Star Wars Tales #10 64-page Anthology Editor: Dave Land, Designer: Lia Ribacchi Cover Artist: Leinil Francis Yu Assistant Editor: Philip Simon, Publisher: Mike Richardson by Jathniel Velázquez Published 6/9/02 Five stories, only one true disappointment.

The Cover: Two Words: Dual Covers. 'Nuff said (For my feelings on this please see my review of Star Wars Tales #8). The art cover features a squad of Stormtroopers blasting away. Nice.

The one-page "quickie" starring Dave Land is forgettable. Dave is inside a Jedi body (think Incredible Voyage) and is searching for midi-chlorians. What he finds is not what we expected. Skip this and go straight to the next story. Grade: D

Trooper is a very gritty and dark tale that helps explain why Stormtroopers are the most feared shock troops in the galaxy. It's the story of a young man's journey from farmboy (why are they always farmboys?) to being the unlucky trooper to be zapped by Princess Leia on the Tantive IV. Along the way he faces grueling tests, deadly battles, and rebel uprisings. When he finally decides that this is not the life he wants, it's too late. The story is good but the art is a bit different. It seems that when we are in the "present" the lines are hard and the colors dark and "flashbacks" are done in earthy colors and different detail. It works in that you can feel the story "change gears." It's a solid story that gives you a look behind-the-scenes. Grade: B

This story takes place right before the events in ROTJ. Tamtel Skreej is the guard that Lando Calrissian was impersonating in Jabba's lair. A
comical story in which Skreej spends his entire time trying to find out who impersonated him and took his position as guard in Jabba's lair. Well, after a series of mishaps, Skreej finds Lando. Unfortunately, it does him do good as he ends up being an appetizer for the Rancor. If you like Groo the Wanderer (and who doesn't) then you should enjoy the story. Grade: B+

A slightly disappointing story on how Darth Maul created his double-bladed lightsaber. He is sent on a mission to kill Siolo Ur Manka, a Jedi Master. After being bested by Siolo and his staff, Darth Maul builds a his double-bladed lightsaber in the hopes that it gives him an edge. It does, and Siolo is killed. My reason for disappointment was that I was hoping for some reference to Exar Kun, the first Jedi to wield a double-bladed lightsaber. The art is a bit sloppy and at times just odd. The story itself is weak. Grade: C-

There is an old saying that goes "Hell hath no fury like a Wookiee scorned." Or something like that. Taking place right after ROTJ, we see the blossoming of the romance between Han and Leia. In the process, Chewbacca starts being ignored. There is some resentment, some jealousy, and even an attempt to win Han back. In the end, Leia saves the relationship and all is well once again. A fun story which is made even better by the pseudo-manga art. Grade: A

R2-D2 and C-3PO take center stage in a story that is actually pretty decent that takes place after ROTJ. When R2-D2 doesn't keep his appointment for a scheduled routine service, C-3PO goes looking for him. C-3PO eventually finds R2-D2 hiding. After the typical exchange of insults, R2-D2 reveals the fact that he several more holo-recordings in his memory which were never delivered. After watching the three emotion-filled recordings (one each by Luke, Han, and Leia), C-3PO decides that "the reports of his mechanical difficulties have been greatly exaggerated" and he cancels the service. The art is but rough but very enjoyable. Grade: A

Overall, I give this issue of Star Wars Tales an B+.

(Jathniel Velázquez is busy trying to secure government grants to build an Imperial Star Destroyer for the Star Wars Defense. He is also known as Jedi Jat-Vell, creator of Star Wars: New Horizons.)