It is a time before the battle of Yavin, the Rebel Alliance is still young and the Empire still growing. But for C-3PO, a simple protocol droid and R2-D2, a courageous astromech droid, it is still early days. They are off on their own little adventures in strange and mystical galaxies. This time, their latest adventure brings them to the world of Kalarba.
In their latest of adventures they head into a small town to accompany Nik Pitareeze on making a deal for a scrap droid. Elsewhere in the town two babysitting droids named Q-E and 2-E are heading back home from their local job when they bump into Nik, Artoo and Threepio.
Everyone starts to ask them where their third affiliate is named U-E. But all the two droids reply with is “He’s in the shop”. Artoo feels unease from their reply and decides to set out on a mission to find out where they live and the truth behind U-E’s disappearance. After noticing that Artoo is missing Threepio and Nik also head out to find him. When reaching Artoo they uncover the terrible truth about the disappearance of the baby sitting droid named U-E.
The Review
After back issues having more of Nik Pitareeze and other characters as the main focus and heroes this issue really focuses on Artoo more and we finally get a glimpse of that little brave droid we remember and Threepio’s classic lines where he is giving his companion a lecture. There are also some new characters and droids in this issue which look very non-StarWarsy but I suppose it is Expanded Universe. The small droids known as Q-E and 2-E are very childish which puts the (older) reader off. So we can definitely decide that this is a series aimed at the younger fans.
A lot more vibrant colour like red, blue, green and purple have been illustrated into this issue which really helps bring the storyline to life. The illustration is very sketchy and hasn’t been detailed enough which could cause a problem if the reader is trying to get into the storyline because they don’t find it realistic or as intense, but it could also bring the feeling that it’s been pasted into the pages straight off of the story board sketches, bringing a feeling of freshness and originality to the story..
This issue may be short and sweet but it has been improved using interesting colours and setting the cameras. The storyline had potential but was made to short and too childish. It would have fitted beautifully in a comic with intense art with the main characters being bounty hunter droids looking for vengeance for their comrade. But that would then push off Threepio and Artoo from the plate..
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