Star Wars: Darth Maul (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Darth Maul
Writers: Cullen Bunn & Chris Eliopoulos
Artist: Luke Ross
Recent Release Date: September 5, 2017

Synopsis: Raised on hate, fear and anger...steeped in the ways of darkness...and trained to kill! Darth Maul's time as apprentice to Darth Sidious has long been cloaked in shadows - now at last his tale of revenge is revealed! It's a story of rage unleashed as Darth Maul prepares for his first encounter with the hated Jedi. But when a Jedi Padawan is captured by sinister forces, why is Maul so determined to find her? And what role will a band of bounty hunters, including Cad Bane and Aurra Sing, play? Get to know the galaxy's deadliest Zabrak like never before!

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Review: This story is set before Episode I. There are so many connections to different Star Wars eras. I loved it! There are aliens from the prequels, the original trilogy, and even The Force Awakens. The crowd scenes feel even more Star Wars because of this. There are even characters featured from the animated shows. Cad Bane and Aurra Sing! 

The artwork in this graphic novel is beautiful. I love the imagery of red and blue representing good and evil as well as the skin colors and lightsabers of Darth Maul and his jedi combatant. 

I give this graphic novel a 5/5. I hope Marvel makes more comics set in this era. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Darth Vader-Dark Lord of the Sith, Vol.1: Imperial Machine (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Darth Vader-Dark Lord of the Sith, Vol.1: Imperial Machine
Writers: Charles Soule & Chris Eliopoulos
Artists: Giuseppe Camuncoli & Cam Smith
Recent Release Date: December 5, 2017

Synopsis: From acclaimed writer Charles Soule comes a brand-new, exhilarating series exploring Darth Vader's early history. Picking up directly where Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith ends, follow Vader as he receives his legendary red lightsaber and witness Vader's rise to power as a Dark Lord of the Sith! 

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Review: This comic picks up right where Episode III left off. Like directly. There's the whole "Noooooooooo" thing and everything. I liked seeing Vader when he is new to being a Sith. It really is Anakin under there still. Throughout the comic, that Anakin begins to fall away. 

I liked the mix of prequel and original trilogy aesthetic. Seeing Vader alongside clone troopers was very cool. The Grand Inquisitor even makes a cameo!

I read the Dark Horse comics that took place right after Order 66 so certain aspects of this comic remind me of those. In this comic, there are jedi who took the Barash Vow prior to the Purge, so they are still out and about in the galaxy. Vader takes this opportunity to take a lightsaber and make it bleed.

I really enjoyed this first volume in a new, ongoing comic series. I am absolutely excited for volume two. I give this volume a 5/5.    


--PAUL

Jim Henson's The Storyteller - Paul's REVIEW

***I was provided an ecopy of this graphic novel by Diamond Book Distributors via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review***

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Title: Jim Henson's The Storyteller
Authors:  Katie Cook, Colleen Coover, Nate Cosby, Chris Eliopoulos, Francesco Francavilla, Justin Gray, Roger Langridge, Marjorie M. Liu, Ron Marz, Jim McCann, Jimmy Palmiotti, Jeff Parker, Paul Tobin , Tom Fowler, Janet Lee, Mike Maihack, Evan Shaner, Janet K. Lee, and Jennifer L. Meyer 
Year Published: 2011

Synopsis: When people told themselves their past with stories, explained their present with stories, foretold the future with stories...the best place by the fire was kept for...The Storyteller 
Archaia and The Jim Henson Company are proud to present all-new tales of fantastic wonder and extraordinary myth, as told from the tongue of The Storyteller and his loyal canine companion.

Review: I am a huge fan of all things Jim Henson. As a child, The Muppet Show and Fraggle Rock were two of my favorite shows. I also really enjoyed The Storyteller. Each episode would tell a different story, some from myths, some fables, and others taken from history. I even have the DVD set on my shelf right now. 

This graphic novel was set up in a similar fashion to the tv series episodes. Each story is bookended by the Storyteller himself and his dog. They even come up within the stories as well sometimes. I like the interactions between the Storyteller and his dog. 

Many authors and illustrators contributed to this graphic novel. There is a lot of diversity in the type of stories. Some of them I was familiar with, but most of them I had never heard of before. The style of each story is also different. The art is different and unique for each story. Some are more cartoony while others have a realistic feel. 

If you are a fan of Jim Henson or even just fables and fairytales, this is a book for you. This would be a nice book to read to a young child, each night reading a different story. This would be a perfect introduction to comic books and graphic novels. I give this graphic novel a 4/5.

-PAUL