Tag: Retrospective

Canon Comic Retrospective: Doctor Aphra Series {Issues 1-40} (Volume 1)

Doctor Aphra Volume 1 Retrospective

– Full Spoiler Review –

I’ll never forget watching Doctor Aphra stuffed in an airlock, me chanting alongside her, “Please, not like this!” as Darth Vader promptly jettisons her out into space, her body floating into the cold depths of space. I was shocked, frustrated, and sad, barely able to finish the next few pages of Darth Vader #25 (Vol. 1), flipping past the credits in annoyance, only to see she somehow finagled together a plan to survive. Shortly after, her on-going comic series was announced, the first comic created character to lead her own series (among many other firsts), and my relief and excitement almost had me bursting out into happy tears compared to my sad tears moments before. 40 issues, and 3 Annuals later, Aphra continuously finagled a new way to survive out of the most unlikeliest of scenarios, hopping from one get rich quick scheme to another, but now her adventures (at least in Volume 1) have come to an end. Continue on to read Chris and mine’s review of the entire Doctor Aphra (Vol. 1) series! Continue reading “Canon Comic Retrospective: Doctor Aphra Series {Issues 1-40} (Volume 1)”

A Star Wars Short Story: Retrospective on Greg Pak and Phil Noto’s Star Wars Comics Run (Issues #68-75)

Greg Pak and Phil Noto Star Wars Comics Retrospective

– Full Spoiler Review –

The flagship Star Wars title comes to its end as “Rebels and Rogues” race across the galaxy in a last ditch effort to find a base, disrupt the Empire, and save some rebel lives!

Continue reading “A Star Wars Short Story: Retrospective on Greg Pak and Phil Noto’s Star Wars Comics Run (Issues #68-75)”

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)”

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 Retrospective: Poe Dameron Series

Poe Dameron Complete Series Retrospective

– Full Spoiler Review –

If there’s anybody who can write Star Wars comics well, it is Charles Soule. The man has an incredible range of gifts: from the Master-Padawan relationship of Obi-Wan & Anakin to the tortured mind of a Sith Lord in Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith. If anyone was going to lead the charge into the New Republic era of comic books, I wouldn’t trust anybody more than I would Soule. Poe Dameron, at least at its conception, took us on the search for Lor San Tekka, the occasion shown at the beginning of The Force Awakens. Instead of showing us a straightforward search and rescue mission, the series took some mighty fun pit stops: a cult that worshiped a kaiju-bearing egg, Mr. Bones against the First Order, revisiting Cato Nemoidia, and more. I mean, a lot more. Continue reading “Canon Comic Retrospective: Poe Dameron Series”

A Star Wars Anthology Story: Retrospective on Jason Aaron’s Star Wars Comic Run (#1-37)

Jason Aaron Star Wars Comics Retrospective

Since Marvel’s new beginnings with the Star Wars license, the Star Wars mainline series has been the backbone of the comics, providing adventurous tales about the Big Three: Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, and Han Solo. At the helm of the series since the start has been writer Jason Aaron, who has taken us on anthology-lite arcs of story between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back, filling in what’s becoming quite the crowded era. His stories contained everything from big surprises were you least expected them to character moments big and small. And after 37 issues, stretching from January 2015 to October 2017, Jason Aaron’s run has come to an end. Having read the series since its inception, it’s time now to look back at Aaron’s legacy as this retrospective discusses what I feel has been the good, the bad, and the in-between of his nearly three year run. Continue reading “A Star Wars Anthology Story: Retrospective on Jason Aaron’s Star Wars Comic Run (#1-37)”

“Nothing is impossible for the Force”: A Joint Retrospective on the first Darth Vader Comic Series

Darth Vader Series Retrospective

The original Darth Vader series, written by Kieron Gillen, with art by Salvador Larroca and Edgar Delgado, was part of the initial launch of Marvel’s return to Star Wars comics in 2015. After it ended over a year and a half later, October 2016, its epic story of betrayal, Sith machinations, and surprisingly well-laden doses of dark humor ensured it would live on in the hearts of fans new and old for years to come. Chris and I sat down to ruminate on the now classic series, which you can read below, discussing some of its various components that have led to its undeniable legacy in Star Wars comics as a whole. Continue reading ““Nothing is impossible for the Force”: A Joint Retrospective on the first Darth Vader Comic Series”