August is officially Ewok
Month here at “The Road To Episode Infinity” blog. Today’s topic is Ewoks
in comics. Below are three examples of comics that were important to Ewok lore,
Marvel’s 1980s “Ewoks” line, Dark Horse's “Shadows of Endor” and IDW’s “Night
of the Gorax”.
Marvel’s Ewoks
From 1985 – 1987 Marvel
comics published the comic “Ewoks” which was based on the ABC animated series
of the same name. The comic lasted only 14 issues and was part of Marvel’s
“Star Comics” imprint aimed at young readers. Each individual comic was a
“one-off” storyline split into three chapters. Though the plotlines are often
juvenile a few of the storylines feel current even in 2019.
In the second issue “Rites of
Power” the elders of Bright Tree Village dispute the fact that Chief Chirpa has
named his daughter Kneesaa heiress to the village leadership. The elders argue
that there has never been a female leader. Later, when the male Bright Tree
warriors are captured by a band of Zorbian space pirates, Kneesaa rallies the
women of Bright Tree to battle the pirates and rescue the males of the tribe.
The tenth issue of the
series, “The Demons of Endor” serves as a crossover with “Droids” another Star
Wars comic. In fact, this crossover shows R2 and 3-PO meeting Wicket and the
other Ewoks prior to the events of “Return of the Jedi”.
Shadows of Endor
Dark Horse Comics published
the Graphic Novel “Shadows of Endor” in October of 2013. It was one of the
final Star Wars comics that Dark Horse published before the Star Wars
franchised moved back to Marvel.
“Shadows of Endor” is a much
darker and mature version of Bright Tree Village when compared to the 80s cartoon
series and Ewok comic line. The graphic novel (written and illustrated by Zack
Giallongo) draws inspiration and characters from both the Ewok cartoon series
and the two Ewok films, but Giallongo tailors his story to a 21st
century audience.
The tale takes in the months
before the events of “Return of the Jedi” and shows the Ewok’s first
entanglements with Imperial Stormtroopers. The novel also features Duloks,
Condor Dragons, and Charal (a Dathomiri Nightsister).
Night of the Gorax
“Night of the Gorax” is the
fourth issue of the IDW comic line “Tales from Vader’s Castle” which was
published in October of 2018 as a horror series. Artist Robert Hack (veteran of
Archie Horror comics) offers up a chilling version of Endor. Despite being
aimed at a young audience the comic may be the darkest take on Ewoks to date.
The tale features younger
versions of Chirpa and Logray battling a monstrous Gorax. It also features the
first canonized versions of Whisties, Boar-Wolves, and Duloks. Writer, Cavan
Scott, offers an ending as grim as any Stephen King novel.
Ewok Month Part 1: Ewoks in Comics
Ewok Month Part 2: The Top 15 Ewoks
Ewok Month Part 3: Caravan of Courage
Ewok Month Part 4: Battle for Endor
Ewok Month Part 5: Aliens of Endor
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