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jaredkwheeler's review against another edition
2.0
Star Wars Legends Project #115
Background: Clone Wars Adventures, Volume 9 was released in October of 2007. It consists of four stories in the style of Cartoon Network's animated Clone Wars series: Appetite for Adventure, Salvaged, Life Below, and No Way Out. All four were written and drawn by the [author:Fillbach Brothers|5498466].
Appetite for Adventure is set 4 months after the Battle of Geonosis (22 years before the Battle of Yavin), and features Dexter Jettster on the planet Dractu. Salvaged takes place 19 years before the Battle of Yavin, about a month after events of Revenge of the Sith, with several characters who don't appear elsewhere. Life Below takes place on Coruscant 4 months after Geonosis, starring Quinlan Vos. No Way Out also takes place 4 months after the Battle of Geonosis and features Mace Windu.
Summary: In Appetite for Adventure, Dexter Jettster braves an incredibly hostile world in search of just the right ingredients to bring back to his diner on Coruscant.
In Salvaged, a single clone drifting out in space so long that he missed Order 66 is recovered by a scavenger who happens to be hauling a particularly precious cargo.
In Life Below, Quinlan Vos battles a murderous gang in the sewers of Coruscant.
In No Way Out Mace Windu stumbles upon a lost city that holds a dark and deadly secret.
Review: Please refer to my review of [book:Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures, Vol. 1|35438] for some general thoughts that apply to the series as a whole.
I enjoyed most of these stories a bit more than the usual run, with the exception of Life Below. Quinlan Vos is a great character, but I've become wary of stories that feature him because his presence has started to seem like a lazy way of communicating that we're reading a "dark" or "ambiguous" or "gritty" story. This story, though, isn't even as interesting as that, and he's not very well-used here. Some seemingly significant stuff happens, but it doesn't mean much because we don't get any real backstory that would give it dramatic weight. And then there's a little "Ooo, Palpatine so evil!" stinger that doesn't amount to much.
Appetite for Adventure gets off to a great start by rendering its title in "Indiana Jones" font. Almost the entire story is told completely without dialogue, which is a cool gimmick that is deployed really effectively here. And then comes the punchline to bring the whole thing together. I didn't much care for that part, but your mileage may vary . . . Just not my style of humor.
Salvaged is the second-best of the lot, doling out just the right amount of details to set the scene and building to one perfect moment. The only problem with it is that you want more of this story and more of the characters in it. No Way Out, however, is my favorite of these, and certainly the best use of Mace Windu yet. The concept feels like a throwback to some of the really early Star Wars novels of the '80s and the early Dark Horse comics of a decade later, but it's also clearly drawing on other influences. The lost city has this very obvious German Expressionist look to it, and the story deploys several horror movie tropes (some pretty subtle, some less so) that all leads to a pretty satisfying (although poorly explained) denouement. I kind of wish more of the stories were like this, but notably this one has nothing to do with the actual war.
C-
Background: Clone Wars Adventures, Volume 9 was released in October of 2007. It consists of four stories in the style of Cartoon Network's animated Clone Wars series: Appetite for Adventure, Salvaged, Life Below, and No Way Out. All four were written and drawn by the [author:Fillbach Brothers|5498466].
Appetite for Adventure is set 4 months after the Battle of Geonosis (22 years before the Battle of Yavin), and features Dexter Jettster on the planet Dractu. Salvaged takes place 19 years before the Battle of Yavin, about a month after events of Revenge of the Sith, with several characters who don't appear elsewhere. Life Below takes place on Coruscant 4 months after Geonosis, starring Quinlan Vos. No Way Out also takes place 4 months after the Battle of Geonosis and features Mace Windu.
Summary: In Appetite for Adventure, Dexter Jettster braves an incredibly hostile world in search of just the right ingredients to bring back to his diner on Coruscant.
In Salvaged, a single clone drifting out in space so long that he missed Order 66 is recovered by a scavenger who happens to be hauling a particularly precious cargo.
In Life Below, Quinlan Vos battles a murderous gang in the sewers of Coruscant.
In No Way Out Mace Windu stumbles upon a lost city that holds a dark and deadly secret.
Review: Please refer to my review of [book:Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures, Vol. 1|35438] for some general thoughts that apply to the series as a whole.
I enjoyed most of these stories a bit more than the usual run, with the exception of Life Below. Quinlan Vos is a great character, but I've become wary of stories that feature him because his presence has started to seem like a lazy way of communicating that we're reading a "dark" or "ambiguous" or "gritty" story. This story, though, isn't even as interesting as that, and he's not very well-used here. Some seemingly significant stuff happens, but it doesn't mean much because we don't get any real backstory that would give it dramatic weight. And then there's a little "Ooo, Palpatine so evil!" stinger that doesn't amount to much.
Appetite for Adventure gets off to a great start by rendering its title in "Indiana Jones" font. Almost the entire story is told completely without dialogue, which is a cool gimmick that is deployed really effectively here. And then comes the punchline to bring the whole thing together. I didn't much care for that part, but your mileage may vary . . . Just not my style of humor.
Salvaged is the second-best of the lot, doling out just the right amount of details to set the scene and building to one perfect moment. The only problem with it is that you want more of this story and more of the characters in it. No Way Out, however, is my favorite of these, and certainly the best use of Mace Windu yet. The concept feels like a throwback to some of the really early Star Wars novels of the '80s and the early Dark Horse comics of a decade later, but it's also clearly drawing on other influences. The lost city has this very obvious German Expressionist look to it, and the story deploys several horror movie tropes (some pretty subtle, some less so) that all leads to a pretty satisfying (although poorly explained) denouement. I kind of wish more of the stories were like this, but notably this one has nothing to do with the actual war.
C-
jaredkwheeler's review against another edition
1.0
Star Wars Legends Project #163
Background: Clone Wars Adventures, Volume 6 was released in August of 2006. It consists of four stories in the style of Cartoon Network's animated Clone Wars series: It Takes a Thief, The Drop, To the Vanishing Point, and Means and Ends. The first, and third were both written and drawn by the [a:Fillbach Brothers|5498466|Fillbach Brothers|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. The second was written by [a:Mike Kennedy|18523|Mike Kennedy|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] with art by [a:Stewart McKenny|20053|Stewart McKenny|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], and the fourth was written by [a:Haden Blackman W.|7651874|Haden Blackman W.|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and drawn by [a:Rick Lacy|59161|Rick Lacy|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png].
It Takes a Thief stars Saesee Tiin. The Drop centers around a squad of clone commandos and a one-off Jedi Master character. To the Vanishing Point features Ki-Adi-Mundi. Means and Ends is about Plo Koon and Kit Fisto. The first 3 stories are set near the end of the Clone Wars, 19 years before the Battle of Yavin. The last one is dated a bit earlier due to the appearance of a by-this-point-deceased villain.
Summary: In It Takes a Thief, Master Saesee Tiin finds himself reliant on a young pickpocket in order to survive a Separatist ambush.
In The Drop, a squad of clone commandos deploys to rescue a Jedi Master on a vital mission.
In To the Vanishing Point, Ki-Adi-Mundi recalls the bravery of his fellow Jedi as he meditates in his tent before his final battle.
In Means and Ends Kit Fisto and Plo Koon must find a way to work together despite deep philosophical differences as they fight to escape a prison in the midst of a riot.
Review: You can read my review of [b:Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures, Vol. 1|35438|Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures, Vol. 1|W. Haden Blackman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403200391s/35438.jpg|35373] for some general thoughts that apply to the series as a whole.
All of these stories range from forgettably mediocre to just plain terrible. I'm not sure I can come up with a single thing to recommend any of them. Every story features second-tier characters in fairly forgettable ways. Ki-Adi-Mundi's story is an extended flashback that isn't even really about him, and doesn't lean into the obvious foreshadowing it ought to be deploying if it wants any kind of weight. The Drop, though clone-centric stories are usually my favorites, is particularly corny . . . the squad is called "H.O.P.E." (for High Orbit Precision Entry) and Master Treetower the Ugnaught is pretty lame. Means and Ends is halfway decent, except that it features my least-favorite Clone Wars bad guy. This one is especially skippable, even by Clone Wars Adventures standards.
D-
Background: Clone Wars Adventures, Volume 6 was released in August of 2006. It consists of four stories in the style of Cartoon Network's animated Clone Wars series: It Takes a Thief, The Drop, To the Vanishing Point, and Means and Ends. The first, and third were both written and drawn by the [a:Fillbach Brothers|5498466|Fillbach Brothers|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]. The second was written by [a:Mike Kennedy|18523|Mike Kennedy|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] with art by [a:Stewart McKenny|20053|Stewart McKenny|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], and the fourth was written by [a:Haden Blackman W.|7651874|Haden Blackman W.|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and drawn by [a:Rick Lacy|59161|Rick Lacy|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png].
It Takes a Thief stars Saesee Tiin. The Drop centers around a squad of clone commandos and a one-off Jedi Master character. To the Vanishing Point features Ki-Adi-Mundi. Means and Ends is about Plo Koon and Kit Fisto. The first 3 stories are set near the end of the Clone Wars, 19 years before the Battle of Yavin. The last one is dated a bit earlier due to the appearance of a by-this-point-deceased villain.
Summary: In It Takes a Thief, Master Saesee Tiin finds himself reliant on a young pickpocket in order to survive a Separatist ambush.
In The Drop, a squad of clone commandos deploys to rescue a Jedi Master on a vital mission.
In To the Vanishing Point, Ki-Adi-Mundi recalls the bravery of his fellow Jedi as he meditates in his tent before his final battle.
In Means and Ends Kit Fisto and Plo Koon must find a way to work together despite deep philosophical differences as they fight to escape a prison in the midst of a riot.
Review: You can read my review of [b:Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures, Vol. 1|35438|Star Wars Clone Wars Adventures, Vol. 1|W. Haden Blackman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1403200391s/35438.jpg|35373] for some general thoughts that apply to the series as a whole.
All of these stories range from forgettably mediocre to just plain terrible. I'm not sure I can come up with a single thing to recommend any of them. Every story features second-tier characters in fairly forgettable ways. Ki-Adi-Mundi's story is an extended flashback that isn't even really about him, and doesn't lean into the obvious foreshadowing it ought to be deploying if it wants any kind of weight. The Drop, though clone-centric stories are usually my favorites, is particularly corny . . . the squad is called "H.O.P.E." (for High Orbit Precision Entry) and Master Treetower the Ugnaught is pretty lame. Means and Ends is halfway decent, except that it features my least-favorite Clone Wars bad guy. This one is especially skippable, even by Clone Wars Adventures standards.
D-
rivulet027's review against another edition
5.0
In the first story it was nice to see Saesee Tiin get the spotlight. He's looking to get captured by the Separatists because they have an "special prototype Starfighter" and he's looking to steal it. He gets baited in a bar by Birok and his followers, then makes friends with a thief, a young human girl with short purple hair named Na-Jia. She steals his lightsaber and he asks for it back. When she gives it back she defends herself saying, "A person needs to survive! Who are you to judge me?" Saesee gives her six hundred credits. She says she'd have to steal twenty lightsabers to make that much. Saesee confronts several snowdroids, destroying them. Na-Jia blasts one that was trying to come up on Saesee from behind. Then he gets captured by Birok and his followers who try to kill him and Saesee defeats them. Na-Jia tells him to come with her as she's an expert in avoiding trouble, then they walk into a row of snowdroids and are arrested. This is where Birok talks to the Separatist in charge of the facility about Saesee and we find out why Saesee is here. Na-Jia is questioned and accused of being a Republic spy, she pretends to faint so she can steal Saesee's lightsaber back. She and Saesee escape and he jumps into the starfighter. He asks Na-Jia if she can get herself to safety and he say (of course), "I can fly anything."
The second story is told from a clone's perspective. He's part of H.O.P.E. or High Orbit Precision Entry squadron. They've been rerouted to Yorn Skot to rescue a Ugnaught Jedi named Treetower who was attempting to retrieve a shipment that was being smuggled to the Trade Federation Separatists. They locate Treetower who is hanging off a platform by his robes. There's a battle with droids. The clone telling the story survives, while the other three die in the battle. He rescues Treetower who has him help finish his mission. It turns out that the 'shipment' is a group of Ugnaughts. One of them is even holding a baby. They rescue the Ugnaughts and the clone says it's all in a days work.
The third story takes place on Mygeeto. Ki-Adi-Mundi is meditating in while water drips on his head. He remembers a time when he was sitting under a tree before a battle meditating while water dripped on his head. Rivi-Anu, a young Jedi Knight, points this out. He says, "It helps my meditation in these dark days. Each drop reminds me of every life that has been lost." He then asks what's troubling her. She says that the other young Jedi Knights are scared about the upcoming battle. He reminds her that all of them are worthy of being Jedi Knights, then asks if she is scared as well. She looks down. He reassures her that this is okay, that he too is scared. They go into battle. A cruiser is shot out of the sky. Ki-Adi-Mundi tries to get everyone to flee the battle field where the cruiser is set to crash. Rivi-Anu is injured and Ki-Adi-Mundi goes to get her. She tells him to go back, save the troops, that she'll try to hold off the ship. Then she does, holding the ship up until everyone manages to escape, then she can't hold it anymore and it crashes on top of her. Eon, another Jedi Knight, points out that Rivi-Anu saved all of their lives. Ki-Adi-Mundi says, "Yes, Eon...Greater love has no being than to lay down their life for a friend. Rivi-Anu is now one with the living force. It will make me proud to one day join her." Then he is summoned to Mygeeto since there is trouble with the Banking Clan. The story goes back to Ki-Adi-Mundi on Mygeeto meditating while water drips on his head. He stops to catch the water and look up at it. Baraca comes in to tell him the troops are ready for battle.
The forth story is Kit Fisto and Plo Koon attempting to stop a prison riot. They are trying to do so without killing the prisoners. The two argue philosophy while they fight which basically boiled down to if the prisoners, most of whom it's pointed out are murders, could be reformed. Plo felt out of character here. Then Durge shows up and one of the prisoners helps rescue them.
The second story is told from a clone's perspective. He's part of H.O.P.E. or High Orbit Precision Entry squadron. They've been rerouted to Yorn Skot to rescue a Ugnaught Jedi named Treetower who was attempting to retrieve a shipment that was being smuggled to the Trade Federation Separatists. They locate Treetower who is hanging off a platform by his robes. There's a battle with droids. The clone telling the story survives, while the other three die in the battle. He rescues Treetower who has him help finish his mission. It turns out that the 'shipment' is a group of Ugnaughts. One of them is even holding a baby. They rescue the Ugnaughts and the clone says it's all in a days work.
The third story takes place on Mygeeto. Ki-Adi-Mundi is meditating in while water drips on his head. He remembers a time when he was sitting under a tree before a battle meditating while water dripped on his head. Rivi-Anu, a young Jedi Knight, points this out. He says, "It helps my meditation in these dark days. Each drop reminds me of every life that has been lost." He then asks what's troubling her. She says that the other young Jedi Knights are scared about the upcoming battle. He reminds her that all of them are worthy of being Jedi Knights, then asks if she is scared as well. She looks down. He reassures her that this is okay, that he too is scared. They go into battle. A cruiser is shot out of the sky. Ki-Adi-Mundi tries to get everyone to flee the battle field where the cruiser is set to crash. Rivi-Anu is injured and Ki-Adi-Mundi goes to get her. She tells him to go back, save the troops, that she'll try to hold off the ship. Then she does, holding the ship up until everyone manages to escape, then she can't hold it anymore and it crashes on top of her. Eon, another Jedi Knight, points out that Rivi-Anu saved all of their lives. Ki-Adi-Mundi says, "Yes, Eon...Greater love has no being than to lay down their life for a friend. Rivi-Anu is now one with the living force. It will make me proud to one day join her." Then he is summoned to Mygeeto since there is trouble with the Banking Clan. The story goes back to Ki-Adi-Mundi on Mygeeto meditating while water drips on his head. He stops to catch the water and look up at it. Baraca comes in to tell him the troops are ready for battle.
The forth story is Kit Fisto and Plo Koon attempting to stop a prison riot. They are trying to do so without killing the prisoners. The two argue philosophy while they fight which basically boiled down to if the prisoners, most of whom it's pointed out are murders, could be reformed. Plo felt out of character here. Then Durge shows up and one of the prisoners helps rescue them.
jmshirtz's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the camraderie between Na-Jia and Saesee in the first story, but especially Rivi-Anu's bravery and self-sacrifice in the last story.
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