The Road to Episode Infinity: 2013

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Crimson Empire

Series: Crimson Empire

Publication Date: 1997 - 2011

# of Issues: 18
Writers: Mike Richardson & Randy Stradley

Era: New Republic Era

Galaxy Date: 11 - 13 ABY*

*After Battle of Yavin

Crimson Empire is the Expanded Universe at its finest. It is fresh characters that feel as real as the ones we know and love. There is action, but also emotion.

Kir Kanos is a rare “comic-only” Star Wars character. He does not appear in the books, the cartoons, the games or any other media. And I would argue that he is the best “comic-only” character that you will find. Crimson Empire is his series and he certainly deserves it.

Kir Kanos is an Imperial Royal Guard, one of the last of his kind. He protected Palpatine during the late days of the Empire and now he is on a personal mission of revenge. Not against the rebels, but against the Empire itself. Kanos sees the Empire as “Corrupt”. It has veered from Palapatine’s original vision. He will stop at nothing to bring it down. And if you don’t think one man can bring down an Empire, think again.

Kanos is on a solo mission but along the way he meets a woman, who sort of throws a hydro-spanner in his plans. Mirith Sinn the leader of a New Republic guerilla forces. She comes in contact with Kanos shortly before her base is attacked by Imperial forces. Kanos single-handedly saves the base and Mirith feels she is in his debt. However, Mirith soon finds out what happens if you get too close to Kir Kanos.

I don’t want to spoil much more of this story, so all I’m going to say is “Read it!”. You won’t be disappointed. For being fresh and for its bad-assry I’m giving Crimson Empire 5 out of 5 Lightsabers.

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

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Dark Empire

Series: Dark Empire

Publication Date: 1991 - 1995

# of Issues: 14
Writer: Tom Veitch

Era: New Republic Era

Galaxy Date: 10 ABY*

*After Battle of Yavin

In 1991 Dark Horse bought the right to publish Star Wars comics from Marvel and the world would never be the same. The first comic they published was Dark Empire. Dark Horse has not stopped publishing comics since. Thousands, if not tens-of-thousands have been released

Luke Skywalker

Dark Empire is, if nothing else, dark. It tells the tale of an Empire still at large, still threatening the alliance six-years after Endor. Luke is now a Jedi Master and he has really taken a dark turn. Something is eating at him from the inside, but he doesn’t know what.

Eventually, Luke finds a deep-core world called Byss (okay fine, a “Force Storm” sucked him up and took him there). It is on Byss that Luke discovers that Emperor Palpatine has found a way to cheat death- clones- Lots of clones actually- and what’s worse is that Luke has begun to feel the pull toward the Dark Side. Will he be Palpatine’s pawn, like Vader? Or will he be able to defeat his foe?

One of Palpatine's clones fighting Luke

First appearance of a Holocron

Palpatine Clones aside, Dark Empire plays a big role in paving the way for the EU that we all know and love. It introduces many characters and ideas such as Anakin Solo, Holocrons, the return of Boba Fett from the Sarlacc.

Another reason to check out this comic is that the artwork is completely different than anything you’ve seen before. I think it was made with a low budget, so the stenciling has been colored over by mostly yellows, blues, and greens. Every page is slightly monotone, but it makes everything feel dark and surreal. Without the full-spectrum of colors you find emotions are raw, almost like a Picasso painting- but angrier.

Empatojayos Brand
with built-in lightsaber!

Dark Empire struggles the most in character depth. Everyone is a flat cardboard cutout and it’s pretty much just a battle of good vs. evil. The new characters fail to be interesting and you can care less if they live or die. (Though, there is a pretty cool Jedi without any legs or arms, so he has to sort of float around in his robo-suit.)

Overall, I’m going to have to give this one 3.5 out of 5 lightsabers. I love the artwork and the tone, but the characters need to be better developed and the comic has not aged well. Even with this in mind, I believe that this is a MUST-READ for fans of Star Wars Comics. This is where it all started, my friends! This is the original Dark Horse series!

Next Time: Crimson Empire!

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 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

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Brian Wood’s: Star Wars

Series: Star Wars

Publication Date: 2013 - ???

# of Issues: 11 and counting

Era: Rebellion Era

Galaxy Date: 0 ABY*

*After Battle of Yavin

Brian Wood’s “Star Wars” is the third comic to be called “Star Wars”.

The second ran from 1998 – 2002 and was eventually known as Star Wars Republic, which I reviewed earlier this year.

Jaxxon,
from the original Marvel Comics

The first was the Marvel series, which ran from 1977 – 1986 and explored the adventures of Luke, Han, and Leia around the time of the Original Trilogy. Although much of the Marvel series is now considered to be uncanonical, including Han Solo’s friend Jaxxon, the Space Rabbit.

Brian Wood’s series is a good alternate to the Marvel comics. It tells the story of the Rebel Alliance looking for a new base after the Battle of Yavin.

I have liked Brian Wood as a writer ever since I discovered his wonderful series DMZ. Wood does not disappoint in this thrilling comic. This is the classic Star Wars you want to see. Luke is still a dreamer, Han still rouge, Vader is scary, and Leia is a badass.

Actually Leia is more badass here than in any of the films. She is piloting X-Wings, leading black-op missions, and going on adventures all on her own. All the while she is dealing with the destruction of Alderan- emotions barely touched on in the film.

Somehow Brian Wood has found a way to keep these characters fresh, after all these years. How many adventures have we been through with these three? Apparently not enough.

Wood knows what tension is and uses it in a way that the prequels never figured out how to. Now any reader will know that the Luke, Leia, and Han are not in any real danger. They not going to lose limbs or lose their lives or even lose each other. We know their future all too well. Yet Wood keeps his readers turning pages and you really feel like your favorite characters are in real danger- like they might not make it to Hoth after all.

The good news is that this series is awesome and popular. The bad news is that Brian Wood has committed to 20-issues only and after that someone else takes over. Hopefully someone with a sliver of talent in their fingertips.

All in all I’d say that this comic is fresh and fun- Classic Star Wars at its finest. 4.5 lightsabers for this one!

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 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