Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Star Wars: Force Storm - Dawn of the Jedi #3 of 5
Dark Horse Comics
Ostrander, Duursema & Parsons
Ostrander and Duursema continue to build a new world set thousands of years ago in the Star Wars universe with the same care and attention to detail they poured into creating the ends of the Skywalker line in Star Wars Legacy. This issue ups the action and shows what these early Jedi are capable of and, as a result, show us exactly where these different Jedi are deficient. The book is a fantastic read as it sets up the fight and presents the aftermath. Duursema flexes her artistic muscles in this book as only she can in the Star Wars universe. This is simply an outstanding read.
The basic premise is that a ship crashes on the planet. However, an escape pod jettisons from the ship prior to the crash. Three Jedi investigate the pod and are faced with the Force Hound who is extremely powerful and very primed for a battle. Since this story is in the beginning of the Star Wars timeline things aren't as simple as Jedi (and they aren't even called Jedi) versus Sith. In this book one of the "good guys" is actually a Sith.
The three that battle the Force Hound (Sek' Nos Rath, Shae Koda and Tasha Ryo) are mid-level Jedi and are totally overpowered by the Force Hound. It doesn't help that their weapons are completely inferior to those of the Force Hound. However, the Jedi have tricks of their own and the battle is a standoff.
After the Jedi pursue the Force Hound, their Masters show up to check out the wreckage and the disturbance in the Force and find that their Jedi's weapons and vehicles tell of a battle. They also track the group. All of this takes place under the watchful eye of the banished Jedi.
It's a great book. It has a ton of action and it is more hand to hand then lightsaber. It has excellent pacing throughout. Sure, the terms, characters and setup is a bit confusing. However, it's a new universe after all and to combat this I keep the zero issue handy as a reference. The other plus is that the artwork is amazing.
Duursema makes every single character fresh in this book despite the fact that there are plenty of species that have seen throughout Star Wars for decades. The action is lively and the movements look fluid. The book just screams out "epic" simply by flipping through the pages. I think the art actually stole the show in this comic, even though the script is superb to match it.
Dawn of the Jedi is something different. It removes the elements where the Jedi are battling the Sith or trying to save the galaxy. In this incarnation the Jedi are just beings trying to survive and learn. That doesn't mean there isn't drama and intruders and that is where this book picks up the pace. If you have any interest in Star Wars, especially the very beginnings of Star Wars, then this book is for you.
4.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
