Scan barcode
jaredkwheeler's review
3.0
Star Wars Legends Project #247
Background: The Rebel Storm, released in July 1995, collects issues #8-14 of Dark Horse's Classic Star Wars reprints (April-November 1993) of the original Star Wars newspaper strips (March 1982-April 1983). Like the previous collection, they were written by [a:Archie Goodwin|44712|Archie Goodwin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1276897601p2/44712.jpg] and drawn by [a:Al Williamson|92186|Al Williamson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1276890531p2/92186.jpg]. The two did many issues of other Star Wars work, most notably this run together of some years, but also Goodwin was writing for the original Marvel run of Star Wars during this time, and Williamson drew the adaptations of both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
The Rebel Storm takes place during the year following the Battle of Yavin. The main characters are Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Darth Vader. This volume also features the first-ever appearance of Admiral Ackbar. The stories take place in various locations, including Yavin IV and Hoth.
Summary: Darth Vader has delayed the day when the Empire will crush the Rebel base on Yavin IV while he waits for his new flagship to be completed, but now the Rebels are out of time. As a desperate plan to neutralize the Executor comes together, it seems the Rebellion may have waited too long to relocate, pinning their hopes on another long-shot victory. Can a plan where so much could go wrong hope to succeed? And even if it does, what will be the cost?
Review: Maybe my judgment is a bit skewed by the relief of returning to strips by Goodwin after suffering through an entire volume of Russ Manning's atrocities, but there's still plenty to enjoy here. I like, amidst the dozens and dozens of stories I've already read from this post-Death Star victory period, finally getting some of the connective tissue that leads into the Rebellion's relocation to Hoth. I also like how, even though this is a story being told through brief snippets in a daily newspaper, Goodwin is really able to not only put out compelling arcs, but also weave those arcs together into an effective larger narrative.
He plays with a number of interesting ideas here . . . Maybe my favorite arc from that perspective was "The Return of Ben Kenobi" just because it was so different from anything else I've read. I won't spoil it for you, but suffice to say . . . Ben Kenobi hasn't actually returned, obviously. Even some of the goofier elements, like the entire "power gem" plot device, are at least written in a way that doesn't run everything off the rails, and are put to good use in building tension and giving the story a direction. I also enjoyed the story showcasing Admiral Ackbar's skills as a tactician and military leader.
Again, maybe this is something of an acquired taste . . . It's not the kind of Star Wars I'd want all the time, but it's absolutely worth checking out.
B-
Background: The Rebel Storm, released in July 1995, collects issues #8-14 of Dark Horse's Classic Star Wars reprints (April-November 1993) of the original Star Wars newspaper strips (March 1982-April 1983). Like the previous collection, they were written by [a:Archie Goodwin|44712|Archie Goodwin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1276897601p2/44712.jpg] and drawn by [a:Al Williamson|92186|Al Williamson|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1276890531p2/92186.jpg]. The two did many issues of other Star Wars work, most notably this run together of some years, but also Goodwin was writing for the original Marvel run of Star Wars during this time, and Williamson drew the adaptations of both The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
The Rebel Storm takes place during the year following the Battle of Yavin. The main characters are Luke, Han, Leia, Chewie, C-3PO, R2-D2, and Darth Vader. This volume also features the first-ever appearance of Admiral Ackbar. The stories take place in various locations, including Yavin IV and Hoth.
Summary: Darth Vader has delayed the day when the Empire will crush the Rebel base on Yavin IV while he waits for his new flagship to be completed, but now the Rebels are out of time. As a desperate plan to neutralize the Executor comes together, it seems the Rebellion may have waited too long to relocate, pinning their hopes on another long-shot victory. Can a plan where so much could go wrong hope to succeed? And even if it does, what will be the cost?
Review: Maybe my judgment is a bit skewed by the relief of returning to strips by Goodwin after suffering through an entire volume of Russ Manning's atrocities, but there's still plenty to enjoy here. I like, amidst the dozens and dozens of stories I've already read from this post-Death Star victory period, finally getting some of the connective tissue that leads into the Rebellion's relocation to Hoth. I also like how, even though this is a story being told through brief snippets in a daily newspaper, Goodwin is really able to not only put out compelling arcs, but also weave those arcs together into an effective larger narrative.
He plays with a number of interesting ideas here . . . Maybe my favorite arc from that perspective was "The Return of Ben Kenobi" just because it was so different from anything else I've read. I won't spoil it for you, but suffice to say . . . Ben Kenobi hasn't actually returned, obviously. Even some of the goofier elements, like the entire "power gem" plot device, are at least written in a way that doesn't run everything off the rails, and are put to good use in building tension and giving the story a direction. I also enjoyed the story showcasing Admiral Ackbar's skills as a tactician and military leader.
Again, maybe this is something of an acquired taste . . . It's not the kind of Star Wars I'd want all the time, but it's absolutely worth checking out.
B-
More...