Marvel's Star Wars #1:
The force is strong with this debut issue
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you’re the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I’d encourage you to skip down to the last two paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you’re accepting of a few modest hints at ‘things to come,’ then read on …)
From Marvel’s publicity release:
“Luke Skywalker and the ragtag band of rebels fighting against the Galactic Empire are fresh off their biggest victory yet- the destruction of the massive battle station known as the Death Star. But the Empire's not toppled yet! Join Luke along with Princess Leia, smugglers Han Solo and Chewbacca, droids C-3PO and R2-D2, and the rest of the Rebel Alliance, as they strike out for freedom against the evil forces of Darth Vader and his master, the Emperor.”
So ... how is it?
Well, if Star Wars #1 does anything right, then it’d be easy to conclude that it handled the SciFi/fantasy property perfectly right out of the gate: the issue opens with the films’ visual branding, that being ‘A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away’ in that familiar blue script on an all-black backdrop ... and then it gives way to the glorious Star Wars logo in gold followed quickly by the signature scrawling text. In taking this approach, Marvel has taken great pains to show readers – new and old, eager or disenfranchised by the move from one publisher to another – that they have nothing to fear: this is intended to be as much a part of ongoing Star Wars continuity as is humanly and humanely possible. (Let’s not quibble on canonical issues, though, as that's still a sore spot, methinks.) The first few panels feel reminiscent of The Empire Strikes Back quiet opening: instead of Star Destroyers silently lurking through the darkness launching probes in search of our heroes, readers are treated to a lone shuttle approaching an industrialized world.
From there, we learn that the shuttle indeed contains (at least) one of our heroes: Han Solo!
However, unless I miss my guess … did he just say that he’s there on behalf of Jabba the Hutt?
It’s these kind of happy little narrative twists that honestly delight Star Wars fans. Our expectations have been tinkered with, forcing us to hungrily read on quickly in order to find out whether scribe Jason Aaron has served up some major plot twist or is this all in the keeping of some master plan? As many of you know, in the era of the Original Trilogy plans rarely if ever went as designed, creating the kind of tension that always makes for good storytelling, and it’s those sentiments that propels this new tale and keeps this entire first issue moving at just the right pace. Before you know it, Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, and even the droids have seamlessly appeared in the panels, and that means that, yes, Star Wars fans should have no trouble having a good feeling at home again, albeit in comic book fashion.
That said, I’m not entirely convinced Aaron crafted as unique a first issue as was probably hoped or intended.
Don't get me wrong: as a relaunch, it's all well and good, and it definitely has its heart in the right place. There are some hiccups that didn’t quite feel authentic to this ol’ nerf herder. As it turns out, Solo’s only fooling with the Imperials, and it isn’t long before Princess Leia emerges from her disguise and takes charge (as fans know she's wont to do). Still, I questioned whether or not the Rebellion – at this point in their development – would’ve risked such a high profile representative with ‘Her Highness’ commanding a mission deep into Imperial territory. Especially so soon after the destruction of their prized Death Star? Would that be too dangerous? Wouldn't she be too high profile a target? (I will admit I absolutely LOVED the reveal, though.)
And Artoo’s up to his old tricks – maybe a bit too predictably.
And Threepio? He’s been left in charge of the Falcon? Han Solo’s Millenium Falcon?
Really?
Still, they were hiccups -- quick, light, unexpected bursts -- and hiccups are easy to forgive. The pace is solid, consistent, and near perfect for the action that unfolds in these pages. Star Wars #1 even boasts the kind of last minute developments that underscores just why we love heroes the way we do, always will, and why we’ll even follow them to Mustafar and back given the right opportunity.
So ... thank you, Marvel, for keeping the flame burning brightly! Here’s hoping there’s even more magic in 30 days!
Star Wars #1 (Ongoing) is published by Marvel Comics. The story is written by Jason Aaron; the art is by John Cassaday; the colorist is Laura Martin; with Chris Eliopoulos adding the letters. It all comes for the low, low price of $4.99 (print or digital), though I’d love to see that price drop for e-purchases.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
The Skinny: Marvel’s Star Wars #1 works fine as a first issue. It effectively launches the franchise recently acquired by the Mouse House, bringing perhaps what the long-time comics publisher hopes will be ‘A New Hope’ for long-time Star Wars enthusiasts. Some obvious minor ‘story contrivances’ aside (Threepio flying the Falcon? Leia commanding a mission to THE Imperial stronghold? Did we REALLY wanna slip in a ‘Luke vs. Vader’ throwdown so soon?), the tone for these centerpiece characters was pretty well spot-on, making those of us still smarting from the move away from Dark Horse to elsewhere swallow our pride.
From Marvel’s publicity release:
“Luke Skywalker and the ragtag band of rebels fighting against the Galactic Empire are fresh off their biggest victory yet- the destruction of the massive battle station known as the Death Star. But the Empire's not toppled yet! Join Luke along with Princess Leia, smugglers Han Solo and Chewbacca, droids C-3PO and R2-D2, and the rest of the Rebel Alliance, as they strike out for freedom against the evil forces of Darth Vader and his master, the Emperor.”
So ... how is it?
Well, if Star Wars #1 does anything right, then it’d be easy to conclude that it handled the SciFi/fantasy property perfectly right out of the gate: the issue opens with the films’ visual branding, that being ‘A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away’ in that familiar blue script on an all-black backdrop ... and then it gives way to the glorious Star Wars logo in gold followed quickly by the signature scrawling text. In taking this approach, Marvel has taken great pains to show readers – new and old, eager or disenfranchised by the move from one publisher to another – that they have nothing to fear: this is intended to be as much a part of ongoing Star Wars continuity as is humanly and humanely possible. (Let’s not quibble on canonical issues, though, as that's still a sore spot, methinks.) The first few panels feel reminiscent of The Empire Strikes Back quiet opening: instead of Star Destroyers silently lurking through the darkness launching probes in search of our heroes, readers are treated to a lone shuttle approaching an industrialized world.
From there, we learn that the shuttle indeed contains (at least) one of our heroes: Han Solo!
However, unless I miss my guess … did he just say that he’s there on behalf of Jabba the Hutt?
It’s these kind of happy little narrative twists that honestly delight Star Wars fans. Our expectations have been tinkered with, forcing us to hungrily read on quickly in order to find out whether scribe Jason Aaron has served up some major plot twist or is this all in the keeping of some master plan? As many of you know, in the era of the Original Trilogy plans rarely if ever went as designed, creating the kind of tension that always makes for good storytelling, and it’s those sentiments that propels this new tale and keeps this entire first issue moving at just the right pace. Before you know it, Luke, Leia, Chewbacca, and even the droids have seamlessly appeared in the panels, and that means that, yes, Star Wars fans should have no trouble having a good feeling at home again, albeit in comic book fashion.
That said, I’m not entirely convinced Aaron crafted as unique a first issue as was probably hoped or intended.
Don't get me wrong: as a relaunch, it's all well and good, and it definitely has its heart in the right place. There are some hiccups that didn’t quite feel authentic to this ol’ nerf herder. As it turns out, Solo’s only fooling with the Imperials, and it isn’t long before Princess Leia emerges from her disguise and takes charge (as fans know she's wont to do). Still, I questioned whether or not the Rebellion – at this point in their development – would’ve risked such a high profile representative with ‘Her Highness’ commanding a mission deep into Imperial territory. Especially so soon after the destruction of their prized Death Star? Would that be too dangerous? Wouldn't she be too high profile a target? (I will admit I absolutely LOVED the reveal, though.)
And Artoo’s up to his old tricks – maybe a bit too predictably.
And Threepio? He’s been left in charge of the Falcon? Han Solo’s Millenium Falcon?
Really?
Still, they were hiccups -- quick, light, unexpected bursts -- and hiccups are easy to forgive. The pace is solid, consistent, and near perfect for the action that unfolds in these pages. Star Wars #1 even boasts the kind of last minute developments that underscores just why we love heroes the way we do, always will, and why we’ll even follow them to Mustafar and back given the right opportunity.
So ... thank you, Marvel, for keeping the flame burning brightly! Here’s hoping there’s even more magic in 30 days!
Star Wars #1 (Ongoing) is published by Marvel Comics. The story is written by Jason Aaron; the art is by John Cassaday; the colorist is Laura Martin; with Chris Eliopoulos adding the letters. It all comes for the low, low price of $4.99 (print or digital), though I’d love to see that price drop for e-purchases.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
The Skinny: Marvel’s Star Wars #1 works fine as a first issue. It effectively launches the franchise recently acquired by the Mouse House, bringing perhaps what the long-time comics publisher hopes will be ‘A New Hope’ for long-time Star Wars enthusiasts. Some obvious minor ‘story contrivances’ aside (Threepio flying the Falcon? Leia commanding a mission to THE Imperial stronghold? Did we REALLY wanna slip in a ‘Luke vs. Vader’ throwdown so soon?), the tone for these centerpiece characters was pretty well spot-on, making those of us still smarting from the move away from Dark Horse to elsewhere swallow our pride.