Star Wars

• Title: Obi-Wan & Anakin #1
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Charles Soule
• Artist: Marco Checchetto

Set between the events of Episode I and Episode II, Marvel’s new five-issue mini-series Obi-Wan & Anakin offers a glimpse at an adventure featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker. Called to a remote planet by an unknown source, Obi-Wan and Anakin crash land in the harsh environment of Carnelion IV with no clue as to who has summoned the Jedi to what the galaxy had assumed was a completely dead world.

The number of years between The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones certainly open the door for a number of stories featuring not just these characters but others as well. One fifth of the way through this particular adventure, however, there’s not a lot to grab me. Teasing us with flashbacks to Anakin’s training, and Palpatine‘s interest in the young man, the adventure itself doesn’t really get started until it’s final page.

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• Title: Darth Vader Annual #1
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Kieron Gillen
• Artist: Leinil Francis Yu

For its first annual Marvel’s Darth Vader series sends Darth Vader to the planet Shu-torun where the grip of the Empire is loosening following the Rebellion’s destruction of the first Death Star. Sent to make it clear to the planet’s king that their continued loyalty is required, the Dark Lord of the Sith is betrayed as the King prepares to sacrifice his own daughter to free his planet from the control of the Empire.

Darth Vader Annual #1 gives us a Vader at his most intimidating. Despite the King’s attempts to have the Sith Lord killed, Vader is able to overcome each obstacle. The issue also brings in Aphra‘s killer robots (who we’ve seen in Marvel’s ongoing Darth Vader comic) to help Vader fulfill his mission. And if that’s not enough, our protaganist underlines his point by not only crippling the King’s daughter but also leaving her a damning reminder of what happens to those that dare defy the Emperor.

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• Title: Star Wars #13
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Jason Aaron
• Artist: Simone Bianchi

The “Vader Down” crossover continues with both Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader stranded on the desolate planet of Vrogas Vas with others searching for them both. While Luke falls victim to Aphra and her droids, leaving Han and Chewbacca to ride to the rescue, the Dark Lord of the Sith fights his way through every obstacle the Rebellion throws his way letting nothing deter him from finding young Skywalker.

Star Wars #13 not only reminds us of a classic Han Solo quote from the original Star Wars about why one should never upset a Wookiee but it also provides some nice back-and-forth between Aphra and Han until Luke regains consciousness.

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