Published: September 8, 2021
Cover Artist: Francesco Francavilla
Separation Anxiety, Part One
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Colourist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Johanna Nattalie
Trade Relations
Writer: Vita Ayala
Artist: Devaun Dowdy
Colourist: Charlie Kirchoff
Letterer: Johanna Nattalie
The synopsis;
Mace Windu and his Lightning Squadron land on the planet Ridlay, which has gone mysteriously dark, expecting a Separatist attack. But what they find instead is a surprise to them all. Then, Boba Fett makes his Star Wars Adventures debut as he clashes with Han Solo in the time before Episode IV!
The review;
We’re already back to Star Wars Adventures! Last issue was one of the strongest we have seen from the rebirth of the series so I’m eager to see what is in store this time. First is one of my all-time favourite Star Wars writers, Michael Moreci. Moreci has impressed me for many years with his ability to capture character voices so perfectly and write stories that feel like Star Wars through and through. He is joined by veteran Michael von Oeming, who is new to Adventures, but once illustrated an article in Star Wars Gamer. His use of shadows in his other works is incredible and I can’t wait to see what he does for this tale. The Second tale is by Vita Ayala, a newcomer to Star Wars but well known in the comic world. They are joined by Devaun Dowdy, another Star Wars newcomer. I will say for this second tale, that the issue states it is called Trade Relations, but this was the title from the previous issue! So please forgive me for using the wrong title, I’m hoping the physical print has the correct name! Lots of new faces, I can’t wait to see what they can bring to a galaxy far, far away.
Separation Anxiety is a two-part tale that starts beautifully. I mentioned that Oeming’s other works really utilise shadow and this Star Wars story is no different. From the very first panel, the use of shadows is very noticeable, the dark quality really sets the tone and atmosphere for the tale. It reminds me very much of Batman as it’s very much not about what you can see, but what you can’t, and allowing the reader’s imagination to fill in the blanks. It is done extremely well and suits the character of Windu as well as the story. The characters look fantastic, particularly the clones, who have the shows bouncing off their armour. I can’t wait to see more of Oeming’s work next issue.
The art is fantastic and so is the story Moreci has concocted. This is a Mace Windu story, a character that didn’t get nearly enough screen time in the films, but this has allowed the character to take an almost mysterious edge to it. Moreci keeps this mystery continuing throughout the story. We don’t learn too much about the character beyond what we already know. He is a closed book, who is there to do a job. This doesn’t take away from the story or feel that there is something lacking, this is Windu as he always has been. He is supposed to seem almost aloof of everyone else around him. What Moreci does do is reinforce who the character is. The very start of the story, Moreci has Mace communicating with Anakin. Even in the space of a page, you can really feel the tension between these two characters, that they do not see eye to eye. Anakin is trying to offer support to Windu, yet Windu is confident he doesn’t need it. Moreci creates the impression that Mace is taking this as a slight insult from Skywalker to even suggest that he might need help, that someone lesser than him could even support him, particularly Anakin. Moreci could have had this communication with anyone, yet it is Anakin he chooses, to really cement the character of Mace. It also shows the arrogance of some of the Jedi that will eventually lead to their downfall.
Moreci continues with examine the character of Mace through the use of ghosts. Mace is confident in his power but also a little arrogant in his knowledge. He looks on the inhabitants of Ridlay with a downcast eye when ghosts are mentioned, as if such a thing isn’t possible. While I was reading it, it struck me as strange and then Moreci uses the clones to voice my exact feelings. Mace can believe in the force, an unseen force, but not in ghosts. Mace explains how it is different to him but from a non-Force user, you could see that the explanation didn’t hold much sway. I don’t know if I was the only one who was reading, hoping for Mace to be proved wrong! Although I love the character, Moreci is really showing the negatives of Windu as well. He is able to do this without diminishing the character, his flaws are what make him him. It also highlights how different Mace is to Yoda. Both very powerful, yet one is very stubborn and rigid, the other grows to be more accepting.
As always with Moreci, the voices of all the characters comes through very loud and clear. You can’t read this story without Samuel L. Jackson’s voice coming through loud and clear, or Dee Bradley Baker for the clones. Moreci’s work always has a way of fully immersing you in the story from this fact alone, coupled with such powerful artwork from Oeming and you are onto a winner. I can’t wait to read the concluding part next issue.
The second story focuses on everyone’s favourite smuggler, Han Solo. The start of the story works very well. Ayala strips back everything to have just Han and Chewie onboard the falcon. To hear the two bickering was wonderful, having that old, married couple feeling, as well as bringing in the humour. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that we don’t often have these two by themselves, forming the relationship to where it is at the start of the original movies. We then get to see Han being Han and I suppose this would be where my one complaint comes in. For me, the synopsis of the story gives the game away for readers to what is going on, where I would have much preferred it a mystery; Boba Fett is in this story. Ayala uses Fett perfectly, short, mysterious and then gone in a few short panels. It is how Fett should always be used. Yet knowing Fett was in the story before reading the issue, meant the surprise reveal wasn’t surprising! I think there would have been far more impact if his appearance in this issue had been kept a secret. Dowdy utilises a cartoon style for the story, that allows him to tell a very fast-paced, action-packed tale well. What was really exceptional were the vehicles. The Falcon and the speeder are all well drawn and the detail on them really reels you into the story.
The two tales in this issue are very different. One is light and fast-paced, the other dark and creepy. It’s what I love about Adventures, that there is something for everyone’s tastes here. I can’t wait to see what else Moreci and Oeming have in store for us next issue. Ayala and Dowdy make great debuts in this issue that are unfortunately a bit overshadowed by having the twist revealed in the synopsis. Yet this doesn’t take away from the great character building of Chewie and Han. Until next time…
Availability;
Star Wars Adventures is an ongoing series available from IDW Publishing. This issue is available from all good comic bookstores in the USA and from Forbidden Planet in the UK. This issue retails at $3.99.
