Star Wars, Vol. 7: The Ashes of Jedha (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars, Vol. 7: The Ashes of Jedha
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artists: Salvador Larroca & GURU-eFX
Recent Release Date: April 3, 2018

Synopsis: The possibility-and destruction-of the Death Star has changed everything. The Death Star's destruction proves the Empire is not irresistible. But a Death Star has been built, and it can't happen again. The specter of the Empire's true power has brought together a patchwork cloth of people, united in hope. From the desolation of Jedha to the search for new bases, these rebels continue to fight for a better tomorrow for a galaxy far, far away in these all-new adventure written by Kieron Gillen (DARTH VADER, DOCTOR APHRA).

COLLECTING: STAR WARS 38-43

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Review: This graphic novel is a tie-in to Rogue One essentially. It takes place on Jedha. Characters from the movie are both mentioned and appear. This ongoing series is beginning to stagnate in my opinion. There's only so much that can happen with the main crew just going on small side missions that don't lead to change. I hope more original characters are introduced so that we can see growth in some characters. Or, the ongoing series could jump to post-Empire.

I have mixed feelings about the art style used in this book. The semi-realistic, photo-like panels sometimes work really well, but also sometimes fall flat and seem out of place. I really liked the design of the steeds they use on Jedha. They reminded me of The Dark Crystal. 

Overall, this was a self-contained story with Rogue One seasonings that was just not that interesting to me. I give this book a 3/5. I'm hoping for more from this continuing series.  


--PAUL

Star Wars: Screaming Citadel (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Screaming Citadel
Writers: Kieron Gillen & Jason Aaron
Artists: Marco Checchetto, Salvador Larroca, & Andrea Broccardo
Recent Release Date: October 24, 2017


Review of Star Wars Vol.1
Review of Star Wars Vol.2
Review of Star Wars Vol.3
Review of Star Wars Vol.4
Review of Star Wars Vol.5
Review of Doctor Aphra Vol.1

Synopsis: A rebel pilot and a rogue archaeologist delve into the darkest shadows of the galaxy side by side, as Luke Skywalker reluctantly teams up with Doctor Aphra! The not-so-good Doctor will make Luke an offer he can't afford to pass up...one that leads him to a very rare gathering at the heart of the infamous Screaming Citadel! Will Luke find what he's looking for? Can Aphra be trusted? Or will they both wind up victims of the Citadel's queen? And as this unlikely duo steps right into the lair of one of the most powerful, reclusive and dangerous women in the galaxy, can Han and Leia be far behind them? 

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Review: This is the second crossover event in the Marvel Star Wars comics. It brings the ongoing Doctor Aphra and Star Wars series together. I liked the pairing of Luke with Aphra. They play well off of each other with Luke's naive goodness and Aphra's experienced gray morality. I liked when she called him a wannabe padawan. 

There are some well designed characters in this comic. The residents of the Screaming Citadel have a goth bdsm vibe. Luke even gets to dress up. I liked seeing him in something different. 

I want to know more about Sana and Aphra's past!!! Please, Marvel, make a queer love story prequel!!!

The murder droids are wonderful. Having them on the same side as the "good guys" for at least the time being led to some funny situations. 

The last panel intrigued me. I give this graphic novel a 4/5. I am always here for more Doctor Aphra!   


--PAUL

Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 1 (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Vol. 1
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artists: Kev Walker, Marc Deering, Antonio Fabela, Salvador Larroca, & Edgar Delgado
Recent Release Date: July 3, 2017

Synopsis: Following her time in the clutches of Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra has barely escaped with her life. If he ever learns of her survival, he'll hunt her to the ends of the galaxy. But for now, it's time for a return to what she does best. With the droids 0-0-0 and BT-1 in tow, she's off in search of rare artifacts from the galactic center to the Outer Rim and everywhere in between. Aphra's got debts to pay after all. Just as long as she can stay one step ahead of the Empire, some Bounty Hunters and just about everyone else in the galaxy!

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Review: Doctor Aphra is the first comic original character who gets her own ongoing series. Aphra shines even more on her own than she did in the other ongoing series. The comic book is the perfect medium for this character with her loose morals, humor, and violence. She's essentially an Indiana Jones with less morals.

Aphra's squad is also featured in this comic. Black Krrsantan, Triple-Zero, and Beetee are all such great, original characters. The murderous droids are hilariously dark. I loved seeing Aphra's backstory and time in school. The Archaeological Association suspending her doctorate being a major plot point in a Star Wars comic is wonderful. Seeing Yavin IV post-A New Hope was also cool.

A Marvel Star Wars original character who is canon queer gets her own ongoing comic! I loved this volume. I hope to see more risks like this. I give this volume a 5/5. I can't wait for The Screaming Citadel and the next volume!


--PAUL

Star Wars, Vol 5: Yoda's Secret War (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars, Vol 5: Yoda's Secret War
Writers: Jason Aaron and Kelly Thompson
Artists: Salvador Larroca and Emilio Laiso
Recent Release Date: July 18, 2017

Review of Star Wars Vol.1
Review of Star Wars Vol.2
Review of Star Wars Vol.3
Review of Star Wars Vol.4

Synopsis: With one member of the rebel crew captured and imprisoned, we turn once more to the journals of Ben Kenobi and a legendary adventure with Jedi Master...Yoda! 

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Review: This volume of the ongoing Star Wars comic has a story focusing on Yoda pre-Episode I and the second Annual, which tells a story about Leia.

The majority of this volume is Yoda's story through Luke reading Obi-wan's journal. It takes place on an interesting world where certain rocks seem to have Force powers. The Force related things were interesting, but it kind of seemed like a Star Trek episode.

The Leia Annual has a nice little story about a new, good-hearted character who is on the outside of the war. I would not mind seeing Pash Davane again in other Star Wars media.

I give this volume a 3.5/5. I liked that part of it took place before the prequels, but it wasn't an interesting enough story for me. I hope this ongoing series picks up some speed. The one-offs have been more interesting to me.


--PAUL

Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol.4: End of Games (comic) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol.4: End of Games
Author: Kieron Gillen
Illustrator: Salvador Larroca
Recent Release Date: December 6, 2016

Synopsis: Darth Vader has been secretly pursuing his own agenda, but now it is time for the End of Games. As Inspector Thanoth returns with some startling information, it seems that Vader may have passed his master's tests. But even after finding favor in the eyes of the Emperor, the Dark Lord's schemes may yet prove his undoing... Plus, the killer droids Triple-Zero and Beetee wreak havoc in their own homicidal adventure! Marvel's in-depth exploration of the Dark Side of Star Wars goes from strength to strength!

COLLECTING: DARTH VADER 20-25

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Review: This is the final volume in the Darth Vader ongoing series that has been going since Marvel first launched their Star Wars line. Although, another Darth Vader comic is coming soon, but that one takes place shortly after Revenge of the Sith. This took place shortly after A New Hope. 

This series followed Darth Vader's rise from defeat after the first Death Star was destroyed. This last volume finishes up that rise. 

My favorite part of this series was the introduction of Doctor Aphra and her murderous droids, Triple-Zee and Beetee. I'm very excited for the doctor to get her own series. The other original characters that Vader competed against were some of my least favorite characters in the new Marvel comicverse. They all seemed very "Legends" to me. Cybernetic implants and force powers. Imperial posture. Not my kind of characters. 

There is an epic lightsaber battle that is depicted midway through this volume. It bridges the prequel-era with the original trilogy nicely. 

I found the coda odd. I'm interested to see where it leads. If anywhere. 

I give this volume a 4.5/5. I enjoyed seeing it all come to an end. The droids really shined in this volume. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 3 (comic): The Shu-Torun War

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Title: Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 3: The Shu-Torun War
Author: Kieron Gillen
Illustrator: Salvador Larroca
Recent Release Date: August 9, 2016

Synopsis: The Dark Lord of the Sith's unstoppable march continues! The natives of Shu-Torun are revolting, and there's no way the Empire will stand for that. When Darth Vader is tasked with leading a military assault against the planet, could it be that his rise to glory has begun? But who will follow Vader into war? Would you? Then again, it's better to fight alongside Vader than against him. That's a lesson that the ore barons are about to learn.

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Review: I miss Doctor Aphra. The droids are fun. This volume finds Darth Vader dealing with a war and royal families on a supply planet. I am so over the other potential apprentices of the Emperor. They're annoying. 

Queen Trios is a really interesting character. I like the culture of glamour and dukes on this planet. An intensely courtly culture. 

I give this volume a 3/5. It continues the Darth Vader story, but nothing special happens in this volume. Hopefully the next volume picks up the pace. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Vader Down (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Vader Down
Authors: Jason Aaron and Kieron Gillen
Illustrators: Mike Deodato and Salvador Larroca 

Recent Release Date: April 19, 2016

Synopsis: Two of the biggest titles in comics collide in the first crossover of the new Marvel age of STAR WARS! When Darth Vader accidentally finds himself facing off against the rebel fleet on his own, he is sent crashing onto a nearby planet. Will the rebels seize this opportunity to put an end to one of their greatest enemies — or will they be made to feel the full power of the dark side? The Sith Lord may be down, but he isn't out! All your favorites are here, old and new, good and evil: Luke! Vader! Leia! Aphra! Han! Threepio, Artoo, Triple-Zero and BT-1! And in a hair-raising battle of the Wookiees, Chewbacca versus Black Krrsantan! ROOOARRGH UR ROO! 

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Review: This is the first big event in the Star Wars comics since Marvel returned to the reins. This crossover volume brings the ongoing Star Wars and Darth Vader titles together. New characters introduced in each get to finally interact with the main cast. My favorite part of this comic was the assassin droids, Triple-Zero and Bee-Tee. They make this book. Especially with Artoo and Threepio featured in the comic as well. The parallels are wonderful, if not a little on the nose.

Other characters like Aphra and Black Krrsantan are featured as well. I like both of them and think they're great additions to this new canon. Commander Karbin on the other hand is one of my least favorite characters. His design is horrible. It's super weird. He is pretty much General Grievous with a Mon Caalamari head. He doesn't look badass, just strange.  

I enjoyed how this crossover event was done and hope for more in the future. I'm enjoying most of the new characters. And it's always great to have a Chewie pulling arms off reference. I give this graphic novel a 4/5. I'm excited to see where both of these ongoing series take us. 


--PAUL

Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 2: Shadows and Secrets (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 2: Shadows and Secrets
Author: Kieron Gillen
Illustrators: Salvador Larroca, Adi Granov
Recent Release Date: January 5, 2016

Darth Vader, Vol. 1 REVIEW
Synopsis: Bounty Hunters on the attack--against the Empire! Vader has a new mission to do for the Empire. Unfortunately, it's completely at odds with his own mission. What's a Dark Lord to do? Plus: Who is Tagge's mysterious new agent?

COLLECTING: Darth Vader 7-12

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Review: Since this is the second volume of this ongoing comic series, I knew more of what to expect. But just as the first volume did, this volume started out in a very interesting place and then just meandered along with the story. I have definitely found that I like event miniseries more than just this continuing story. Hopefully that means I'll love Vader Down, which is a crossover event with the other ongoing series, Star Wars.

This volume begins with Darth Vader at the remains of the Lars homestead, where Luke grew up. I really enjoy how Marvel is taking characters and places from the movies that didn't interact and placing them together. 

Aphra is yet again a big part of this story. For part of this volume, she seemed more of a lead character than Vader. Her droids are coming into their own, paving their own path as not just evil clones of C-3PO and R2-D2. 

A new Imperial investigator is assigned to Vader, Thanoth. I enjoyed his Sherlockian deduction skills. A far better character than the twins and the robo-Mon Calamari, in my opinion.

I enjoyed this volume and will continue reading it. I want more big things to happen, but I can tell all these missions are leading up to some huge things. I give this volume a 4/5.


--PAUL

Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1: Vader (graphic novel) - Paul's REVIEW

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Title: Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1: Vader
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Recent Release Date: October 20, 2015

Synopsis: The original Dark Lord of the Sith stars in his first ongoing series! Ever since Darth Vader's first on-screen appearance, he has become one of pop-culture's most popular villains. Now, follow Vader straight from the ending of A NEW HOPE (and the pages of the new STAR WARS comic book) into his own solo adventures — showing the Empire's war with the Rebel Alliance from the other side! But when a Dark Lord needs help, who can he turn to? As Vader pursues a very personal vengeance against the Rebels and investigates the Emperor's secret machinations, he clashes with weapons scavenger Aphra and deadly Battle Droids, and returns to Geonosis to build an army. But some very powerful people don't want him to learn the truths he seeks! Guest-starring Jabba the Hutt, Boba Fett and more!

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Review: This trade paperback opens wonderfully. The first issue of this ongoing series is fantastic. Darth Vader, shortly after the loss of the Death Star, goes to Jabba the Hutt looking for aid in getting back into the Emperor's favor. 

By the end of this first volume though, I didn't feel the same energy and momentum. Some very cool things happen, like a return to Geonosis, but I was definitely more impressed with how this ongoing series started than where it left off.

I will continue with this series, but I am hoping for more interesting stories coming up. I liked how new characters were introduced in this series pretty early on. I'm excited to read the big Vader Down crossover event.

I give this first volume a 4/5. A very strong start, but hopefully it didn't peak too early. 


--PAUL