With new arcs and a new series having just begun, it seems appropriate to reflect on the Star Wars comics that have come before; and despite only having started their Star Wars run at the beginning of the year, Marvel has delivered almost four complete story arcs in four separate series, as well as already begun on a fifth series, Lando, the first issue of which debuted July 7th.
In this report card, I will grade the first story arcs of Star Wars, Darth Vader, Princess Leia, and Kanan: The Last Padawan, hopefully giving you some food for thought when deciding whether or not you want to read these series in the process.
Next: Star Wars: Space Opera or Soap Opera?
STAR WARS
Unlike the other three series, I did not read every issue of Star Wars. I read the first one and then, due to an uncertainty of whether I would be able to afford every single new Star Wars comic on a college student budget, fell out of the series and did not pick it back up again until issue #5.
My thoughts on this series, then, are based on the three I did read, all of which I enjoyed. They all felt like classic Star Wars adventures, with some surprising twists. In Star Wars #1, for example, an interesting twist that I didn’t anticipate was that Luke was about to have another encounter with Darth Vader. This encounter bridges Star Wars with Darth Vader, and Vader, at least, is profoundly affected by the consequences of it. In Star Wars #6, it was revealed that Han Solo has a wife, the badass and slightly angry Sana Solo. Star Wars #6 also revealed the existence of a journal written by Obi Wan Kenobi, which is now in Luke’s possession; and Luke’s full name was discovered by Darth Vader (an event that, once again, connects Star Wars to Darth Vader).
Overall, I would give what I have read of this series an A-. It clearly has guts, and its creators seem to know just what twists will be tantalizing enough to keep you wanting more.
Next: Darth Vader: Weird or Wonderful?
DARTH VADER
I have mixed feelings about Darth Vader. In many instances, it was bold and beautiful, with homages to the prequels that were appropriate and, at times, awe-inspiring. In addition, the revelation that the Force-sensitive pilot who destroyed the Death Star is the son of Anakin Skywalker, though not earth-shattering if known to the audience, is still powerful when you witness Vader’s reaction to it. You feel the anger, the weight of the truth of betrayal by the Emperor who hinted that Padme had died before she could give birth. These scenes are incredible, and really mark the oh so faint beginnings of Anakin’s turn against the Dark Side.
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What makes me fall short of giving this comic an incredible review is the bizarre-ness of some of the other plot elements. A psychopathic female doctor, a couple of homicidal droids (AKA C-3PO and R2-D2’s evil twins), and the Star Wars X-Men render the story both more interesting and more weird.
The latter elements form a strange juxtaposition with classic Darth Vader, to be sure, though not an entirely unsuccessful one. While I am at times annoyed with Doctor Aphra, whose willingness to serve Vader straddles the fine line between hero worship and outright stupidity, she makes for an interesting foil for the implacable Sith Lord. The droids were their own characters, despite looking so much like the counterparts in the films, and the Star Wars X-Men… Well, in the end, I’m interested to see where they go and what happens to them. I’m also interested to see if the Emperor’s plans for them are truly what they seem, or if, rather, this is all some elaborate scheme to test Vader.
In the end, I give this series a B+. It’s really great stuff, but there are moments where it got just a tiny bit too bizarre for me.
Next: Princess Leia: A Missed Opportunity
PRINCESS LEIA
Princess Leia, oddly enough, seems to have been the most hotly debated series in the lineup on the internet. Some steadfastly love and defend it, while others would easily call it (and do call it) the worst of the new Star Wars comics. While in the beginning I was one of the champions of the series, by issue #3 or #4 I had fallen more into the company of the latter category.
“…one of the gems of this series was Evaan… [she] is delightful and unique.”
One of my biggest issues is with the main character, which is never a good sign. I feel like Marvel missed a real opportunity to dig down deeper into Leia, into her grief, her anger, her sorrow for the loss of her people. I can understand her desire to channel these feelings into reuniting the lost people of Alderaan; in other words, into accomplishing something instead of wallowing in negative emotions. Still, the result fell somewhat flat for me.
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On the other hand, one of the gems of this series was Evaan, who is one of the first new canon Star Wars characters original to the comics (and also one of few canon female Rebel pilots). Evaan is delightful and unique, and makes an excellent companion for Leia on her (rather, their) adventure. Issue #5 left her in an interesting position, and I hope to see more of her as a result.
Another bright spot happened when Leia arrived on Naboo, the homeworld of her mother (unbeknownst to her, of course). Whilst there, she has a kind of vision which I can only assume originates in the Force. It’s a beautiful callback to the prequels.
I would have liked to see more, but once again, we didn’t really get to see into Leia too deeply. Apart from a few flashbacks, she’s focused completely on her mission; and then in the end, she just kind of leaves all the Alderaanians she’s gathered together and goes back to the Rebellion. And that’s it. All that work, and then she leaves, with no one except perhaps Evaan, who has become her loyal friend throughout the series, protesting.
Overall, I give this series a C+. While it was enjoyable, it was also more boring than the other series. Also, there were times when Leia seemed out of character. I did enjoy the art, though it didn’t always help that Leia, in addition to not acting like herself, didn’t really look like herself, either. The ending, while somewhat satisfying, felt too short and neat. I hope to see another go at a Princess Leia miniseries in the future; but I hope the plot they give her has higher stakes and is more mature.
Next: Kanan: The Last Padawan & The Best Comic
KANAN: THE LAST PADAWAN
On to my personal favorite of the Star Wars comics; and with the amazing duo of Star Wars Rebels writer Simon Kinberg and artist Pepe Larraz behind it, it’s no wonder I consider it the best of the four series so far. Emotion, a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and gorgeous panels put Kanan: The Last Padawan at the top of the class with an A+. There’s just so much to love about it. I’m sad that there’s only three issues out so far (issue #4 debuts July 22nd; get it at your local comic bookstore or from Comixology). Having only three issues out means the first arc of Kanan isn’t done yet, but those three have been so good that fans (like myself) have been clamoring for more.
Kanan, of course, is one of the heroes in Star Wars Rebels. Part of his backstory as an adult was explored in A New Dawn by John Jackson Miller. This first arc of the series featuring the “cowboy Jedi” focuses on his childhood, and how he escaped Order 66… leaving his master behind to do so. In the events that follow, you can see the roots of the man he becomes in A New Dawn forming before your eyes.
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Though I wouldn’t call any of these series, except perhaps Kanan, perfect, they are all worth reading in my gradebook. Even Princess Leia, which I am most dissatisfied with as a whole series, gives some interesting insight into the fate of the Alderaanians scattered across the galaxy following their home planet’s destruction, as well as introduces a great new character and a cast that is nearly entirely female (a feat unique to Princess Leia, so far).
Now is a great time to jump into Star Wars comics, with powerhouse series like Star Wars, Darth Vader, and Kanan having warmed up, and delightful new series beginning or about to begin. Lando #1, Marvel’s latest Star Wars addition, was a fun read; and Shattered Empire, the first comic series in the era beyond Return of the Jedi (SEE ALSO: Marvel’s Star Wars: Shattered Empire Synopsis), will debut in September and give us a visual into years that only Legends have touched so far.
Stay tuned to Dork Side for more updates and reviews of Star Wars comics!