Star Wars Adventures #16 Review

Writers: Kevin Burke, Chris “Doc” Wyatt, Michael Moreci

Artists: Valentina Pinto, Arianna Florean, Adele Matera

Letterer: Tom B. Long

Publisher: IDW

Embo!
 

Sorry, I just needed to get that out of the way, because Embo is the best and I’m so happy to see him again.

I continue to be glad that Adventures exists. I think it’s really cool that there’s an anthology like this for younger readers, letting them takes some first steps into a wider universe. The stories aren’t always perfect but the rotating writers means every issue has the potential to be great both for kids and for adults.

I think this is one of those issues. The main story is about Kaz during the Resistance series (seemingly set after the midseason finale) and it’s pretty solid. The fact that it’s written by writers of the show makes it feel like a regular episode, both in plot and characterization, which is very welcome since the show is now on break until next month. This arc combined with the shorts being released online are a great way to tide fans over until the show is back. There’s some nice continuity with other EU works and a fun cameo by a familiar character from another era. The art is unique in a good way and I’m looking forward to seeing if this story ends up referenced in the show itself in any way, though I’m not expecting it.

The backups tend to be my favorite parts of the issues on average and this issue was definitely no exception. I’ve been enjoying the Flight of the Falcon run and this might be my favorite of them so far. Moreci manages to fit a lot into very few pages. With just eight pages he has to flesh out both a framing story and a main story, and he manages to pull it off. The pages are packed full of pure Star Wars, from the relatively clear (a certain old friend saving Lando from Embo) to the more subtle (Embo has returned to Felucia, where he first appeared and his implied arc started). There isn’t really too much more to say due to the short page count. The art is great as always, I like Florean’s work.

So overall it’s a pretty solid issue. First a nice if simple Resistance story that feels like part of the show and then a great backup about one of my favorite characters. I’m looking forward to the second part of the Resistance story, I assume it will deliver like this one did. I’m also really excited to see the rest of the Flight of the Falcon arc and I hope we get Moreci on more Star Wars in the future, preferably something with a higher page count. I have a theory about who the next issue could be about and I’m hyped to seeing if I’m right. The series isn’t for everyone but when it’s of this quality, it’s definitely for me.