Published: December 15, 2021
Adaptation: Alessandro Ferrari
Character Studies: Igor Chimisso
Layout: Ingo Römling
Clean Up & Ink: Andrea Greppi, Igor Chimisso, Marco Dominici, Monica Catalno
Paint (Background & Settings): Davide Turotti
Paint (Characters): Kawaii Creative Studio
Cover Artist: Cryssy Cheung
The synopsis;
Experience the excitement and thrill of the epic Star Wars movies in this young-reader friendly adaptation of Episode II!
In the midst of galactic unrest from the growing Seperatist movement, Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi and his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, are dispatched to protect Senator Padmé Amidala after a failed attempt on her life. What follows is a mission stretching to the farthest corners of the Outer Rim. Master and apprentice will discover a plot that threatens the entire Republic and see their loyalties–to the Jedi and each other–tested like never before. Can Anakin protect those he loves, and can Obi-Wan prevent the outbreak of all-out war?
Capturing the galaxy-spanning action of Attack of the Clones, experience Episode II as a beautiful graphic novel combining the epic wonder of Star Wars with streamlined, young-reader friendly designs. This all-ages graphic novel is a must-read for longtime fans and a great introduction for young newcomers!
The review;
Following on from the IDW graphic novel adaptation of The Phantom Menace, this one continues using the iconic Prequels movie posters. Cryssy Cheung has captured the romantic embrace of Anakin and Padmé so beautifully, with the use of soft, warm pastels only adding to the tenderness of the moment. Underneath are the foreboding silhouettes of clone troopers and spider droids, hinting at the battle that will break the Jedi and the senator apart.
One of the largest story elements for Attack of the Clones is the politics. It’s the machinations of the Republic against the Separatists. So, how do you translate that into a graphic novel aimed at younger readers? Young padawans aren’t here for senatorial votes after all. Ferrari has kept a lot of the more important parts, and glosses over some of the longer, complex conversations. Instead, he really focusses in on the relationships Anakin has with both Obi Wan and Padmé, bringing the story into a much more human and relatable lens.
So, this includes Obi Wan’s teachings of patience and calm (not that they did much good), as he mentors Anakin. There are valuable moral lessons in here, amusingly paired with the perfectly drawn looks of frustration by Chimisso. Teaching anything, let alone the mysteries of the Force, is difficult and Obi Wan struggles to teach as much as Anakin struggles to learn. This is a basic concept any reader can find a mirror of in their own life, and it reads well in this graphic novel.
Attack of the Clones is one of the slower Star Wars films, and what action there was Ferrari has also cut down to fit within the page-length parameters. The tense chase above Coruscant is far shorter, though this makes sense as without the gripping electric guitar score of John Williams it isn’t that climactic. Also, Obi Wan’s duel against Jango Fett is far shorter and less violent. This isn’t to criticise the adaptation at all, but fans who know the film will also notice what’s missing. And whilst some fights have been made less violent, Ferrari doesn’t shy away from Cordé’s death or Zam Wesell losing her hand, nor Anakin going berserk at the Tusken Raider camp.
It’s the ways in which Anakin, Padmé and Obi Wan navigate the galaxy on the brink of war that are at the forefront. By splitting the story three ways, readers get to see the multiple threads at play, all being pulled by Palpatine. The scenes about grief and loss experienced by Padmé as she loses her loyal handmaiden, and Anakin as he holds Shmi until her final breaths are perhaps the most poignant. While there may be fun, lighter elements to this story, the loss that comes with war is already starting to creep through.
All this emotion is fantastically portrayed in the unique style of Chimisso, which runs throughout the IDW graphic novel adaptations. Padmé in particular looks amazing in this style, emphasising her eyes and capturing her many wardrobe changes. Anakin’s angst and conflicted feelings come across really well, though his hair perhaps borderlines a Mohican in some panels. While he only makes a few appearances, Chimisso has really caricatured Count Dooku and it looks so good, really elongating his face and giving the Count a permanent scowl. Palpatine is perhaps the most surprising – he seems a bit too friendly looking. There’s also some changes of angle and composition that gives some nice differences between this adaptation and the original film.
While there have been a few adaptations for Attack of the Clones, this one is possibly the most perfect for younger readers as it leans away from the politics as much as it can. The core cast is at the forefront of the story, so there’s changes in location and plot that will engage readers of all ages. Meanwhile older readers may gravitate towards the moral dilemmas faced by the characters. Alessandro Ferrari, Igor Chimisso, Davide Turotti and the rest of the team at IDW have brought together a brilliantly fresh take on Episode II. Yoda’s warning about how it is impossible to see the future rings true in a galaxy far, far away and is probably going to be true about the upcoming New Year as well.
Availability;
Star Wars: Attack of the Clones – Graphic Novel Adaptation was published by IDW Publishing. This issue retails at $9.99 and is available from all good comic book stores in the USA and from Forbidden Planet and Amazon in the UK.
