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Star
Wars Tales #6 Review by Toryn
Farr |
Again with the two covers! You already know my opinion on
this (greed is a mortal sin, Dark Horse!), so let me just say that the art cover by
Plunkett & Hvam was astounding and wonderful, and once you read the story it
illustrates -- "Thank the Maker" -- you will look at it with new eyes.
There's a little cartoon to start us off this issue featuring Lucas Licensing's erstwhile continuity editor, Allan Kausch. Despite my antipathy toward his loose stance on continuity, the page gets its point across with humor.
The Hovel on Terk Street |
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| Script:
Pencils: Inks: Colors: Letters: Editor: |
Tom Fassbender
& Jim Pascoe Eric Powell Drew Geraci & Keith Barnett Dave Stewart Dragon Monkey Scott Allie |
An unarmed Greedo killing a sword-wielding Gamorrean in hand-to-hand? As if!
A mysterious woman, Nima Maas, hires Greedo to track down a missing councilman. Greedo's investigation takes him through the seediest part of Mos Eisley, running afoul of treachery at every turn. Then the story just ... ends, as if they ran out of pages. Greedo is made out to be both more stupid and more competent than the character we're familiar with.
The art suffers a similar crisis of identity. It's not bad, but at times Greedo is slim, almost frail looking. At other times he looks downright muscular. The woman is equally schizophrenic -- looking like Carrie Anne Moss in one frame and a demented Minnie Driver in another. Is this a result of art "by committee"? I have no answer. This one rates a C.
A Hot Time in the Cold Town Tonite |
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| Script:
Art: Editor: |
Ian Edginton Mark Martin & Rick Neilsen Phil Amara |
Max Rebo and the gang are sent by Jabba to perform for a "friend" on Hoth, and they are supposed to "bring the house down." Bingo Mehndra looks like a sabre-toothed dog-man dressed as Santa, sitting in a cave on a frozen mountain that might even be the North Pole. I liked the ghostly gears turning as Max thinks. The story's pretty useless, but at least it's funny, and fun to look at. The art is alternately silly and gruesome, with a truly repulsive Jabba, all of which worked very well. The acrylic-looking explosion was strangely incongruous, as is the holo of Jabba, and Bingo's bright party hat. At least this one is a complete story. I'll give it a B.
Fortune, Fate, and the Natural History of the Sarlacc |
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| Script:
Art: Editor: |
Mark Schultz Kellie Strom Phil Amara |
We open with a creature who looks like Alice's white rabbit on acid being fed to the Sarlacc on -- where else? -- Tatooine. (Is it just me, or is there a rule that Tatooine must figure in 90% of all Star Wars stories?) Later, the creature spits out a gross critter (presumably part of the rabbit thing?) and it eventually ends up somehow turning into another Sarlacc, which then gets a bit part in Return of the Jedi and eats a few of Jabba's skiff guards as well as Boba Fett. My reaction to the story was: Huh???
This plot makes absolutely no sense to me, but the art made up for it. Each panel is like a painting -- simply beautiful. The colors, too, are extraordinary and rich. This is a look I've not seen before in a comic, and while I loved looking at it, I have to wonder why it was wasted on this particular bit of fluff. Oh, well ... I'll give it a B-.
Junkheap Hero |
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| Script:
Art: Colors: Letters: Editor: |
Mark Evanier Sergio Aragonés Dave McCaig Jason Hvam Scott Allie |
Another story featuring Aragonés: This time the Imperials on Tatooine (!) steal Artoo away to reprogram him as a spy, only to be fooled as Luke makes a switch with spare parts. We end up with poor Threepio on top of a junk heap, unaware Artoo is safe with Luke, trying to reconstruct his friend.
The story did nothing for me. The droids are just not interesting to me, for one thing, and the deliberate continuity errors (such as the reference to the Trade Federation and the fact that Vader is on Tatooine, etc.) just bug me. I don't mind the writers exploring ideas outside the continuity every once in a while, but why not use the opportunity for something truly thought-provoking, entertaining, or funny? This story was none of the above. As for the art, what can I say? It's Aragonés' typical loopy, extremely detailed yet lackadaisical style. Not my favorite, but good for what it is. Check out the Iron Giant in the junk pile. My grade: C.
The Hidden |
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| Script: Art: Letters: |
Sean Konot &
Scott Morse Scott Morse Sean Konot |
One of Vader's probe droids lands on Dagobah and finds Yoda. But then Yoda's lightsaber (purple this time) finds the droid. The inept Imperials think it's simply lightning and ignore it. This is another non-story, but at least it's entertaining to see Yoda demonstrating his mastery of the Force.
The art is another unique style, a kind of sketchy dry-brush acrylic look, terribly rough, in a gorgeous palette of purples, greens, and yellows. Yoda's eyes glow, making him look demented. Altogether a strange yet compelling piece. I'll say it's a B.
Thank the Maker! |
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| Script:
Art: Colors: Letters: |
Ryder Wyndham Kilian Plunkett Dave McCaig Steve Dutro |
When Vader is brought the shattered remains of Threepio on Bespin, he flashes back to his discovery of a junked protocol droid as a boy. Events in the two timeframes play out simultaneously, following Vader's though process as he remembers feeling a kinship with the droid, and his mother's admonitions to care for him. In the end Vader decides to give the parts to Chewbacca rather than have them smelted.
All I can say is, WOW. The comic is worth the price for this story alone. Not only was it poignant and moving in the emotion it evokes, but also it explains something from ESB that just never made sense -- why is Chewie allowed to reconstruct Threepio? (There's a theory on the message boards that the reason Vader prevents Boba Fett from shooting Chewbacca in the carbon freeze chamber is to spare Threepio.)
The artwork has its shining moments as well. Sure, Shmi looks like a hag, but I loved the play of light and reflection on Vader's helmet and Threepio's head. The juxtaposition on the fifth page of little Anakin and Vader, each holding Threepio's head; a skeletal Threepio laid out on the kitchen table; the shot of Vader touching his forehead to Threepio's disembodied skull ... simply marvelous imagery. Is that an allusion to Hamlet? No matter, this is the reason I keep buying Star Wars Tales. I'll give this one an A+.
***
Looks like this issue comes in at a solid B overall. With six stories, Dark Horse has made up for any missteps in the last couple of issues, and then some. I'll keep my fingers crossed for #7.
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(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 preschooler is napping, Toryn
attempts to run an internet design business and write fantasy fiction.)