This is the beginning, on the planet Tython, in the center of the galaxy, an order of warrior monks strives to maintain peace and to balance the mysterious power known as the Force. ‘Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm’ is part 1 of a 5 part mini-series.

Sounds good right? In this story a stranger is coming, one who will destroy both peace and balance, and open the galaxy to exploration and conquest. That stranger’s name is Xesh, and he’s got a knack for tracking Jedi.

Xesh is not the beginning of this story though. This story begins centuries before Xesh, ‘Dawn of the Jedi’ begins with the Tho Yor. The Tho Yor are the harbingers of the Force, 9 mysterious temples traveling the Universe collecting the enlightened and bringing them to the planet Tython where they will be trained in the force.

Like any good Geek I love me some Star Wars, and while the movies are a staple in my house for repeat viewing I have always enjoyed the books, games and comics of the ‘Expanded Universe’ more than the original source material. ‘Dawn of the Jedi’ is no exception.

First, Jan Duursema’s art is pretty amazing and the colors and inks by Wes Dzioba and Dan Parsons do a great job showing the epic nature of this story. The coolest thing we see from an art stand point in ‘Dawn of the Jedi’… Tatooine. That’s right, Tatooine, as a thriving planet peaceful and warm where the Kumumga live in gleaming cities alongside the blue seas. The Tatooine of yore is a far cry from the dustball of backward planet we were all introduced to in ‘A New Hope’.

This is just the start of a new chapter of the Star Wars saga, and the journey of the Jedi (or in this case the JE’DAII). John Ostrander’s story is both engaging and interesting and by they time you reach the final panel of the book, you will be ready for issue #2. If you are new to the ‘Star Wars Expanded Universe’ or have a budding Star Wars fan you want to read more, put this Dark Horse book in their hands. You’ll be making a trip to your local comic book store or going to Dark Horse digital app (available in both iTunes and the Android Marketplace) to download the digital version.

Verdict: Buy

Star Wars Dawn of the Jedi #1
Story by: John Ostrander and Jan Duursema
Script by: John Ostrander
Pencils by: Jan Duursema
Inks by: Dan Parsons
Colors by: Wes Dzioba
Cover by: Jan Suursema
Variant Cover by: Gonzalo Flores