Comic Review: Rogue One – Jyn Erso #1 (One-Shot)

The format of this issue works very well. The opening page is a one-page montage of everything that happens to Jyn. It happens in the blink of an eye, but it sets everything up really well, right up to seeing Jyn in Wobani, which is where we first see an adult version of her in the film. It’s as if Sacks wants us to imagine we’re watching the movie, reminiscing and then before you know it, he’s going to delve into this particular bit. This is the part not in the film. It works very well, particularly as a celebration of the tenth anniversary. It also really helps to set the tone for this, that this is going to be a celebration of the movie. The opening blurb pays a small salute to the stories that have come previously and later on in the story, there is a very brief mention of Hadder (a character from the book Rebel Rising by Beth Regis that was released very close to the initial release of Rogue One) but the story doesn’t utilise it very much. That is because we are celebrating the film, not the stories inspired by it, and the story benefits from this focus.

The main focus here is – of course – on Jyn and that never strays. Sacks may introduce characters, but they are never stealing the light from what is happening to Jyn. We see that Jyn is completely out of hope. Even when there is a chance of escape, she doesn’t leap at the chance. She has settled on her fate and knows that it is never going to change. With everything that she has gone through, she knows that any time she gives someone a chance, they ultimately let you down. This is an important aspect to help appreciate why she is so skeptical when Cassian picks her up, why she acts so apathetic when at the Rebel base. She’s not looking for another chance; she’s already given up on those.

While Sacks is quick to point out just how much the fire has gone out, he also stokes the flames ever so slightly. Yes, Jyn may have given up, but there is a very tiny flicker of something that still remains, one that believes that this chance could possibly be it. When a group of prisoners comes along, opportunity strikes and Jyn begins to help. What I really like about this is that Sacks shows us that Erso is good with numbers and a great slicer. We don’t see this side of her in the film, but it makes complete sense, particularly when considering who her father is and what Saw would have directed her to in terms of learning skills. It’s also a perfect example of why this comic works so well. It’s not about making a shocking new story that will change how you view Rogue One. It’s about providing extra little snippets of information that enhance your viewing of the film. That’s the way to celebrate it.

While the characters that run along the story, we will probably never see again, one character makes an impression on Jyn: Theera. Sacks plays this as how Jyn will appear in Theera’s story. Jyn might have been let down by everyone she knows, but that doesn’t mean that she must let down everyone she knows. It’s an important message and really adds to how this character thinks and behaves. She’s willing to put herself out for others, she’s willing to be the hope for others even if she herself has no hope.

The artwork by Rosanas is, as always, wonderful. There is no better word than I can think of but crisp. The images, the battles, the setting, Rosanas knows exactly what he wants to present to the reader and does it with confidence. I love the design and look of the planet of Wobani and how the detention centre runs. This is the side that we don’t get to see in the film, and I really enjoy seeing what the prisoners were actually doing. This is further enhanced by Sacks, who presents the idea that the work the prisoners do is by toxic fumes, meaning stormtroopers aren’t present. It’s the perfect excuse for some Imperial Security droids, which gives the whole comic a Rogue One feel.

I was really impressed with the Cassian release of this series, and I am similarly impressed with this one. Sacks is not trying to go and create a mind changing story, he’s not giving us a completely different take on the film that will have readers shocked to their core. He is providing a story that fills in some of the blanks and enhances the viewing of the movie. While there are some beautifully subtle nods to the other lore out there, it never focuses on them, allowing the comic to stand as a celebration of the actual film as opposed to the characters that have developed outside of those two hours. It does what it ultimately is meant to do, add some flavour to the film, just enough that it will make readers want to go back and watch the movie, with the newly aquatinted knowledge nestled in the back of their minds.