DARK TIMES!

Series: Dark Times

Writers:  Mick Harrison

Publication Date: 2006 - Present

# of Issues: 31

Era: Rise of the Empire Era

Galaxy Date: 19 BBY* 
*Before Battle of Yavin

As I said last week, "Dark Times" is a continuation of Star Wars: Republic. Yet the reader does not need any background knowledge to start reading Dark Times. There is a brand new set of characters and plot lines and I would argue that this is the strongest comic story that I have read so far.

Dark Times takes place immediately after the fall of the Republic. It is, of course, a reference to Obi-Wan Kenobi's line in "A New Hope" in which he said "Before the Dark Times, Before the Empire". Let me assure all of you potential readers that these are indeed Dark Times. Certainly unsafe for any Jedi Knight who, like Obi-Wan and Yoda, have survived the great Jedi Purge. Let's look at some of these characters.

Dass Jennir is one of the most fascinating characters I have seen in the Expanded Universe. After surviving the Purge, Jennir has to figure out what to do with himself. He keeps his Jedi morals, but now has to figure out how to make a living. 

Jennir is a slightly more bad-ass version of Alec Guiness' Obi-Wan Kenobi. It's not exactly explained how Obi-Wan was able to survive as a hermit without a steady-income, but Jennir needs to find a job. In the amazing story-arc Blue Harvest, Jennir rolls onto a planet where he has been hired to take down a crime syndicate.

Jennir hates thugs and Blue Harvest plays out like a Clint Eastwood western. There's a prostitution ring, there are sword duels, and at times there is more Tarantino than Star Wars. Needless to say, I could not put down the series.

Another great character is Bomo Greenbark, a Nosaurian. In any other Star Wars comic Bomo would be the alien sidekick who is there for the comic relief. Not so in Dark Times. Bomo is as tragic a character as any that Shakespeare has written, and he is a great example of what Sci-fi can be when the aliens really feel human. 

Bomo travels with the crew of the Uhumele, a smuggler transport. Him and the other crew look like something out of Narnia, rather than Star Wars. The crew gets caught up in many adventures, but as the series progresses they lose more and more members to tragedy. We are in the Dark Times, after all.

The last character I wish to examine is Jedi Master K'Kruhk. K'Kruhk is a Whiphid and has appeared on TV, in novels, and in many of the comic series. He is an important figure in the expanded universe and has a cult following among fans. It is because of this fan following that has enabled K'Kruhk, originally a background character, to survive so many brushes with death.

In this series K’Kruhk must find refuge for a group of younglings. When he gives into his anger in the middle of a battle, he must deal with the consequences of his students having witnessed his dark side.

I would recommend this comic to any Star Wars fans, especially fans who prefer the Original Trilogy to   the Prequels. Most of the Star Wars media we have seen in the past 15 years seems to resemble the prequels, so something like Dark Times is a breath of fresh air. The themes are more adult and the humor is more geared towards adults.

Dark Times is not about battles and lightsaber duels. There is plenty of action, but the action is based on realistic trials and challenges of a post-war galaxy. This comic deserves five out of five lightsabers!

Next week we examine both the Empire & Rebellion comic series.

Dark Horse Comics (Link)

Dawn of the Jedi  Dawn of the Jedi

Tales of the Jedi Tales of the Jedi

Knights of the Old Republic Knights of the Old Republic

Star Wars: Republic Star Wars: Republic
Dark Times Dark Times
Empire & Rebellion Star Wars: Empire & Star Wars: Rebellion
Brian Wood's Star Wars Brian Wood's Star Wars
Dark Empire Dark Empire
Crimson Empire Crimson Empire
Invasion Invasion
Legacy Vol. 1 Star Wars: Legacy
Vector Star Wars: Vector
Legacy Vol. 2 Legacy Volume 2
Infinities Infinities
The Star Wars The Star Wars

Star Wars Tales Star Wars Tales

Marvel Comics

Original Marvel Comics Original Marvel Comics
Star Wars #108 Star Wars #108
Alan Moore's Star Wars Comics Alan Moore's Star Wars Comics

Han Solos Vs. Space Crocodile Han Solo vs. Crocodile in Space

Marvel's New Star Wars Line Catching Up With Comics

Age of Republic Age of Republic
Age of Rebellion Age of Rebellion
Age of Resistance Age of Resistance

Star Wars #1... Again Star Wars #1... Again
Ewoks in Comics Ewoks in Comis
Who is Doctor Aphra Who Is Doctor Aphra

The Last Jedi Expanded Universe The Last Jedi Expanded Universe
Who is Jaxxon Who Is Jaxxon

IDW Comics
Tales from Vader's Castle Tales from Vader's Castle

Return to Vader's Caslte Return to Vader's Castle