Dark Horse Comics has done their fair share of ‘Star Wars’ comics over the years, but this new series is very different. This new title from writer Brian Wood featuring artwork by Carlos D’anda and Gabe Eltaeb is set in the times of the original Trilogy, specifically right after the events of ‘Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope’. Featuring all the characters that generations have grown up with like Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and Darth Vader, this story follows the Rebel Alliance as they search for a new base of operations after Alderaan (and the Death Star) was destroyed.

‘Star Wars’ #1 picks up just where George Lucas’ movies left off. After the Battle of Yavin, the Rebels, lead by Princess Leia, are looking for a new base at the edge of the Outer Rim. After a lead goes sour due to Empirical forces, Mon Mothma commissions Leia to take C3-PO and a small squad of her choosing to find a new base for the Alliance.

Like the ads all say, this is ‘Star Wars’ as we remember it, but like we’ve never seen it before. After all, we’ve all thought about what happens in between those films, and now we finally get our answers. No more acting out scenes with action figures on the kitchen table. We’re getting the real thing. And so many people are interested in it that the initial run of this book sold out in 24 hours! If you’re looking to get a physical copy, then you might need to wait until February 6th to get one because chances are your local comic book shop is fresh out.

The first thing that I’ll say about this book is that it does indeed feel like I’m watching one of the classic ‘Star Wars’ films. Wood has a great grasp of the characters’ voices. I may be jumping the gun a bit since this is the first issue, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he was tapped to work on a future ‘Star Wars’ film.

The next thing that was much appreciated was the little yellow boxes that acted as narration. It’s unlikely that someone brand new to ‘Star Wars’ would be picking up this series, but in the event that something like that happened, there was enough information contained between the covers to understand what was going on in the story. For everyone else, they were a nice reminder of the movies. Not only did they aid in fondly remembering the events of the Trilogy, they were a great refresher in case bits were forgotten if, say, someone hadn’t seen the films in a while (although it’s recommended that a full viewing of the Trilogy occurs at least once every three years).

Finally, the plot isn’t burdened by knowing what happens next because you really don’t know what happens next. The trouble with doing a prequel or a story that happens in between pieces of a story is that the audience knows the end game. ‘Star Wars’ #1 manages to create this whole new story involving characters that you know and love that sucks you right in. I’m very excited to see how Leia’s mission plays out, even though in the back of my head I remember what happens in ‘Jedi’ and ‘Empire’. I’d say that Brian Wood has done a good job in making the reader forget about the rest of the Trilogy momentarily so that we can take in his new tale.

Basically, I’m excited for this series. The expanded universe comics never really had much appeal to me, but because this book takes place within the Trilogy, I’m on board.

And by the way, as a side note: I capitalized “Trilogy” throughout my review out of respect. Only one trilogy in films can be referred to as THE Trilogy. (Also, to quote ‘Clerks II’, “There is only one return and it is not of the king!”) Long story short, in my eyes, ‘Star Wars’ is the number one trilogy in the history of cinema and it deserves respect.

Final Review:

 

 

Star Wars #1
Written By Brian Wood
Art By Carlos D’anda & Gabe Eltaeb
Cover By Alex Ross