– Spoiler Review –
With Return of the Jedi – The Empire #1, Jody Houser joins the series of one-shots celebrating Return of the Jedi’s 40th Anniversary, bringing us a new perspective from inside the galaxy’s scourge, the Empire itself!
Return of the Jedi – The Empire #1 follows Rilo Grenth, of Grenth Technologies, as he’s assigned to a remote outpost after Imperials seize control of his family’s company. Whereas the previous one-shots have featured familiar characters or important species from the film, Rilo is a new character, but his new working location will be immediately familiar: Endor! In the bowels of the Death Star II’s shield generator installation, Rilo is charged with redundantly testing it over and over again, though between the monotony of the job and how he’s unable to fit in with the gruff and unfriendly Imperials around, he attempts to make himself seem more valuable to the Empire, maybe freeing him of his role. While he might make the process more efficient, the ISB shows up and his efforts are painted in a negative way, landing him in prison, though at least there he’s able to feel like he belongs. It’s an unsurprising story with unsurprising developments, especially if you’ve read about, seen, or know how the Empire typically works, but I found Jody Houser’s story to have more important layers where telling the expected has a point.
To me, The Empire #1 felt like a cautious tale or commentary on those who comply, as the hostile takeover of Rilo’s family’s company is the cost of trying to do business with fascism, or assuming it’ll keep one safe, when nothing is safe from such mindsets. As for Rilo, he could finally stop lying to himself and to his family, as the entire issue he’s trying to act like this is okay, like the strict rules and slop at mess hall is worth the price his family is paying, but now he sees the Empire for what it is and what it does for those who don’t bend to its will. It’ll spit out anything, even if it’s for the better, if it’s not on program, compliant, as systems like the Empire do, even here in the real world. There are many organizations which claim to care about a better world but in fact they won’t care about you at all, they only care about spreading their version of their message, however they want to, and any scent of individuality is snuffed out if it doesn’t fit their chosen mold or compliance. RotJ – The Empire #1 is a little front loaded, and takes a bit going to get there, but all the leg work of the opening pays off as Rilo finds himself dismantled by the ISB officer.
On art we have Jethro Morales, who recently helped bring us The High Republic – The Blade, alongside colorist Dee Cunniffe, and lettering by Joe Sabino. One thing which really stood out to me was the coloring scheme throughout the issue, as Cunniffe starts with an all-encompassing blue, darker in areas, almost oppressive in its panel devouring placement, giving the installation a mundane, dull, and bleak feeling; it’s fitting for Rilo’s mood, as well. When he steps outside for some fresh air, the color switches to greens and browns, earthy tones, and then air is almost white, opening up the world and pushing back against the oppressive feeling of the Empire’s innards, while it’s the first time it looks like Rilo’s smile, by Morales, seems genuine. Just as he thinks he’s getting out of the installation, there’s sunset colors, as if the time to flee has passed, and then when he’s in the ISB interrogation room, it’s blinding white, as if to overwhelm and make us feel as uncomfortable as Rilo is. The final palette of the prison, which looks just like ones from Andor, is back to the blue from the opening, but it’s lighter, almost grey, and it gives the feeling like a weight’s been taken off Rilo’s shoulders despite the situation. It was interesting to see Morales’ work in this era, no lightsabers in sight, after his work on The Blade, as this issue has way less action, so a lot of his ability with facial work is vital to what makes Rilo’s growing dissatisfaction clear, even as his letters to his family seem to say otherwise. I also really liked Morales’ Ewok, as it initially appearing is somewhat spooky, but as it approaches its cute, questioning look helps hide the fierce little warrior inside, which comes out as it brandishes a spear, being aggressive with it towards unassuming Rilo. The droid working with Rilo, EE-7Y (which looks like AP-5 from Star Wars Rebels), somehow seems judgmental at times, as while he goes along with Rilo’s suggestions that lead them to seeing the Death Star II in a hologram, it’s not terribly surprising when he’s submitting testimony against Rilo the interrogators use towards the end. Sabino, who last lettered on The High Republic – Trail of Shadows, does a great job pulling us around Rilo’s story, while his absence in panels speaks louder than words, like as Rilo makes an assumption about two Imperials based off their looks, no dialogue says a lot about Rilo’s judgment. When the truth is revealed, we see Rilo walking down a hall and a shout from one of the two as a word bubble by Rilo’s head, but the tail to where the actual speaker is stretches down the entire panel, implying the speaker is near, but further away. The moment a trooper ‘saves’ Rilo from the little Ewok, I like the “pew pew” SFX startles us as much as Rilo and the Ewok, but it leads us to see the blast shattered the spear, a “crack” accompanies it, which takes us to, alongside the spear point, the Ewok’s shriek. In a way, it felt like the scene in RotJ itself when the trooper nearly hits Leia and Wicket, so sudden and loud, and this team made it happen in a small little panel here.
Here are a few other things:
- There are several issues of this one-shot series left. Next up in July is The Rebellion #1, which sees Kes Dameron and Shara Bey thwarting an attempt on Mon Mothma’s life!; and Max Rebo #1 is out in August, detailing another attempt on Jabba’s life. There originally seemed to be at least two more issues, Emperor Palpatine and Smugglers, but they were either cancelled or never actually truly going to happen, as now there is no reference to them online.
- The RotJ anniversary tour is over when these stop, as don’t forget, From a Certain Point of View: Return of the Jedi is still on its way, and it moved up from a September 5 release date to August 29!
Return of the Jedi – The Empire #1 looks at life under the Empire’s thumb and how a system like that rewards individuality.
+ Exposing the horrors of fascism and compliance to it
+ Great, often subtle artwork
– A little front loaded
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.
RETURN OF THE JEDI ONE-SHOTS
Jabba’s Palace | Ewoks | Lando