This month marks the final Star Wars comics published by Dark Horse. I have a couple thoughts on things to write this month into next month about the passing of an era and some favorites, but for this week, I have a guest column from Bradon Borzelli, friend of The Matt Signal and Star Wars fan, giving a really good rundown of some of his favorites.
Dark Horse Comics has published Star Wars comics for over
two decades and to celebrate their final month (August of 2014) of publishing
floppies it seemed like a good idea to call attention to some of the best
issues to seek out, read and enjoy over and over again. This is not a ‘best of’
list nor is it only single issues, but rather these are some comic books that
can be found fairly easily (either as back issues or in various collections)
that could be classified as timeless.
Secondarily, with so many Star Wars comics out there, the
whole “where do I begin?!?” statement can be brought down to a manageable list.
I’ve broken this out by what I believe to be a classic read
list and then a list of stuff I happen to really enjoy that may not hit with
every fan or prospective fan.
As a bonus I’ve added the three series I believe to be
entire runs that are worth seeking out and read in whatever form they are
available.
The classics:
1)
Darth Vader: Purge - While this is not a ‘best of’ list,
this is my absolutely favorite Star Wars comic book. This issue came out just
as the Star Wars: Republic series ended. Its Vader seeking out a nest of Jedi
and slaughtering them, all while looking for Obi-Wan. The back issue price is
high but it has been collected several times in hard cover and trade. Just look
for the severed hand on the cover with Vader walking away and you know you’ve
found it.
2)
Star Legacy #16 – Unintentionally going in order, this
is my second favorite Star Wars comic book. Did you ever wonder what Obi-Wan
did to protect young Luke all those years on Tatooine? This issue gives the
reader a glimpse of what Obi-Wan was capable of and it’s fantastic. An added
treat is that this issue also contains a Jedi from the Star Wars Republic
series that helps round out the character. This is a pricey back issue but is
collected in the “Claws of the Dragon” trade.
3)
Star Wars Republic #50 – This is the perfect one shot
that deals with the clone wars. It’s an oversized issue that contains three
battles within the Defense of Kamino battle. It’s set pretty much immediately
after Episode II but the plot fits in well and makes a lot of sense. This is a
dense and classic read and easily found. Incidentally this is the third issue
in a row on this list that has John Ostrander’s hand in it.
4)
Star Wars: Darth Vader - Ghost Prison #3 – The entire
mini-series is fantastic, but in this issue Darth Vader visits the Jedi temple
to learn more about the prison where the Jedi kept their war criminals. Vader
visits the temple with an imperial officer and doesn’t let on that the holos of
Anakin are really him. This is a classic issue that ties the clone wars and
dark times together from an Anakin to Vader transition point. This issue is
easily found but I urge reading the entire story.
5)
Star Wars Republic #63 – This is part of a long running
arc but the climax is a battle between two Jedi – Vos and K’Kruhk. It’s a
fantastic fight that brings the dark side to a boil in a Jedi that dances the
fine line too much throughout the series. This issue is easily found and is
collected several times.
6)
Star Wars Republic #54 – This is one of my favorite
Star Wars comics. It’s got Anakin and Obi-Wan and a Master-less padawan. The
comic captures a lot of the war-time events that Anakin witnesses that could
help him along towards the dark side down the road. This issue also deals with
the concept that Anakin believes if he were more powerful he could save
everyone. This is a classic one-shot.
7)
Star Wars Dark Times #10 – This issue wraps up the
Parallels arc with K’Kruhk defending the group of padawans from some pirates.
He absolutely cuts loose which brings his character close to the dark side, but
it also shows that the old ways are over and if the Jedi are to survive they
must forget the old and reinvent for the future. This entire run is worth
getting but this issue stands out.
8)
Star Wars – Dark Empire – The classic six issue
mini-series that brings the Emperor back as a clone. Luke falls to the dark
side, but believes he has things under control. This comic still holds up after
twenty years and has plot threads that still make sense despite all of the
material that has come after this. Plus the stunning artwork is somewhat of a
perfect fit for this dark comic series. The series feels too compressed in
today’s world and probably could have been expanded to twelve issues very
easily. There is just so much to explore when it comes to Palpatine.
9)
Star Wars Crimson Empire – This is the first comic book
(or series) to really explore an obscure character. One of the Emperor’s royal
guards is the focus and the series is an absolute classic even all these years
later. The two follow-up series have diminished returns but the original one
makes you think anything really can become a story in the Star Wars universe.
The first issue is all you need to get hooked.
10) Star
Wars Legacy #27 – Sith versus Sith. This issue brings to light an awful lot of
Sith mindset and background. This comic is easy to track down and really
punctuates what makes this series so great.
Additional Reading:
1)
Mara Jade: Emperor’s Hand – this mini-series helps to
expand the character of Mara Jade and takes place during and immediately after
Return of the Jedi. There is no single issue that stands out above all others
but the entire series really builds this character out after losing the
Emperor. I’m not sure how it would read if you haven’t had exposure to the
characters from the novels but it is a great story that holds up some sixteen
years later.
2)
Star Wars Vector – While this is a twelve issue
crossover, the best of the series are actually within Dark Times #11 and #12.
It features an Old Republic Jedi against Darth Vader and it is a great read.
3)
Star Wars Jedi: Aayla Secura – This one-shot is really
part of a larger arc, but it is an oversized read that really gives insight
into a terrific character as she mulls over her master’s apparent fall to the
dark side. She also battles a fantastic villain in this book.
4)
Heir To The Empire – This is a tricky one because the
novel is so much better than the comic series. However, the comic series is a
great guide into the novel universe so it is worth picking up.
5)
Chewbacca – Four issues featuring small stories within
each that focuses on the life of Chewie as told by the people that love him.
Chewie dies in the novels and this is the spillover effect into the comics
world. They are great reads on their own.
6)
Star Wars Legacy – Broken – It’s impossible to break up
this first arc to a single favorite issue. Pick this up and you won’t regret
it. There is another Skywalker….even 120 years after Return of the Jedi.
7)
Star Wars Legacy – Claws of the Dragon – In some ways
this is really the climax of the entire series but more importantly it reveals
the identity and origin of the primary villain and it is fantastic.
8)
X-Wing Rogue Squadron – Battleground Tatooine – While
the entire Rogue Squadron comics are unique and entertaining reads I find this
one to be particularly special. Perhaps because it has ties to Jabba The Hutt.
I’m not advocating that this is the best of the series, but I find it to be a
personal favorite.
9)
Star Wars Dark Times – A Spark Remains – The final
mini-series is a personal favorite and not just because it contains Vader. This
mini-series is full of surprises that I won’t spoil here.
10) Shadows
of the Empire – This doesn’t quite hold up today but it has a special place in
my heart as it really opened my eyes to the possibility that mining the years
between the films still had plenty of stories to be told. It also has a
terrific villain.
11) Star
Wars: Jedi – Not enough books or comics about Qui-Gon Jinn so this mini-series
is essential reading if you want to read about him.
The Series:
1)
Star Wars: Legacy – Now that the entire run is collected
in three hardcover volumes it makes tracking this series down much easier. This
is the pinnacle of Star Wars comics at Dark Horse. If you think 120+ years
after Return of the Jedi is too far to see familiar characters and themes then
you will be pleasantly surprised.
2)
Star Wars: Dark Times – Generally speaking this series
tracks one particular Jedi after the events of Order 66 and it’s no one that is
from the films. However, each arc packs an emotional punch and provides a new
definition of climax.
3)
Star Wars: Republic – The comics published from issue 49
and later are all classics. Never before has a comic series tied so closely to
the events of a future Star Wars film as these 30+ issues were. Plenty of villains,
plenty of Jedi and plenty of interesting twists and turns. The run isn’t
limited to just the Republic comics as there are Jedi one-shots, a General
Grievous mini-series and a Ventress centric mini-series called Obsession. These
are all reprinted within three soft cover volumes and are well worth the price
tag.
Does this cover it? Not by a long shot but I guarantee
something in here is the “comic you are looking for.”
Brandon Borzelli first
saw Star Wars in the 1979 re-release at a drive in theater with his family. A
year later he saw Empire Strikes Back and after a sleepless night he was hooked
and has been ever since. Brandon writes comic reviews over at comiclist.com and
holds his Star Wars comics as the pride of his collection. He looks to pass on
what he has learned.
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