Say to most people, “Who publishes Star Wars comics?” and most will say Marvel. The bulk of our comics does come from this publishing house, yet people still overlook IDW, whose main title is Star Wars Adventures. This series, and their other Star Wars mini-series are aimed at younger readers, although can (and should) be enjoyed by all.
Before exploring this series a bit more, I want to share with you my experience of IDW. Before reviewing Adventures, I was not aware of the company, but since then? Well, my experience of this company has gone from strength to strength. In the last month, I backed their games division in a Kickstarter for a game based on Batman: The Animated Series. My Sons are so excited to play that I ended up buying another of IDW’s games based on their reboot of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. Playing the game three or four times a week (one of the advantages of lockdown!), I’m having to try and find the actual comics of the series so my sons and I can read them! So, what is my point in mentioning this? The first, this company (from its comics department to its gaming department) creates products that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The second, along with Star Wars, I’m sure the mention of those other two franchises is stirring something in a few of you readers: nostalgia. IDW again and again are able to awaken the inner child within me, letting me enjoy things like I was eight years again, watching my favourite shows and films on a Saturday morning.
Every month, the comic I always look forward to most, whether it be Marvel or IDW, is Star Wars Adventures. I know that every time I pick up the issue, no matter what problems are going on around me, I can sit back and let it all fade away, as I let the child inside me enjoy Star Wars that is meant for one thing, to have fun. Are these stories that are going to completely change the Star Wars timeline? No, and neither should they be. The purpose of this series is to enjoy and not worry about the wider implications. As the series has developed over the years, the talent that has been brought forth is outstanding: Writers include Cavan Scott, Michael Moreci, Elsa Charretier, Piers Colinet, Delilah S. Dawson and many, many more. And the artwork? Breath-taking, with work from Elsa Charretier, Tony Fleecs, Derek Charm, I mean the list is endless. Some incredible talent works on these issues.
With Jedi News implementing Lockdown Legends, we wanted to show support for IDW. When I first started reviewing their series, I began at issue twelve. This seems like the perfect time to return to the very first issues and review these as well, and hopefully encourage new readers to also have a peek at this little treasure trove of stories. These issues may very well still be available from your local comic store (Forbidden Planet if you’re in the UK) or they’re available digitally. So let me take you back to the not-to-distant past, of 2017, and show you just where this incredible series began…
Published: September 2017
Cover Artist: Derek Charm
Better the Devil You know Part 1
Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Derek Charm
Tales from Wild Space: Stop, Thief!
Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Sean Parsons
The synopsis;
Introducing an exciting new era in all-ages Star Wars comics! Each issue in this monthly series will feature two stories, starring your favourite Star Wars characters from all the films! This debut issue will reveal Rey’s early adventures on Jakku as well as a comical tale of clone catastrophe!
The review;
This issue comprises of two parts, both written by Cavan Scott, who should be no stranger to Star Wars fans. Scott has written several Star Wars publications, including the audio drama Dooku: Jedi Lost. He also wrote the majority of the Wild Space series, but more of that later. Scott is an avid fan, and his work shows it.
The first tale, ‘Better the Devil You Know’ part 1, takes place just before The Force Awakens and follows Rey. Instantly, you are drawn in by the wonderful artwork by Derek Charm. Charm is a regular in Star Wars Adventures and has that animated Saturday morning television style to his work. The use of shadows in this story is wonderful, creating some very creepy moments in the story. But more than that, Charm keeps his artwork to a bare minimum in this story. Being set on Jakku, this adds to the atmosphere that this is the end of nowhere. Particularly with the scenes of Rey in the wasteland, Charm is able to convey that sense of loneliness and isolation.
When this was written, not much would have been known about Rey and Scott expands on her early life and her character. The routine of life on Jakku is mapped out, the dangers, the fact that this routine is never ending for the people who live there. Even when Unkar is taken away, the power vacuum left is almost instantly filled up. Like the desert itself, nothing is left for long, there are scavengers all around, just waiting for its occupants to make one wrong move. It all adds to the impression that is conveyed with The Force Awakens; life on Jakku is hard for all.
Scott then uses this backdrop to show that even through all of this, Rey still has compassion. This is the main thread to Rey’s story. She has to fight for her survival, that she is in this by herself. But even faced with such hostility, she never loses that compassion for all involved. When someone is hurt, she will go help them, if someone is in danger (even if they have just attacked her) she will tell them to move. It is trait that is so important to Rey’s character and explains many of her actions in the sequel trilogy. It is also an important lesson for younger readers, no matter how much life throws at you, always try and do the right thing.
It seems strange now to have familiar aliens in this story, as the sequel trilogy kept so far away from it. The sight of a Talz and a Zabrak are a welcome sight in this environment and it just makes me wish that we could have seen more of them in the more recent movies. Along with these familiar faces is Constable Zuvio. The peg warmer of figures, who everyone was excited about, finally gets to speak! His appearance is very tongue-in-cheek, and it shows how much of a fan Scott is, for him to be able to jest with his readers in this way.
‘Stop, Thief!’ is the second story that forms part of a series within the series, called ‘Tales from Wild Space’. This takes its cue from Scott’s previous work with Wild Space. The original six books that formed the series followed Lina and Milo Graf as they tried to find their parents. The series was excellent and my son Charlie and myself use to read them before he went to bed. Adventures draws on this series to create these tales, following Emil Graf, Milo’s grandson. For readers of the books, this is a great connection for them as well as finding all the little links that are to be found throughout the stories.
The story that Emil tells, is based during the Republic and has appearances by Dex and Obi-Wan. As with all the ‘Tales from’ stories, these stories are short but with a message for younger readers. The relationship between Dex and Obi-Wan we’ve always heard about but not seen. Scott tries to remedy that here, the only downfall is this story just isn’t long enough, I want more! Although a simple tale, to explore this relationship more, the adventures they got up to, could be the basis for an incredible series. Parsons puts in a lot of detail into the artwork in this tale. It makes exploring each panel very engaging as you look about to see what things there are. The action, although short, is easy to follow.
Adventures #1 is a great introduction into what this comic provides. It is light-hearted fun that expands on the characters we all know and adore. This issue is a little different as both tales are by the same author. With the author being Scott, that is not a complaint, but new readers should be aware that there is a vast range of writers who join this series. If you have yet to explore Adventures give it a go, you may find yourself very surprised. As I mentioned at the start, IDW are very good at providing family entertainment, if you have young padawans, this is the perfect comic to share with them and introduce them into the wider world of Star Wars. If not? Then sit back and relax, enjoy the fantastic writing, the incredible art and let your inner child come out. And while you’re doing that, Cavan Scott? About that Obi-Wan/Dexter series…
Availability;
Star Wars Adventures is an ongoing series that began in 2017 and is available from IDW Publishing. This issue is available from comiXology and all good comic bookstores in the USA. Outside of the US, A physical copy can be found in one of the many trade paperback releases from IDW. Please check with your local comic bookstore for availability.
