#star wars comics
Nar Shaddaa was the completely urbanized moon of Nal Hutta, in Hutt Space. A filth, decrepit place, Nar Shaddaa was infamous as a gathering place of the lowest scum in the galaxy, and indeed was. Many smugglers, bounty hunters, and others started their careers on the Smugglers’ Moon.
Source:Lords of Nal Hutta (Art: Jose Mikhail Elloso; 2015)
First Appearance: Dark Empire 3: The Battle for Calamari (1992)
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Sith Meditation Spheres were ancient warships designed for use by powerful Sith Lords. Centered around a meditation chamber, a Dark Side user could amplify their Force powers to a huge degree. Naga Sadow used his vessel to create illusions that caused real damage against his enemies. Few survived the fall of the Sith Empire, although they were sought after by archaeologists and Dark Jedi alike.
Source:Tales of the Jedi: The Fall of the Sith Empire 2: Forces in Collision (Art: Dario Carrasco Jr.; 1997)
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K’Kruhk was a Whiphid Jedi Master who was notorious for being extremely difficult to kill, surviving the Clone Wars and the Jedi Purge. Known for his signature hat, K’Kruhk was a gentle, thoughtful being, who handled a lightsaber with stunning expertise. His great strength and constitution lent themselves to his longevity, despite being killed many times.
Source:Dark Times 6: Parallels, Part 1 (Art: Zach Howard; 2007)
First Appearance: Jedi Council: Acts of War 1 (2000)
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TheBloodfinwas a FC-20 speeder bike owed by Sith Lord Darth Maul. Stored aboard the Scimitar, Maul’s Sith infiltrator, Maul used the Bloodfinfor reconnaissance and to pursue targets. Its open design allowed Maul to leap from the vehicle easily, while automatic brakes kicked in once the handlebars were released. Maul chose not to arm the speeder, on the pretense that he could simply handle any target after overtaking them.
Source:Darth Maul 3 (Art: Jan Duursema; 2000)
First Appearance: Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace novel (1999)
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Happy Star Wars Day!
Two years ago, I wrote about young Anakin’s strange vision of the future; last year, I wrote about old Ulic Qel-Droma’s tragic vision of the past. This year, I thought I’d write about the natural next step: old Daegen Lok’s terrifying vision of infinity.
I expounded briefly but extravagantly upon my love for Daegen Lok once before; I’ll try to be clearer here. Daegen and Xesh form the core master-student relationship of the excellent 15-part Dawn of the Jedi comic series. Never were two souls more haunted by their own dark deeds, oppressed by the cruel systems around them, nor tormented by the sheer, cold majesty of the Force than Messrs. L and X. Obi-Wan and Anakin? They had it easy. Kreia and the Exile? That’s nothing. Cere and Trilla? No, the boys definitely suffered more. (Alright, apparently when it comes to DotJ I mustbe extravagant.)
Daegen’s Force-vision, which takes place just before the story begins, has two layers: the first like Cassandra’s, and the second like Zaphod Beeblebrox’ (pictured). As a young and reckless knight fresh off a bloody victory, he descends into the forbidden cavern below the Temple with his buddy Hawk Ryo to see what they can see. Their first, more plot-heavy vision foretells of another war, heralded by a mighty young man with a glowing stick (new at the time). When they try to warn their elders to prepare, they are threatened with exile for their disobedience. Hawk betrays Daegen (cue homoerotic subplot) and Daegen is banished to the moon, where he becomes the titular Prisoner of Bogan until Xesh and the proto-lightsaber fall right into his lap. Since no one believes Daegen about the war, he takes matters into his own hands and prepares his own army of crooks and ne’er-do-wells against the impending alien invaders. Xesh follows along until his love triangle plot kicks in; of course, heterosexuality was the one thing Daegen could not have foreseen.
But the second layer of Daegen’s vision is the thing that really fucks him up. If you’ve read Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, you might remember the scene where they try to torture Zaphod by impressing upon him the immensity of the galaxy. While Zaphod is too egotistical for it to work, Daegen is not. The true identity of the mysterious chasm is revealed to him: it is a portal that can take one anywhere in the universe! (It’s also a reference to my least favorite Quinlan Vos comic.) The elders always said the chasm would drive any visitors mad, and this overwhelming awareness is why.
Nevertheless, though Daegen has gone insane because of the second thing, he is still right about the first thing. And while Hawk takes the easy path of conformity and self-denial, Daegen never wavers from his terrible truth, which is very sexy and transgender of him.
As far as the illustration goes, it is simpler than those of the other two visions I discussed. The vision is technically full-page, but the inserts don’t allow it to dominate the scene, which is just too bad. In the limited space available, Jan Duursema does the “sky full of beachballs” trick which is also utilized in Anakin’s vision, is a staple of Al Williamson’s compositions, and is honestly most effective in Michael Murnane’s conclusion to the epic Wat Tambor one-shot. This visual trick actually makes the universe look small, which is usually a great choice for Star Wars, where transportation is hardly the physics-straining problem that it is in harder sci-fi. That is the exact opposite of what Daegen’s cosmic-horror vision is supposed to convey, but Duursema’s expressive figure and face make the intended emotions obvious anyway.
“Dawn of the Jedi: Force War,” issue 3. Dark Horse. January 15, 2014. Writer and co-plotter: John Ostrander. Penciller and co-plotter: Jan Duursema. Inker: Dan Parsons. Letterer: Michael Heisler. Colorist: Wes Dzioba.
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Another example of a gorgeous, intricate foreground, ephemeral background, and delicate character linework by Al Williamson. My favorite part of this panel is how the moss overlaps with Luke’s speech bubble, which emphasizes the power of nature over the designs of man. My least favorite part is our boys’ apparent disregard for gun safety.
Star Wars Newspaper Comic Strip: “The Night Beast.” March 27, 1982. Writer: Archie Goodwin. Illustrator: Al Williamson.
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This moment, when Maul hangs up on Palpatine, is in my opinion the most empowered Maul ever gets to be. In fact, I think it might even be going too far! I’m not sure Maul, as I think of him, would ever have the confidence to actually do this. But this moment ultimately doesn’t last very long, and Maul is certainly humbled by the end of this comic. :(
“Darth Maul – Son of Dathomir.” This comic was published by both Dark Horse and Marvel, and is therefore both canonical and non-canonical. Matt Martin says it isn’t, and Sam Witwer says it is. Dark Horse publishing date: October 1, 2014. Marvel publishing date: November 28, 2017. Writer: Jeremy Barlow. Penciller: Juan Frigeri. Inker: Mauro Vargas. Colorist: Wes Dzioba.
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I like the idea that Jocasta is one of the teachers for the Jedi kids before they become Padawans.
“Kanan, Volume 2: First Blood,” trade paperback. Marvel. May 31, 2016. Writer: Greg Weisman. Penciller: Pepe Larraz. Colorist: David Curiel. Letterer: Joe Caramagna.
Happy (?) Clone Wars Friday!
So what didthe clones get up to when the Clone Wars ended? While the clones that the cartoons focus on, such as Rex and Hunter, turned into proto-Rebels, most clones apparently continued to serve the government’s military, even under its scary new name.
This comic’s propagandistic broadcast shows how the public was supposed to perceive of the new Empire. I wonder how different it felt to the ordinary person?
“Dark Times 6: Fire Carrier,” Issue 1. Dark Horse. February 6, 2013. Writer: Randy Stradley. Penciller: Gabriel Guzman. Colorist: Garry Henderson.
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This panel rules!
“Star Wars: The Original Trilogy: A Graphic Novel.” Disney-Lucasfilm Press. Originally published: March 1, 2016. Republished as mini-comic for Galaxy of Adventures Luke action figure: Fall, 2018. Writer: Alessandro Ferrari. Illustrator: Alessandro Pastrovicchio.
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An example of the tonal difference between gritty comics and melodramatic ones. Both of them are effective in their own contexts.
I do have a theory that Star Wars has gotten weepier since Disney took it over, but perhaps that’s too big a claim to substantiate. Personally, I find myself drawn to the dark humor you find more often in older stories.
“Star Wars 13: Five Days of Sith,” part 1. Dark Horse. January 8, 2014. Writer: Brian Wood. Penciller: Facundo Percio. Inker: Dan Parsons. Letterer: Michael Heisler. Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb.
“Lost Stars,” Volume 2, Chapter 10. September 3, 2019. Original YA novel by Claudia Gray. Adaptation and Illustration by Yusaka Komiyama.
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A rare moment of respect from Darth Vader toward a very cool one-off character, the young ensign Nanda. Anakin dislikes most people he meets, so it’s always a big deal to get a compliment from him. (But at what cost?!)
“Star Wars 13: Five Days of Sith,” part 1. Dark Horse. January 8, 2014. Writer: Brian Wood. Penciller: Facundo Percio. Inker: Dan Parsons. Letterer: Michael Heisler. Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb.
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Shut up, Griff, I’m trying to become one with the universe!
Star Wars Newspaper Comic Strip: “Doom Mission.” March 1 and April 3, 1983. Writer: Archie Goodwin. Illustrator: Al Williamson.
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Vader shakes his fists at his daughter’s unstoppable girlbossery!
“Star Wars 48: The Third Law.” Original Marvel. March 24, 1981. Writer: Larry Hama. Penciller: Carmine Infantino. Inker: Carlos Garzón. Letterer: Rick Parker. Colorist: Glynis Oliver.
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Published: July 20, 2016 Rating: Rated T
Writer:Jason Aaron
Penciller:Jorge Molina
Cover Artist: David Aja
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