– Spoiler Review –
Star Wars Adventures #3 (Vol. 2) has finally arrived and the long wait was worth it, thanks to both the main story of Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Master Qui-Gon Jinn celebrating Life Day with the Wookiees and the back-up Tales of Villainy starring Maul at his most diabolical!
“Life Day” Written by Michael Moreci, Art by Megan Levens, Colors by Charlie Kirchoff, Lettering (in both tales) by Jake M. Wood
Writer Michael Moreci brings Qui-Gon and his unique teachings to life as we uncover Yoda’s not the only one with Wookiee pals, as Qui-Gon uses the Wookiee Life Day celebrations to help his Padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi understand the enormity of the Force. One of his Wookiee pals shows up, hugs and all, and now I’m dying to learn the story of how Brennonn saved Qui-Gon twice before; was it on a mission with Dooku back in the day or his time as a Knight alone, either way, it’s a fun new addition to one of the most interesting Jedi we never get enough content about! Everything looks to be another successful and enjoyable Life Day…only for the Trandoshans to crash the party in hopes of catching the Wookiees unawares in their traditional hunt! We saw them snatch up pray for their hunt, and the resulting hunt, in The Clone Wars when Ahsoka and Chewbacca must survive together, and this is the capturing phase seen here, as Qui-Gon, helping his pal and other Wookiees, gets caught himself. Moreci also hits Obi-Wan’s humor strongly, be it the awkwardly but still perfectly placed “hello there” or the closing joke, and I’m really looking forward to the next issue for more of this Qui-Gon/Obi-Wan goodness. Plus, we’ll have Wookiees, rescuing Qui-Gon again and working alongside Obi-Wan, so that’s more than enough for me to want to see what’s next!
I’m no artist so I’m not the best to judge how difficult it might be to draw Wookiees, as a lot of times they look more like monkeys than Wookiees in the comics, but Megan Levens (art) and Charlie Kirchoff (colors), with lettering by Jake M. Wood, do the great walking carpets justice with a fuzzy, comfortable, and one could say, huggable appearances, even with the Wookiees in the background wearing the traditional red Snuggies. The happier, more jovial faces on our familiar Jedi befit the Life Day fun, but Levens and Kirchoff bring menace when it’s needed with the Trandoshans attack. The warmer hued colors for this story also build a sense of complacency and comfort, shattered by the attack on the village.
Tales of Villainy: “The Hostage” Written by Shane McCarthy, Art by Megan Levens, Colors by Charlie Kirchoff
Maul truly became interesting thanks to his time in The Clone Wars, where he was less of an animal (after the whole spider phase, of course) and more of the calculating and shrewd villain we had seen in Legends content. Shane McCarthy adds to Maul’s mythos as he proves once again he doesn’t always need brute force and strength to overcome enemies on the way to the top of his syndicate, in the days before he takes over Mandalore (and before Sidious comes to put him in his place for a bit). It’s also one of the best ways to bring Maul to an all-ages comic with Star Wars Adventures, as his typical slaughter is bypassed and we see what he’s so much more formidable, while it digs a little more into how Maul views himself, as being able to pull off the maneuver proves the dark side believes he’s worthy of his newest conquest.
The art team from the first tale continues on for “The Hostage,” and I love the difference in colors, as it’s brighter as well, but in a shining way, as if to hint at this person’s power over Maul is blinding, but once Maul’s scheme comes to bare, it darkens with the rise of his darkness. The same just goes for how Levens has Maul situated on the floor and shackled, bowed head, and comparing it to when he blasts out of the chains and show is considerable might, his stance and posture convey so much. Bravo for the two different
Here are a few other things:
- It looks like IDW seems to have fixed whatever ailed them for some time (I’ve heard it was printing issues, among other things) and they are trying to play catch-up with at least two issues a month for the next few months, on top of the monthly The High Republic Adventures title as well. Hopefully they can keep this up and stabilize as these first few issues have shown, they have great content in store for readers of all-ages!
Star Wars Adventures #3 (Vol. 2) has Life Day fun with Qui-Gon, the Wookiees, and Obi-Wan, while’s take on Maul only adds to his chilling return in The Clone Wars.
+ The essence of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan
+ The smart and calculating Maul
+ Art team brings different takes and styles per story
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
Shadow of Vader’s Castle (one-shot)