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‘The Star Wars #1:’ Advance Comic Book Review (A New Hope)

George Lucas is crazy. This fact explains the incredible awesomeness of the original series and the incredible awfulness of the prequels. So, when I found out that Dark Horse was producing a series based on George Lucas’ first draft of Star Wars, I was prepared for some craziness.

I was not prepared for this.

In the proud tradition of Elseworlds and What If, The Star Wars examines an alternate vision of the world that we all love. This is the single best idea for a comic that I can remember ever seeing. Ever. There is enough that is familiar for you to immediately know what is happening, but the characters and scenarios are different enough that you can’t take anything for granted.

I WILL NOT SPOIL ANYTHING.

At all.

But, let me tell you some of the superficial differences that can give you an idea what the differences look like. The part of Luke Skywalker is played by Annikin Starkiller, the surly teen who has been trained in the ways of the Jedi-Bendu by his father. The part of Obi-Wan Kenobi is played by Luke Skywalker, the accomplished Jedi general who is active in politics. The part of the Jedi robe is played by a really cool and terribly impractical looking open hood-type thing. I could get into more, but I think that the Disney snipers would get me.

So, the story is similar, but different. The characters are similar, but different. How’s the art and writing? They are wonderful.

The art does a terrific job of capturing the now classic look of Star Wars, while constantly reminding you (unobtrusively) that it isn’t your standard Star Wars. Everything from the costumes to the character design helps sell the Flash Gordon origins of the universe while keeping the connection to the version that many of us grew up with. Heck, Darth Vader looks even more evil than in the movies.

The writing, similarly, maintains that delicate balance. It also does something new for the Star Wars universe. There is political scheming that makes sense and doesn’t take up the entire first act. The characters and scenes fit the world. The characters managed to feel three dimensional and wonderfully pulpy at the same time. This is, after all, based on the ideas of the man who brought us Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Or at least came up with the ideas.

The Star Wars is a marvelous idea that is brilliantly executed. I love the fact that even when I know exactly what is going to happen, I have no idea what is going to happen. It has been so long since I have been surprised by Star Wars. This is the perfect way to trade on nostalgia. You have to bring something new to the table, and The Star Wars feels like it is as new as they come.

Five Merciless Sith Knights out of Five

Ben Rhodes, Fanbase Press Senior Contributor

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Favorite Book:  Cryptonomicon Favorite MovieYoung Frankenstein Favorite Absolutely Everything:  Monty Python

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