By: Kyle Scully
The Obstacle Course, Part 1
Written by: Michael Moreci
Art by: Ilias Kyriazis
Colors by: Charlie Kirchoff
Letters by: Jake M. Wood
Published by: IDW
Invasion of Echo Base
Written by: Nick Brokenshire
Art by: Nick Brokenshire
Colors by: Nick Brokenshire
Letters by: Jake M. Wood
Published by: IDW
THE STORY: This book features two stories. The first centers Rey training through an obstacle course set-up by Finn and Poe until they run into some trouble. The second focuses on the Imperial invasion of Hoth from Darth Vader’s perspective. THE REVIEW: Rey’s story feels like coming home. The central trio doesn’t miss a beat from their film counterparts. Their voices perfectly reflect the tone and cadence featured in the films.
While the characters are fun and playful the story itself is lacking. Rey’s trip through the obstacle course never strikes as compelling or fraught with any real danger. You know in your core that it’s only a set-up meant to lead to bigger things. The gangsters the group runs into only manage to come across like generic, typical opponents seen throughout the history of the galaxy far, far away.
The story also struggles to answer when it takes place. It takes a few pages before I finally realized the story takes place prior to The Rise of Skywalker, which left me feeling a little deflated. I had hoped to read a story that actually took place after the last film. Someday maybe but today is not that day.
The art itself is fun and loose, highlighted by striking character designs that would fit nicely on an animated show. The book has a vibrant energy and joyful colors that really bring the world to life. It does run into problems though. There are times when the following the story panel to panel becomes difficult. I’m not ashamed to admit it, there were moments I got a little lost.
Overall though this was a cute story with familiar characters that lacked a real punch and didn’t end on very strong cliffhanger.
While a new, original story wasn’t very compelling it felt odd then that Vader’s invasion of the rebel base ended up being much more captivating. There’s less to say about it but Vader’s presence and point of view moving through the wreckage of the rebel’s defeat had me hooked from its very first image.
Vader is a Sith Lord on a mission who will stop at nothing to succeed and it shows in every frame of this story. His lingering feelings for Luke shine through some trilogy defining images and his unforgettable black silhouette.
The artwork is crisp and detailed but never feels overdone. Each panel helps tell the story in such a way you could understand it and read its emotional core without a single line of dialogue. A few panels shine by showing of Vader’s power and underlying strength through both action and occasionally the way the artist positions Vader within the frame.
Vader is the saga’s most fascinating character and this story only serves to remind you why.
This solid book features two well-crafted stories. They might not be perfect but it’s a thoroughly engaging Star Wars experience nonetheless.