While I may have lost my Clone Wars animated series, the blow has been considerably softened by the monthly installments of this incredible Star Wars comic series by Brian Wood. While I love the stories and action from the Old Republic era, to the Clone Wars, and beyond the original trilogy, there’s something very refreshing about Wood’s back-to-the-basics approach that I find to be a breath of fresh air. And, while I’ve enjoyed every issue of the series thus far, I believe this one may be my favorite. 

It wasn’t until my second read through of the issue that I realized why I loved it so much. Sure, the series as a whole has had a definite New Hope, more simplistic feel to it, but here we’re bouncing back and forth, rather quickly, between Luke and Wedge held captive, Han and Chewie outrunning Boba Fett, and Leia out on her own in the depths of space. We’re never with one set of characters for more than a few pages, and given the fast-paced action going on between two of the three pairs, I was reminded of Return of the Jedi, where we keep jumping between the three different set pieces during the finale. It just felt awesome!

Luke and Wedge voluntarily giving themselves up is a bold move and one I really enjoyed watching play out, especially Luke’s quick mention of the Jedi Mind Trick and the cleverly hidden, disassembled lightsaber. Ah, I got goosebumps. I sometimes forget this takes place shortly after A New Hope, so I have to remind myself this is one of the first few times he’s actually handled a lightsaber. I still don’t know how I feel about the saber-though-the-door action, but I’ll let it slide.

On the other side, we have Han, Chewie, and Perla outrunning the Slave I . . .

‘Nuff said . . .

Funny enough, Leia’s part in this issue was the most subdued (Good, because that woman needs a break!) but definitely caught my attention the most towards the end, as she visits the remains of the Alderaan System.

Wood continues to amaze with his storytelling, keeping me hooked on characters I’ve been in love with for decades. Ryan Kelly’s artwork is growing on me. I found last issue particularly jarring since I’d become so accustomed to Carlos D’Anda’s art style, but now that I’ve seen Kelly handle some more heavy action sequences, I can see the book is in good hands. Luke still looks a little weird to me, but I digress . . .

‘Till Issue #9!

MTFBWY