Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Star Wars Purge The Tyrant's Fist #2Star Wars Purge – Tyrant's Fist #2 of 2
Dark Horse Comics
Freed, Castiello, Chella & Atiyeh

Darth Vader takes out a Jedi martyr in the final issue of this brief series. The comic book doesn't follow the typical Darth Vader led stories where he is leaping off cliffs and cutting up people left and right while a brigade of Stormtroopers follow behind. Instead, this book takes the direction that Vader is more tactical about the elimination of the Jedi. While that portion of the book is very well executed I found the brunt of the book to be largely forgettable and I think that has to do with the character work leading up to the book's conclusion.

Vader can't find the Jedi that is seen as a hero amongst the locals. Vader understands that even if he finds the Jedi that the planet's populace will still build and worship statues for him as the Jedi are revered on the planet. Vader takes the approach that he needs the people to forget about the Jedi and then he can kill him rather than just simply killing him without tearing down this aura first.

Vader is unable to complete this task by himself. Vader concocts a plan to destroy the people's faith in the Jedi while using various characters to further his cause. He also performs acts of charity by rebuilding destroyed buildings and infrastructure to make the people see the Empire in a new light. This seems difficult based simply on the Empire's appearance and presence but it plays out well enough.

The comic book doesn't work because the Jedi is uninteresting. It also isn't really clear why the people love the Jedi show much. Sure, we read the narration telling us why they are loved so much but it just doesn't get sold in this book. The ending also leaves something to be desired as it felt like a good idea that didn't quite make sense with the story's execution.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsThe artwork is very good. The book is polished and bright. The action in the comic is very fluid. The colors bring the pencils to life and help to tell a terrific visual story. Overall, the artwork is a highlight in the book.

Purge comics are a great idea. The concept of Vader hunting down the remaining Jedi is excellent. Some of the books are very good and some are not. I appreciate the ideas in this book and I think there are interesting elements here but I don't feel they came together the way they could have to make the comic book great. This is an above average, but entertaining nonetheless, read.

3 out of 5 Geek Goggles