Comic Book Review: STAR WARS #1

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...Dark Horse Comics has owned the license to publish Star Wars comics exclusively since 1991. Since that time, there have been almost 100 titles set in the "Expanded Universe" (See The Star Wars Comics Timeline). While there has been a number of recently ongoing titles, not to mention mini-series and one-shots over the years. This year, Dark Horse Comics has released a new ongoing series simply titled "Star Wars"! Issue #1 was released onto the shelves today as it hopes to begin a new era of Star Wars comics. With a fantastic cover art by phenomenal painter Alex Ross with story by Brian Wood, art by Carlos D'Anda, colors by Gabe Eltaeb and letters by Michael Heisler. "In the Shadow of Yavin Part, One of Three" is set after the Battle of Yavin (Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope) and the destruction of the first Death Star. While Luke Skywalker, Princess/Senator Leia Organa and Wedge Antilles are searching the edge of the Outer Rim for a new home for The Rebellion, they encounter a Star Destroyer and a squad of Tie-Fighters. Leia's X-Wing is hit after she shoots down a Tie Interceptor and lands on a planet in the Dominus Sector. Meanwhile, Han Solo and Chewbacca depart from the Rebel Fleet in search of new opportunities. After Leia and her team safely arrive aboard Home One she is given command of a small force known as the "Shadow Council" by Mon Mothma to investigate the possibility of Imperial spies. Meanwhile, in the Kuat System The Emperor, displeased with his failure, orders Darth Vader on a new assignment and is replacing him with Colonel Bircher. This of course does not sit too well with Lord Vader as he ponders the reason for his failure at Yavin, namely: Skywalker! Thus begins a new chapter in the "Expanded Universe" of Star Wars, still going strong even after 35 years! In a recent Interview with Brian Wood on Nerdist.com, he explains how this title “will pretend like its 1977 and [in the character's minds] no other films were ever made or books ever written” and the challenge of  dealing with the fact that "Luke and Leia don’t know they’re siblings, Vader doesn’t know Luke exists, and so on." This title hopes to present a fresh, new start in the world of Star Wars comics which is already so full of popular storylines that takes place either before, between, (i.e. "Shadows of the Empire") or even after the movies that have already been established. As a lifelong Star Wars fan and on-again/off-again Star Wars comic book reader I'm looking forward to this new ongoing series. May The Force be With You!
Also see the Star Wars Blog entry with another interview with Brian Wood.

LINKS: Dark Horse Comics, Star Wars.com