– Spoiler Review –
The Rogue One 10th anniversary celebrations continue as Ethan Sacks and Ramon Rosanas bring us a glimpse of Jyn Erso’s more exciting than expected time in prison. Rogue One – Jyn Erso #1 is a stronger use of the concept which pulls in some much appreciated references to another Jyn prequel.
While Cassian Andor eventually got the dramatic and timeless live-action show prequel, Jyn Erso already had her prequel treatment leading up to the start of the film thanks to the very dang good Rebel Rising by Beth Revis. For Rogue One – Jyn Erso #1, writer Ethan Sacks envelops those events in his characterization of Jyn and this issue is all the stronger for it. In fact, as he’s made no secret of hiding it, Sacks has been a big fan of Jyn and it really shows through in this story, as it slots so very well into the overarching journey she takes, honoring what came before and what still lies ahead. Rogue One – Jyn Erso #1 might feel like it ends with the titular character in a more hopeful space than we left her in the book and see her at the start of the film, but if there’s one thing clear, Jyn’s always had hope, she just constantly has to fight her way back to it (like how even a great Jedi Master would). Not only that, but I felt like there’s a specific choice she makes in the issue which helps align Sacks’ whole concept even better. Towards the story’s end, Jyn has the option to have her own freedom, to leave someone behind like she’s been left behind, on purpose or otherwise, by those she’s cared about. Yet Jyn doesn’t take the chance at freedom, she gives it up for someone else, choosing not to leave the person behind and sacrificing herself. Jyn might seem a little more hopeful by issue’s end, but it’s more like she’s surprised she has it in her still, as she thinks about the individual she helped escape and hoping they are living their second chance at a life to their fullest. By the end of Rogue One, she makes a similar choice, but unlike what happens in this issue, it’s out of believing in that hope can be hers too, not just for others to have another chance. What might originally come off as feeling out of step, the final panel’s revelations about her hope adds a smidge more tears to Jyn (and Cassian’s) final moment on Scarif, as we get an even better sense at what could still bring a smile to her face with death imminent, as she thinks about the Rebellion, the galaxy itself, making the best of the second chance she, Cassian, and the others have given them with the plans to the Death Star. Kudos to Sacks for making such a great little issue honoring the character of Jyn and what her trials and tribulations are worth to her and to others.
Helping make this feel cinematic enough to fit even better with Jyn’s journey is the art team of Ramon Rosanas, colorist Guru-eFX, and letterer Travis Lanham. On the opening page, which is a dream full of flashbacks to the opening segment of Rogue One, of Orson Krennic’s arrival on Lahmu and how it destroys Jyn’s family, I liked how the very first panel paints Lyra Erso in a different light, as we see the moment from Jyn’s POV this time around. Lyra is at the forefront, looking even more brave with the numbers clearly against her, and the way Rosanas positions everyone, she’s the tallest, largest person in the panel, making her look like a brave hero, regardless of what comes next. As for Wobani, Rosanas and Guru-eFX offer up a rather good take on the desolate and overwhelming bleakness, with tight close-ups and enclosed frames, with dull and oppressive greys and a featureless and unimpressively colored sky to really round out the whole package. The moment Jyn chooses to aid the wannabe escapees hits really well, literally, as one page she’s stammering, a KX series droid looming over her and one of the planners, only for readers to flip the page (or swipe the screen) and BAM, there’s the first splash page of the issue, a giant “krakk” sound FX from Lanham that brings your eyes over for a resounding thud of Jyn’s axe against the KX series’ neck, the spark adding some extra panache to the moment. The escape sequence feels appropriately hectic, jumping from one big moment to the other, as Jyn makes a death-defying jump across a chasm, members of the group are picked off, and one person’s choice to abandon their friend all punctured by purple-tinted flashbacks and good pacing. And lastly, it was really lovely to see Hadder and Akshaya Ponta visualized for the first time! Hadder’s relationship with Jyn was a great section of Rebel Rising and the complexities of their family story and how it all ends was an emotional roller coaster so honoring them and putting them in some panels really brought Jyn’s full story around.
Here is one other thing:
- Definitely even more intrigued for the remaining one-shots after this issue, so here’s a list of who and when! Next up, July 1 brings Rogue One – Saw Gerrera #1, which sounds like a fascinating story given we’ll see him commit the act of revolution that tore a schism between him and the main Rebellion (there’s a preview out now); August has Rogue One – Chirrut and Baze #1, which sounds like a fun way to spend more time with this lovely pair and you can get a sneak peek of it via artist Kieron McKeown’s Instagram; and lastly September offers Rogue One – Darth Vader #1 and it sounds like more Vader, so your mileage may vary.
- Still really enjoying the moody series of main covers from artist David Marquez. Joins well with the emotional depth of Andor and Rogue One!
- And above I include this issue’s Pride Month variant cover, featuring some High Republic and Acolyte characters!
Rogue One: Jyn Erso #1 is a much stronger entry in the anniversary series, making the most of a small swath of time for a character whose tale was mostly all told.
+ The final puzzle piece we didn’t know we still needed for Jyn’s story
+ Art team features an oppressive Wobani and Jyn’s big moment
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him and the website on Bluesky.
ROGUE ONE RELATED REVIEWS:
Rogue One 10th Anniversary One-shots: Cassian Andor
Andor Reviews – Season Two: Season Premiere “Episode 1 – One Year Later” & “Episode 2 – Sagrona Teema” & “Episode 3 – Harvest” | “Episode 4 – Ever Been to Ghorman?” & “Episode 5 – I Have Friends Everywhere” & “Episode 6 – What a Festive Evening” | “Episode 7 – Messenger” & “Episode 8 – Who Are You?” & “Episode 9 – Welcome to the Rebellion” | Series Finale “Episode 10 – Make It Stop” & “Episode 11 – Who Else Knows?” & “Episode 12 – Jedha, Kyber, Erso” | Season One: Series Premiere “Episodes 1-3” | “Episode 4 – Aldhani” | “Episode 5 – The Axe Forgets” | “Episode 6 – The Eye” | “Episode 7 – Announcement” | “Episode 8 – Narkina 5” | “Episode 9 – Nobody’s Listening!” | “Episode 10 – One Way Out” | “Episode 11 – Daughter of Ferrix” | “Episode 12 – Rix Road”
Film Review: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (by Ryan) | Novel Review: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (by Chris) | Novel Review: Catalyst: A Rogue One Novel (by Ryan) | Young Adult Novel Review: Rebel Rising (by Ryan) | Soundtrack Review: Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (by Elliot) | Young Reader Review: Guardians of the Whills (by Ryan) | Young Reader Review: Rogue One: Rebel Dossier (by Chris) | Reference Book Review: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide (by Chris) | Comic Review: Cassian and K-2SO Special #1 (by Ryan)