Star Wars Adventures Annual 2019 has two excellent tails in its extra-large issue and both are a damn blast and a half, as one teams Lando up with the bunny smuggler Jaxxon for a rip-roaring adventure, while the others sees Breha Organa teaching Leia about a formidable Queen from the past…Padmé Amidala!
“Hare-Brained Heist” – Cavan Scott (Writer), Mauricet (Artist), Charlie Kirchoff (Colorist), Tom B. Long (Letterer, throughout)
Jaxxon returning to canon was the big draw of the first Star Wars Adventures Annual last year, but I felt like his story was a little too short and not special enough to capture the fun and bizarre nature of the infamous Legends character. “Hare-Brained Heist” doesn’t only capitalize on what makes Jax such a unique and peculiar part of Star Wars lore, it revels in it, resulting in an amusing tail (sorry, not sorry) which capitalizes on the expanded page count. But it’s not only Jaxxon provides fun this story, Lando Calrissian is along for the ride, and the back and forth between the two smugglers, especially how Lando plays to Jax’s pride to convince the bunny to risk his life to save theirs, is the true delight of the story. These two paired up works better than expected and whenever we see Jaxxon again, I hope Lando is along for the ride. I do enjoy Jaxxon so far in canon, but he’s only had two appearances, and in a way I like his recanonization more if they use him sparingly, as it increases the impact and fun of the character, while more of him might be a bit too much, though I’m sucker for all those bunny puns so maybe I’d relish in it…only time will tell!
Considering this takes place after the Battle of Endor, the plot involves an Imperial Commodore who is attempting to rebuild the Empire’s fleet, and while we’ve had a few of those stories already, I liked how this fleet was part of an automated system. I’m curious if the Rekkana were ever approached before for their system, as while Lando proves the cons of relying on automated pilots, I enjoy the concept/its potential to save lives. The Commodore might be familiar to some readers, as Korda was the primary antagonist of the Adventures in Wild Space junior novel series, and it looks like the dastardly Imperial will live to cause havoc another day, but for now his plans are foiled.
Bonus Thoughts:
- Mina Graf, a main character in Adventures in Wild Space, was in a previous IDW miniseries, Tales from Vader’s Castle! The common dominator? Cavan Scott as writer!
All told, this is worthy of 5 out of 5 carrot juice jokes.
“So Much More” – Pierrick Colinet & Elsa Charretier (Writers), Margaux Saltel (Artist)
My jaw was about on the floor the whole time I read this story, as it was so fascinating to have Breha Organa tell her adopted daughter Leia all about her real mother, Padmé, though never telling her that final truth. Seeing Leia light up as Breha paints a grand and appropriate picture of Padmé’s life is a touching moment thanks to the stunning work of Saltel’s art. And Colinet & Charretier’s writing, from how they touch on Padmé’s resiliency, strength of purpose, and pursuit of peace is an exceptional portrait of the character that is only emboldened by the art. It’s a really great way to honor the character, both in and out of universe, and I love knowing Breha was so eager to share Leia’s mother with her as inspiration.
This story also could help answer the whole debate on why Leia was able to remember her mother, as she claims in Return of the Jedi when Luke asks her and she responds, “Just images, really. Feelings.” Leia’s answer in RotJ has been chalked up to her personal connection to the Force, but here Breha explains Leia might not fully remember what she tells her, and maybe it’s a mixture of Leia’s connection giving her the feelings and this wonderfully crafted picture by Breha giving her the images.
Bonus Thoughts:
- Charretier jumps to Marvel in October for Doctor Aphra Annual #3, drawing my favorite character and I’m beyond excited right now!
- The excellent Princess: Leia of Alderaan has a manga adaptation and guess the attendant droid here is based off the same design they used there.
Beautifully drawn and wonderfully written, “So Much More” is a fitting title indeed.
Outdoing an already great first Annual, Star Wars Adventures Annual 2019 has both enjoyable action and stunning emotional beats with its two distinct stories, and definitely is worth picking up!
+ Jaxxon and Lando
+ Leaning into the weird of what makes Jaxxon unique
+ “SO MUCH MORE” INDEED IT IS SPECTACULAR
+ Fantastic art all around, especially in “So Much More”
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
IDW’S STAR WARS ADVENTURES:
Vol. 1: Heroes of the Galaxy (#1-2) | Forces of Destiny (#1-5) | Tales From Vader’s Castle (miniseries)