Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 8: Defend the Republic!

This trio of stories are set during the Clone Wars.

Yoda and Anakin Skywalker defend a group of refugees from Separatist droids on mission from Count Dooku. Queen Amadala is tasked to repay Gungan leader Boss Nass for his role in the siege of Naboo to assist Jar Jar Binks in a treasure hunt. Finally, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Clone trooper, Captain Rex are woefully outnumbered by droids. The odds do not look in their favor. But their luck changes when a malfunctioning clanker swears allegiance to the Republic and starts blasting away its fellow droids!

All three stories were very, very good. I thought the artwork of the Amadala and Jar Jar story was the best. It reminded me of those gags drawn by Sergio Aragones when you see an archaeologist digging through the ground and you see all these treasures that he's just missing out on. Some panels were like that in this story and I thought it was great.

The best written story was the Obi-Wan story about the droid that switched sides. I'd really like to read more stories about that character and I kinda hope he survived the Clone Wars and onslaught of the Emperor as the Sith lord attempted to purge any and all remnants of the Republic.

Despite 3 main stories, this volume only carries 2 Wild Space back-up stories. One tale is about another clanker that had quite a run of bad luck. The other story is about the apprentice of Jedi master Luminara Unduli, sent on the quest of finding an ancient Jedi text. Both were good reads but just not that memorable.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, Vol. 2 (Family Comic Friday)

My local comic shop will sometimes order things for me based on previous orders. I don't really have the heart to say no, unless they order something I already have. But today's review is one of those recommendations that hit a bullseye.

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures is the all-ages version of Marvel's more mature comics series. I haven't been reading any of this, mostly because my Star Wars era is Classic Trilogy. (The first is the best!) The premise is that centuries before the rise of the Skywalkers, the Republic is at its zenith. The Jedi are highly revered and Yoda is old, but not that old. 

The safety of the galaxy is threatened by two fronts. A carnivorous species of plants called the Drengir is viewing the inhabited planets of the Republic as their own personal smorgasbord. Meanwhile, a group of space pirates called the Nihil see the Great Expansion of the Galactic Republic as a threat to their territories and way of life. Using a specialized type of hyperspace that can bend the rules of physics, the Nihil can attack anywhere at anytime without warning and without remorse. 

The first collection of stories introduced all of the major players to this story. As I've come in somewhere in the middle, I was a little bit lost. Thankfully, the writers do a fairly good job keeping the readers on top of things. And whatever questions that still remain a quick jaunt to Wookieepedia provides me those answers I seek.

Besides Yoda, there aren't very many characters from any of the movie trilogies. And for now, Yoda is M.I.A. Yet without these familiar faces, this series is very much Star Wars. There's swashbuckling adventures, crossroad level life-changing choices and Jedi. Lots and lots of Jedi. The good thing about these stories is that despite not having those icons of Star Wars that are beloved, there is a theme and feeling that young readers will love. 

My first toe dip into the Era of the High Republic. And I had a blast. My heart still belongs on Hoth, Bespin and a certain princess. But I enjoyed this collection enough to want to both get my hands on volume 1 and find out what happens next! I think the young reader Star Wars fan in your life is gonna feel the same.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Jedi Academy: The Phantom Bully (Jedi Academy #3) (Family Comic Friday)

  Padawan Roan Sanchez is about to begin his final year of schooling at the Jedi Academy Middle School. Before the year is out, he will have to complete the obstacle course, labyrinth, and one-on-one training with everybody's favorite Jedi Master, Mr. Garfield- OR he'll have to repeat the entire grade over! It's going to be hard with Roan being targeted by a mysterious foe who's sabotaging him at every turn.

   The Phantom Bully marks the conclusion to the Sanchez Trilogy but not the end to the Jedi Academy series. A new class, along with a new writer, is set to hit bookshelves in July. I'm looking forward to it but I really don't want Roan's story to end. Maybe the Jedi-in-training will return to encourage the new students of Jedi Academy. 

   But, one thing strikes me a little eerie about this series- does it bother any of you that most of the students attending Jedi Academy will either die at the hands of the clone troopers, following the Emperor's command of Order 66, or be betrayed by Anakin Skywalker, when he becomes Darth Vader? So maybe it is a good thing Roan and friends have moved on...

    Jeffrey Brown is such a talent in the Star Wars universe. His Darth Vader and Friends books are hysterical and he does a great job in making Jedi Academy both fanciful and relatable for kids. No matter what happens to the characters of the Jedi Academy series, I hope this volume isn't the end of Brown's time in a galaxy far, far away...

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

   

    

The Weapon of A Jedi: A Luke Skywalker Adventure by Jason Fry

  

  The Weapon of a Jedi is the third (and for me, final) young adult novel in the Journey to Star Wars: the Force Awakens series. 

   The events in this book occur shortly after the Battle of Yavin. Here, Luke Skywalker is sent on a mission to infiltrate some Imperial codes but the Force has other plans for the aspiring Jedi and he crash lands on a mysterious planet that houses an abandoned Jedi temple. There, Luke continues his training but Skywalker must protect the historic site from poachers and the Empire or countless centuries of Jedi lore will be lost forever.

     This series of books are supposed to offer clues and hints for Episode VII. But just like the Force Awakens, there is nothing about Luke Skywalker's current state of health. In fact, the very small opening scene and closer that takes place 30 years after the events of Return of the Jedi does nothing to offer the reader anything about Episode VII except introducing the reader to an X-Wing pilot that I don't even remember being in the film. 

   I really felt that this book would be the one that would explain everything. In reality, I could have skipped this book. The story by Jason Fry was quite good. But if you think you have to read this book before you go to theatres to see The Force Awakens- save your cash on popcorn and jujubes instead. This book will be waiting for you on store shelves nationwide. And if you wait long enough, you might even find it on discount. 

   I wish I did...

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Academy: Return of the Padawan (Book II) (Family Comic Friday)

Roan, the football faced padawan from Tatooine returns for his second year at the Jedi Academy. It’s his chance to finally fly the Jedi star fighters and coming from a family of pilots, Roan assumes the class will be a breeze. As the youngling goes through another year at the Academy, Roan faces a slew of problems- peer pressure from the Dark Side, teen angst, puppy love, and the worst of all Gamorrean cuisine!

When I finished book I, I was a little sad thinking all of these characters are going to be killed eventually by Darth Vader. However, it is established in this book that these events take place well before that happens. That made for a much happier read.

Jeffery Brown does a fantastic job capturing the magic of the Star Wars universe while placing it in scenarios that any elementary or middle school child would understand. Plus, it’s Star Wars!!! With Episode VII coming out next year, a slew of Star Wars products are going to explode on the market. I think it’s safe to say that a third book in this series will be forthcoming. With nothing for parents to object to in this series, this is an excellent book for newcomers and established fans of the Star Wars films. Plus there are plenty of cool references to both the original and new trilogies for everyone to enjoy. I just wish that the book didn’t end as suddenly as it did. It didn’t allow for very much character growth except to wrap everything up nice and neatly like a sitcom would. Still, it was enjoyable read primarily for those in grades 2-6 but will delight Jedi of all ages.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.