Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Star Wars: Obi-Wan & Anakin #2
Marvel Comics
Soule, Checchetto & Mossa
"Obi-Wan and Anakin" continues with another issue that focuses more on their relationship and that of Anakin and Palpatine than it does on the plot. The plot ties in with the exploration of the relationship, but mostly through some parallels and behavior that would prove ironic when you consider the fate of the Jedi, Palpatine, Obi-Wan and Anakin. I enjoyed the read, but I am also someone that has been looking for a deeper look at the teacher-student aspect of Obi-Wan and Anakin for a long time. When taken into context the comic is fairly average but has appeal to those looking for more story about these characters than the movies or the TV show provided. This is worth a read.
Obi-Wan and Anakin find themselves stranded on a planet that called for Jedi aid. Immediately they are met with hostility from one war group. However, a second war party comes into the mix. With all of them stranded and up against native creatures and harsh elements, Obi-Wan convinces them to work together and put their differences aside. The comic is loaded with symbolism, both between the Jedi and Sith and with Obi-Wan and Anakin's hot-cold relationship.
The best parts of the comic book deal with Obi-Wan and Anakin as well as the small flashback between Anakin and Palpatine. Obi-Wan shows patience with Anakin in this comic and Anakin shows great respect for his master. He's not brash or argumentative of his master in this book. It's a good glimpse of how the relationship had been before Anakin started taking matters into his own hands.
The Palpatine part is small but effective. Palpatine convinces Obi-Wan to allow him to take Anakin alone for a minor mission. Palpatine plants some seeds in young Anakin's head while building some trust.
The comic has some oddities or missteps. The two warring groups go by the names, "Closed" and "Open." As if this weren't confusing enough, there is a sequence of dialogue where they appear to call each other the wrong terms. Anakin reaches out to rescue the male from falling and the woman yells, "you'll never make it you Open fool!" The rest of the book, the male is identified as a "Closed" and not as "Open." Another possibility is that she was yelling at Anakin, but why would she call him 'Open' or a fool? I'm not sure but I believe this is a mistake.
The artwork is very good. There is a good amount of action, but the highlight of the art is how Ob-Wan and Anakin are depicted. The charm of the characters is captured well as it highlights the seriousness of the situation with the tiny smiles they seem to crack even in the most dangerous of times. The artwork is a strength of this comic.
"Obi-Wan and Anakin" produces a second issue that brings more danger to the pair, but also brings more characters into the fray. The pair find themselves with warring rivals. This leads them to attempting to keep peace while trying to escape the hostile environment of native creatures and dangerous elements. The comic draws a lot of parallels between the current situation and the future of the Jedi, Sith and Obi-Wan and Anakin's relationship. It's a good read, especially if you are into expanding on the lead character's interactions that the films didn't cover. I'm not sure this book has a wider appeal because it is fairly average in terms of plot and excitement. Give it a shot.
3 out of 5 Geek Goggles
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