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alpaca254's review against another edition
Turned out I’m not really into graphic novels
library_jones's review against another edition
3.0
I loved Dark Empire as a kid, and read it so often that the pages began to fall out. The story doesn't really stand the test of time, but it's still an interesting piece of Expanded Universe lore. The art...is pretty bad. The weird use of color often makes one face indistinguishable from another. The poor art continues into Dark Empire II, which is definitely the worst story of the trilogy. It is boring and repetitive, and has Force users popping up everywhere. Empire's End feels rushed, but it's a decent end to the trilogy. Overall, the collection was dangerously close to a 2-star rating, but for nostalgia's sake, I'm bumping it up to 3 stars.
rhganci's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty cool STAR WARS story. I've learned to avoid being concerned by the continuity issues that are omnipresent in the universe, so I was able to appreciate the idea that Darth Vader would build a giant Sith castle on a remote Dark Side world just because it's awesome.
The artwork and its pseudo-monochromatic stylings were kind of interesting, as well. I liked the way that the color shading on the panels made it always seem like dawn or dusk, which added a kind of urgency to the story that words couldn't. The fact that the lightsabers were all blue or white irked me though, in the same way that the movies couldn't line up the right sound with the right color lightsaber. Nitpicking.
In the end, as EPISODE VII approaches, it'll be interesting to see exactly how much of the STAR WARS EU gets kicked in lieu of new film-canon. There's a lot here that will probably get ousted, but DARK EMPIRE is still a cool way to extend the Rebel-Empire conflict, and to imagine how it might have continued.
The artwork and its pseudo-monochromatic stylings were kind of interesting, as well. I liked the way that the color shading on the panels made it always seem like dawn or dusk, which added a kind of urgency to the story that words couldn't. The fact that the lightsabers were all blue or white irked me though, in the same way that the movies couldn't line up the right sound with the right color lightsaber. Nitpicking.
In the end, as EPISODE VII approaches, it'll be interesting to see exactly how much of the STAR WARS EU gets kicked in lieu of new film-canon. There's a lot here that will probably get ousted, but DARK EMPIRE is still a cool way to extend the Rebel-Empire conflict, and to imagine how it might have continued.
wyrmbergmalcolm's review against another edition
4.0
The story that the awful Disney trilogy should have done... oh wait, they did, but mangled it horribly. Luke's development as a Jedi is greatly explored here where he makes some significant realisations about the Force. It was also great seeing Leia's developing Jedi powers as well. Han also makes some critical developments regarding his ever-increasing involvement with the Force.
The story is well paced with a good feeling of impending doom making for some good tension, particularly when events delay the characters from thwarting that doom.
Unfortunately, this great story uses some dated story-telling techniques common to comics of the era, which can be forgiven. However, I cannot forgive the abysmal artwork which is pretty eye-searingly horrendous all the way through, from the badly rendered characters to the vomit-inducing colour pallet. If ever there was a Star Wars story that needed a modernising face-lift, Dark Empire is the one to have it, it's got a great story hidden behind a garbage visage.
The story is well paced with a good feeling of impending doom making for some good tension, particularly when events delay the characters from thwarting that doom.
Unfortunately, this great story uses some dated story-telling techniques common to comics of the era, which can be forgiven. However, I cannot forgive the abysmal artwork which is pretty eye-searingly horrendous all the way through, from the badly rendered characters to the vomit-inducing colour pallet. If ever there was a Star Wars story that needed a modernising face-lift, Dark Empire is the one to have it, it's got a great story hidden behind a garbage visage.
crowmaster's review against another edition
3.0
It was a ok story. I am fine on how they portrayed luke but the story gets a little weird.
factolvictor's review against another edition
4.0
It’s a great installment of old Star Wars Expanded Universe and it was made to be an epic (with all its hits and misses included). Tom Veitch writing emulates the dialogues from the classical trilogy (episodes IV, V and VI) and the artwork by Cam Kannedy is amazing.
There are some minor loopholes here and there and some bad design choices for starships and vehicles. I must also mention Empatojayos Brand, one of the most bizarre character designs I’ve ever seen. The main villain is also poorly written, despite being a major villain in Star Wars universe. I can't understand why, if the great villain, who claims to predict the whole future, lets slip so many banal things.
The first two thirds of this trilogy are great, mostly because of Veitch/Kennedy collaboration. Kennedy’s artwork is really remarkable and stands off everything else.
Nonetheless, despite its flaws, it has a lot of accolades. The Dark Empire trilogy was responsible to revamp the Star Wars vibe in the 1990s’ altogether with Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy and it’s a big deal because it launched the old Expanded Universe (called Legends nowadays). It is a must read to every Star Wars fan.
There are some minor loopholes here and there and some bad design choices for starships and vehicles. I must also mention Empatojayos Brand, one of the most bizarre character designs I’ve ever seen. The main villain is also poorly written, despite being a major villain in Star Wars universe. I can't understand why, if the great villain, who claims to predict the whole future, lets slip so many banal things.
The first two thirds of this trilogy are great, mostly because of Veitch/Kennedy collaboration. Kennedy’s artwork is really remarkable and stands off everything else.
Nonetheless, despite its flaws, it has a lot of accolades. The Dark Empire trilogy was responsible to revamp the Star Wars vibe in the 1990s’ altogether with Timothy Zahn’s Thrawn Trilogy and it’s a big deal because it launched the old Expanded Universe (called Legends nowadays). It is a must read to every Star Wars fan.
fifteenthjessica's review against another edition
4.0
This is a solid story. Luke and Leia dance with danger as they work to revive the Jedi and fight to stop Emperor Palpatine for good. Mean while, the rebel alliance must deal with the fact that the emperor is dead set on planet destroying weaponry. Seriously, J J Abrams should have consulted Veitch for planet destroying weapons, the two here are distinct from the Deathstar and very dangerous. Unfortunately, the writers don't put them to good use. A series of successful (as far as the narration is concerned) evacuations can take the impact out of death machines just as bad as Death Star 3: Made of a Planet.
This is my first time reading Expanded Universe/Legends comics. The main characters from the original worked well, but there wasn't enough time for me to get attached to a lot of the new characters. I liked Grand a lot, but of all the new characters, only others two feel like ones that I won't forget eventually, and one of them, it's because of his hair.
The story delves into Han's past, which is nice, as well as the consequences of killing a major crime boss from a major crime family. So many bounty hunters, but I still struggle to understand why Boba Fett is such a big deal with other fans.
I have more mixed feelings on the art. The coloring is gorgeous, and the artist does a good job capturing the look of characters from the movies, but the characters that I first saw in the comic never really wowed me. They only stood out with more eye grabbing design's (Grand's robotic body, Salla's distinct hair and poses--I never knew I needed a female smuggler--, mohawk kid's mohawk).
This is my first time reading Expanded Universe/Legends comics. The main characters from the original worked well, but there wasn't enough time for me to get attached to a lot of the new characters. I liked Grand a lot, but of all the new characters, only others two feel like ones that I won't forget eventually, and one of them, it's because of his hair.
The story delves into Han's past, which is nice, as well as the consequences of killing a major crime boss from a major crime family. So many bounty hunters, but I still struggle to understand why Boba Fett is such a big deal with other fans.
I have more mixed feelings on the art. The coloring is gorgeous, and the artist does a good job capturing the look of characters from the movies, but the characters that I first saw in the comic never really wowed me. They only stood out with more eye grabbing design's (Grand's robotic body, Salla's distinct hair and poses--I never knew I needed a female smuggler--, mohawk kid's mohawk).
jediprincess's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
4.0
This was hilarious, peak campy Star Wars