Published: May 1, 2024
Rated: T
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Will Sliney
Colours: GURU-eFX
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover: Phil Noto
The synopsis;
CELEBRATING THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PHANTOM MENACE WITH AN ALL-NEW STORY!
Explore the earliest days and secret inner life of ANAKIN SKYWALKER with never-before-seen, revelatory stories set before, after and between the scenes of the classic movie! Featuring the dream of a JEDI, the gift of a TUSKEN RAIDER, the heart of a GUNGAN, the ache of a mother and the horror of a hero!
The review;
Twenty-five years. It seems so long ago now. At the age of thirteen, I can remember all the hype around the release of Episode One: The Phantom Menace. People buying so much merchandise because it was going to be so valuable in years to come. People going crazy over the new fully digital rendition of Jar Jar Binks. People saying that this was going to be the best Star Wars film yet! Then we all saw it. Now I’m not here to judge the film but it was the first new Star Wars film I had seen in the cinema. Yes, I’d seen the special editions in 1997, but that wasn’t the same as seeing a brand new, never before seen film up there on the big screen. It holds a lot of nostalgia for a lot of fans. Time has both been kind and unkind to the film. While I think the story is looked on more fondly now, the digital technologies used have become somewhat dated. It seems to be out of all the movies, including the originals, the one that has dated the most. That doesn’t mean there is not a lot of love out there for it. Even twenty-five years later.
To coincide with this release, Marvel have released a special, one-shot comic that’s going to help us view the film in a completely new light. I love stories that can do this and I’m eager to read this before going to see The Phantom Menace again this weekend. How will it change my perceptions after all this time? Writer Greg Pak is taking on the challenge along with artist Will Sliney. Neither should be strangers to Star Wars readers. Pak is the main writer on Darth Vader and Sliney has a host of Star Wars titles (and non-Star Wars titles) he has worked on in the past. It’s a tall order to take something that has been around for twenty-five years. The imagery, the characters, we know them so well. Together, I’m sure Pak and Sliney will provide us something highly enjoyable to read.
The story opens with Shmi having to leave Anakin on Tatooine; at least we think so. We fiddle out that we’re viewing Anakin’s dream about freeing the slaves. It’s a lovely little nod to something that we hear about in the film and even better that the likeness of Hayden Christiansen can be added to the moments to give that full circle to the imagery. My only complaint was that it wasn’t long enough! I loved seeing it and I really wanted more. In the dream we can see just what sort of pain Shmi is in when she believes Anakin is coming for her, that she will have to leave her son. I also find it very interesting that in his dream, Anakin has a yellow lightsaber. Small little details that bring a smile and intrigue to fans.
We then see Anakin in Mos Eisley, having to fetch parts for Watto. While there, he helps to free a Tusken Raider who has been made into a slave. It’s Anakin already making good on his dream, wanting to do the right thing. Here we are seeing the idealistic boy, the boy who isn’t dealing with realities. The one that we know – when he is older – can’t just go around freeing slaves. Here, he has all the good intentions, but these dwindle when he becomes a Jedi. Pak does a fantastic job having the slave as a Tusken. It instantly brings to mind Attack of the Clones. Here, now, Anakin is helping others as the young innocent boy he is in several year’s time he will be back, older, more disillusioned and destroying the Tusken as opposed to saving them. It’s impossible not to make the comparison: once compassion to then end in death.
We then see quick summaries of the parts of the film. I want to mention the work by Sliney here as the artwork in this issue is outstanding. Tatooine looks incredible. The detail, the colour, the cinematic panels, it all works brilliantly. Yet the two-page spreads that contain the images from the movie are very well designed and laid out. It increases the pacing of the issue and helps the overall flow of the story having them. I’m really impressed with what’s here and I found myself pausing just to admire the panels.
There’s a sense in this issue, that even at the young age he is, that Anakin is doing the impossible again and again. We know from all the stories, the television shows, the movies, that Anakin is able to push the boundaries. On the one hand it’s amazing to see, the power, the ability to become more than he is. Yet when you see how Pak and Sliney come together to present the story, you can also feel the fear, the worry, about what happens if it goes wrong. We all know it ends disastrously, yet to create that feeling while reading about an innocent, kind-natured boy, is quite an achievement. You get more of a sense through this issue why Obi-Wan and the council are so cautious. You also get swept up with Qui-Gon on why he should be trained. This debate echoes throughout the second half of the issue and for me, brings a lot more clarity on this story point in the movie.
It wouldn’t be right to have an episode one comic and not have Jar Jar. Pak is a bit more subdued with the character. He’s not his bouncy self but calmer, collected Binks that we see very rarely in the movie. The story works better for it, but I do like that Jar Jar has a bit more interaction with Anakin, that he is able to offer words of wisdom.
The ending works very well, bringing the story full circle. We see how alone Shmi is yet also where she finds her strength. Even when only a few days or months have passed, we see that Anakin has already become somewhat of a legend. Stories are started to be told; his kindness is echoing around Tatooine. Here too, readers will start thinking of Attack of the Clones. A Tusken with a gesture of friendship, to when we see Shmi next, close to death by hands that are so similar. It is very poetic of Pak.
This is a comic that is a great way to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of The Phantom Menace. While I don’t think I’m going to watch the film any differently, it does provide clarity on some thin points in the movie, allowing fans to appreciate more the story as it is. The artwork by Sliney is superb and it’s worth the price of the comic by itself. Add the poetic story that Pak has assembled around an innocent boy, and you have something that is highly enjoyable and a great way to prime yourself for a rewatch of the start of the saga.
Availability;
Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace Anniversary Special #1 is a one-shot issue published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $4.99 and is an available from ComiXology and your local comic book store.
