Star Wars: TIE Fighter #1 Review

Writer: Jody Houser

Artist: Rogê Antônio

Letterer: Joe Caramagna

Publisher: Marvel

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this start to a brand new series, since I was a bit apprehensive going into it. 

TIE Fighter has a bit more responsibility than an average new miniseries because it isn't just introducing us to a new story, it's also introducing an (almost) entriely new cast of characters, not to mention setting up the plot of the upcoming Alphabet Squadron novel. Most Marvel Star Wars miniseries are centered around a well known and preestablished character: Darth Maul, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Lando Calrissian, etc. TIE Fighter's cast is brand new save Lyttan Dree, who is carried over from the Han Solo: Imperial Cadet miniseries. It's a big task to introduce the audience to so many primary charcaters in one issue and TIE Fighter does a pretty efficient job of it. I don't have all of their names memorized yet but if these characters are truly in for the long haul of this miniseries and the Alphabet Squadron novel, I don't think it will take me too long to get them down. 

Speaking of Lyttan Dree, I have to say that I love how he's carried over here. It's good to have one familiar character as an anchor so the story doesn't feel too unfamiliar. Additionally I think it's great how Imperial Cadet (which wasn't by any means my favorite Marvel miniseries) is now spinning out into two semi-sequels: TIE Fighter and Target Vader, which will star Valance. The ability of anything to pop up anywhere is one of the things that I love about Star Wars canon.

I am glad that Jody Houser was chosen for this series. She's a very solid writer and her work on the Age of Republic series was great. She brings the Kudon system from her Poe Dameron annual and Age of Republic: Anakin Skywalker into this new series with her, which is fun to see. Originally the series was to be written by Chuck Wendig and while I like Wendig's Star Wars writing more than most and I think it's a shame that he was removed, I am glad to see Houser get some more work. 

The ties to the Alphabet Squadron book were well done. The issue gave us our brief introduction to the main character of the novel, Yrica Quell, before going into a full preview of the novel itself. I think the premise of Marvel and Del Rey doing a full crossover event is really neat. I can't wait to see how the novel will return the favor and tie into the comic.

Beyond that, there isn't too much to say about the issue. It's primarily character introduction and it's well executed character introduction. The characters don't feel stale and I'm looking forward to seeing them develop more. I've already started to develop theories about how different ones will wind up. Now I'm just looking forward to seeing the plot develop more!