Between Books - Star Wars:Vader - Dark Visions

They say everyone is the hero of their own story.  And as I read the back cover of Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions by Dennis Hopeless and a team of artists I thought I was walking into a story that made the villain a hero.  Instead, I found myself immersed into a very different set of tales.

Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions provides five separate short stories, all originally offered as single issues in a series.  The stories, unlike what I thought, do not provide us a unified story with Darth Vader as the hero.  Instead they are all views of the Sith Lord which show us how others view him.  In a world who does not know of the Empire, a youngster views the Dark Lord in action.  An Imperial Officer finds himself awaiting Vader's arrival, an arrival he dreads.  A young X-Wing pilot is faced with Vader in battle.  A nurse on the Death Star develops an infatuation with the armored knight.  And finally, we feel the intensity of being hunted by Vader.

Honesty, one of the most challenging tasks in comics is writing a single issue story.  And Hopeless really succeeds  Yes, the premise of the series works to support the changing tales and views.  The stories truly do not connect other an a character viewing Vader in action.  And some of the stories are stronger than others in my view.  But the collected volume is enjoyable and like the Dark Horse story "Five Days of Sith" demonstrates the true evil of Vader and the impact his actions have on others.  For those who want to dive into the evil that is Darth Vader, Star Wars: Vader- Dark Visions will be an interesting ride,

Between Books - Lords of the Sith

Usually we think of Darth Vader as the hunter.  But in Lords of the Sith, Vader is in fact the prey.  And readers discover what happens when the galaxy's apex predator is targeted.

In Lords of the Sith by Paul S. Kemp, the Emperor and Darth Vader are forced to challenge the growing resistance on the planet Ryloth led by Cham Syndulla.  Syndulla is an expert strategist and his attacks while not fracturing the Empire is at least causing it a black eye.  The Emperor himself prepares to visit Ryloth and brings Darth Vader with him to make a show of force to the oppressed world.  Syndulla discovers this visit, using his expert spy network, and launches an attack against the two Sith lords that puts them in peril in the safety of a Star Destroyer and the wilds of Ryloth itself.  All the while, Vader attempts to show his loyalty to his Master and escape the memories of his past life as a Jedi.

Cham Syndulla is important to Star Wars fans.  Cham is the father of Hera Syndulla of Star Wars: Rebels.  So it helps provide background on how Hera became both a rebel and a great strategist as her father seems to be thinking several moves before his competition.  Most of all, it might be Cham that taught Hera compassion!  While he is a great military leader he is also a greater man.  And his plans actually do put the Lords of the Sith at risk, though the tension is eased by the fact that one knows neither can die.

At times the Sith do seem invincible.  And this is especially true as we see Vader through the Rebels eyes.  Vader takes a some physical steps that no one would expect if they just saw the movies.  The Rebels keep questioning who is this man that he can stand against them like he does, and completes incredible and terrifying feats.  Having seen Star Wars: The Clone Wars I knew that Aiken could do massive jumps and move large objects.  But for the Rebels these moves strike terror, often before someone dies.

Lords of the Sith is another Star Wars borrow for me.  The book became more interesting as it progressed. And the relationship dynamics of the two Sith was fairly interesting.  But in the end, while I am glad I visited this book I cannot see myself re-reading it again in the future. 

Between Books - Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago...Volume 2

I have been reading a ton of Star Wars comics with the recent Marvel releases.  In fact, I have been struggling with which ones I should continue with in the future.  But one I thing I know for sure is that I will be reading all of the classic Marvel comics thanks to Between Books.

Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago…Volume 2 collects issues 28 through 48 and annual #1.  The majority of the issues are written by Archie Goodwin with art by Carmine Infantino.   Though not all issues are written and penned by this duo with Chris Claremont authoring the annual and Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon providing art for The Empire Strikes Back adaptation.  The majority of issues before the movie adaptation revolve around the industrial Tagge family and their grudge against a young rebel named Luke Skywalker.  The powerful and vengeful Tagges will use connections to politics, industry, military and religion to attack Luke and his friends.  The action climaxes with a lightsaber battle between Luke and Baron Tagge.  With the Tagges revealing their hatred, Darth Vader manipulates the family for his own evil purposes.  The Marvel original issues are then broken up with the film adaptation.  After The Empire Strikes Back, Lando and Chewbecca seek out Han.  And the issues transition from major continuing arcs to one-shots with revolving artists and writers.

When I was a kid every other time I was sick I read one book.  I tore through Scholastic paperback sized Empire Strikes Back Marvel collection.  And I will admit there are images from the film that I know better through the comic than through the movie itself.  It has been at least a decade if not two since I last read this adaptation.  And to me this multi-issue arc still really holds up to this day.  I do not mean to criticize Carmine Infantino, but I really enjoy the change to the Williamson art.  Williamson and Garzon just seem to be able to handle some key characters like Chewbecca quite a bit better than Infantino.  It is more realistic and less cartoony.  Seriously though, this collection gets five stars from me just by including this adaptation. 

The Tagge saga was new to me.  And it takes up a good portion of the collection.  Honestly, Goodwin did a good job creating a villain that felt Star Wars.  And I mostly bought it when Baron Tagge and Luke went lightsaber to lightsaber.  To be fair, Luke was new to this style of fighting so it was believable that a non-Jedi could hope to match Luke…but probably not Vader.  My biggest confusion was the relation of s film character name Tagge and these Tagges…the answer is no relation!  And that is key to understand since the original Tagge is currently present in today’s Marvel comics.

Hey…Chewy said Groot!

Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago…Volume 2 collects over 20 classic Marvel Star Wars comics.  The stories overall feel like Star Wars and help me come to the conclusion that Star Wars works best with a visual element.  And I am impressed with the episodic storytelling that the pages provide.  But most of all, this volume contains a classic story that was a big part of my childhood.  

      

Cap's Comics - Darth Vader #5

How does one replace a Darth Vader?  Who will take Vader's place next to the Emperor if he was to falter?  Kieron Gillen asks this question in Darth Vader #5 "Vader Part V."

In the Outer Rim, Darth Vader traces his potential replacement at the Emperor's side.  Vader finds an oddly organic/mechanical ship (which looks like a tricked out Leviathan from The Avengers) which holds his prey.  The Dark Lord takes the ship with the aid of his assassin robots, Aphra and his newly acquired droid army.  But will what Vader find be rich in the force?  And what plans does the Emperor have for Vader's potential replacement?

First and foremost the Adi Granov cover is gorgeous.  It may be the best of any of the Star Wars' covers to date.  It is simple, yet detailed.  And while Darth Vader may be hard to draw, Granov nails him.  Not to be outdone Salvador Larroca's interior art is also well done.  And I find a panel of Aphra especially striking on the first page.  She communicates excitement and wonder from her eyes letting me know the following page would reveal something exciting.  And this is good since the central character really cannot emote!  As Vader takes the ship, the soldiers lining the halls scream Star Wars to me while also providing a different look to an old theme.  Artistically I was very pleased with this issue. 

The story itself is largely fighting.  But we get to see Vader fight a variety of opponents.  I found it brisk and exciting.  Honestly, I would have liked more development of Aphra, who really is a secondary character.  

The elephant, I mean Emperor, in the room wants to see a demonstration.  Does Vader have a successor ready to take his place?  And what role will the Force have in the future of the Empire.  All this and more at the same Star Wars Time and Same Star Wars Channel!

Cap's Comics - Darth Vader #4

Darth Vader #4 by Kieron Gillen with art by Salvador Larroca continues the partnership of Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra.  The pair travel to Geonosis to liberate one of the last remaining droid factories from the immortal queen.  What the two find is a damaged queen who thinks of her droids as more than machines.  Doctor Aphra takes time to discuss her future and destiny with the Sith Lord.  Finally, they discover one of the Emperor's secrets from a captured smuggler.  And the secret is one that Vader must act upon.

I really wish I could say that the adventure on Geonosis would have been what I found as the highlight of the issue.  There is a nice flashback to the movies and Anakin Skywalker's past on this planet.  But really it is Doctor Aphra that catches my attention in this story, again the original character is the most interesting.  It must be because she is the blank slate.  She understands her role in the partnership and how Vader values her.  She has no illusions where this story will take her.  But she faces it with confidence!  Aphra wants a life that mattered and a deal with the devil may be the clearest path to letting the universe know she was here. 

As the issue ends I find myself worrying for Aphra.  The Emperor's secret is tied to Lord Vader.  Yet I feel as if it is Aphra who is at risk.  Let us be blunt friends, we cannot guarantee a spot for her in any future movies!

Cap's Comics - Darth Vader #3

On a quarantined world a young lady makes a desperate attempt to free a murderous robotic mind from imprisonment.  Her desperate attempt leads her into a partnership with Darth Vader, who finds himself without resources while he lacks the Emperor's favor.  Vader partners with the adventurer, rouge archaeologist Doctor Aphra, to increase his personal power through machines, starting with two assasin droids.  Aphra offers Vader even more robot power on a world that has a deep personal connection to Anakin Skywalker.

I really liked this Kieron Gillen story with Salvador Larroca art.  Though I will admit I do feel like I have seen some of this before.  There are portions of this tale that remind me of Brian Wood's Dark Horse arc "Five Days of Sith which also saw a disgraced Vader paired with a female counterpart.  And there is part of Aphra that feels like Indiana Jones...okay a big part including a reframing of a classic line!  So there will be moments where you might say, yeah I have seen this.  But the story still is very successful.

A big part of the success of Darth Vader #3 is setting up Aphra as a character.  She is clearly intelligent, adventurous and follows very questionable morals.  She has quite the dark side to her, but it is different than Vader's evil as she is talkative and what I would call adventurous bad.  I find myself liking this black hat and her love of evil robots is something that has my interest.  So I look forward to seeing what Gillen does next with this new non-Sith bad guy!

Darth Vader #3 hit all the right beats for me.  And I enjoyed yet again the introduction of an entirely new character.  Though if we have learned nothing in our Star Wars lore, standing too close to Darth Vader can get you burned! 

Cap's Comics - Star Wars #4

My buddy Ben has a phrase, Darth Vader is hard to draw!  And I have noticed from the original Marvel comics run that sometimes even legends cannot handle Chewbacca.  As I read Star Wars #4, I sadly found these thoughts returning to my mind.

In part IV of "Skywalker Strikes" the Rebels and the Empire deal with the repercussions of the destruction of the Empire's largest weapons factory.  Darth Vader is forced to "negotiate" with Jabba the Hutt on Tatooine.  And the deal making is full of tension as the Empire looks to take the supplies it needs.  Meanwhile Princess Leia pushes the Rebel Alliance to keep pressuring the Empire and asks for a small team to make offensive strikes.  But Luke Skywalker who is reflecting on his lack of Jedi knowledge questions if he should continue the fight.  Finally, Darth Vader attempts to learn more about Obi-Wan Kenobi's time on Tatooine and sends out Bounty Hunters to discover more for him.

I did enjoy this Jason Aaron continuing story, though this issue is more bridge than action.  The tension between the Hutt and the Sith is something every fanboy (and fangirl) can enjoy.  But I do find myself distressed at times with John Cassaday's art.  Yes, there are some brilliant splash pages including the final frame.  But there seems to be a lack of life at times in some of the art.  And at other times I find the eyes disturbing, with both humans like Leia and aliens like Jabba the Hutt.  The art somewhat took away from my enjoyment which combined with a lack of action really made this my least favorite of the four first issues.

I had not noticed before but instead of * to mark editors notes Marvel is using a stylized "SW" to catch our attention.  I hope this carries into other books and continues to push forward the Star Wars branding.

Star Wars #4 was a little disappointing for me.  But it promises to kick off some strong action in the next issue.  So I continue look forward to next month with a smile.  Because with a comic debut like the one found on the last page...well you know something interesting is sure to happen. 

Cap's Comics - Star Wars Volume 4 #3

"Skywalker Strikes" Part III in Star Wars #3 by Jason Aaron and artist John Cassaday appears to conclude the first arc in the Star Wars return to Marvel.  Honestly, I found myself a little shocked that the first story ended in three issues since Dark Horse took a year to tell their first significant story in their last Star Wars volume. 

The rebels are on the run as they set the power core of the Empire's largest weapons factory to overload and explode.  But it is far from an easy escape.  Luke dodges stormtroopers on a speeder bike.  Han and Leia are on the run from Darth Vader in a AT-AT.  And Chewbecca and C-3PO appear to have been eliminated.  And of course while the Empire is chasing our heroes, we have to ask how will they escape with the freed slaves.  The action climaxes as we wonder if the Rebel plan will succeed.  

Sometimes when watching television or reading comics I get tense.  I have to admit there is some tension let out of the bag in this story.  While well written, it is difficult to picture any of the major characters at risk!  I know they all make it for at least three more movies (and one of those has not even been released yet).  Maybe this story needs a character like Evaan from Star Wars: Princess Leia who can be lost and be meaningful.  Honestly, one of the best aspect of Star Wars: Rebels is the cast are all blank slates that I do not know the fates of.  Here, as much as I enjoyed the story, I really did not feel like there was risk.  Honestly, one of my favorite moments of this issue might have been the hint of what is to come in the next one!  

This issue really does hang on action.  And I like action.  But sometimes if felt like the action was a little clipped.  It seemed as jumpy as a Bourne movie.  Again, I enjoyed this issue very much.  But maybe this should have been a four issue arc and not a three issue story.

As the first arc of Marvel's new Star Wars comes to a close, I am still really excited about the marriage of LucasFilm and Marvel under the Disney umbrella.  Comics is such a great medium for Star Wars content and I do find myself wondering if in the future if I will be reading Star Wars titles instead of superhero titles on a monthly issue basis. 

Between Books - Star Wars: Tarkin

Star Wars fans for decades have been fascinated by characters who briefly were seen on screen but left lasting impressions.  Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin like Boba Fett is someone who has long held fan interest.  His appearances on Star Wars: The Clone Wars lead to fan excitement as we could finally see a villain that only appeared in one movie in a new setting.  Now as LucasFilm releases books officially labeled as canon, fans can discover the back story of the architect of the Death Star. 

In Star Wars: Tarkin, James Luceno brings us to five years after the end of the Clone Wars and the establishment of the Empire.  Moff Tarkin has apparently been stationed to a punishment outpost far from the Core Worlds and the seat of power.  But his station is actually contributing to the construction of a mobile battle station.  After an attack on Tarkin's base, he is ordered by the Emperor to join forces with Darth Vader to track down insurgents and punish them for this attack and others.  The story is punctuated by a race as Tarkin and Vader pursue the insurgents through the galaxy as they race from target to target in a ship very familiar to Tarkin with a crew that may be connected to Tarkin's past.  Along with the story sent in the "present", Luceno takes readers into Tarkin's childhood where he learned to hunt and foster fear at his Great Uncle's knee.  Tarkin would take those lessons from the wild into his political and military career becoming a man who used fear as his primary weapon. 

This is really an odd book to read.  You follow along with Tarkin and Vader who are really the bad guys.  The insurgents, fortunately rarely called rebels because then I would feel for them more, are really the bad guys.  The reader knows that Tarkin is the hero of his own story and has to win.  As one pages through the book you also feel little risk for Tarkin or Vader since we are aware of their ultimate fates.  It really does "feel"weird seeing the story from the side of evil.  And when you begin to pull for Vader and Tarkin, you begin to ask yourself about your own motivations.  

The book was really hard for me to get into.  The first 100 pages were very slow for me and it really did not pick up for me until Vader enters the story.  The chase also built up some excitement where at the end of the book I was having a hard time putting it down. But I would not call this my favorite Star Wars book, maybe I would rate it somewhere in the middle of what I have read.  I am pleased to say I borrowed did not buy this book.

You really do get a character study in this book.  Tarkin as a figure has often been lumped with the Death Star and the use of fear.  Tarkin's early life and education was based around using fear to dominate prey.  And his military career as we see played out relies on fear to defeat threats (or prey).  We come to understand that in Star Wars he desired to use the Death Star on a live target with purpose.  And it did have to be on a populated and well traveled world.  News had to spread.  He did not necessarily harbor evil thoughts towards those he killed.  No, he saw the demonstration of force as a way to create order.  And for him the cost was justifiable.  He would not see himself as evil, but instead as one enforcing peace through force.  The galaxy needed to know the Death Star existed and could be used. 

One of the lingering questions is did Tarkin know who Darth Vader was?  In this book, Vader dislikes Tarkin as their mission starts.  In fact he must be ordered to partner with him.  Tarkin and Anakin Skywalker, Darth Vader's given birth name, were close as seen in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  But Tarkin's role in the trial of Skywalker's Padawan poisoned the relationship.  Tarkin does not know for sure who is under the mask.  Vader does not confide in him.  But Tarkin begins to make an educated guess.  He notices that Vader and Skywalker used the same strategies, flawed ones in Tarkin's book.  And both have the same lightsaber fighting style.  So while this book does not make the pair close friends with long histories, Tarkin is beginning to realize who is wearing the cape. 

Speaking of Darth Vader, we get new pieces of canon to add to his biography.  First, Vader is considered unnaturally attached to his stormtroopers.  And Vader uses a special kind of trooper that goes back to the Clone Wars.  This makes sense after watching him as a General in the Clone Wars, one who was beloved by his men because of how he treated them.   Though for some reason one of his Stormtroopers seems to have a rank change from enlisted to officer without explanation.  Perhaps the editor lost track of his rank!  Second, Vader like Anakin rushes to action.  Sometimes action pays, sometimes it does not.  

Star Wars: Tarkin is for the hardcore Star Wars fans.  General fans of the movies can likely skip over this book unless like me they grab it as a borrow.  Tarkin is someone of interest, but he is not Han, Luke or Leia.  And perhaps it is the big three which a general reader would need to get through the first 100 pages and technical speak of this book set a galaxy far away.  

Between Books - Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago....Volume 1

Star Wars

Marvel

Combined!

Yeah decades before Disney acquired both companies, this happened.  From 1977 to 1986 for 107 issues and three annuals Marvel Comics published Star Wars the licensed and official comic.  As a kid I read some of these issues and I still have some in my personal collection.  But with Disney now filming Star Wars Episode VII I really wanted to reconnect with these stories.  This was reinforced by the fact that I have been enjoying Brian Wood’s Star Wars published by Dark Horse.  And in 2015 Marvel will get this title back as it all comes back into the family.  In talking with friends I decided the way to jump back in was through collections which led to me picking up Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago…Volume 1 reprinting issues one through 27.  

The first six issues written by Marvel legend Roy Thomas and drawn by Howard Chaykin adapts Star Wars or what we now call Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope.  With issue seven stories begin to follow our heroes after the Battle of Yavin.  The volume includes creative staff changes with most prominently Archie Goodwin taking on much of the writing duties and Carmine Infantino providing art.  These stories separate Luke, Han and Leia into their own adventures.  Han takes on a space pirate named Crimson Jack, becomes a hired gun for farmers with a posse including the talking giant Rabbit named Jaxx, and eventually works his way back to the rebellion.  Meanwhile, Luke searches for a post-Yavin home for the rebels, is hunted by a self-hating cyborg and fights water dragons.  And Leia seeks out the lost Luke who has lost contact with the alliance.  The heroes all reunite on a water world which features the water dragons, giant floating wood cities, and a society divided.  And throughout the stories the shadow of Darth Vader hangs over our heroes.  

These issues are a fantastic adventure for the Star Wars fan.  The fun all starts in the first six issues and their very different take on the original Star Wars film.  The reader knows something is different as the art on page 14 shows Darth Vader using the Force to levitate a cup of what we assume is coffee over to his gloved hand.  And then he begins to drink his beverage, as the reader struggles with the question of how the liquid is getting through the mask.  Hardcore Star Wars fans would likely complain that Darth Vader would never use the Force for something so minor.  But everyone else will still be stuck with the question of how is Vader drinking without a straw?  Another change is Luke flies against the Death Star with Blue Squadron, not Red.  And while we are at it Wedge is in a Y-Wing not a X-Wing.  There are also concepts brought forward that we would not question until other movies were developed.  For example, Blue Leader makes it appear that he knew Luke Skywalker’s father as a good pilot from the Outer Rim, a place we now know Anakin Skywalker never flew through or lived in as an adult.  So yes there is plenty in this story that does not add up with what we know today as canon.  For me, my favorite new moment is Chewbacca getting his medal after the Battle of Yavin.  But of course he has to put it on himself as Princess Leia is not tall enough to present it properly. 

Speaking of Chewbacca the Wookie, Carmine Infantino is a comics legend.  But he really had no idea how to draw a Wookie.  There is way way to much skin in Chewy’s face! 

With the movie in the rearview mirror, Marvel’s staff was able to expand on the Star Wars universe.  We find out, for now, why Han Solo did not pay off Jabba the Hutt.  And I had heard about Jaxx, but I was shocked how easily this rabbit fell into this universe.  And I did search future volumes for more of the big-eared one.  Valance the bounty hunter gives Marvel the opportunity to explore the complexity and illogical basis of racism as he hates all droids!  And he despises the droid-loving Luke Skywalker.  Marvel legend Chris Claremont gets an opportunity to craft a Luke Skywalker/Cinderella story!  And we get to see fantastic environments, I really did enjoy the water world story that finishes the volume.

I can report it is awkward anytime Luke and Leia kiss!  But let us be fair, they did not know!

Star Wars Omnibus: A Long Time Ago…Volume 1 is a fun trip.  Star Wars fans really should pick-up this collection to explore Han, Luke and Leia’s past.  And I am only looking forward to more adventures in future trips in a Comic Book Time Machine. 

Mousey Movie (TV) Preview - Star Wars Rebels

When Disney bough LucasFilm there was a lot of speculation that Star Wars: The Clone Wars would be moved to Disney XD.

Instead it was cancelled.

But hope for Star Wars fans is not lost.  Disney has announced that in 2014 a new animated Star Wars show will make it to Disney XD, Star Wars Rebels.

This new show will be set closer to the Original Trilogy, and closer to the characters that will be used in Episode VII.  And it will play on a period of Star Wars history that more older fans will be familiar with.  And you never know, maybe even Darth Vader could show up.

Dave Filoni, in this video from New York Comic Con, talks about what is happening behind the scenes (lots of Star Wars: The Clone Wars staff are still in Disney employ) and outlines the new villain. 

 

I think it is The Inquisitor that will catch most fans attention, a new Star Wars villain is a pretty big deal (especially for toys)!

I will say he does seem close to the Darth Maul model, with his double bladed lightsaber.  And it does some interesting that someone who is not a Sith or a Jedi (we think) will be wandering around with this weapon.

I am sure that there will be plenty more news in the next year.  Until then you may want to keep an eye out at http://www.sienarfleetsystems.com/.  The Empire does need quality Tie Fighters!

Dreaming Disney - Vader's Day at Disneyland

I just cannot resist this video.  I know it’s a commercial.  I know they are trying to get me to spend money.  But I think it is a perfect formal introduction of Darth Vader to the Disney family!

I guess I am not the only one who will rewatch this a few times. 

Dreaming Disney - Stormtrooper Snowflakes

I love Disney.

I love the holiday season.

And I love Star Wars.

All three of these topics bring back some of my best childhood memories.  For me at Christmas the toy I usually wanted was Star Wars related.  And thanks to Star Tours and Star Tours 2: The Adventure Continues, Disney and Star Wars will always be linked for me.

The “Matters of Grey” blog has a great way to work Star Wars into your winter holidays with Star Wars Snowflakes.

They offer 10 printable templates that include Yoda, Darth Vader, Boba Fett, and more.

I took a crack at Darth Vader to help garnish some Star Wars Christmas cookies I took to work.

In my first attempt, I created a Cyclops.  One co-worker called it a Battlestar Galactica Cylon. 

Cyclops?

  

Part of my problem was my tools.  With scissors only I could not get the cuts I needed.  I tried a second time with a knife, a dull knife.  The results were questionable, but good enough to claim Darth Vader, even though I forgot a few cuts.

Darth?

A friend made a Stormtrooper. 

Stormtroper Snowflakes

Clearly this was a success, the key was an Exacto knife to get the desired cuts.   If my buddy and I can pull this off so can you!  It’s not like we have mad cutting skills. 

Enjoy your winter holidays Between Disney, and don’t cut yourself!