Star Wars, Vol 4: Last Flight of the Harbinger (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars, Vol 4: Last Flight of the Harbinger
Author: Jason Aaron
Illustrators: Jorge Molina, Matt Milla, & Mike Mayhew
Recent Release Date: January 31, 2017

Synopsis: Marvel's epic exploration of the Star Wars galaxy continues! First, take another dive into the journal of Obi-Wan Kenobi! Jabba the Hutt has a problem, and he's hired the Wookiee bounty hunter Black Krrsantan to find out exactly who's been thwarting his men! A certain old hermit of the dune wastes might know a little something about that... Then, take a walk on the Dark Side with Sgt. Kreel and an elite group of Imperial soldiers aboard the Star Destroyer Harbinger! It's a nigh-indestructible weapon of war. But it's also the target of the Rebels' new top-secret plan. Never afraid of defying the odds, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo and Leia Organa are determined to make this the last flight of the Harbinger! 

COLLECTING: STAR WARS #20-25

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Review: This volume opens up with another look into Obi-wan's adventures on Tatooine while watching over young Luke. This one includes Black Krrsantan, the wookie bounty hunter. Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru also get a little more agency that they have in the past. 

The rest of this volume focuses on the Rebels taking over a star destroyer. Sergeant Kreel and his team, Special Commando Advanced Recon or SCARE, also are heavily featured. It's nice to see some stormtroopers who are actually good at their job. 

Han and Leia banter this whole volume and it's lovely. So true to the original films. Sana is still working with the Rebels. I like the perspective she adds. I'm hoping she doesn't meet an untimely end as the ongoing series approaches The Empire Strikes Back events. 

The final panel is a great teaser. I am definitely interested in the next volume!

I give this fourth volume of the ongoing Star Wars series by Marvel a 4/5.  


--PAUL

Star Wars Vol.3: Rebel Jail (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars Vol.3: Rebel Jail
Author: Jason Aaron
Illustrators: Mike Mayhew and Leinil Yu 
Recent Release Date: August 16, 2016

Synopsis: What comes next for the Rebels after the events of Vader Down? Find out as the adventures of Luke Skywalker and friends continue! The Rebel crew are en route to a prison base with a very important captive. But, unlucky for them, they aren't the only ones with their eyes on this prize! And, in another

tale from the journals of Obi-Wan Kenobi, journey back to the Jedi's days of exile on Tattooine. Moisture farmer Owen Lars may have taken in young Luke, but he refused to let Ben be part of the boy's life. Now, prepare to discover the reason why!

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Review: This volume is pretty thick. There are additional stories before and after the ongoing Star Wars series. Annual 1 starts out this volume.It is a story of a Rebel spy trying to take out the Emperor himself. The volume ends with another Kenobi story. Young Biggs and Luke appear. And the origin of Black Krrsantan's scar. 

I really enjoyed learning about Sana and Aphra's history together. and Nerf herding reference!

The stinger at the end is great!

I give this whole volume a 4/5, but I give the Annual 1 that starts it out a 5/5. it's a great continuation in the Star Wars ongoing comic, but nothing too special.  


--PAUL

The Star Wars (comic book) - Paul's Review

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Title: The Star Wars
Writer: Ryan Graudin
Illustrators: Mike Mayhew, Rain Beredo, Nick Runge, and Michael Heisler


Synopsis: Before Star Wars, there was The Star Wars! This is the official adaptation of George Lucas’s rough-draft screenplay for what would become Star Wars—the film that changed motion pictures and the world. You’ll see familiar characters and places—but not all is the same in this long-ago and faraway galaxy. Still, strap yourself in for high adventure and lazersword duels, Jedi Knights, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and a battle to defeat the evil Empire!

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"MAY THE FORCE OF OTHERS BE WITH YOU"

Review: This is quite the different sort of Star Wars comic book. George Lucas's early rough-draft screenplay was used as source material. This book does not take place in the same world as everything else Star Wars you know. Because of this, I think only true Star Wars fans will enjoy this. 

The tropes, themes, and style of Star Wars is all there, but slightly off. There are many big changes from the known Star Wars. The ingrained essence of Star Wars like lightsabers, Jedi, Sith, and the Force  are all different. 

The names in this book may be recognizable, but the people and places they are attached to don't match. It is jolting at first, but you easily understand that you must put everything Star Wars to the side of your mind while reading this. One of the weirdest things I thought was Artoo speaking English. Every time it happened it took me off guard.

There are many plot points from both the original trilogy and the prequels that pop up in this story. I wonder if there are other themes that were in the original draft that may pop up in the upcoming Episode VI. 

The story is not as simple as the original Star Wars film. It is complex and not at all streamlined. There are a lot of characters. There is also more planetbased action. 

I give this graphic novel a 3.5/5. I enjoyed reading it, but its enjoyment is based purely on my in-depth knowledge and interest in Star Wars. A casual fan may not enjoy it as much.  


--PAUL