Star Wars #1 Review
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Jesús Saiz
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel
This week saw the release of the first issue of the brand new Charles Soule run on the flagship Star Wars series. The run advences the timeline past the events of The Empire Strikes Back, giving us a more in-depth look at one of the least explored eras of the Star Wars canon.
And man, it was amazing.
I have almost no complaints about this issue and I barely know where to begin. The new art is perfect, it has a moodier feel to it than any of the art this series has ever had. It is a bit of a shame that Phil Noto didn't get a longer run on the artwork but I'm not going to complain and Jesús Saiz is a wonderful addition.
The moodier tone of the art matches the moodier tone of the issue, which is a perfect decision for a comic that takes place right after the darkest chapter for the main characters. The issue doesn't have many massive plot reveals or dramatic twists but I think that's one of its greatest strengths: it's taking a slower, introspective pace to focus on the charcaters more. Luke especially shines here because this is such a dark time for him, and a time that we've never really see explored by the Expanded Universe the way it deserves. The ending of the issue and the parallels it has with a moment from the first issues of the series is absolutely brilliant and I'm glad it ended there rather than with some big reveal.
The generally moodier tone doesn't mean the series abandons the trademark Star Wars humor either. Weirdly enough the character who shines the most behind Luke is C-3PO, who gets some great comedic beats. The previous arc gave 3PO a bit of nice character development but I can't remember it making me laugh like this issue did. But the other characters aren't slacking either, the first scene with most of the dialogue between Leia and Lando is excellent. It's great to see Shara Bey and Kes Dameron too, two characters that haven't gotten much spotlight since their introduction in the Shattered Empire miniseries several years ago.
This issue did not disappoint me in the least and it has me very excited to see what Soule does once the series is underway. I already had high expectations and he somehow surpassed them. It will also be interesting to see how this series interconnects with the other three ongoing series starting soon in the same time period (Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra, and Bounty Hunters). One issue has completely reinvigorated my interest in this series. This run is shaping up to be perfect for all kinds of Star Wars fans. I can't wait to see what happens next!
Artist: Jesús Saiz
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel
This week saw the release of the first issue of the brand new Charles Soule run on the flagship Star Wars series. The run advences the timeline past the events of The Empire Strikes Back, giving us a more in-depth look at one of the least explored eras of the Star Wars canon.
And man, it was amazing.
I have almost no complaints about this issue and I barely know where to begin. The new art is perfect, it has a moodier feel to it than any of the art this series has ever had. It is a bit of a shame that Phil Noto didn't get a longer run on the artwork but I'm not going to complain and Jesús Saiz is a wonderful addition.
The moodier tone of the art matches the moodier tone of the issue, which is a perfect decision for a comic that takes place right after the darkest chapter for the main characters. The issue doesn't have many massive plot reveals or dramatic twists but I think that's one of its greatest strengths: it's taking a slower, introspective pace to focus on the charcaters more. Luke especially shines here because this is such a dark time for him, and a time that we've never really see explored by the Expanded Universe the way it deserves. The ending of the issue and the parallels it has with a moment from the first issues of the series is absolutely brilliant and I'm glad it ended there rather than with some big reveal.
The generally moodier tone doesn't mean the series abandons the trademark Star Wars humor either. Weirdly enough the character who shines the most behind Luke is C-3PO, who gets some great comedic beats. The previous arc gave 3PO a bit of nice character development but I can't remember it making me laugh like this issue did. But the other characters aren't slacking either, the first scene with most of the dialogue between Leia and Lando is excellent. It's great to see Shara Bey and Kes Dameron too, two characters that haven't gotten much spotlight since their introduction in the Shattered Empire miniseries several years ago.
This issue did not disappoint me in the least and it has me very excited to see what Soule does once the series is underway. I already had high expectations and he somehow surpassed them. It will also be interesting to see how this series interconnects with the other three ongoing series starting soon in the same time period (Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra, and Bounty Hunters). One issue has completely reinvigorated my interest in this series. This run is shaping up to be perfect for all kinds of Star Wars fans. I can't wait to see what happens next!
A Look Inside
