– Spoiler Review –
Since 2015, Charles Soule has been a growing and impressive voice in Star Wars comics, with different series, exciting new characters, big ideas, and so much more for readers to enjoy, later going on to help create The High Republic initiative with his fellow luminous writers. The script for Star Wars #25 (Vol. 2) is his 100 written, so the editors and Lucasfilm allowed him to arrange for something rather special: an issue full of stories and returning artists from his previous works. What follows are 4 special short stories that point towards the impact he’s had on Star Wars so far and seemingly a promise he’ll bring the same quality going forward.
Obi-Wan & Anakin – “The Lesson” with Art by Ramon Rosanas, Colors by Rachelle Rosenberg, and Lettering throughout by Clayton Cowles; Darth Vader – “The Lesson with Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Inks by Daniele Orlandini, Colors by Arif Prianto
It’s almost impossible to talk about “The Lesson” from both stories by themselves, as they are so interconnected, so complimentary to one another, they are basically separated by art only. In the Obi-Wan & Anakin portion, we see the titular Master and Apprentice, between Episode I and II, much like the original miniseries, in a training duel. It’s a teaching moment, one that explores the point of the lightsaber and why Jedi carry such a weapon, a unique and intriguing point made by Soule that clarifies something I feel was intrinsic but never explicit. In the Darth Vader section, we see Darth Vader in a ‘training’ duel with his Master, Darth Sidious aka Emperor Palpatine aka Ol’ Sheev. It’s a teaching moment, one that explores an unknown from the Obi-Wan & Anakin portion, explaining the way the Sith view the Force as their weapon and why they’d even feel the need to wield a lightsaber in the first place. In both, Soule showcases his deep understanding of Star Wars mythos and why we’re lucky to have his perspective on the franchise permeating so many different parts of it.
Obi-Wan tells Anakin, who is eager to build other weapons with a kyber crystal, the importance of the lightsaber, how using it shows purpose and intent, and training are necessary to wield it for justice and protection. It’s as much a symbol of the Jedi as their trademark robes are or the Jedi Temple on Coruscant is, and while this feels revelatory, it also makes sense from what we already know of the Jedi and what Obi-Wan tells Luke at a later age. In a sense, this was just the first time it was made so explicit, in an entertaining and well-written way. In their chat, Anakin questions why the Sith even use a lightsaber and Obi-Wan can’t guess, but he basically says it doesn’t matter as long as you stick to the path of the light.
So it makes sense that when Sidious talks to Vader, it’s about why the Sith use a blade but how the dark side is their true weapon. To the Sith, the lightsaber is a symbol as well, but merely that, something to make the blaze of their dark side explicit to their enemies, to strike fear, whereas all the Force is their weapon to use. We don’t have as much focus on the Sith, so this was a nice yet short insight into their mindset, while knowing Soule is a Palpatine fan, I’m sure he enjoyed getting to share this thought process through Ol’ Sheev himself. The juxtaposition between the two ideas, the Jedi and the Sith and how they view even something as simple as a lightsaber, was a great way to make something so plainly in the heart of the franchise explicit.
It wasn’t just Soule’s script that played off one another, the art teams did as well! I don’t know if it was communication between Ramon Rosanas and Giuseppe Camuncoli or the explicitness of Soule’s script, but there’s a similarity to the structure of both scenes, from the opening stance and framing of the two combatants, to a series of battle panels that end with Anakin/Vader’s saber taken from him. For Rosanas and Rosenberg, I loved the look of the great tree behind Obi-Wan and Anakin, the way its leaves drift through panels, Rosenberg’s fall-like colors for the leaves hinting at the Jedi falling/already on the downwards path. And Rosanas certainly does a great job at making Obi’s signature mullet at the time look good, and I’m sure someone’s grandparents would mistaken him for Jesus thanks to this too. And for Camuncoli, Orlandini, and Prianto, the look of the Works section of Coruscant, broken, full of holes, and smog-filled, a creepy red haze permeating every scene, brings across how their power corrupts everything around it while making it plain they are in the height of their power at the moment. Camuncoli and Orlandini’s work on the Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith series had lots of great dynamic action and they bring such goodness back for the quick duel, while the panel of Sheev holding two blades gives me serious The Clone Wars-vibes when he rained down on Maul and his brother. Cowles’ lettering lets the art speak for itself, adding a few SFX here and there as the symbolic sabers clash or Sidious knocks Vader on his ass, while the word bubble placements never overcrowd the limited short story space in both, in fact they even aided some moments, like Sidious’ nefarious “…all,” as he stands looming over a kneeling Vader.
Bonus Thoughts: Padawan Obi-Wan twirling chain-linked sabers is definitely a whole mood and I love it. Check back here next week for our review of the novel Padawan, starring Obi-Wan by the way, however I can confirm no chain-linked sabers sadly.
Kylo Ren – “See you around, kid” with Art by Will Sliney, Colors by Guru-eFX
Out of the four, this one I didn’t quite connect with as the others, but upon more reflection, the more I find layers within it, much like Soule’s 4-issue The Rise of Kylo Ren. Shortly after The Last Jedi, Kylo Ren begins visiting places, searching for something…first it’s Crait, then Elphrona, and eventually Ossus. The common connection between them is notable places Luke Skywalker has been, as Kylo is unsatisfied, angry at the humiliating duel between them on Crait. Luke promised he’ll see his nephew around as he disappeared, so Kylo’s searching for him, looking for some closure, but Luke doesn’t appear to him. As he orders Ossus razed, there’s a hint this is something else, the doubt is creeping in after their duel, the regret he might’ve killed his uncle now too, and Rey shut herself off from him, leaving him alone. Isolated, alone, Kylo lashes out like he always does, wishing to erase what haunts him, but it goes far deeper than a person or a place. It’s both a great way to show how Luke’s confrontation and Rey’s choice leave Kylo hurting, while it also makes it feel even more vital we get more Ben/Kylo content, like a novel or a longer comic, to really begin to dive into the character.
Sliney and Guru-eFX worked together on the Kylo Ren miniseries as well, so his visit to Elphrona, and the rage he displays here, felt familiar. I liked how Sliney reference The Book of Boba Fett’s Ossus-set scenes for Kylo’s visit here, connecting his take/The Last Jedi’s better to the show’s. As much and as often as they capture Kylo’s anger in the few short pages, it makes their sad, contemplative Kylo in the final panel even more distinguishable, the gold coloring conveying an old-timey feel, like how he’s stuck in the past of his most recent decisions, unable to let them go. Cowles almost explodes some word bubbles to carry across the depth of Kylo’s anger and it was fun way to bring Adam Driver’s fury with the character across on page.
Poe Dameron – “A Eulogy for Snap” with Art by Phil Noto
The final story is not just a fitting tribute to Temmin “Snap” Wexley, whose life, even wedding, graced the pages of Soule’s Poe Dameron run, but also reads like Soule extending a cheers to the stories he’s told and the ones he has left to write. Poe, Jess Pava, Suralinda Javos, and Karé Kun gather on Ajan Kloss, just after the events of The Rise of Skywalker, to have a eulogy for their fallen friend, with Poe giving the speech of course. But he’s not the only one who speaks, as Jess and Suralinda console Karé on the loss of her husband, sharing what made Snap so special to Black Squadron and each one of them personally. It’s a fitting tribute to the character, who was sort of unceremoniously killed off in the film, and adds to the already stellar, forward-looking ending for the Poe comic.
How Poe ends his speech here sounds more like Soule talking to us readers, especially since Poe’s final lines are the same as Soule’s in his letter opening the issue. It feels like a promise, that if you’ve enjoyed what wild, fun, and unique things he’s brought to the table so far, there will be more to come from him and he hopes we join him. You know we certainly will here at the Manor!
Phil Noto drew for the original series and while he isn’t drawing any giant kaiju breaking out of eggs or Terex’s smirking grin, the prolific artist starts with a cinematic bang with Snap’s death from the film and carries across a lot of emotions as the team commiserates his passing. There’s a lot of little subtleties to Noto’s facial work, Pava’s smile at Karé or Karé’s loss-laden eyes, while I’m just glad he kept from Suralinda showing her real smile…wouldn’t have fit very well here! Cowles work allows the emotional, yet happy gathering of friends honoring their collective loss flow well and almost pause when needed.
Bonus Thought: You can bet I’m crying after this story, but not about Snap, but rather Mr. Bones’ ultimate destruction! Time to go play as him in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga to honor the fallen hero!
Here’s one other thing:
- Soule was interviewed by the official site about this landmark moment for his Star Wars contributions and he goes on to talk about specific, big moments in his previous series and teases there’s plenty more from him to come…including some stuff still to be announced!
Star Wars #25 (Vol. 2) is a celebration of Charles Soule’s prolific career, all while exploring the franchise, its themes, and characters across stories from different parts of his work, offering hopes and promises on many more tales to come. Happy 100, Charles! Here, truly, is to more!
+ Celebration of the Saga…
+ …and of Soule’s contributions and those who have joined him
+ Love the connection between the first two stories
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.
STAR WARS (Vol. 2)
The Destiny Path: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 | #6 / Arc Review — The Will of Tarkin: #7 | #8/Arc Review — Operation Starlight: #9 | #10 | #11 | #12 — War of the Bounty Hunters: #13 | #14 | #15 | #16 | #17 | #18 — Crimson Reign: #19 | #20 | #21 | #22 | #23 | #24