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twilliamson's review
4.0
Aaron picks up the Star Wars universe in the first comic series of the new canon continuity, and as such tries to suture together the adventures of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and other characters after the events of the first film.
Much of what Aaron provides in this first collection, which spans the first six issues of the series, feels like some classic Star Wars action, but the convenience of his plotting makes the series feel like a whole lot of fan fiction. Because so many canon characters, as well as a few new ones, crop up in these issues, it feels like a constriction of the Star Wars universe more than it does an expansion. Whereas the 1970s comics felt wild because there was no canon to build from other than one original film, this series feels like it is trying too hard to fit into a canon perhaps better left unwritten, and although it was written in 2014 (released in 2015), it feels like its events would spoil much of the novelty of the second Star Wars film.
Indeed, of my biggest gripes with the comic's story is the confrontation between Vader and Luke, which here feels like it lessens the impact of Luke's later confrontation with Vader in Cloud City. Although Aaron is ostensibly filling in gaps in the canon--How did Luke learn to control the Force? How did Vader learn who Luke was before the events of Empire?--it does feel like there's almost too much crammed into what would otherwise feel like two episodes of an ongoing television serial.
All of that contention aside, I can't fault Aaron's enthusiasm for the series, and I do think his characters ring mostly true. He gets the right notes for Han and Leia, especially, even if his Luke is a little underwhelming. He does both Vader and Fett justice, and his Jabba is believable. Cassaday's art is also pretty good, although I am not so sure his inker or colorist do his linework real justice. There's a feeling of stiffness in the ship depictions, as if they're not even drawn from the same visual plane.
All in all, though, I do think that this is a series many Star Wars fans can still enjoy in a totally retconned Star Wars universe. Although I regret the loss of so much of the EU canon, this new canon of comics does inspire some hope that there might be some cool stories told in the future.
Much of what Aaron provides in this first collection, which spans the first six issues of the series, feels like some classic Star Wars action, but the convenience of his plotting makes the series feel like a whole lot of fan fiction. Because so many canon characters, as well as a few new ones, crop up in these issues, it feels like a constriction of the Star Wars universe more than it does an expansion. Whereas the 1970s comics felt wild because there was no canon to build from other than one original film, this series feels like it is trying too hard to fit into a canon perhaps better left unwritten, and although it was written in 2014 (released in 2015), it feels like its events would spoil much of the novelty of the second Star Wars film.
Indeed, of my biggest gripes with the comic's story is the confrontation between Vader and Luke, which here feels like it lessens the impact of Luke's later confrontation with Vader in Cloud City. Although Aaron is ostensibly filling in gaps in the canon--How did Luke learn to control the Force? How did Vader learn who Luke was before the events of Empire?--it does feel like there's almost too much crammed into what would otherwise feel like two episodes of an ongoing television serial.
All of that contention aside, I can't fault Aaron's enthusiasm for the series, and I do think his characters ring mostly true. He gets the right notes for Han and Leia, especially, even if his Luke is a little underwhelming. He does both Vader and Fett justice, and his Jabba is believable. Cassaday's art is also pretty good, although I am not so sure his inker or colorist do his linework real justice. There's a feeling of stiffness in the ship depictions, as if they're not even drawn from the same visual plane.
All in all, though, I do think that this is a series many Star Wars fans can still enjoy in a totally retconned Star Wars universe. Although I regret the loss of so much of the EU canon, this new canon of comics does inspire some hope that there might be some cool stories told in the future.
tsukikomew's review
4.0
This volume follows Luke, Leia, Han, and the crew on a mission between Episode IV and Episode V to cripple the Empire as much as they can. The crew set off for an Imperial weapons manufacturing plant and pose as negotiators. Quickly the meeting goes south when it becomes clear Darth Vader is the negotiator. The group fights back trying to not only escape but to destroy the weapons plant. Luke faces off against Darth Vader while the rest of the team rescues slaves and readies the Falcon to fly again. After their victory Luke sets off alone to go to Tatooine to discover more information about Obi-Wan Kenobi. Luke struggles to view himself as a Jedi since he is completely untrained. He gets the chance to realize his destiny when he fights Boba Fett on Tatooine and emerges victorious leaving with a gift from Obi Wan Kenobi.
The series is a great filler to explain a bit how Episode IV ended and how Episode V was set up. We know Luke had somewhat embraced the Jedi outlook at the beginning of Episode V and knew he needed to seek training. We know the group managed to continue fighting against the Empire before settling a new base on Hoth. We know all this but how they got from point A to point B has been less than clear.
I liked the way the characters were portrayed because they seemed so authentic. You could almost hear the actors reading the lines out. No one seemed drastically altered by time and/or distance from the source material. Everyone was precisely the way they should have been.
The only downside to the story was the whole Han Solo/Leia/Sana storyline. Why they felt the need to shoehorn a love triangle into a series that already had one before we all learned it was creepy and gross, is beyond me. It seems like unnecessary drama that will clearly get hammered out by the end of the series.
I plan to continue the series as I eagerly await Episode VIII to be released in over a year. It's a great way to get back into the swing of things if you've been lacking some "Star Wars" in your life.
The series is a great filler to explain a bit how Episode IV ended and how Episode V was set up. We know Luke had somewhat embraced the Jedi outlook at the beginning of Episode V and knew he needed to seek training. We know the group managed to continue fighting against the Empire before settling a new base on Hoth. We know all this but how they got from point A to point B has been less than clear.
I liked the way the characters were portrayed because they seemed so authentic. You could almost hear the actors reading the lines out. No one seemed drastically altered by time and/or distance from the source material. Everyone was precisely the way they should have been.
The only downside to the story was the whole Han Solo/Leia/Sana storyline. Why they felt the need to shoehorn a love triangle into a series that already had one before we all learned it was creepy and gross, is beyond me. It seems like unnecessary drama that will clearly get hammered out by the end of the series.
I plan to continue the series as I eagerly await Episode VIII to be released in over a year. It's a great way to get back into the swing of things if you've been lacking some "Star Wars" in your life.
charlottewilloughby's review
4.0
Great read
Very good first book, lots of different things going on and different stories. Overall gets left on a cliffhanger which sets up perfectly for the next instalment!
Very good first book, lots of different things going on and different stories. Overall gets left on a cliffhanger which sets up perfectly for the next instalment!
hilaryjsc's review
4.0
Just as satisfying as Princess Leia Vol 1. I love how they answer niggling questions without feeling like they're wandering off to some weird place.
goodbooksgreatgoats's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
charlesc_n's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cross_withers12's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
amy_da1sy's review
4.0
For one of my first Star Wars comics it was honestly really good and I can’t wait to read more