Ewok Month Part 1: Ewoks in Comics

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 21^st 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