– Spoiler Review –
Star Wars Adventures #4 (Vol. 2) finds Obi-Wan Kenobi trying to be a bit more like his Master Qui-Gon Jinn when attempting to save him, while the back-up Tales of Villainy stars some favorites from Solo: A Star Wars Story!
“Life Day – Part 2″ Written by Michael Moreci, Art by Megan Levens, Colors by Charlie Kirchoff, Lettering (in both tales) by Jake M. Wood
Qui-Gon Jinn’s teachings and priorities have always led to strife with the Jedi Council, but even more so for his studious, rule following student, Obi-Wan Kenobi. Obi-Wan’s rescue of Qui-Gon, with help from Jinn’s old Wookiee pal Brennonn, sees a smidge of Jinn’s uniqueness spill through as Obi-Wan finally does something unconventional. The scene where Obi-Wan approaches the Trandoshans holding Qui-Gon and the Wookiees, and using it as a distraction to unlock his Master’s cage, reminded me a lot of Anakin and Obi-Wan in the opening moments of Revenge of the Sith, ready and willing to spring the trap they know Count Dooku has set for them. Taking that feeling and applying it to a scene between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon allows for a not so often seen moment of unity between the two, building up the bond they so obviously shared despite their differences. Two things I love about Brennonn, Jinn’s Wookiee friend: she helps Obi-Wan understand Qui-Gon’s less conventional ideals; but also…a female Wookiee!? I don’t think this was clear last issue, but I’m glad we know now as it’s been rare to have them as an important part of any story, as even the two Wookiee Jedi we have are males, and also the walking carpet we all know and love.
I can’t get enough of the art teams’ work on the Wookiees: Megan Levens on art, with Charlie Kirchoff on colors. Like I said last issue, it’s been hit or miss with Wookiees in a lot of comic art, but the warm, fuzzy look the team brings is one of my favorites, as it still allows for fierceness to trickle in. The extra jovial nature of Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon’s faces fit the lighter part of the Life Day celebrations, but they both are a little leaner this issue, so it meshes well with the change of pace and action. The return to the warmer hue of the colors is welcomed once the Wookiees don their Life Day Snuggies, while Jake M. Wood’s lettering keeps up the pace of Obi-Wan’s tricky-laden rescue, helping his misdirection hit the reader as it hits the Trandoshan, then he slow us down to appreciate the celebration at the end.
Tales of Villainy: “Credits” Written by Jordan Clark, Art by Yael Nathan
There are a lot of aspects and characters from Solo: A Star Wars Story which I’d love to see more of and “Credits” by Jordan Clark delivers on a few fronts. I was neither here nor there about Tobias Beckett, though it was Woody Harrelson in Star Wars so I won’t complain, but I definitely wanted to see more of Rio and Val and this story offers some time with them. Mainly Val, as “Credits” is told from her point-of-view, being pulled along with another hare-brained (sorry, Jaxxon) stunt from Beckett. Clark’s script captures Thandie Newton’s memorable, though short performance, from her love of Beckett, despite herself, to her lack of time for fools and foolery; having her narration only sweetens this appearance with a little extra humor I can hear in Newton’s voice. Beckett’s scheme is chaotic fun and ends with a payday and some vallachord (finally!), and while Rio only has a brief appearance, I ended up liking this tale better than the one-shot focusing on Beckett back in 2018.
As for art, it’s all Yael Nathan and, while I’ve liked his style on a few connecting variants for IDW’s The High Republic Adventures, I’m even more in love with it now as interior art. There’s a youthfulness to Beckett, Val, and Rio that Nathan conveys, despite the story’s ominous undertones about the future, that lends the story a sense of fun and flair. I liked the little moments of concern on Val’s face or sheepishness on Beckett’s, adding even more to Clark’s script with faces that tel you even more than you need to know about a character than a script could tell you.
Here are a few other things:
- Elizabeth Brei has been editor for IDW’s line for quite some time now, but a big shout out and congrats to assistant editor Riley Farmer, as she got to edit the backup tale all by herself!
Star Wars Adventures #4 (Vol. 2) brings Life Day cheer, be it Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon working together or Val’s snark over dealing with Beckett.
+ Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon, a team
+ Val’s POV
+ Female Wookiees and art delights on both tales
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
IDW’S STAR WARS ADVENTURES (Vol. 2) REVIEWS:
#1 | #2 | #3
Shadow of Vader’s Castle (one-shot)