The Official Star Wars Fact File turns its attention to the true leader of the Republic, the Gungan General who led his people to victory against the tyranny of the Battle Droids and made ‘mesa’, ‘wesa’ and ‘bongo’ part of the common vernacular. Of course we’re talking about Jar Jar Binks, the star of issue 10 who shares the cover with another General, the heroic General Rieekan and General Grievous’ wheelbike, a vehicle with a surprising history. Let’s plunge in and swim to Otoh Gunga.
This week the Official Star Wars Fact File flies us from Coruscant and on the HMP Droid Gunship to battlefields galaxy wide via Maridun, the iconic Echo Base, Rahm Kota’s Rogue Shadow and ending up at that iconic wheelbike. It’s certainly a fast moving issue.
Battles and Events takes us to the skies of Coruscant at a vital juncture in the Clone Wars. Chancellor Palpatine has been taken captive by General Grievous and it’s up to the forces of good to find and rescue him from their vile clutches. Retelling the final episode of the Clone Wars Micro Series (and interestingly not using any images freomsaid series). The action then shifts to the iconic ‘waterfall shot’ from Revenge of the Sith and the action that ensued. Droids and Machines takes a look at the Heavy Missile Platform Droid Gunship, a ship familiar to any viewers of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Revenge of the Sith.
Humans and Aliens takes an in-depth look at the cover star Jar Jar Binks, a character beloved and loathed in equal measure but who undoubtedly had a huge impact on the fate of the galaxy, first by his innocent bumbling and then by his questionable political judgement. The Alderaanian general Carlist Rieekan is given the Fact Files treatment, looking at his surival of Alderaan, his key role in the establishment of Hoth and the search for a new base. As a long time Marvel fan it’s great to see Haven Base on Arbra get a mention. Planets and Locations steps into the Star Wars: The Clone Wars episode Defenders of Peace and the world of Maridun, a temperate world in the Rollon sector. Weapons and Technology looks at the iconic Echo Base, the long-sought new home of the Alliance after their evacuation of Yavin IV. We also take a look at the Scout Trooper blaster, a hold-out blaster designed for short ranges. Starships and Vehicles looks at the Rogue Shadow, the vessel based on Darth Mauls Sith Infiltrator originally designed for Darth Vader and the final entry looks at General Grievous’ Wheelbike, a vehicle first seen in the classic Droids cartoon back in the 80’s.
It’s another galaxy-spanning issue with a strong through-line focusing on the three Generals (Binks, Grievous and Riekaan) and events focused on Revenge of the Sith.
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