My favorite thing about The Star Wars is when I am sure that I know exactly what is going to happen. I have spent more time with Star Wars than some people have spent with their children. So, when I am reading a comic based on the original Star Wars story, I am never surprised. The Star Wars surprises me every time.

This series is based on George Lucas’ original rough draft for Star Wars, but don’t let that fool you. The difference between the rough draft and the final films is like the difference between wookiees and squirrels. Both are weird, hairy, and live in trees, but they are far more different that similar. Sure, Han Solo helps Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, but Solo looks more like Swamp Thing than Indiana Jones, and Luke Skywalker would be played by Alec Guinness.

This issue follows our heroes as they attempt to escape from Aquilae, which is a stand-in for Alderaan (sort of). The action is great, especially the bit where Han Solo attacks the imperial soldiers with a lightsaber, or the part where Anakin Starkiller nearly gets crushed to death while wearing one of Leia’s brothers on his back. There is less character or world building in this issue than in previous ones. This comic is basically a chase scene, and that is the harshest criticism I can lay on this issue.

Despite the fact that there isn’t much in the way of gloriously weird sci-fi, this issue fills the over-the-top space opera-shaped hole in my heart. It has dramatic overacting, unredeemable villains, goofy sidekicks, and stalwart heroes. This comic is unapologetically fun and is well worth your time. Plus, it really is doing something truly new with the Star Wars license.

Four and a Half Nerf-Herders out of Five