Prisoner of Bogan Part One
For ten thousand years, the Jeidaii maintained a balance of the force on their homeworld of Tython. But when a powerful Force user named Xesh crashed on the planet, the entire world was threatened.
Three young Je’daii Journeyers who had sensed Xesh’s arrival, and who helped subdue him, believed he should remain on Tython for training. But the Je’daii Masters exiled the young man to the dark moon of Bogan for his own safety as well as the planet’s.
But an inhabitant of Bogan – banished for a mad vision – is anxious to meet Xesh. And, unbeknownst to all, Xesh’s former masters in the Rakatan Infinite Empire want him back…
That’s how writer, penciller and scripter John Ostrander and Jan Duursema, inker Dan Parsons, colourist Wes Dzioba, letterer Michael Heisler and cover artist David Michael Beck launch the first issue of Prisoner of Bogan.
The Review
Set immediately after the hugely successful series, Force Storm, Prisoner of Bogan continues the adventures of Je’daii Journeyers Shae Koda, Sek’nos Rath and Tasha Ryo, and recently freed Force Hound Xesh. Set in approximately 36,453 BBY, the storyline focuses on the origins of the Jedi Order as it evolves from its more primitive origins when the Light and Dark side of the Force are still being understood and interpreted by its earliest adherents.
The issue opens on Predor Skal’nas exploding in fury on his Force Hound, the beautiful, yet lethal, Trill. The Rakatan overlord is livid that he has not received what he considers due tribute from his subject, Tul’kar, in the form of the location of a Force-rich world he wants for his own. In the midst of his rant, his Force sensitive, humanoid slave offers to find the planet herself.
Readers should remember that it was Trill who first felt the presence of the planet, but considered it impossible to track its true location due to extra-planetary interference. Xesh, her one-time cohort, opted to find the planet himself, but was sidetracked on his journey (see: Force Storm mini-series).
Following Trill’s decision, we flash to Xesh meditating on the moon Bogan. Whether he’s been exiled there or sent to reflect on the nature of the Force seems to be a matter of interpretation. As he ponders the balance between the Light and the Dark, his mind flashes to his earlier life as a slave of Tul’kar. Filled with pain and suffering, it was then that he was trained to forge anger and hate into something more powerful and sinister still as a Force Hound. The story goes on to quickly recount Force Storm, outlining how Xesh’s ship exploded over the planet Tython. Surviving the explosion by killing his former master and stealing the ship’s escape pod, Xesh goes on to encounter the three aforementioned Je’daii Journeyers. His is particularly taken with Shae Koda for reasons he cannot seem to fathom. While he originally is drawn to her radiant Light side, it seems likely that there are romantic feelings there, as well.
Xesh’s reverie is interrupted by a passing sentry droid that informs him a supply ship will be arriving soon. Xesh seems intent on making his escape utilizing the vehicle intended to provide his sustenance, believing the Je’daii do not care about him, but merely want him imprisoned away from the rest of the worlds. While mentally reviewing his plan, Xesh is attacked by the possibly crazed Je’daii Master and titular character, Daegen Lok. Gaining a quick upper hand by utilizing a Mind Twist, Xesh turns things quickly back to his own favor using his own Force enhanced martial arts. During their battle, Lok questions Xesh as to why he had appeared on Bogan. Lok had an earlier Force vision that featured, amongst other things, Xesh himself. It was for this vision and his refusal to denounce its veracity that Lok had been banished to Bogan. Realizing that the Force must somehow be at play, the two form a shaky alliance that is cemented when Lok frees Xesh of his shackles.
The action then turns to the Journeyers, who are practicing fighting techniques at Stav Kesh, located in the Ice Giant Range of Tython, with Master Tave. The Master quickly senses unease within the disciples, who then admit they cannot understand why the Je’daii Council seemingly dismissed their shared vision when they first approached them with it. Tave tries to put them at ease, explaining they should not be so quick to judge. He believes the Council has taken the vision very seriously. It simply has not come to a final conclusion as to what steps should be taken next.
At this point, Je’daii Masters Rajivari and Ketu join the storyline. The former a retired general intent on finding balance through meditation and the latter the Je’daii Temple Master, the two confer on how to respond to the ominous vision that is the heart of so much intrigue.
Simultaneously, Lok has shown Xesh an alien ship he has found abandoned on Bogan. However, he is unable to fly the thing, as its power source apparently has run dry. Lok recounts his journey into the Chasm, where he had his vision that may or may not have driven him mad. Xesh recognizes the drawings Lok has made as a Forcesaber, a “sword of fire” he once himself wielded. Acknowledging he could build another one, Xesh admits his familiarity with the vessel and powers the ship with his anger-filled fuel, almost to the point of overloading the power cells. Lok and Xesh have another stand-off before their truce resumes. Lok decides to leave things be for the moment, but hints that he will turn on his new ally as soon as the appropriate opportunity presents itself.
Next Issue: The Hunt Begins!
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