Marvel’s Star Wars Issue 1 is Fantastic and Here’s Why

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Marvel comics released the much anticipated Star Wars Issue 1 written by

and art by

this week and I, for one, think this issue lived up to the hype. The storytelling was absolutely fantastic and if you wanted Original Trilogy feels, you got them in bulk. If you haven’t picked up a copy of this book yet then stop reading, go to your local comic shop, buy this book immediately, enjoy the read, and come back here to join the conversation about character development.

The comic is set between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back so there have been a lot of questions about what stories this series will tell and what questions might be answered. I want to look at how Aaron is developing the main characters in this first issue.

If you have not read the book and want to avoid spoilers then stop reading right now and come back after enjoying the first issue. If you have read it or don’t care about spoilers, “Follow me.”

The Empire
So I know an empire isn’t technically a character but I believe we get a sense of what Palpatine’s Empire has become in this issue. We’ve always known the Empire was evil and that it needed to be overthrown. After all, any ruling entity that will blow up an entire planet is in need of revolution. But if you were in doubt, this issue gives more conformation that the Rebel Alliance is right in what it is trying to accomplish.

The Rebel Alliance has gone on the offensive and plan to blow up a weapons factory. While they in the factory, Luke finds that slaves are being used to work the factory line. The Empire has no regard for life and now we have proof. The Rebel Alliance is battling a corrupt government using slavery to further its goals.

Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is the character Aaron develops the most in this issue. We’ve always known that Luke has a heart for others and for the cause of the Rebellion. In this issue, we get more confirmation of this heart when he expands the mission to freeing a group of slaves, at the risk of his team, who are being used by the Empire.

We also get to see Luke’s impetuous and sometimes reckless nature. When Luke realizes that Darth Vader is nearby he rushes off from the others to go and face him. He gives no thought to the fact that he might not be capable of beating Vader with his limited/non-existent training or that he might actually be putting the larger mission in danger. He is out for revenge over the death of Obi-Wan and his father. I have to admit, I’m a little uneasy with Luke and Vader facing each other this early in the story. It seems to take away the power of the unknown from their meeting in The Empire Strikes Back. Even with the spoiler warning, I couldn’t bring myself to post a picture of the last page in the issue. Run!

Darth Vader
I’ve recently been struck by how much pop culture has tamed Darth Vader. This man was an evil menace who at his inception walked into the Jedi Temple and slaughtered children. Now we dress our children in his black suit and mask. Well the days of a Vader being full of warm fuzzies are over. Aaron and Cassaday are pulling no punches in portraying the walking evil that is Darth Vader.

In The Clone Wars television series, Anakin Skywalker was always sympathetic and even friends with the clone troopers. He was actually one of the few to treat a group of men who were built to be disposable foot soldiers with dignity and respect. Well, as Darth Vader, those days seem to be over. In a Vader move far more disturbing than a mere force choke, the black masked villain uses storm troopers as human shields when Chewbacca tries to kill him from a sniper’s position. The scene is chilling and reminds us, if we have forgotten, that Darth Vader is not afraid to use any means necessary to get what he wants.

Leia Organa
I absolutely love Leia in this issue. For whatever reason, writers have had a hard time with Leia’s character but I think Jason Aaron is spot on in this issue. She is tough, determined, and a natural leader. She is at the front of this mission and takes command of the team. She isn’t some unbelievable wonder woman, as some other comics have tried to write her, but has a natural role as the brains behind the operation. The pivotal moment for her was when she gives an order to Chewbacca, even overriding what Han had told him to do, and he listens to her. She’s in charge and everyone knows it.

Han and Leia
We have a definite “moment” between Han and Leia in this issue and I’m curious to see how they will move this forward. By the time they are on Hoth, there has definitely been some history between them and I’m curious to see how that will play out in this particular arc. I hope they don’t give us too much but I loved the banter here. The look on Han’s face when she calls him out is priceless.

So what do you think Dorksiders? What were your feelings about the first issue? Did it live up to your expectations? Were you let down? What were your favorite character moments? Where did you think Jason Aaron missed the mark? Leave a comment below.