– Spoiler Review –
Dark Horse returns! With the all-ages Hyperspace Stories, a 12-issue maxiseries from the minds of Cecil Castellucci, Amanda Deibert, and Michael Moreci, Dark Horse marks their first new entry in Star Wars comics in nearly a decade. Issue #1, written by Dieibert with art by Lucas Marangon kicks things off in the prequel era, as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Padmé Amidala navigate a tricky situation in diplomacy.
Hyperspace Stories #1 starts with Padme already on a mission in diplomacy, accompanying a Wookiee Senator, Yarua, and their daughter Viiveenn, as they deliver a mysterious package in exchange for an alliance. They don’t even get a chance to meet the planet’s delegation before Separatists arrive, so Padmé calls the Jedi Council for help and Yarua, putting something blue and shiny in Viveenn’s little doll, send her sends into the jungles of the planet to be safe. While it’s brief, it’s nice to have Padmé interacting with other Senators and not just Obi-Wan and Anakin, as she typically is in most stories set during this era, as it allows us to see more of her character outside what we already know; I always quite enjoyed The Clone Wars (and even Clone Wars micro-series) episodes where she was on her own or with her peers, fighting the good fight in the Senate or out in the field, much like we’d see Leia do later. Padmé’s always been more than her relationship to Anakin or the Jedi who surround him, but not all stories like to show that. Even in the issue’s climax, we see, while the Jedi are helpful, she very well was on top of things all by herself.
As the Jedi Council hears Padmé’s message, Mace Windu decides to go, but Obi-Wan volunteers himself and Anakin for the job. Right away, Yoda calls out Anakin and Obi-Wan’s fondness (very diplomatic, Yoda) to Padmé and Obi-Wan defends their shared connection with her, turning it around as a good situation to train Anakin’s impatient nature with. Obi-Wan sort of defending having Anakin and Padmé around one another is full of interesting implications, while the Yoda confronting their shared ‘fondness’ was a nice little surprise early in the issue. It’s not often we hear the Jedi Council voice their opinions about Anakin, especially in a short comic story like this for all-ages, and having Obi-Wan essentially acknowledge and try to make it look unimportant speaks a lot to him having fondness for both of them too (which a few tear inducing scenes in the Obi-Wan Kenobi finale lay plainly). Regardless, Deibert not only has a great way of writing Padmé, but she’s in true form with her Anakin and Obi-Wan relationship and characteristics, especially the impulsive, protective nature of Anakin, tempered by Obi-Wan’s heed for planning and patience, but also even Viveenn as she saves the young Jedi Knight at one point. Obi-Wan is captured, leaving Anakin alone, and by taking Obi-Wan’s advice he’s able to help with the rescue of his former Master and his wife, though as I mentioned before, the latter’s basically already done that herself. The rescue isn’t all positive, as a sacrifice occurs to get everyone out of the Separatists’ clutches while a dangling story thread remains unresolved by issue’s end…
Since this series was announced, a curious and intriguing detail has been revealed: Hyperspace Stories’ 12 issues will have an over-arcing, connecting story, despite taking place all over the Saga’s timeline. I’d hazard a hefty bet on the connective tissue stemming from whatever Yarua put in Viv’s doll, as no one is quite sure what mysterious object Senator Yarua was giving to the delegates and they all believe the knowledge died with him when he takes General Grievous out of the equation. What is it and how will it hold together 12 issues of time-hopping adventures? We’ll just have to wait to find out but it’s a fun hook to keep readers invested, as while a series about adventures across the timeline is always a good time, especially if it’s for all-ages unlike the rest of the comics, though this connection elevates it a little and adds a discernable purpose plus a reward for readers’ particular level of engagement.
On the art team for Hyperspaces Stories #1 are illustrator Lucas Marangon, colorist by Michael Atiyah, and lettering from Tyler Smith & Jimmy Betancourt. Marangon’s art is new to me, but there’s plenty I enjoyed, especially when it came to the Wookiees. While Yarua and Viveenn reminded me of Star Wars Rebels’ S1 Wookiees, I liked all the distinctive details Marangon added to them, from Viv’s braids/pig-tails to the patterns on Yarua’s fur, which gave Atiyah a canvas to provide a specific look for him. Anakin and Padmé ended up looking a little too similar in the face/like dolls for my liking, but there’s some specific moments I liked for both of them: the shock on Anakin’s face when Obi-Wan blocks his blade when he’s impatiently about to attack something in the woods, which turns out to be Viv, a playful reference of sorts of their ultimate duel(s); and for Padmé, the loving way she looks at Viv as she consoles the young Wookiee, thinking about being a parent herself one day (more dark foreshadowing!). I didn’t have the same issues with Obi-Wan, whose bearded face and design more similar to his Clone Wars micro-series look kept him unique and familiar. I really liked the blurring circle effect for Grievous as he twirls two lightsabers, Atiyah’s colors standing out against the single-colored background, while Smith & Betancourt’s SFX for the moment brought back the distinct sound of the blades spinning. Overall, the colors were both bright yet dirty, using the future used look Star Wars is so well-known for, while the overall lettering kept up the story’s brisk pace though managed not to distract from the action or slower moments.
Here are a few other things:
- Dark Horse isn’t just putting out Hyperspace Stories, they are also contributing to The High Republic’s Phase II story! They have a few series and one-shots announced: The High Republic Adventures – Quest of the Jedi #1 is a one-shot written by Claudia Gray and October 19; The High Republic Adventures proper by Daniel José Older again, which kicks off November 30; and The High Republic Adventures – The Nameless Terror miniseries by George Mann. But it’s not just High Republic content they’ll have, there’s a new take on the Vader’s Castle horror anthology with Tales from the Rancor’s Pit, a graphic novel written by Cavan Scott (so there is one THR story) which is full of spooky tales, out November 22.
- Expect Hyperspace Stories #2 on September 21, followed by issue #3 November 9.
Hyperspace Stories #1 has a fun, quick script that contains a few extra layers and well-written takes on familiar characters, while it offers up an intriguing mystery worth returning to see unfold across the Saga timeline alongside stories likely to be as enjoyable as its opening salvo.
+ Fun, snappy script
+ With a few extra layers sprinkled in
+ Curious about the series connecting mystery
– Facial artwork looks too similar/doll-like at times
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.
DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this comic from the publisher at no charge in order to provide an early review. However, this did not affect the overall review content. All opinions are my own.