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: 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 Maul: Son of Dathomir (graphic novel) - Paul's Review

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Title: Star Wars: Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir
Author: Jeremy Barlow
Artist: Juan Frigeri 
Publication Year: 2014

Synopsis: Getting cut in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi and being rejected by his former Sith master Darth Sidious isn't going to defeat Darth Maul. In fact, it only makes him mad enough to take on the galaxy--with an army of Mandalorians!

After forming the Shadow Collective--a criminal organization composed of the Hutts, Black Sun, the Mandalorians, and the fearsome Nightbrothers--Maul wages war against Darth Sidious and his generals, Count Dooku and General Grievous! 

Adapted from unproduced screenplays for Season 6 of The Clone Wars television show, this is the final chapter planned for Darth Maul's saga!

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Review: I have really taken advantage of this new revamp of the Star Wars expanded universe. This comic was one of the first published media in the new canon. This graphic novel is based off of unproduced scripts from the 6th season of The Clone Wars. 

Darth Maul starts this story escaping from Sidious and Dooku with the help of his Death Watch friends. General Grevious and more of Maul's Shadow Collective allies make appearances in this book. 

I really enjoyed this book. It felt just like the tv show. I'm looking forward to more books following the storylines that were left open. I can't wait for Dark Disciple! 

I give this graphic novel a 5/5! A must read for all Star Wars fans, especially those of the animated series. 


--PAUL