed before in comics.
"Princess Leia" attempts to dive deeper into Leia's head as she is one of the last survivors of her homeworld, Alderaan. After the medal ceremony, Leia is confronted by a pilot that also is Alderaanian, Evaan. Evaan wants Leia to embrace her heritage as royalty. Eventually the pair head out on a solo mission to round up other survivors before the Empire finds them.
This story has some great points in it when analyzing Leia's unique position as being a rebel leader but also being royalty for a planet that is gone but not without survivors. This deep exploration is absent in the other comic books and is a welcome focus on a character.
The mini-series has problems with the plot and they are too glaring to ignore. The idea that the Empire would focus on rounding up Alderaanian survivors instead of rebels seems unlikely. Compounding this problem is that the end of the series has a group of Alderaanians blow up an Imperial ship. This simply wouldn't go unnoticed by the Empire and would call attention to the very planet they are hiding on. If the planet were that safe and secure as not to worry about the Empire then why wouldn't the rebels barter to set up a base there? Especially since the book opens with them looking for a new base. The series has a great look at Leia but the story just doesn't make a lot of sense.
Finally, fans of the TV show, Rebels, will want the Kanan series. This bridges the gap of the lead characters from his days as a Jedi padawan to his life as seen on the show. The series isn't complete as of this writing (two issues are left) but the series is fast moving and shows the progression of Kanan giving up his Jedi way. It basically starts off with Order 66 and the immediate fallout from the death of his Master. The problem is that those not watching the show might not like this series and those watching the show but not into comics that pick this up might have trouble with the pace. It is a very good read though. It is also the sole comic that isn't focused on the original trilogy.
The artwork is quite a range. The best is that of the "Darth Vader" led by Larroca and Bellaire. The art has personality and really portrays Vader the way he appears in the movies, which appears to be a very difficult task based on the past comic books published. The panels bring an epic, but dark feel to them and they work well. The Kanan series has that shiny and cartoon-like look that is similar to the show. The art by Larraz and Curiel is solid and presents a wide array of images for the quiet moments as well as the action. "Star Wars" relies heavily on photo references from the movies. This is a safe way to go because the actors are such a big part of the movies as much as the uniqueness of Vader, the vehicles and the droids. The comic book has an unevenness to it that is obvious when you look through the first five or six issues at the same time. The art isn't disappointing. It simply looks like the movie and degrades slightly as the pages turn. The Dodsons on art in "Princess Leia" is an acquired taste. Because their style is so unique, it stands out too much from the other books. The style does highlight the softer look that Leia has and that is a good thing. The comic book doesn't quite match the tone of the subject matter visually. The story is dealing with the mourning of a race and a planet and the colors are bright and the panels look a bit too happy I felt. Overall, the art on all the titles look like Star Wars and that is what you want I think.
The Marvel Star Wars comic line is aiming at the new reader. The comic books provide easy to follow stories and simply characterizations while focusing on action and sparkling visuals. Older readers are probably going to come away thinking they've read these stories before and they most likely have. There isn't much originality across the line here but there are some spots, such as the "Darth Vader" book. If you want to be entertained and aren't worried about how the dots get connected then there is something in here for you. If you want to know why Obi-Wan didn't speak to Luke as a Force ghost and tell him he left him a journal then this is not for you. You are thinking about this too hard. Sit back, relax and hope your hyperdrive works. I recommend picking these comic books up because they are exciting.
3.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
