Published: July 3, 2024
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Rated: T
Writer: Rodney Barnes
Artist: Ramon Rosanas
Colour Artist: GURU-eFX
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Nick Bradshaw & Neeraj Menon
The synopsis;
THE JEDI MUST DIE!
• Weapons of the EMPEROR, sent out into the galaxy to track down and kill any Jedi who survived ORDER 66, the ruthless INQUISITORS are among the most skilled and deadly threats to those who served the light side of the Force.
• Buried in the annals of Jedi lore is the story of TENSU RUN, the Jedi who faced the Inquisitors and DARTH VADER!
• What became of him, and why did the EMPIRE so greatly fear his existence?
The review;
Mark: Ever since their introduction in Star Wars Rebels, the inquisitors have been a group that has garnered much interest. From the Grand Inquisitor himself, to the minions that serve beneath him. Through the games, the comics and even live action television shows, they continue to enthrall fans. Only recently in Tales of the Empire, did we see their latest appearance on screen. Fans are always wanting to know more. This first issue of Inquisitors will hopefully whet the appetite of many fans out there. Hoping to achieve this is writer Rodney Barnes, who has done a number of Star Wars comic adaptations as well as Lando: Double or Nothing. Joining him is artist Ramon Rosanas. I’m very pleased to see him back as he did a number of issues for the main ruin of Star Wars, and I can’t wait to see his artwork for Star Wars again. So, Kat, ready to dive in?
Kat: Absolutely! We open on the Grand Inquisitor on a mission to locate someone – Tensu Run. Apparently, he’s a Jedi on the run, one who has thwarted the Empire on many occasions. His name is inspiring hope throughout the galaxy, which is something the Inquisitors cannot allow. I really liked the Grand Inquisitor’s opening monologue. It felt very dogmatic and in character, so much so that I could hear Jason Isaacs’ voice as I was reading it.
Mark: Oh absolutely! One thing that Barnes does so well are the ‘voices’ in this issue. Isaac’s voice comes through loud and clear, the pauses, the beats, it’s all there. It really helps to immerse you in this comic. In fact, the whole opening I thought was a great introduction to the story. The quiet, peaceful location of the camp followed by the Grand Inquisitor bringing his troops to disturb what should have been peaceful. The imagery of the whole scene works amazingly well.
And as we’re talking about voices, the Elder I could not help but see and hear Edward James Olmos coming out of the pages. Even for such a minor character in the grander scheme of the story, it has such an impact. It feels incredibly cinematic. You could almost hear the surrounding wildlife and then the sheer silence as the Grand Inquisitor interrogates the people. It’s certainly the way to start an opening issue! Of course, Barnes then uses it to show just how far the Inquisitors will go.
Kat: We’ve seen in Kenobi and Jedi: Fallen Order, just how brutal the Inquisitors are, determined to hunt down the last remnants of the Jedi in the galaxy. What I really liked is how the Grand Inquisitor is being this brutal but has Vader’s threats hanging over him. He’s not immune to the vengeance of his own Master. It really captures this sense of servitude – the Inquisitors may be able to exist as Force users, but they are not free.
The Jedi he’s hunting is Tensu Run, who reminded me a little bit of Han Solo with some Kanan Jarrus. He’s been trying to thwart the plans of the Empire and appears to be a powerful Jedi. While I did like the idea of a Jedi vigilante, I have to admit that his name took me out of the moment a bit. Tensu Run and he’s on the literal run from the Empire? It felt like too obvious a joke. But his character clearly has a lot of potential, though he’s in a lot of danger from the Inquisitors.
Mark: As much as this comic is centered around the Inquisitors, it is so much more than that. Tensu Run really is a charismatic character and I agree with you Kat that there are pieces of other characters here that really tap into that roguish element. His running around, trying to build up hope in the galaxy fits into what we know. All across the galaxy, we know that little fires are beginning to awake, to try and go up against the Empire. In Kenobi, we know just how much the Jedi are being hunted, and this story seems to bring the two elements so well together. With how they do the retelling of Run’s story, it feels like the man and the myth. How much is to be believed, how much is exaggeration and does it even matter? This is a man trying to instill hope and achieving a huge number of followers as a result.
Now I think I have to mention at this point the incredible artwork by Rosanas. It is so good to see his artwork back, I have really missed it. The warm feel of the opening location to the Imperial decks of the Devastator are just incredible. I’ve just finished rewatching Kenobi with my daughter and this felt like it was taken straight from there. Vader and anything Imperial just feels so well done.
Kat: I completely agree! But we keep bringing up Kenobi, and this does highlight a potential path for Star Wars: Inquisitors. Not many Jedi survive being hunted. We saw that from the amber imprisoned relics that lined a room in Fortress Inquisitorius. Considering the potential impact that Tensu Run poses, will he actually survive this series? It feels too obvious that the Jedi vigilante will die, but that is the Inquisitor’s purpose.
In some ways this opening issue felt a little too familiar plot-wise, but I’m hopeful that Barnes can write a twist that makes Star Wars: Inquisitors truly unique. I did love getting a sloth alien! New favourite background character unlocked. He reminded me of Flash from Zootopia! With the set-up of this first issue, what are your hopes for this series?
Mark: Well like you say, there are some things that seem very obvious – too obvious – and I’m hoping and excited to see what strange directions Barnes goes off in to provide this series some individuality over other stories in the franchise. I am really enjoying exploring more of the Inquisitors, I guess after Tales of the Empire, this couldn’t have come at a better time! And always, I want to see more of Rosanas’ work, it was great to see it again here and the contrast between the beauty of nature and the clinical, cold edge of the Empire. Hopefully, issue two will cast more insight to where the series is heading.
Availability;
Star Wars: Inquisitors is a 4-part mini-series published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $4.99 and is available online from comiXology and your local comic book store.
