Star Wars: The Old Republic #2

Dark Horse should have this under their belt by now.  We went through 50 issues of KOTOR and that was solid.  There was a simple method to this path of success: do it like Speilberg.  See, no matter his films, no matter how grand they are, he always focuses on the people, makes it matter.  That’s what KOTOR was, in an almost infinite universe of adventure, we followed around one Not-Jedi and his pals.  Like a 6 year old (Or 16 year old), the universe revolved around him.

The Old Republic tries to be all things but ends up being nothing.  While trying to cover four story arcs simultaneously by cutting back and forth the thread of plot between them is lost.  I can understand that there is a lot to fit in here, but stretch it over some more issues, that or cut down what you’re trying to say.  In a continuity as rich as this one, it’s only fair that decent face time be given to each and every character that is named, rather than the badly drawn, fleeting images we’re granted.

The Old Republic could be a great title, but due to it’s poor execution it ends up being at the bottom of my Star Wars reading pile.  Have you seen how many of those titles Dark Horse is pumping out?  That’s a tall pile to be at the base of. -Bretzke

Star Wars: The Old Republic #1.

In a market already flooded with “Star Wars” titles, anything new has to make a large impact before it’s even going to have an influence, let alone be a success.  With the recent demise of “Knights of the Old Republic”, “Old Republic” comes in it’s wake, set a similar continuity to the computer game of the same name.

Comics with computer game tie ins are almost universally bad, though with my inner nerd crying out for some sympathy, I parted the pages of this particular adventure and dove right on in.  What the book does well is set the scene for an interesting narrative, though that’s about it.  Many instances of action occur but are quite disparate and far flung; there aren’t common characters, more with the feel of a documentary into a series of events rather than a structured narrative.

Some of you will say that’s what this book should be, a story of the rise of the Sith to oppose the Republic.  What’s disturbing is the narrative that this book is driving at isn’t just self-serving, it’s driven across genre.  It’s common knowledge that a “Star Wars: The Old Republic” online game is to be released early next year.  It would make sense from a marketing point of view for this to be a lead in or a tie in, to garner additional audience.  Does this make it a viable piece of storytelling?

The first issue doesn’t do much to answer this question other than set the scene.  But to the important bits, is this something to read?  If you are like me and devour this kind of retrospective look at history, then yes it’s very interesting, but as a piece of stand alone fiction, let alone graphic fiction, it doesn’t make the cut.

If you can already recite 2 different schools of Jedi training, then read on.  If you read that twice to understand, give this a miss. -Bretzke

In what feels disturbingly like a final issue, all the boxes are checked.  Big final battle, all reveals put in place, families reunited, bad guy dealt with and the hero gets… Well, I’d hate to ruin it for you. -Bretzke

Knights of the Old Republic #50

Badly drawn, badly written.  Cliche and unforgivably predictable.  Please let this story end, even the lightsaber scenes were bad! Help us Obi Wan, you’re our only hope! -Bretzke

Star Wars: The Clone Wars #11

Starting the new year with something old, intergalactically old.  Malak is out to bring a mandalorian doctor to trial for hideous crimes, but something is afoot here.  The team work out what’s the go entirely too late, about 2 panels before we do.  Has this been done before, yes, but this is still very excellent reading.  Do note though, if you haven’t been reading the previous issues, this story will make as much sense as Sith spittle. -Bretzke

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #47

This series previously has been a welcome companion to the other elements of the Star Wars Universe. This issue, however, is not. The art is poorly thought out with the layouts from a cheese factory, the conflicts are stereotyped and the entire issue feels cookie cutter generated from a blank of the SWU. Stick it out, maybe the force will bring this one back from the abyss. -Bretzke

Star Wars: The Clone Wars #10

As predictable as ‘Titanic’… This kind of prequel only works when there is interesting development to take place, something to build.  Here there is nothing save flashy artwork and no sense of “a new hope”…  -Bretzke

Star Wars Purge

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 8, #30 – Distorted and Messy

Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Season #30

Immortal Weapons #4 – Dull and Unimaginative

Immortal Weapons #4

Star Wars Invasion #5 – Confused and strained

Star Wars: Invasion #5

-Bretzke

Still enjoying this one. Some bold victories for the resistance, and some surprises along the way. And I must admit I’m a sucker for Han and the Falcon–even if their entire purpose for being in the issue feels like nothing more than an excuse to have them there. -Scott

Star Wars - Invasion #4

I like Jedis and I really like ridiculous*, over-the-top bad guys like the Yuuzhan Vong, so this book is right up my alley. But does it really do Luke justice to describe him as “incredible?” And does he even have to be introduced? I know kids who said “Master Yoda” before they said “Mama.”

Star Wars - Invasion #3

*Yes, ridiculous is a good thing in this instance.