Sean Foster (66)
Season 5 of The Clone Wars wraps up with the most emotionally charged episode to date. This was the big game changer, folks, so if you haven't already seen the episode, I'm warning you now - it's all spoilers starting . . . now!
SPOILERS BELOW
When the first Dead Space video game was released, it brought me back to the first time I played Resident Evil on the Playstation. A dark, moody tale that kept me on the edge of my seat, I felt danger lurked around every corner. The story itself wasn't overly thrilling to me, but the game itself was a blast to play and had me hooked from the moment I popped the disc in. Its sequel, Dead Space 2, was more of the same for me. Ho-hum in terms of story, but excellent gameplay kept me hooked. So, when offered the opportunity to review several comics based in the Dead Space universe, I jumped at the chance to learn more of the backstory of this world.
I watched the chase scene from last week's episode again to start me off into the new one, which I think helped to fuel the overall intensity of this episode as a whole. Ahsoka is on the run and finds herself in the seedy underbelly of Coruscant, level 1312. For those unfamiliar, there is a video coming out later this year entitled Star Wars 1313 that revolves around playing the role of a bounty hunter on a mission in the subterranean level of Coruscant. Filoni had mentioned in interviews last year that we would get our first glimpse of 1313 on The Clone Wars and after last week's literal cliffhanger, we watched Ahsoka make a desperate dive in that direction.
All I could think as this episode progressed was, "I am so not ready for this . . ." Ahsoka easily became one of my favorite characters over the series, and we all knew one day we'd start to get answers as to her absence in Revenge of the Sith, but now that it might be happening, I'm frightened it might be happening too soon.
I don't even know where to begin here to be honest . . .Oh yeah, non-spoiler related part of the review: Go watch this episode . . . now!
SPOILERS BELOW
This episode continued on with the awesomeness this week, even with its unbalanced first act. The Sith Bros. and the Death Watch make their way to Mandalore, so Pre Visla can overthrow Duchess Satine. Who knew all it would take was a few gangsters causing a ruckus and the incredibly convenient arrival of Death Watch to stop them? Of course, they are in cahoots, with a plan that was well executed but felt rushed given the short period of time spent on it in the episode. I took it for what it was, because after the last 4 episodes with Plankton and the Droids, I want my action now. Fast and furious.
Glory of glories! The Clone Wars has returned! And, in full force, might I add. You won't find any Jedi Younglings performing circus acts and bumbling pit droids here. No, sir. This is full on Clone Wars at its finest, bringing us everything you could possibly want in what looks to be the most intense collaboration between evil forces I've ever seen. If seeing Maul and Savage back in the game wasn't enough, Filoni and crew decided to take it to 11 and throw in Death Watch and the Black Sun for good measure. Not enough for ya? Well, believe me. There's more, but I'll save that for later when I go into spoiler territory.
When a title comes across my desk (or through an email as the case may be) with a name like Mars Attacks The Real Ghostbusters, you kind of have to answer the call and see just what in the heck a comic like this could be about. What exactly do these two franchises have in common? Why on Earth would the Ghostbusters ever come in contact with the aliens from Mars Attacks?
I'm glad you asked!
Why did the 100th episode of The Clone Wars have to be during this silly droid arc? No Maul, or Black Sun, or Deathwatch? No, we get more Plankton and droids to celebrate this incredible achievement! That frustration aside, this episode was much more enjoyable than the last two. It did still have its cutesy, slapstick moments and ridiculous banter, but all that was forgotten once they stumbled into a diner and met a young man who looks suspiciously like a clone.
I seriously hope that Star Wars: Purge - The Tyrant's Fist is just the first in many stories involving Vader and his eradication of the Jedi. Of course, given the Star Wars/Disney buyout and Marvel picking up the comics starting in 2015, the future of the galaxy far, far away at Dark Horse is still up in the air. But, until that happens, this is how I want my Star Wars comics. Both Ghost Prison and Purge are beautiful, shining examples of what a good Star Wars story can offer set during a time that most intrigues me in that universe: in between Episodes 3 and 4.