Star Wars: Princess Leia #1

   Star Wars has returned to it's original home- Marvel Comics. I've not been able to get my hands on that series but was lucky enough to find this premiere issue of Princess Leia in a grab bag during this year's Free Comic Book Day.

   Leia takes place immediately after the credits to Episode IV begin to roll. The celebration for the destruction of the Death Star is short lived as the Empire now knows where the Rebels' hidden base is located. As Luke, Han, Threepio, and the rest of the Rebellion begin to pack up and move out, Leia is left to grieve for her beloved Alderaan. But the fiery Princess wants action and demands the right to serve her cause.

    However, with the Empire just issuing a 10 milloin credits bounty on her head, General Dodonna refuses to let the last living member of the ruling House of Organa off planet without an assault garrison, much less out of his sight. As rumors swirl that the Empire is capturing and murdering Alderaanian survivors in retaliation to the Princess' involvement with the destruction on the Death Star, Leia is determined to gather up as many refugees as possible before it is too late.

    This series looks to explore Leia's pivotal role in the Rebellion post Battle of Yavin. Along with R2-D2 and a House of Organa hand maiden turned X-wing pilot, this looks to be an exciting series that will take Princess Leia to the furthest reaches of the Star Wars universe.

   Next stop: Naboo!- home of Leia's birth mother Padme Amidala.

   I really enjoyed this opening chapter. The art by the great Terry Dodson (who was an artist on some of Dark Horse Publishing's Star Wars titles) is stunning. Dodson does a fantastic job with his photo-realistic renderings of not only the iconic characters but the vehicles as well. Directing Dodson into which corners of the Star Wars galaxy to explore is one of my favorite writers- Mark (Daredevil) Waid! He answers some lingering questions about the Battle of Yavin, such as 'Was Admiral Ackbar there?' Short answer- Yep, he was!

   I hope to get my hands on the rest of this storyline if not the entire series. I was thrilled to see that Marvel was getting it's hands back on Star Wars and with this first taste, I'm hungry for more.

   As Lord Vader would say "Impressive...Most Impressive."

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.