Scan barcode
jaredkwheeler's review
5.0
Star Wars Legends Project #210
Background: Agent of the Empire: Hard Targets, released in August 2013, collects the five-issue series (October 2012-February 2013). They were written by [a:John Ostrander|18810|John Ostrander|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263038842p2/18810.jpg] and drawn by [a:Davide Fabbri|18808|Davide Fabbri|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. Ostrander has written several dozen issues of Star Wars comics, including the entire run of Agents of the Empire. Fabbri did the art for a few dozen other issues as well, most prominently in runs of Republic and Empire.
Hard Targets is set shortly after Iron Eclipse (my review), about three years before the Battle of Yavin. The main character is Imperial Agent Jahan Cross. The plot revolves heavily around Count Dooku (but not that Count Dooku) and features appearances by Boba Fett, Armand and Ysanne Isard, Bail Organa and Princess Leia, and Winter. Most of the story takes place on Alderaan and Serenno.
Summary: Jahan Cross returns to his homeworld of Alderaan, ostensibly on diplomatic duty for a celebration in honor of the current Count Dooku. But things go south when the Count is assassinated and his young heir is likely to be the next target. As an Imperial agent, Cross is no stranger to playing both sides against the middle in service of the Empire's agenda, but this mission has a personal edge that will test his loyalties the the utmost.
Review: I enjoyed the first Agent of the Empire immensely, and it's take on James Bond in a Star Wars setting worked as well as you'd hope. This second volume was everything I want a sequel to be, raising the stakes and deepening the depiction of the character and his world. The inclusion of Han and Chewie in the last story worked, but felt a bit gimmicky. The established characters who appear here feel much more natural. The story is so full of twists and turns that I don't want to talk about it too much. Almost anything I can think to say feels like a spoiler, and it's definitely worth reading for yourself.
The thing that really makes this premise work is that Jahan Cross isn't necessarily a Good Guy. He is what the title says, an agent of the Empire, and that's the system of values he operates from. When you think you know what he's going to do, you probably don't.
A
Background: Agent of the Empire: Hard Targets, released in August 2013, collects the five-issue series (October 2012-February 2013). They were written by [a:John Ostrander|18810|John Ostrander|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1263038842p2/18810.jpg] and drawn by [a:Davide Fabbri|18808|Davide Fabbri|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. Ostrander has written several dozen issues of Star Wars comics, including the entire run of Agents of the Empire. Fabbri did the art for a few dozen other issues as well, most prominently in runs of Republic and Empire.
Hard Targets is set shortly after Iron Eclipse (my review), about three years before the Battle of Yavin. The main character is Imperial Agent Jahan Cross. The plot revolves heavily around Count Dooku (but not that Count Dooku) and features appearances by Boba Fett, Armand and Ysanne Isard, Bail Organa and Princess Leia, and Winter. Most of the story takes place on Alderaan and Serenno.
Summary: Jahan Cross returns to his homeworld of Alderaan, ostensibly on diplomatic duty for a celebration in honor of the current Count Dooku. But things go south when the Count is assassinated and his young heir is likely to be the next target. As an Imperial agent, Cross is no stranger to playing both sides against the middle in service of the Empire's agenda, but this mission has a personal edge that will test his loyalties the the utmost.
Review: I enjoyed the first Agent of the Empire immensely, and it's take on James Bond in a Star Wars setting worked as well as you'd hope. This second volume was everything I want a sequel to be, raising the stakes and deepening the depiction of the character and his world. The inclusion of Han and Chewie in the last story worked, but felt a bit gimmicky. The established characters who appear here feel much more natural. The story is so full of twists and turns that I don't want to talk about it too much. Almost anything I can think to say feels like a spoiler, and it's definitely worth reading for yourself.
The thing that really makes this premise work is that Jahan Cross isn't necessarily a Good Guy. He is what the title says, an agent of the Empire, and that's the system of values he operates from. When you think you know what he's going to do, you probably don't.
A
wyrmbergmalcolm's review
4.0
Another fantastic James Bondesque adventure that truly shows the vagaries of right and wrong regarding blind allegiance to a power. Despite his aloof character, Cross is a very likable hero of the Empire. With stunning artwork and clever politicking, this made for a truly enjoyable Star Wars story. If ever Disney run out of Star Wars ideas, they would do well to consider a Jahan Cross TV series.
More...