Tag: Cam Smith

A Star Wars Serial Story: Retrospective on Kieron Gillen’s Star Wars Comic Run (#38-67)

Kieron Gillen Star Wars Comics Retrospective

– Full Spoiler Review –

How does the Rebellion go from the height of its offensive against the Empire to the lowest point of its existence? Kieron Gillen was tasked to follow up Jason Aaron’s run on the flagship Star Wars series to show us exactly that. Fresh from the destruction of the Death Star, the Alliance launches a massive offensive against the Empire, starting with Cymoon I and the Harbinger, all the way up to an assault on SCAR Squadron to rescue a captured C-3PO. A beleaguered Darth Vader tasks Queen Trios of Shu-Torun to come up with a plan to infiltrate the Alliance’s ranks and take them down from the inside…. Continue reading “A Star Wars Serial Story: Retrospective on Kieron Gillen’s Star Wars Comic Run (#38-67)”

Legendary Adventures Special: Star Wars Original Marvel Years #50 and #108

Star Wars Original Marvel Years 108

On its 80th anniversary, Marvel takes us back in time to celebrate the original Star Wars run with Star Wars #50 (facsimile edition) and Star Wars #108 – what happens when the Crimson Fever strikes?

Continue reading “Legendary Adventures Special: Star Wars Original Marvel Years #50 and #108”

Legends Comic Review: Star Wars Original Marvel Years #108

Star Wars Original Marvel Years #108

As Marvel celebrates 80 years, they teamed up with Lucasfilm to bring life back to their original Star Wars comics run from the 70/80’s for one more issue, and it’s a love letter to the wackiness and mythos of that run, as well as to fans who enjoyed it all those years ago. For fans like myself who never imbibed, it’s not as glorious of a return, but it’s still a fun diversion, good remembrance, and a measurement of how much/how little has changed. Continue reading “Legends Comic Review: Star Wars Original Marvel Years #108”

Canon Comic Retrospective: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith Series

Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith Complete Series Retrospective

– Full Spoiler Review –

How does a Jedi Knight turn into a Dark Lord? Well, if you’re newly christened Darth Vader, it’s not the way that you think. First, you have to get a Sith blade, but you can’t use an existing lightsaber that has been sequestered from fallen Jedi. No, you’re going to have to get your own. Oh, and you’ll have to find a list containing your own potential replacements from the galaxy’s second baddest ass librarian. While baby-sitting the newly formed Inquisitorious, which may also be your potential replacements. You’ll also have to put up with attempted assassination attempts from fellow Imperials. And bounty hunters. And Jedi. And an ancient Sith Lord who stabs you in the back. Continue reading “Canon Comic Retrospective: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith Series”

Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith “Fortress Vader” Arc (Issues #19-25)

Darth Vader - Dark Lord of the Sith Fortress Vader Arc Review

– Spoiler Review –

When “Fortress Vader” was first teased for Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith, we learned it would uncover the origins of Vader’s Castle on Mustafar (as first seen in Rogue One). As the solicitations rolled in, we also learned it would dive into the story of the mysterious Sith helmet known as Lord Momin (first introduced in Soule’s Lando miniseries), and later the unfortunate news came that it would be the final arc for the series. As consistently exciting and impressive as the series had been, could writer Charles Soule and art team cap off the series in an expansive, 7 issue finale? While it might not have started out strong, “Fortress Vader” ended on such a fantastic high note it easily continues the success of the creative team.

Continue reading “Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith “Fortress Vader” Arc (Issues #19-25)”

Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith #25

Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith #25

– Spoiler Review –

Does the creative team continue to deliver even in its final hour? You damn well bet they do! Issue #25 of Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith brings the villain’s second, exceptional series to a fitting, contemplative ending which will leave fans something to mull on for years and years to come.  Continue reading “Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith #25”

Canon Comic Review: Star Wars #50

Star Wars #50

– Spoiler Review –

Mynock Manor was still in its infancy when the new canon comics from Marvel began in 2015, and while I hadn’t been much of a comic book reader, I decided to start with Marvel’s new series to see how I felt about covering them on the regular. Star Wars #1 was a compelling argument, as my review said, “Marvel’s starting off their handling of the franchise on the right foot with an adventure worthy of the Star Wars name that’s entertaining through every panel, leaving you wanting more,” and now the comics have become the biggest focus of the Manor, especially with Doctor Aphra being my favorite character. The original writer, Jason Aaron left the series after 37 issues and now Kieron Gillen has picked up the torch, carrying it into a new era since its launch 3 years ago, building to issue #50 over two slow burn arcs. Star Wars #50 is a mostly exciting start to the subtly named “Hope Dies” arc, as the Rebellion learns the hard way this war with the Empire is far from won and far from over. Issue #50 also includes a bonus one-shot that uncovers the tale behind the betrayal instrumental in bringing the Rebellion back to its knees. Continue reading “Canon Comic Review: Star Wars #50”

Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith #6

Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith #6

– Spoiler Review –

Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith #6 both wraps up lingering threads of the current arc while setting up the next, but despite slowing down to do so, the series continues to captivate. Continue reading “Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith #6”

Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith #5

Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith #5

Spoiler Review –

Vader’s defeat of Master Infila, thus securing a kyber crystal to corrupt, might have been difficult, but it turns out the hardest part was still ahead. Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith #5 is an unforgettable issue that’ll long be remembered in the years ahead. Continue reading “Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith #5”

Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith #4

Darth Vader Dark Lord of the Sith #4

Spoiler Review –

It must be another issue of Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith, as I was left speechless but managed to eventually utter a few exclamations of “wow” once I finished issue #4’s final panel, finally seeing Vader embrace the monster within. Continue reading “Canon Comic Review: Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith #4”