Published: August 5, 2009
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Colin Wilson
Colourist: Wes Dzioba
Letterer: Michel Heisler
Cover Artist: Jo Chen
Editor: Randy Stradley
The synopsis;
Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and the soldiers of the New Republic were able to pull off a last-second evacuation of some of the civilian refugees from Artorias, but for Finn Galfridian it was too little, too late. Finn’s mother and sister have been taken prisoner by the Vong, and his father was left behind with a delaying force to allow the refugees to escape.
The review;
The prelude and first issues of this series moved the story rapidly. The pace was relentless at times, but this issue sees that pace slow slightly, while we get to grips with the destruction and personal trauma this has caused to the Artorian’s and their royal family.
The story has now split into 2 mini-arcs within this issue. We have Finn training at the Jedi Temple on Yavin 4. Then we have the queen, Nina and her daughter Kaye on the Vong ship with the other captured Artorian’s.
Finn is getting to grips with his training but has now been introduced to the rest of the students. There is an immediate attraction to Jaina Solo and I love the way she reveals that Luke is her uncle in such an understated manner. We get to meet Jacen Solo, Lowbacca and Anakin Solo too. All these are important characters during The New Jedi Order period of the Legends timeline.
During these events we also see something that is so familiar to us from recent Star Wars on screen and gaming activities. Anakin warns the others that there is noise coming from a cave and they go to investigate. Finn uses his Prowl to investigate the cave only to be chased out by a beast on the rampage, as some of the Jedi raise lightsaber’s to defend themselves, Jacen sees it is injured and stops them. He removes the spike that is lodged in its side and they retreat, as does the beast.
3 parallels can be drawn here for me. Finn is so similar to Cal Kestis from the Jedi: Fallen Order video game and I had missed it up until now. He has a droid who assists him, but also his appearance holds some distinct similarities. A rampaging beast in a cave. Well, that has to be the mudhorn in The Mandalorian chapter 2, doesn’t it? And then an injured beast ready to attack, only to be healed and saved by Jedi powers. Again, that must be Rey healing the cave snake on Pasaana.
The second arc takes the path of Queen Nina, who wants to stay and help her people, and Kaye who offers herself up in her mother’s place to be taken to the Vong Commander Sha’Kel. He uses this meeting to explain what the Vong are up to, so if you are new to this era of Legends, it brings you up to speed quite concisely. He is also using it to gauge his new prisoner and see what uses she may have to him. Kaye has already defeated a Vong warrior in hand to hand combat and this impresses the commander.
After Finn’s escapades with the other Jedi trainees on Yavin 4, there is an unease between the Jedi Masters. They seem to be sensing something different about Finn, could it be the dark side? Skywalker agrees that he needs to be tested against his enemy to see his true path.
There is no denying that Finn does have a special talent, but like Anakin and Luke Skywalker his training is starting very late in life. Something that was always warned against by the Jedi Council of the Republic times, but this Jedi Order feels very different from previous times.
The artwork of the issue is of the same high standards. The use of the frames also works really well for the layout and this helps the story flow.
Taylor brings humour and a real human side to the story. The issue deals with some very human decisions that do have parallels with the events we are experiencing globally at the moment. The characters are showing great compassion, emotional pain, self-sacrifice, and defiance in the face of adversity.
Issue 3 is already loaded on my iPad and ready to go!
Availability;
Star Wars: The New Jedi Order: Invasion ran for 3 series from 2009 to 2011, encompassing 17 issues. Invasion – Refugees #2 is currently available in digital format via the Marvel App, comiXology or by subscribing to Marvel Unlimited. A physical copy can be found in one of the many trade paperback releases from Marvel. Please check with Amazon UK and US or your local comic bookstore for availability.
