Published: September 13, 2006
Writer: John Ostrander & Jan Duursema
Penciler: Jan Duursema
Inker: Dan Parsons
Letterer: Michael David Thomas
Colourist: Brad Anderson
Editor: Randy Stradley
Cover Artist: Adam Hughes
The synopsis;
A man struggles with a dilemma: to claim his rightful heritage and save the galaxy, he will have to turn his back on his only kin and abandon them to a dark fate. Elsewhere, a long-kept secret gnaws at a ruthless bounty hunter. Revealing it could mean certain death for him and his companions but ignoring it just might drive him mad. An unpredictable third installment in the series that reveals the never-before-seen future of the ‘Star Wars universe! A galaxy of intrigue and danger, romance, and adventure awaits!
The review;
Star Wars Legacy, already two issues gone and the comparisons between this and the sequel trilogy are immense. Long before JJ Abrams began talking about going back to move forward, John Ostrander and Jan Duursema had already used this idea to tell a new era of Star Wars. The last two issues have all been about setting the scene. With a whole galaxy needing to be mapped out in a different time period, the numerous players introduced, there is no reason to think that issue three will be any different. And neither does it need to be. This is a reveal for new readers to Star Wars as well as older fans, everyone being on a level playing field…
As a new era of Star Wars, it was up to Duursema to create the designs for many of the ships. What really struck me in this issue was the similarity in designs to that of films in the Disney era. The first was the Crimson Axe used by Rav. Looking at how at the shape and how it has landed on the planet, you’d be forgiven to think that you were looking at a certain ship from Solo. In addition to this, looking at the shuttle that Roan Fel uses to land on Bastion, the wing design is incredibly similar to the wings on Kylo Ren’s shuttle in The Force Awakens. It is no secret that Lucasfilm likes to borrow ideas, it’s borrowed several before from Ostrander and Duursema. These designs, which seemed so unique at the time when I first read this series, suggest that Lucasfilm and their designers were also paying attention.
Cade has always been the main focus of this series so far and this issue is no different. We already know that Cade walks a very thin line between right and wrong, yet in this comic we get to see just how far into darkness he has fallen. Cade is a drug addict. To have a Skywalker, the ‘hero’ of the series relying on drugs is a very daring direction to take, yet one that makes Cade unique and also makes him such an interesting character. We get to see just how cut off he makes himself, even with his friends, who know that it isn’t the best thing for him to do. Cade doesn’t care; he just wants his next fix. I couldn’t help but think of Kylo at this point, how is always wanting to speak to Vader again, always looking for Snoke’s approval. He is just as addicted to Cade, but rather than a substance, he is addicted to power.
It isn’t until we are further into the issue that we get to see why Cade is so intent on taking drugs: Luke Skywalker. He appears to Cade as a force ghost. I always loved that Luke could still be a part of the story and it is here that there is the greatest break from the sequels. My main issue with the Sequel Trilogy was the treatment of Luke and, for me, they broke the biggest rule, you should never see Luke die. George Lucas always said it himself, it is something that should never happen. As a viewer, you could know about his death but not actually see it. Legacy did this perfectly. We never see it, don’t know how it happened and most importantly, it doesn’t matter. Of course, he has passed away, Luke can’t live forever. However, using the force ghost route, even after so many years, brings us back to one of our heroes that we fell in love when first viewing the movie. What is perhaps rather ironic, is that Luke is telling Cade to not try and dull his connection to the force, yet in the Sequel Trilogy this is exactly what Luke himself does. The scene between Cade and Luke is wonderful because we can relate so much to each character. Cade feels the Skywalker name is a curse, a burden that, no matter how much the galaxy is saved, needs to keep bringing them back to do it all again. Luke, the hero we grew up watching, who we aspired to be, knows that it’s Cade’s destiny and that it can’t be fought against. We know what we want Cade to do, but also sympathise with the pressure that that puts onto his shoulders.
With this drug use, we also get to see who Cade’s boss, and supplier, is: Rav. He is the quintessential pirate. An alien from a water world with a ‘peg’ leg to boot. The feeorin are seen very little but it was a great choice by the writers to include this species. It’s these little nods to the established Star Wars universe that really help to ground the reader in this new era. We get to see men with ‘Lobot style’ implants and the 501st. Things that really mean a lot to fans of the galaxy. Bringing Bastion back was also a thrill when I first read this. Nowadays it’s a name that means very little, but in the Legends timeline, it meant a great deal for those of us who had followed all the books and comics.
Although the majority of the issue focuses on Cade, we also get to see Roan Fel, who was absent from issue two. He is a leader who inspires loyalty and we see how the men quickly listen to his command and give him their respect. He is a character we cannot be sure of. He rules the Empire, which instantly makes us think he must be bad. Yet the heir to Jaina Solo and Jagged Fel will pull readers back, that he must be good. Surely the descendent of Leia and Han wouldn’t turn face (ok that might be too easy a one to compare to Kylo!). I said last issue that Star Wars was very black and white and that Ostrander and Duursema started dealing with the grey. They move Fel far more into the grey with the issue of his daughter. He does not send help to his own blood because it could jeopardise the entire galaxy. Does that make him evil or able to see the bigger issue? Does that make him a bad father or someone willing to sacrifice for the sake of billions? It’s these greys that make reading this series so interesting, more realistic to our world.
As with all the issues so far, this comic does not put a foot wrong. We are still finding out the lay of the land, allowing Ostrander and Duursema to lay the foundation for a series that would last over fifty issues. They are taking their time and not rushing, there is no need and it makes the ride that bit more enjoyable. Their comics always feel so much longer than others, for the sheer depth and attention to detail. I’d completely forgotten that Cade has trousers that are almost identical to Vader’s, a visual sign of the line that Cade walks with the dark side. It’s these little things that add to the whole picture and paint such a vivid and interesting world, that you can’t help but been drawn in. The inclusion of Luke Skywalker caused waves when it was first seen, fans loving that their beloved hero was still about even after so many years in universe. As they’ve seemingly already borrowed so much from this series, maybe Disney might be able to persuade Mark Hamill to return to being a force ghost once again to guide a new generation…
Availability;
Star Wars Legacy was an ongoing originally released by Dark Horse Comics that ran from 2006 until 2011. It 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.
