Echo Station Ep 1 Trade Paperback

No need to wait for the Episode I comics series to come out -- it's already been compiled into a trade paperback graphic novel. Break out the popcorn because this is as close as you'll get to the movie without standing in line.

Star Wars: Episode I -- The Phantom Menace
Adapted by: Pencilled By: Inks:	Henry Gilroy Rodolfo Damaggio Al Williamson

First, be warned. If you thought reading the novelization would spoil the movie for you, don't even allow yourself to glance at one page of this graphic novel. It's one thing to read about a scene, or even read the screenplay. It's another thing to see the scene in all its colorful detail with the actual dialogue pencilled in.

As far as I can tell, this sticks very, very closely to the screenplay. Some of the angles may be different from what we see in the film, but the dialogue doesn't seem to vary at all. I don't think I need to summarize this story for you. Some of you already know it, and others of you desperately do not want to know it until you get a chance to see the flick.

So what else can I talk about? I'm not an artist, or an expert on comics, but I can tell you that this graphic novel worked for me. My number one complaint about some of the Star Wars comics has always been that the characters didn't look anything like the actors in the movies. Well, this time they got it right.

I liked the bold use of black in this book. Shadows and colors are used to great effect here, although occasionally I thought there was a bit much contrast on the faces, making the people look sinister. The dark lightsaber scenes contrast with the bright green of Naboo's plains, and the rendering of the Trade Federation Control Ship has a truly luminescent quality. I've included a few scans to show you what I'm talking about without giving away too much of the plot.

Another bonus to this book is the section in the back where Hugh Fleming's cover art for the comic series is reproduced. This is some gorgeous stuff.

All in all, I'd say this is a beautifully drawn, well produced book that should appeal to a lot of people besides just the usual X-Wing Rogue Squadron fans, of which I am one.

(Toryn Farr knew everything about Star Wars back in 1977 thanks to Starlog Magazine. She's been trying to keep her know-it-all reputation ever since. During the 90 minutes per day her two-year-old is napping, Toryn attempts to run an internet design business and write fantasy fiction.)