Star Wars: Age of Republic - Villains (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Age of Republic - Villains
Writer: Jody Houser
Artists: Luke Ross, Java Tartaglia, & Carlos Gomez
Recent Release Date: May 21, 2019


Synopsis: This is the Age of Star Wars - an epic series of adventures that unite your favorite characters from all three trilogies! And we're bringing on the bad guys - shining a light on the darkest figures of the Old Republic, starting with Darth Maul! A living weapon of rage and bloodthirst, Maul lurks in the shadows of Coruscant waiting for his chance to strike against the Jedi Order! But the Sith lord struggles to contain his desire for destruction, and questions the wishes of his methodically plotting master. Could Maul have had another path in life, or was he always fated to follow a dark road? Plus, delve deep into the dark side with Darth Sidious! Count Dooku! General Grievous! Jango Fett! And more! COLLECTING: STAR WARS: AGE OF REPUBLIC - COUNT DOOKU 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF REPUBLIC - DARTH MAUL 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF REPUBLIC - GENERAL GRIEVOUS 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF REPUBLIC - JANGO FETT 1, STAR WARS: AGE OF REPUBLIC SPECIAL 1

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Review: I'm really excited for this new comic series putting the focus on characters from all three trilogies. The first volume centers in on the villains from the prequels. I'm always up for new canon stories set in the prequel era. 

The first story follows Darth Maul prior to Episode I. I liked seeing Maul already sneaking around the dark underworld of Coruscant already forming shady connections. There's also references to Rebels and Malachor. 4/5.

Next up is Jango Fett and his young clone of a son, Boba Fett. This short story shows a great look into their relationship. Bounty Hunter stories are always fun. 4/5

Count Dooku is on a mission for his master, creating more disorder in the galaxy. I liked seeing a little into Dooku's past as a jedi. There's also a Tiger Jedi!?! 3/5

The General Grievous story is my favorite in this volume. I really enjoyed seeing Grievous's original form. It's a really unique looking into his psyche. I also like the Jedi mysticism. 5/5

The Special included in this volume focuses on Asajj Ventress. It's a pretty quick story and shows Ventress on the lower levels of Coruscant interacting with people on the streets. 3/5

I really like collections like this. it's a great opportunity to show a glimpse into a character's life that we haven't seen before. I'm looking forward to the rest of this series, especially the sequel trilogy volumes since we know so little about the characters outside of the movies. I give this volume of prequel villains a 4/5. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 4: The Catastrophe Con (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 4: The Catastrophe Con
Writer: Si Spurrier
Artists: Kev Walker, Marc Deering, & Java Tartaglia
Recent Release Date: January 8, 2019

Vol.1: Aphra
Screaming Citadel
Vol.2: The Enormous Profit
Vol.3: Remastered

Synopsis: Doctor Aphra is behind bars. Again. But this time she's in Imperial custody, strapped to an explosive transmitter synced to a single hubdroid. Take one step too far? Kablooey! Normally, sitting still wouldn't be an issue - but what happens when Aphra's captors send her hubdroid right into the middle of a war zone? And what's this rumor about the prison being haunted? Meanwhile, Aphra's got information - and it's information that the Rebellion wants. But how far are they willing to go - and who are they willing to recruit - in order to get it? Surely even our lovable rogue archaeologist can't fi nd a way to make things even worse, right? Wrong. Because her current fl ame, Inspector Tolvan, and her ex, Sana Starros, are just about to meet. Awkward. COLLECTING: STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA 20-25

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Review: This ongoing series is definitely the best of the current Marvel ongoing Star Wars comics. The ones featuring the main characters from the film series have stagnated, especially since they have a limited time frame to take place during and an already established character arc. In Doctor Aphra, the reader gets to see this complex character experience life changing events. Things can actually happen!

This book is so queer, I love it! I wish more Star Wars media had representation like this. Many of the books also feature queer characters, but the films have yet to catch up. Here's hoping for Episode IX and the upcoming live-action tv shows. Aphra's current flame comes back into play. And another great comics-created character is Aphra's ex!

There are some great cameos in this volume. I always love seeing Hera as a Rebel during the events of the original trilogy. The infamous Doctor Cornelius Evazen is also featured. 

The morality (or lack there of) of not only Aphra, but pretty much every character in this ongoing series is one of the best parts of these books. Darth Vader is still there as the big bad cliche villain, but the murder droids, Tolvan, and even Sana Starros show different perspectives from a galaxy far, far away. There's even a bit about jedi ideals in this volume. 

I give this volume a 5/5. I'm reconsidering continuing some of the other ongoing Marvel comics, but I will keep with Doctor Aphra!  


--PAUL