Brian Wood’s STAR WARS #1 Review
*WARNING: THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS*
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Carlos D’Anda
Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb
Cover Artist: Alex Ross
These have been some busy few months in the world of Star Wars. Disney just completed the purchase of Lucasfilm for $4 billion. With that also came the news that Disney will release a new trilogy of Star Wars films (Episodes VII-IX). Marvel Comics is also under Disney’s umbrella. Dark Horse is currently releasing Star Wars comics. The reason I bring this up is because one has to wonder how long will it be before Disney pulls the Star Wars comics away from Dark Horse and starts producing their own books through Marvel.
For now, we have a new Star Wars comic from Dark Horse, featuring the talented Brian Wood as writer. This new ongoing series takes place between Episode IV A New Hope and Episode V The Empire Strikes Back. Even with the Rebel Alliance’s destruction of the Death Star at the Battle of Yavin, they are still in search for a new base of operations. This task is made even harder after the possibility arises of a traitor in their midsts.
What I Liked
This is my first time reading a Star Wars comic. I have read many of the novels, specifically Timothy Zahn’s “Thrawn Trilogy”. Since this deals with characters I am familiar with, it made it a very easy read. Brian Wood picks up the story two months after the Battle of Yavin. We get to see Luke, Leia, and Wedge scout out new star systems in hopes of finding one that the Empire cannot find them in.
Carlos D’Anda is the artist on board, and I must say he does a great job. Each character is just how you remember them from the original trilogy. Luke still looks like a young man that is entering this galactic battle. Leia is still the public face for the Alliance. Han Solo is still the charismatic smuggler who wants nothing to do with being a hero. Probably my favorite work done by D’Anda is making the star destroyers look epic in their scope through large panels. Similar to how they would appear on the movie screen.
Wood takes time to focus on where each individual is after the Battle of Yavin. Luke is a new hero after destroying the Death Star, but he still has doubts on whether he is doing a good enough job. With all the losses he’s suffered, from losing his mentor Ben Kenobi, to his aunt and uncle, it is a lot to take in all at once. Meanwhile, Leia has lost her entire home planet of Alderaan. Loss after loss, they must continue on. We even see the repercussions for Darth Vader after his first defeat.
After Luke, Leia and Wedge are ambushed by a star destroyer while on their search for a new base, Mon Mothma believes there could be a traitor among them. Mon Mothma entrusts Leia with the job of finding a new home, while also flushing out the traitor.
The book isn’t entirely character-driven. We get some space action with X-Wings and Tie Fighters. Leia even displays that she’s more than a politician, and is fully capable of handling herself in a fight.
What I Didn’t Like
Every key Star Wars character from this time frame makes an appearance, but there is no sign of R2-D2. We get to see Leia’s R2-T4, but no R2-D2. Han and Chewbacca’s appearance is small also. We need to see more of their shenanigans. Hopefully future issues will show what trouble they get into as they travel across the galaxies.
The last negative I can name deals with the Disney/Lucasfilm merger. Again, one has to wonder how long this title will last before Disney pulls all Stars Wars-related content under their roof.
Overall, I would say this is a successful introductory issue. We are back in the classic Star Wars universe with familiar characters. It should be fun finding out what adventures took place between Episodes IV and V. There is even room for new characters to be created and utilized. This is a fun time to be a fan of the Star Wars universe.
This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network. They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/
Timdogg
#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE
