It’s here! The day has finally arrived! Sure, it’s the first day of September, and who the heck knows where the rest of the year went so quickly, but it’s also…
FORCE FRIDAY!!! (Well, today is actually Force Friday II, but who’s counting?)
That’s right: If you or even someone you know is “one with the force,” then you should also be aware of the fact that, today, Disney announces all of their new toys and fun Star Wars gadgets in relation to the next film, The Last Jedi. Heck, even Apple and Target and other retail stores are getting involved by offering AR (augmented reality) experiences via the official Star Wars app. Pretty cool, huh?
On top of all this, IDW Publishing has released Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a graphic novel adaptation of Disney’s first reboot in the franchise. Although we were first introduced to Rey, Finn, Poe, Kylo Ren, and BB-8 back in December 2015 and reintroduced to fan favorites such as Han Solo, Chewbacca, and the beloved General Leia (We miss you, Carrie!), this comic book-style edition truly awakens the Force just as it did less than a few years back.
Every page of Star Wars: The Force Awakens – A Graphic Novel Adaptation reminds me of the move I fell in love with in 2015. Every moment is captured perfectly in art – from the clever reveal of the Millennial Falcon to Rey’s discovery of Luke’s lightsaber. From Han and Leia’s first meeting in years to the death of Solo himself (I’d warn of spoilers, but if you haven’t seen The Force Awakens at this point, well . . . ). Needless to say, this graphic novel does not disappoint.
Kudos go out to Alessandro Ferrari for the beautiful manuscript adaptation of one of my favorite Star Wars films, but the true Jedi on this project are the ones with the pens, the paints, and inks. Artists Ken Shue, Roberto Santillo, Marco Ghiglione, and Stefano Attardi deserve a lot of the credit for Star Wars: The Force Awakens – A Graphic Novel Adaptation, as they all brought this story to life like never before, in some ways even more so than that film could. But don’t tell J.J. Abrams that. I met him once and gushed over his work. Which is true—I adore J.J. and would Kylo Ren the s–t out of any room just to watch him direct. (You can only laugh if you get the reference.)
In the meantime, I will use today, Force Friday, as the perfect substitution as I anxiously await Episode XIII. I promise to buy more Star Wars toys I don’t need simply to see my husband’s eyes roll further back into his head than they already have. And I will gladly add this newest graphic novel to my bookshelf, which, when looked at side by side next to my husband’s, is clearly marked with Star Wars Funko Pops and lightsabers. Clearly.
Happy Force Friday II and may the Force be with you!
