Star Wars Adventures (2019 Free Comic Book Day Edition)

This 2019 Free Comic Book Day offering features a scary story starring Han Solo and Chewbacca. Only it's not the real Han Solo. I don't care that this is a comic book. But the version of Han illustrated in this book is the Alden Ehrenreich Solo origin film version. The only (acceptable) version of Han Solo is Harrison Ford. Plain and simple. There is no substitute. 

Now one thing added to the appeal of this book is that this is a Tales From Vader's Castle story. Since 2018, Star Wars fans have been delighted by an annual all-ages horror themed anthology set in the Star Wars Universe. It's become a new Halloween tradition. However, there's no such thing as Halloween in Star Wars. That doesn't matter as it still makes for a fun October time read. 

Compared to other Vader's Castle stories, this one isn't really that scary. Probably because this was a Free Comic Book Day offering. Mistress Lina and her droid Crater, who are the story's narrators, make a return appearance from the 2018 debut of Tales From Vader's Castle. As they explore Vader's home, Lina recalls an early adventure from Han and Chewbacca's early days involving a heist as a droid museum. 

This story sets up the framework for prospective fans to pick up the trade paperback which collected the first series. There was a Han Solo ghost story in the first anthology. I double-checked. This story is not a reprint of that issue as writer Cavan Scott managed to have both versions of Solo (the true and the reboot impostor) in the same story. There's no Harrison Ford in this book.

Featuring art by Derek Charm, this issue has a certain charm to it; even if it doesn't feature MY Han Solo. Loved the closing panel! And the back cover by Francesco Francavilla, featuring the imposing visage of Lord Vader overlooking his Mustafar is just breathtaking. Oh, how I would love to have a print of it to hang in my office!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 11: Rise of the Wookiees

The curtain falls on Star Wars Adventures with this volume. Though Chewbacca is the main star of this book, the focus is on the sequel trilogy and honestly, it's just not as exciting as the original films nor the prequels.

Chewie's story sees the Wookiee helping the Resistance free his native planet Kashyyyk from the First Order. The stormtroopers have taken prisoners; one of which is a mortal enemy of Chewbacca's from a neighboring tribe. In order to save his people, Chewie must overlook an age-old rivalry, even if it's at the sake of his personal pride.

Another highlight of this volume was a Tony Fleecs pencilled adventure starring R2-D2, C-3PO and BB-8, unfortunately. Sorry, but Poe Dameron's droid is just a third wheel here. However, the story was such a visual masterpiece. It reminded me of both Sergio Aragones and Frank Quietly- kinda cartoony but full of detail. 

I also enjoyed the 2-part 'Tales From Wild Space' story. The epic of Emil Graf has a perfect ending; all the while promising further adventures. I do think it was a bit annoying that it took the last 'Wild Space' adventure to finally understand why Emil Graf goes around the galaxy telling stories of the Star Wars Universe. But, I can finally say I know what the character is all about.

The 3 stories starring the newer characters were the weakest of the bunch. The Finn story and glimpse at Poe's X-Wing training sessions with Rey were just too saccharin. The only thing missing from those two tales would have been appearance from Rose Tico and that would have made both of them unreadable. Can we all just admit Poe Dameron is a fascinating character. But he's brought down by those new trilogy wet blankets Finn and Rey.

The story with Kylo Ren team-up with General Hux was the best of the new character-only stories. Maybe it's because they are bad guys. Maybe it's because the two villains want to kill each other just as much as they want to squash the Resistance. I would have loved it if IDW would have scrapped the Rey and Finn stories and stretched out the uneasy alliance between the highest ranking officers of the First Order. It would have made for a much more entertaining read and have helped to bumped up my rating of this book.

This isn't IDW's last hurrah with Star Wars Adventures. For one reason or another, Marvel, Disney or IDW (or some combination of the 3) decided it was best to restart the series at issue #1. Could it be due to the latest rise in comic book speculating? That false belief that a #1 issue sells more books... Or is it due to the fact that Dark Horse regained the licensing rights to Star Wars and IDW was looking to unload their stockpile of Star Wars stories before their contract with DIsney ran out. 

I probably won't have an answer for that anytime soon. Only 1 trade of that new series was ever published and my library doesn't carry it. Heck, I can't even find it on Amazon or favored online comic book sellers. I'm probably going to have to wait to find them individually in the bargain bins.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 11: Driving Force (Family Comic Friday)

I got majorly sick this week. That kept me from even feeling like reading for several days. I almost cancelled this week's post. Thankfully, I had an oldie but a goodie book on my hands for a quick read. So, here we go...

This is the penultimate volume of IDW's Star Wars Adventure series. The first volume. There are 2 issues reprinted here for a total of 5 stories. Even though one story is set in between Episodes III and IV, all of these Star Wars tales involve new trilogy characters. 

Poe Cameron, decked in Blue as a member of Rapier Squadron, the X-Wing pilot and his trusty droid BB-8 run afoul of space pirates!

Set in the days of the Empire, young Princess Leia is about to teach her close friend Amilyn Holdo how to drive a speeder on the crowded 'streets' of Coruscant. But Holdo has other plans, which involve touring the lowest levels of city-planet. We're talking exploring levels lower than 5! Super dangerous and yet a hidden part of the fabled Galactic center of government and commerce that excites the heck out of me!

Then we travel to Ahch-To during Rey's training with Luke Skywalker. In this story, we get to see an unseen episode in which the aspiring Jedi's impulsiveness unearths an ancient terror from the deep. 

The two remaining adventures are Tales From Wild Space back-up features. The wizened Maz Kanata teaches one of her former proteges a lesson in humility. Considering that the character is nearly 1,000 years old, there's no telling if this story occurs after the fall of the Empire or during the Age of the Old Republic. 

The second story involves a New Republic era A-wing pilot that I've never heard of. According to the date files in the back of this book (which were greatly appreciated), this character was a friend of Poe Dameron and apparently died during the events of Episode VII.

Good stories with amazing art. I would have preferred these stories to have been all set during the Clone Wars or the Rebellion. At least there are a few legacy characters peppered in. Younger fans will probably be really excited over this. Parents and guardians will probably get really excited over seeing Chewbacca! But then again, who wouldn't?! He's the best Wookiee ever! And there's no stormtroopers! Star Wars stuff has to have stormtroopers!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 9: Fight the Empire!

After a collection that saw a trio of stories set during the Clone Wars, Star Wars Adventures devotes a volume to a triumvirate of stories that occur during the original trilogy in the midst of the Age of the Rebellion.

First we see Luke and Han negotiating an arms deal on behalf of Princess Leia. Han's past history as a swoop racer has long been discussed. In this story, we see Han return to those roots when he gets the bright idea to participate in a swoop race in order to earn some extra credits. 

The middle story has Leia on a mission with C-3PO and R2-D2 involving an orphaned child and some storm troopers.

In story #3, immediately after the destruction of the second Death Star, Lando is participating in a star ship race in order to gain information about a pirating ring that has been disrupting Rebel supply runs. With the surprise appearance of a memorable character from Episode I, this was the best main story of the collection.

All 3 of the Wild Space back-ups were excellent. The Bib Fortuna story was a little out of character for Bib and Jabba and yet, it's a hilarious story that had hints of plausibility. The spy tale starring Mos Eisley Cantina regular Kabe was rather clever. I never realized just how tiny she was. But the best story of them 3 involved a rather special tauntaun and her trainer. 

A tauntaun with a very large tail is abandoned by her herd. A series of misadventures results in the creature becoming part of the Rebellion and later a beloved hero of the battle of Hoth. This story was so good, I read it 3 times. I really hope that somewhere out there on a lovely snow planet, the tauntaun and her person are roaming the frosty countryside in peace and prosperity.

Lots of fun this volume was with a lot of great talent. Derek Charm and Cavan Scott (Tales From Vader's Castle). Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs). Michael Avon Oeming (World of Krypton). I wish all of the volumes of SWA were this awesome!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

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 Adventures, Vol. 7: Pomp and Circumstance

Another trio of stories set in differing parts of the Star Wars Universe. 

The best story has Princess Leia about to conduct some diplomatic business for the Rebellion. However, due to a rough landing, the Princess cannot conduct the deal. Thus, it's up to Luke Skywalker to conduct the talks in hopes of securing an important flow of trade. However, one of the hosting diplomats has been skimming from the royal family's coffers and doesn't wish to end the lucrative trade they've set up with the Empire. 

This story was great because it's so unexpected. With Luke having to play diplomat, he's a total fish out of water. Seeing him have the rug pulled out from under him by that conniving bureaucrat is kinda hilarious. Especially with C-3PO involved. 

The Han Solo and Chewbacca story stars the Alden Ehrenreich version of the character. Maybe that's why the story wasn't quite as good. The baddie in the story looked familiar. But I don't think he's the same one that I'm thinking of. This other guy was an Inquisitor. Maybe they're both the same species?

Poe Dameron and BB-8 star in the last story. They've both crash landed on a jungle-like planet full of savage natives. Things are about to look grim when a young humanoid comes to their aid. I feel like the lad in the story has popped up somewhere else in the Star Wars Universe. Maybe from a prose novel or something like that?

This volume was rather unusual as I don't recall there being any Wild Space stories. Did these 3 issues not come with the back-up features? Or were they omitted from this collection? If so, will those stories pop up in another volume of this series? I'm rather interested to know.

Two very good stories with a Solo story that was just as confusing and indulgent as the live-action film that it was based on. Could have been so much better. But you can't fake poor quality. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 5: Mechanical Mayhem

This collection of Star Wars Adventures issues is all about droids!

The classic duo of C-3PO and R2-D2 are the heroes of the main stories. The first tale is set during the Clone Wars where Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amadala are hoping to get a little bit of me time together during a diplomatic message. However, it turns out to be a Separatist plot with an array of droids holding the Jedi and Senator from Naboo hostage. 

Then in a story set during Age of Rebellion, Artoo has a suspicion that a droid aboard ship with him is an Imperial spy. With Threepio out of service and the rest of the Rebellion crew unable to speak droid language, Artoo must unmask the sabateur alone.

The Tales From Wild Space Stories involved IG-88, Max Rebo and Mace Windu. The artwork of the Max Rebo story was highly detailed. The Mace Windu story was the best with the Jedi helping a young boy survive Separatists. As for the IG-88 story, I cannot remember at all what happened. 

A good read. Full of all-age Star Wars fun by talent such as Elsa Charretier (The Department of Truth), Nick Brokenshire (Dead Seas) and Mauricet (Dastardly & Muttley). It just wasn't full of 100% memorable material.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 3: Endangered

The back cover touts that beloved breakout star Rose Tico stars in this volume of Star Wars Adventures. This blurb is clearly a PR thing as anyone who keeps up with Star Wars will know that Rose Tico was anything but beloved when the character debuted in The Last Jedi. 

Now I personally have nothing against the actress who played Rose Tico, Kelly Marie Tran. Rose wasn't a terrible character. Whiny. But Luke was whiny when we first met him. Unfortunately, IDW Publishing didn't do much to expand the character in this volume. 

In this book, Rose is quite aloof. She's seen as a nerd who is solely focused on her tech manuals. But that bookish quality saves the day when the First Order mounts a surprise attack and the Resistance is unable to assemble due to some computer glitches in the new Mon Calamari cruisers.

The best story was a two-parter that starred the crew of the Ghost from Star Wars: Rebels. The team are tasked with bringing back a rare animal that the Empire stole to place in the Emperor's personal zoo. But when that bumbling scoundrel Hondo Ohnaka gets in on the swindle, this rescue mission turns into a comedy of errors. 

The Star Wars: Rebels characters should have been the main characters of this volume. But Disney in its quest to spread its agenda did everything in their power to force the new characters of the new Star Wars trilogy down everyone's throats. I love how Disney spokespersons claim that anyone that hates characters such as Rey, Finn or Rose are racist/sexist/ageist. But I think history has spoken that diversity isn't what hurt the new Star Wars trilogy. Those films just weren't the same quality of the original trilogy. The Rebels story was fantastic and it's new-ish compared to say Empire Strikes Back. It was also done very well. 

So, sorry Disney. We hate because the product you produced recently just wasn't very good.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 4: Smuggler's Blues

This volume is all about the Rogues. No, not the squadron of X-Wing pilots. I'm talking about the scoundrels. The smugglers. The scruffy-looking nerf herders!

Han and Chewie run afoul of bounty hunters Zuckuss and 4-LOM. In a story filled with double-crosses and red herrings, the crew of the Millennium Falcon and the Mist Hunter are stranded on a planet in which nothing mechanic works. That includes the ships, blasters and 4-LOM!

Then explore some of Lando Calrissian's early days as a honest man on Cloud City when he tries to teach the son of an old friend that being a rogue isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Lastly, that green bunny-eared smuggler Jaxxon makes his Disney canon debut in as short story involving the transportation of some endangered eggs. If this sounds an awful lot like an early Mandalorian Season 2 storyline, you're completely right. Only this story came first and no- none of the eggs get eaten by a Baby Yoda.

The Han Solo tale was very good. But I hated that the Han Solo used in the art was that of Alden Ehrenreich smuggler and not that of a young Harrison Ford. Yeah, I know that the issues in this volume were set up as a promotion tie-in with the Solo origin movie. But I'm a Star Wars purist and well, that origin flick wasn't all that great. 

Glad to see both Lando and Jaxxon making appearances in this. Loved seeing new and unexplored regions of Bespin. And yeah, I know people hate Jaxxon. But I am not one of them! Long may Jaxxon reign. He's no Jar Jar Binks... Thank God!

Another exciting read. Not perfect but definitely a great read!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures Vol. 2: Unexpected Detour

Since my library has about 20 volumes of Star Wars Adventures, and I'm not able to go to comic book conventions right now due to the lack of cons during a pandemic, I plan on saving some money by reading the whole run. Unfortunately, my library prohibits patrons from checking out more than 3 books from the same series at a time. No prob. I can make do with multiple trips.

The main feature of this volume is a 2-parter starring Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker. Taking place immediately after the Battle of Yavin, Leia is hoping the win will encourage more planets will join the Rebellion. But when Luke falls into the hands of the Empire, that victory rush might be over pretty quick. It's up to the Princess of Alderaan to don an Imperial uniform and do a impossible rescue herself!

Finn stars in another main feature story. It's from his time as a First Order stormtrooper and it offers a clear glimpse into why Finn was never meant to be a vindictive killer. This one has a great twist ending!

'The Tales from Wild Space' back up features are mixed bag. Actor Alan Tudyk pens a story starring his character from Rogue One, K-2SO. While Cassian Andor goes in search of parts to repair his ship, K-2 becomes the unwilling babysitter of a trio of precocious Wookiee younglings. Then those precocious Porgs from the new trilogy are the stars of a story that has Rey and Chewbacca going out of their minds as the alien birdies make a mess of the Millennium Falcon. 

Lastly, there's a story starring a character I'm not at all familiar with at all. He's a young lad named Mattis Banz. Banz is a character from a series of young adult Star Wars novels and he's apparently canon. This story is from his time as an orphan at a farm colony and shows how the spark of justice and heroism was within him at such a young age.

Of course, my least favorite story was the Mattis Banz story. Not because it was of poor quality or anything like that. It's just that Banz is placed within the pages of this book without any sort of introduction; like all Star Wars fans are supposed to know who he is. Luke, Chewie, Darth Vader- those are characters in a galaxy far, far away that need zero introduction. As I doubt very many young Star Wars fans have read the books he appears in, Mattis Banz is a character that needs inauguration!

Confusion aside. this was an enjoyable read full of exciting stories and great art by the likes of Derek Charm, Eric Jones and Annie Wu.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars. 

Star Wars Adventures Vol. 1: Heroes of the Galaxy (Family Comic Friday)

Before I started teaching, I was writing regularly for an online publication. So, if a couple of these issues seem familiar, it's from when I was writing for them and then posting my reviews on this page. For today's Family Comic Friday, I return to Star Wars Adventures; re-introducing myself to the Ash Can as well as the first issue. 

When I went over to my local library a few weeks ago, I noticed that they had about 10 or so volumes of this series. Seeing a chance to save some dough, I've decided to read through the whole run. Thus, my return to a couple of issues previously reviewed.

Volume 1 starts out with protocol droid C-3PO and astromech R2-D2 providing an overview of the series. SWA promised tales from all aspects of the 3 film trilogies and the filler material. So you might get a story with Mace Windu then the reformed Imperial droid from Rogue One and a tale starring Poe Cameron. Issue #1 and 2 stars new trilogy break-out star Rey in a tale from before Episodes VII!

Each issue also contains a segment called 'Tales from Wild Space.' As the framing features characters from the days before Disney owned Star Wars, Star Wars Adventures promises to cover the now non-canon aspects of the Star Wars Universe- which is just fine with me. Seeing as Disney and Marvel are all about the multiverse and What Ifs..., I see no reason why this alternate reality aspect of a galaxy far, far away can't exist in some way as well!

Featuring stories by Cavan Scott (Star Wars: The High Republic) and Landry Q. Walker (Red Lanterns), what really impresses me is the artwork. Especially the main stories by Jughead's Derek Charm~ He's got that great cartoonist quality which makes him the Alex Toth of the modern era, in my opinion.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars Battle Tales #1 (Family Comic Friday)

The battle between the Republic and the Separatists continues in this exciting new series based on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Learn more about it in this week's Family Comic Friday

Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars Battle Tales #1
Written by Michael Moreci
Art by Derek Charm, Arianna Florean
Published by IDW Publishing
Retail: 3.99

Disney+ has blown all of our minds with it's amazing seventh and final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. But that doesn't mean that the action has to stop. IDW Publishing is bringing fans another dose of intergalactic action in the new miniseries, Stars Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars Battle Tales. 

Battle Tales is told from the perspective of  the clones. In particular, Commander Cody and  Captain Rex, who in this first issue explain to some new recruits that despite how brash and impulsive Anakin Skywalker can be, the Jedi will never leave a man behind.

My favorite aspect of this issue is the artwork. Derek Charm has grown to become the definitive Star Wars comic book artist.  His work on the original Star Wars Adventures series (from IDW. Not to be confused with Dark Horse's series in the 2000s) as well as the Halloween spin-offs, Tales From Vader's Castle is light years ahead of some of the talent on Marvel's Star Wars books. Plus, I really liked the polished artwork of Arianna Florean. The Doctor Who illustrator's work depicts the flashback sequence that Cody and Rex narrate. Florian's work gives that part of the tale a youthful, antiquated look and it blends very well with Derek Charm's sections of this book.

Fans will need to realize that Battle Tales is experiencing some delays. Thanks to the COVID pandemic, the book has had to move from weekly to monthly. At the end of the first issue, it is promised that issue #2 was supposed to drop in stores this week. But it's been moved to June 10th. So, be patient. I know it's killing you to have to wait after 2 months with no comics. But I promise you, a series like this is all worth it.

Great fun for a the whole family. If the young reader in your life is a Star Wars fan already, then you and them will love this all-ages series!

Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars Battle Tales #1 debuted in print and digital formats on Wednesday May 20, 2020.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader's Castle #1 (Family Comic Friday)

After a terrifying trip through the Dark Side of the Force, Family Comic Friday is daring to Return to Vader’s Castle for more chills set in a galaxy far, far away.

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader’s Castle #1
Written by Cavan Scott
Art by Francesco Francavilla and Megan Levins
Published by IDW Publishing
Retail: $3.99

Last year, IDW Publishing took Star Wars fans on a frightening 5-week long countdown to Halloween in the pages of Tales From Vader’s Castle. When I reviewed that book, I predicted that we would see another round of scares this Halloween- and I was right!

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader’s Castle #1 kicks off a 4-week miniseries that is already slaying it’s predecessor in terms of quality. My big issue with last year’s event was that Vader’s Castle was lacking a proper horror host to tie in the ominous presence of the Sith Lord’s inner sanctum with the spooky stories being recalled.

In this series we finally have a host in the form of Darth Vader’s personal caretaker, Vanee. This character has all of the make-up of a great host of a horror comic. He is really  eerie; possibly deranged. Vanee is also quite ghoulish, and most importantly, he’s a good storyteller!

Of course, the story is actually crafted by Cavan Scott. The main writer from Star Wars Adventures, Cavan Scott really seems to live and breathe Star Wars. That makes him the perfect choice to craft these legends of Lucasfilm!

Once again, the stories aren’t terrifying to the point that young readers can’t enjoy them. The first story, which guest stars Darth Maul, is about as chilling as that scene in Empire where Luke must go into that tree on Dagobah to face the Dark Side of the Force. If your child can tolerate that segment, they’ll get a thrill out of this series.

If you have a young reader who loves to be a little scared during Halloween and loves Star Wars, then Return to Vader’s Castle is the perfect start to get them in the All Hallow’s Eve spirit! Thanks to writer Cavan Scott and Jughead: The Hunger’s Francesco Francavilla and Megan Levens (Spider-Gwen), Star Wars fans of all ages will be in for a treat!

Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader’s Castle #1 is currently available in print and digital formats. Issues #2 debuts on Wednesday, October 9th.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

This review was originally published on October 4, 2019 via Outrightgeekery.com.

Star Wars Adventures, Vol. 6: Flight of the Falcon

First Order bounty hunter Bazine Netal is on the hunt for the Millennium Falcon. Her search will take Star Wars fans on a roller coaster ride through decades of history set during, before and after the fall of the Empire! Flight of the Falcon was a fantastic read full of cameos of some of the greatest as well as some of the most obscure characters to ever grace the Star Wars universe. But due to spoilers, you'll have to read this collection for yourself to find out just who makes their appearances inside!

( I will give you one hint: fans finally will learn why Han and Chewie were looking for the Falcon in The Force Awakens!)

Disney made a smart decision outsourcing their all-ages Star Wars stuff to IDW. The editors and staff at IDW Publishing seem like big kids to me who want the fun they had with the properties and franchises of their childhood to be just as epic now as they were back then!

Hoax Hunters' Michael Moreci combs through 40 years of Star Wars to bring fans young and old an eclectic history of the Millennium Falcon and it's numerous owners. The art was perfectly done as an old school 80s cartoon by Arianna Florian (Doctor Who: The Tenth Doctor). The art looks how I wish a Star Wars cartoon would have looked if ever that childhood wish of mine would've ever been granted.

Not everything about this book was perfect. A major flaw was somebody's decision to not finish Bazine Netal's story in the pages of Star Wars Adventures. To get that conclusion, you have to get another book: Star Wars: Pirate's Price. That book isn't even a comic book! It's a young adult prose novel by Disney Lucasfilm Press!

I can understand (but not forgive) having to read the conclusion in another comic book series. It's a pet peeve of mine. But such an action is a staple of the comic book industry that I don't see publishers ever changing their market plan. But to make kids have to go from the comic book store to the book store to get the conclusion to a story seems just plain rude. 

I love to get kids reading. But to interrupt the flow of a story by requiring kids (and their parents) to go searching all over town for the conclusion... No wonder the comic book industry is in jeopardy!

I loved this book. I hated the bait-and-switch. The editor's do their 'best' to explain the storyline gap, but it's not the same. Want to keep young reader reading comic books. My advice IDW: don't try such a stunt again no matter what 'Emperor Mickey' decrees.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures Annual 2019: Ac Family Comic Friday Extra!

Some weeks there's just so much great stuff coming out that you can't put in into just one review. That's why we have Family Comic Friday Extra! This week, meet a forgotten character from a galaxy far, far away in our look at Star Wars Adventures Annual 2019!

Star Wars Adventures Annual 2019Written by Cavan Scott, Pierrick Colinet, Elsa Charretier
Art by Mauricet, Margaux Saltel
Published by IDW Publishing
Pages: 48
Retail: $7.99

2019 has seen the return of the original Star Wars universe! Earlier this year, Marvel released Star Wars #108, wrapping up several long-lost story lines from the first ever Star Wars comic book series. That issue brought about the return of a few characters that many fans never thought that they'd ever get to see again.

One thing I have to say about Disney- they listen to their customers. Star Wars #108 was such a big hit, the over-sized issue went into a second print. The cyborg bounty Hunter, Valance was so well received, he's back in the pages of the new Marvel miniseries Target: Vader.

Valance isn't the only character seeing a return to action. In this giant-sized annual, the ever-so-suave Lando Calrissian is joined by a character so controversial, he's considered the Jar-Jar Binks of the original Star Wars trilogy. I'm taking about Jaxxon!
Jaxxon is a smuggler rival of Han Solo's. He's rude, crude and incredibly self-centered. He's also a giant green bunny rabbit!

For years fans have debated on the character. The creation of Jaxxon was brought about because Lucasfilm forbid Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader from interacting with each other during the gaps between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back. So Han Solo and Chewbacca went on a series of solo adventures, running into the likes of Jaxxon.

Like a broken bottle of vinegar, Jaxxon stunk. And he was very hard to get rid of...

Jaxxon would appear several times throughout the original comic book run along with appearances in the Star Wars newspaper strip and some Dark Horse books. But we all thought we'd seen the last of the space bunny when Disney declared that all events of the Star Wars extended universe were null and void.

As Disney and fans would have it, Jaxxon appears here to stay as he and Lando seek to free a race of people enslaved by the Empire. Together, these two swindlers must pull off the ultimate con which will require Jaxxon and Lando to rob the Emperor's archive of stolen relics.

The idea of telling the backstories of all these artifacts that the Empire has ransacked would make for an awesome anthology series set in the style of Star Wars Adventures. But for now, let's talk about this story…

It's set immediately after the battle of Endor. There's great cameos from beloved characters such as Han, Leia and Nien Nub. Landon is great and he's got way better chemistry with Jaxxon than Solo ever did.

The problem with Jaxxon is that he's a total jerk. You might hate Jar-Jar Binks. But you also kinda pity him. There's not very much redeeming about Jaxxon. But he's a great comedic foil in this story.

The artwork was very good. I was disappointed that regular Star Wars Adventures artist Derek Charm wasn't available for this annual. But I liked the cartoonish style of Mauricet (Dastardly & Muttley). It greatly reflects the humor that writer Cavan Scott masterfully peppers throughout this adventure.

Jaxxon and Lando's tale isn't the only glimpse into the universe of Star Wars. The back-up story stars a very young Princess Leia and her until-now unseen adoptive mother. In this beautiful epic by writers Pierrick Colinet and Elsa Charretier (The Infinite Loop) and artist Margaux Saltel (The Wicked + The Devine), Leia's mom regales the tyke with a hopeful bedtime story about the brave Padme Amidala!

The artwork was a little more Little Golden Books than IDW Publishing. But it was still a very adorable tale that links mother and daughter of the first two trilogies together. If you have a young reader who is a big fan of the Star Wars Forces of Destiny line of toys and webisodes, they are going to love this capper to the 2019 annual.

The Star Wars Adventures Annual 2019 brought back fond memories of Marvel's Star Wars comics. This is a thrill ride and a half that all fans of Star Wars will love! And so will parents and guardians of younger readers! It's Force friendly and Jedi approved!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars!

Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down

I love Star Wars Adventures! It's the all-ages Star Wars comic book I wish I had growing up.
When IDW announced this spin-off, I was thrilled. I haven't been reading the post-Jedi novels. So, unless I find info online, I know very little about what lead up to the Battle of Jakku.

In this 3-issue miniseries, Rey and her fellow scavengers unlock the secrets of that climatic battle between Rebels and Imperial forces. When a sand storm uncovers the missing Star Destroyer, Spectral, it's a race to be the first to recover parts and assorted relics from the ghost ship. But Rey and company will have to be on alert, for this ghost ship really does have some phantoms aboard. 

I was a little upset at myself for missing this book when it came out as individual issues. I'm a big fan of Derek Charm's artwork on SWA. But this collection has an added bonus for those who waited like me- an action packed story set during the battle of Jakku! That's right! Fans will get to learn just what happened to cause the Spectral to crash. It's the perfect tie-in to the events of Destroyer Down!

Jon Sommariva (Rexodus) pencils the prequel tale. And while I love Charm, I though Sommariva added such a great Clone Wars touch to the story. 

Destroyer Down was a great blend of classic and new Star Wars. Scott Beatty (Nightwing: Year One) captured the spirit of Star Wars almost perfectly. The humorish moments ware pure fun. I especially loved a funny scene involving a thermal detonator and some skeptical storm troopers. The only thing missing was Han Solo...

A great read for fans of a galaxy far, far away!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars. 

Star Wars Adventures: Tales of Vader's Castle #5

The last issue finally has an appearance from the Dark Lord of the Sith. 

I wasn't such a big fan of this issue as the loose ends got tied up just a little too neat and clean for my taste. I understand that this is an all-ages book. But even though the Star Wars films are rated PG but honestly, they're all-ages friendly. And yet characters die and stuff. 

Yes, characters die in this horror anthology mini-series. But those who survive and such- it was just too Disney of a result. 

Speaking of Disney, the more the House of Mouse controls the Star Wars universe, the more convinced I am that Darth Vader is secretly working for the Rebel Alliance. Such a great menacing character when done by Lucas. But now as a Disney character, he's making too many 'oh, shucks' mistakes. I'm willing to put down $20 that one day, under Disney's control, we're going to find out Anakin Skywalker never really turned to the Dark Side of the Force. Instead, he went as a double agent to bring Palpatine down once and for all.

A great series that creeped me out. If only the final issue was up to the other four issues' standards.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars. 

Star Wars Adventures Ashcan

The introductory issue to IDW's amazing all-ages Star Wars series. While Star Wars Adventures is a great series, this issue, to me, is what this series could have been. 

Cavan Scott has done a great job writing never-before-revealed episodes of your favorite Star Wars characters. But there is this back-up feature called 'Tales for Wild Space'. It has some minor characters from some 90s kids series hosting tales of the Old Republic and beyond. It doesn't have a nostalgic feel. For that segment, the real hosts of the back-up stories are our narrators here- C-3PO and R2-D2!

Landry Q. Walker (Danger Club) penned this issue. It's the only story by Walker in this entire series (thus far)! But I think that Walker had the right idea having Threepio and Artoo be the storytellers. I guess it just wasn't meant to be. 

As for the artwork by Derek Charm. It's 100% perfect. It's how I always wished a Star Wars cartoon would have looked like when I was little. Yeah, we had Star Wars: Droids and Ewoks growing up. But an honest to God animated series with Vader, Luke, Chewie and the rest- Derek Charm crafts a classic-looking animated style!

A very tough issue to find. It was supposed to be a freebie given away at comic book shops nationwide. But I never came across it until finding a copy in a bargain bin. I'm not sure if IDW didn't print a lot of copies or if my area of the country just didn't fare well on the publisher's marketing campaign.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars Adventures (Free Comic Book Day 2018 Edition)

IDW Publishing made the smart but still  controversial decision to have the Alden Ehrenreich Han Solo be the focus of this year's FCBD offering. One thing that helps the transition go smoothly here is the inclusion of classic Star Wars bounty hunters Zuckuss and 4-LOM. At a trading post, Han finds himself without Chewie, who has decided to check out the local grub scene. It is here that Han finds himself the prisoner of bounty hunters. Without his right hand make, how will the Corellian rogue get himself out of this jam?

My favorite bounty hunter is Boba Fett. However, I am a big fan of Zuckuss and 4-LOM. In the anthology novel Star Wars: Tales of the Bounty Hunters, the story of how an assassin droid and a Gand findsman become partners was the best of the lot. It was also very cool to finally see the interior of their ship, The Mist Hunter. 

Cavan Scott and Derek Charm are the Chris Claremont and John Byrne of SWA. Great storytelling! Amazing artwork! A pure love for all aspects of the franchise! May the force be with them for a very long run!

I haven't been able to really stay up on Marvel's run of current Star Wars titles. There's just so many, so I must purchase when they go on steep discount. But IDW Publishing been doing a phenomenal (and affordable) job on the all-ages take on the Star Wars Universe. I'm still not sure why IDW is doing them instead of Marvel. But I'm not complaining!

Okay- one small complaint... This issue ends with a cliffhanger in which you have to read an issue or two from the regular Star Wars Adventures comic. I understand that you are trying to boost sales. If you are going to do that, do it for the teen and older books. It's just not fair to make the kids have to buy something else in order to complete the entire story. Keep in mind, some kids are receiving these books from charities and donors such as myself after FCBD. To have an incomplete story just seems like a slap in the face, especially when done in the name of benevolence! 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Tales From Vader's Castle #1/ Halloween ComicFest 2018 Week 2 (Family Comic Friday)

Welcome to Family Comic Friday. Here we explore kid friendly titles that the whole family can enjoy. This week we look at IDW’s 5-issue miniseries Star Wars Adventures: Tales From Vader’s Castle. This weekly mini is a month-long countdown to Halloween with spooky tales from all realms of the Star Wars franchise.

Then we continue our month-long look at the Halloween Comicfest mini comics that will be given away for free on October 27th in a comic book store near you. This week we will preview a few pages from Rocky and Bullwinkle Adventures. But first…

A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…

Star Wars Adventures: Tales From Vader’s Castle #2
Written by Cavan Scott
Art by Derek Charm with Kelley Jones
Published by IDW Publishing

When a Rebellion ship crash lands on the lava planet of Mustafar, the crew must decide whether to venture to the nearest Imperial outpost for help or burn alive inside the wreckage. As the ship’s crew debates their actions, survivors recount spooky tales from their travels across the war torn galaxy. In this week’s issue, a battle between Obi-Wan Kenobi, Count Dooku and what can only be described as a were-mynock.

I started on this series too late last week to cover it for that edition of Family Comic Friday. (For that issue’s review, click here.) But since Tales From Vader’s Castle is a 5-week long miniseries, I had a second chance to feature this horror-themed title. Several publishers are taking advantage of the fact that Halloween falls on a Wednesday this year. DC is doing a crossover with Wonder Woman and Justice League Dark. Marvel is doing another series of What If…

However, with both of those titles, the ratings are listed for teens and older readers. Tales From Vader’s Castle is all-ages fun. Last week was an old fashioned ghost story. This week it’s a monster mash. Next week promises to have Han and Chewie running afoul of a witch.

I love that Disney and Lucasfilm have found a way to tie in Halloween with Star Wars thanks to this clever miniseries. This isn’t the first time Star Wars delved into all-ages scares. In the late 90s, a number of chapter books were published under the series title ‘Galaxy of Fear.’ But the series was not published as a Halloween miniseries.

I also like how IDW is covering all of the realms of the Star Wars franchise. For example, next week’s issue features the Solo Story version of Chewbacca and Han Solo. All of the stories are written by Cavan Scott (Doctor Who and the Supremacy of the Cybermen) and framing artwork by regular Star Wars Adventures series artist Derek Charm. The featured stories are pencilled by some of the best horror-masters in the industry such as Robert Hack and Charles Paul Wilson, III.

This week’s featured artist is Kelley Scott. Scott has done a number of horror-themed works such as the Invisible Man miniseries Batman: Unseen and a scraped Len Wein opener published in the Swamp Thing Winter Special. Kelley Scott has a kind of style that is like looking in a funhouse mirror. The features are slightly distorted and it makes for creepier looking characters.

Using Count Dooku for a monster tale was brilliant. Count Dooku was portrayed by the late Christopher Lee. Many don’t realize that next to Bela Lugosi, Lee was considered the definitive actor to play Count Dracula. Kelley Jones does an amazing job rendering the late actor as Dooku in this tale that was surely inspired by Dracula and Wolfman films from the past century.

Some scenes in this issue may be too intense for young readers. But if your household is already watching Star Wars, Tales From Vader’s Castle is a great way to countdown to All Hallow’s Eve. I would have liked for this series to have been hosted by the Dark Lord himself, Darth Vader. This series is named after him after all. But otherwise, this has been a series fun of seasonally fun scares.

Issue #2 debuted in stores and digital platforms on Wednesday, October 10, 2018. Issue #3 drops on October 17th.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Rocky and Bullwinkle Adventures #1 (Halloween ComicFest 2018 mini comic)
Publisher: American Mythology
Rated: All Ages
Price: Free and comes in 25-issue mini packs for $4.99 each
Date: October 27, 2018
Code: JUL180055

Hey Rocky, watch me pull a rabbit outta my hat. Presto! This Halloween we are celebrating the return of Rocky & Bullwinkle to cartoons in the new Amazon Prime animated series. To help introduce new generations of fans and readers to everyone's favorite Wossamotta U graduate, we're giving you the Halloween treats with a fantastic mini comic featuring classic adventures of the whole R&B gang - Rocky, Boris, Natacha, Dudley Do-Right, Peabody & Sherman, and moose-about-town, Bullwinkle!

This review was concurrently posted on Outrightgeekery.com.