Published: August 26, 2020
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artist: Derek Charm (1-3; 19-20), Davide Tinto (4-18)
Colourist: Luis Antonio Delgado (1-3; 19-20), Thomas Deer (4-18)
Letterer: Jake M. Wood
Cover Artist: Derek Charm
The synopsis;
This exciting weekly series explores a time of great upheaval in the galaxy-the Clone Wars! While Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and other Jedi Knights fight against incredible odds, Commander Cody, Captain Rex, and other clones, pinned down for the duration, swap war stories that feature your favorite characters from The Clone Wars animated series, such as Padmé Amidala, General Grievous, and many more!
The review;
The penultimate issue of this incredible series has arrived (and far quicker than the last one!). For me, this is the best series so far written by Michael Moreci, who already sets an extremely high bar that few can match. His in depth look a characters so far in this series has been outstanding, and with Derek Charm and Star Wars newcomer Davide Tinto illustrating, I can’t wait to see what this issue will bring.
This is the first comic of this story not to feature any major characters except clones. Added to that, the flashback that occurs belongs to a clone that makes his debut appearance in this issue, Heater. It’s quite a brave change, particularly this close to the end of the series and with so many familiar characters begging for attention. Yet Moreci endures and what comes out is a very thought-provoking issue. Although Heater is a new clone to a galaxy far, far away, you instantly get the feeling that you know him. He seems so familiar that I even had to double check that I hadn’t seen him before in one of the television series. Moreci uses Heater to show us that not all clones are the same and ties up what I’ve always considered a gaping plot hole in the prequel films. I remember talking to my brother and his friend after first seeing Attack of the Clones, predicting that the clones would revolt because there is that one shot where the viewer is told that the clones are totally obedient. Yet in the next frame, we see a clone looking around and clearly not being totally obedient. There was a look in his eye that said he wasn’t buying. Nothing ever came from this. For me, Moreci explains that in this issue (intentionally or not). For all their brilliance at cloning, the kaminoans haven’t been able to get it exactly right, there are still those clones with questions.
What then emerges is a way for these clones to redeem themselves to earn their freedom. With it, comes the lesson of this issue, family and teamwork. Moreci has a habit of writing very current issues and this comic is no different. Working together as a team or unit, rather than going off by oneself, is what is on a lot of people’s minds all around the world. In the recent months, we have had to come together to try and achieve a united result, even when at times we ourselves might have wanted to be removed from it. Moreci has tapped into this with Heater and his fellow clones. With this clone unit, Moreci is able to replicate the feeling from the original The Clone Wars series of when the viewer follows the ARC troopers through the city, or the feeling of Delta Squad from the Republic Commando game, that this unit is a family in its own right. It’s an impressive feat in such a short space.
Separatists led by nothing by droids, it’s another jump in the dark. There is a reason for most stories, whether they be comics, books or television shows, that there is an organic leader. Moreci ignores this and shows that having just droids can work and work well. There is some light humour with the droids, it is very minimal and used sparingly, which means the effect is so much greater. This is a serious story, but like the movies, there is humour to relieve the pressure, but not provide gags. The droids and the lead tactical droid have more about them than you would think. Moreci makes them feel like a real threat, which they should be. Why else would an entire galaxy be at war for so long.
With such thought-provoking writing, Charm and Tinto have to provide the visuals for this tale. Charm, as always, does a wonderful job for bookending the comic. As I’ve said in my previous reviews, his work suits this story perfectly as his art really has the feel of the original animated The Clone Wars show and takes me back to my younger self watching them for the first time. From the wide action shots, with blaster fire all around, to the close ups of the clones, it feels so true to Star Wars. It was with a jolt of surprise when I turned the page to find the beginning of Davide Tinto’s work. This is like nothing the rest of the series has provided so far. It is a dramatic change of style and the artwork really makes you sit up in your seat… after bringing your jaw up off the ground. Tinto’s artwork is mesmerising. The detail in the artwork makes you stare at panel after panel trying to take it all in. There is a very anime feel to it that really works for the clones, particularly when suited up. At a different point in this series, I don’t know if it would have worked so effectively, yet with the clones, it feels like Tinto was born to draw them. The action shots carry you along so well that you can almost feel yourself jolt when an explosion goes off in the story. Together, Charm and Tinto really provide two very different styles that actually work really well side by side. Charm has the feel of The Clone Wars series and Tinto really making you sit up and take note of these clones that we have only just met.
The best writers stop and make you think, and Moreci definitely does that in this issue. Since Attack of the Clones, there has been layer after layer added to their characters, making fans rethink what we know about them. Moreci adds another crucial layer to them and ties up a loose end left by the film. These clones are not the same and each has their own ideas and thoughts about what they are doing. They have to find peace with that while still being part of a wider family. The issues explored in this comic relate very much to what is happening in the world today and, hopefully, will make people think about their own families and communities. If that were not enough, the incredible art from Charm and Tinto really communicates the story perfectly. For Star Wars newcomer Tinto, I really hope this isn’t the last we see of him, his work has certainly made an impression! Next issue is unfortunately going to be the last of the series. I can’t wait to see where Moreci takes us, yet I have a sinking feeling I’m going to have the same complaint I have with all of Moreci’s work… I want more…
Availability;
Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars – Battle Tales is a five-part 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.
