Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

OBI-WAN AND ANAKIN #1Star Wars: Obi-Wan & Anakin
Marvel Comics
Soule, Checchetto & Mossa

"Obi-Wan & Anakin" launches a mini-series that focuses on the time period about five years after "Phantom Menace" and five years before "Attack of the Clones." The comic shows good command of the relationship that the pair seem likely to have during this time period. The comic also has very good artwork covering a time where there aren't actors to reference how they would appear. However, the comic barely grazes a plot as the comic book is mostly setup. This is an okay start to the mini-series.

Marvel seems to no longer put how long a mini-series is to run within the actual comic these days. Whether you assume this mini-series is five or six issues, this comic book is all setup.

Obi-Wan and Anakin crash on a planet. The planet seems to be void of people. However, the pair arrive there because they are answering a distress signal. The oddity here is that Obi-Wan remarks that the planet managed to kill off each other and received no help from the Jedi in their war because the planet isn't within the Republic. But now, they send two Jedi to the planet knowing that no one is supposed to be living there. Perhaps this question will be covered later on, but somehow I doubt it.

Anakin reveals he's having second thoughts about becoming a Jedi. Obi-Wan gives him a pep talk and this begins a good flashback. Of course the flashback has Palpatine and some other familiar characters and is a highlight of the comic. Another strange question is that Anakin's lightsaber is the same one that Luke receives from Obi-Wan later on in the original "Star Wars" movie. However, we know that Anakin doesn't have this saber in "Attack of the Clones" as he goes through at least two in that movie. And no this isn't a plot hole, but it is something that Star Wars enthusiasts that tend to pick up on details.

The comic barely launches a plot in this book. The comic is more of an introduction to the relationship of Obi-Wan and Anakin and it's a good one. The reason they end up on the planet and crash land and everything else doesn't seem that important. Another good question is why Obi-Wan was piloting and not Anakin, but questions like this rarely get answered. The comic is definitely on the slower side compared to "Star Wars" and "Darth Vader."

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsThe artwork is very strong. What's most appealing about the artwork is that there is barely any photo referencing, if any at all. Perhaps this is because Anakin is of an age not quite seen in any of the prequels. Whatever the case, the art uses heavy details for the facial features, but uses a high level of imagination in doing so. The planet has a stormy quality to it, which usually means that details can be glossed over, but that is not the case with this comic book. The flashback scenes are also exceptionally detailed. Overall, the visuals are a highlight for this comic book.

"Obi-Wan & Anakin" launches with a slow start as the pair crash on an abandoned planet and have a discussion. The discussion leads to an interesting flashback, but not much else happens. The comic is good because it focuses on a time period that seems to be forgotten in the old and new Expanded Universe of books and comics. The dialogue is good as it hits the right notes with the relationship of this Master and Learner and it is backed up with strong artwork. The issue is a setup issue and that's what it boils down to. Hopefully things will pick up in the coming issues.

3 out of 5 Geek Goggles

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