– Spoiler Review –
With no shortage of stories starring Jedi and the Order, a new series like Jedi Knights needs to make a strong case for itself, and by the end of issue #1, the creative team of Marc Guggenheim and Madibek Musabekov waste no time in providing some thrilling reasons for more!
As I mentioned on the Manor recently, in 2025 I’ve decided to take some steps back from the site, choosing to not review every issue of every comic series anymore, usually figuring out which ones I will after reading the first issue, though in no way does that say I didn’t like something, more means I’m just keeping up my goals to focus on creative writing and family. Jedi Knights is one that sounded fun on paper, especially as the series will focus on different pairs of Jedi in unique though still connected stories, but I wasn’t totally sold on it, but between other recent releases, could it differentiate itself enough? Just last year, we had the excellent The Living Force, a novel by John Jackson Miller, which gave the Jedi Order of the prequel era, and its Jedi Council, an exciting story and swansong before their fall, so having Jedi Knights set earlier than that, but not by terribly much, meant we’d be getting similar, maybe too similar, antics and heroics. On top of that, much of the High Republic era over the last four years has been Jedi-heavy, dealing with an Order at their brightest, combating non-Sith, so Jedi Knights also has to contend with comparisons. Despite all this, after reading issue #1, well… holy book of wonders (thanks new Jedi Knight Seera Longa) was I totally on the hook for more and have decided to keep up on issue-by-issue reviews (instead of per arc)! Not only is the main thrust of Jedi Knights #1 a certified good time, from the collection of familiar and new Jedi to the unique and windy situation they find themselves in on behalf of the Republic, what it all builds to in its final handful of pages is utterly intriguing and left me eagerly anticipating its return. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this invigorated by an opening issue of a series, even more so for an on-going, and I think we could have something special on our hands. But for now, let’s see what makes Jedi Knights #1 so memorable!
In a situation which draws in nine Jedi directly to deal with it, Vekura’s invasion of its neighboring planet Syrinx Prime feels both large enough to require such efforts yet small enough it could be resolved in a single issue. It allows for readers to experience the Jedi Order of this era at their height, without all the bureaucracy which weighs them down once the prequel films begin, as they manage to secure a win by their coordinated efforts, and on this aspect alone Jedi Knights earns its stripes to keep readers excited. There’s not as much of an arrogance (like Yoda once said) to the Order in the issue, instead their actions and resolution of the problem reads more as them having a sense of surety, as if their purpose and connection to the Force is on solid, not muddled-by-the-Sith ground. Therefore, Jedi Knights seems less interested in dissecting what led to the Order’s fall, which we’ve certainly had a lot about at this point, and more invested in the individuals who make up the Order at this time. On this front, JK also exceeds, from the unexpected pairing of Qui-Gon Jinn and new character Jedi Knight Berem Khana, who does have the arrogance Yoda speaks of but can be humble when necessary, the way the council debates the situation and divides its resources to bring about peace, to the surprising visions of Obi-Wan Kenobi, Guggenheim captures many different personalities, even if their panel time is limited in issue #1, and developments within promise these characters will be the focus anyways. And how could they not be, when it seems someone wants Qui-Gon Jinn dead?!
Shortly after the initial failed negotiations with Vekuran leader, where hot headed Khana tries a Jedi Mind Trick despie Qu-Gon’s warnings, the pair is about to reach their ship when the elder Jedi senses an attack, able to defend himself moments before the first blow from a masked assailant. They have a quick yet intense battle, think the first time Qui-Gon trades sabers with Darth Maul on Tatooine in The Phantom Menace, where Khana attempts to involve himself and is blasted away by some technology on the assailant’s outfit, and yet Qui-Gon subdues the attacker. Before they can be captured, they use a smoke bomb and disappear, though evidence they leave behind is later brought up by Khana back on Coruscant after the Order’s victory, where he points out the person had a tracker stitched into Qui-Gon’s robes and they seemed to be there just for him. Qui-Gon’s reaction is hilarious and priceless, though I’ll be curious to learn if it’s because he might know who or what it could stem from or if he’s just flustered someone would care enough about his involvement in something to warrant this. The double-whammy comes moments later when we check in with Yoda training Obi-Wan (in what looks like the room Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker spar in the flashback from Obi-Wan Kenobi), helping him clarify some disturbing visions he’s been having, and we’re treated to two visions sequences. One is a big collage of images of stuff which could or could not be, from old and young Obi-Wan fighting one another, a clear reference to the kaiju-focused third issue in May, Jango Fett’s involvement (is it connected to his recent miniseries or teasing he’ll appear in a future issue?), new character Vetna Mooncrest facing some Venom-like creature, the coming canonization of Atha Prime,* and more. On the next page though is the final vision which troubles Obi-Wan the most: Qui-Gon being killed by the assassin he battled earlier! Obi-Wan’s never seemed like much for visions, so having him be the one dealing with such a situation is a nice little twist, especially since he’s not totally wrong Qui-Gon will die, and it makes one wonder how close this assassin will get in their efforts.
On art is one of my 2024 Top Artists winners, Madibek Musabekov, so you know I’ve been eager for his return, and he’s joined by Luis Guerrero for colors and Clayton Cowles on lettering. Musabekov has proven his mettle on horror, action, and emotional character moments during his time with the Star Wars (2020) run, and his ability to deliver his own take on familiar characters but make them recognizable felt like a great skill for another cast of well-known characters, skills all of which are reasons he made my 2024 Top Artists and all of which are used in good order in this issue. The opening splash is such a great mixture of big, showy moments and little details, where the first Jedi we see look overwhelmed by the giant forces arrayed against them, Guerrero making them pinpricks of light from their lightsaber’s color and the military might of the Vekurans a bland, homogeneous coloring so they look and feel even bigger than they are, while there’s lots of war-torn devastation near and far, even up in the higher parts of the Syrinx Prime city, showing how expansive this engagement really is. The contrast of the opening with our first visit to Vekura, a peaceful looking planet if not for the two-legged war machine sentries watching the citizens, is so stark, but a war is fought on many fronts, even around a table with a bountiful harvest, and Musabekov’s many little details and expressive faces make Khana’s Jedi mind trick attempt seem just as aggressive as the battles happening in the opening few pages. The Syrinxian design is good, but the Vekurans, at least the leader we meet here, is an eye-catching new species, with little head horns, the almost leathery looking hair, very non-human face, and overall physically imposing design makes them seem like the clear aggressor in the situation, helping play up our assumptions, though we learn later there’s more to the story than meets the eye. Of the new Jedi, while Khana looks a little similar to how Musabekov drew Kes Dameron, Vetna Mooncrest (who we were told is disabled somehow but it’s not clear yet this issue) is the most arresting visually, as her quick introduction revealing a more headstrong mindset matches well with her design, with the sleeveless shirt and simple, yet ceremonial looking cross body/shoulder padding, and Obi-Wan’s vision sequence puts in a frightening situation that makes her look even more badass; can’t wait for the next issue since she’s set to star alongside Yoda. As I said before, the battle between the assassin and Qui-Gon is quick and physical, as the blocky presentation of the fight gives each panel a punchy weight, while the giant sound FX from Cowles and the big slashes from either combatant’s blades (the assassin as two purple-hued swords aka probably vibroblades) make it seem swift and denotes each of their physical prowess. Lastly, we have to talk about the panel of Qui-Gon’s reaction to Khana’s question about who would want to kill him, as it’s appropriately already a shoe-in for the reaction meme format, as Qui-Gon’s face approaches over-the-top to silly with the aggressive open eyes glaring downwards, but sort of feels right for the situation. More fun like this with all the great action, please!
Here are a few other things:
- *I’ll go over this again next issue, but Atha Prime is a character originally created by toymaker Kenner to continue the Star Wars story/sell more toys, but the whole idea was scraped and, while Legends tried to make Prime a thing, it’s in the pages of Jedi Knights it’ll finally happen. Maybe he’ll get a toy due to this, bringing the whole thing full circle!
- If you’re eager for more Qui-Gon Jinn and can’t wait until next month’s issue, also out the same week as this was Dark Horse’s graphic novel Hyperspace Stories: Qui-Gon!
Jedi Knights #1 differentiates itself enough from other lightsaber-focused stories with an interesting hook to keep us eager for more!
+ Order’s big and impressive and coordinated win
+ Great hook at the end
+ Musabekov making it epic yet focused
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him and the website on Bluesky.