Published: October 12, 2022
Rating: T
Story & Art: Takashi Okazaki
English Translation: Aki Yanagi
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Takashi Okazaki
The synopsis;
FROM THE CREATIVE MIND BEHIND THE STAR WARS: VISIONS EPISODE “THE DUEL” COMES AN ALL NEW STORY!
TAKASHI OKAZAKI (Afro Samurai) is continuing his storytelling from the acclaimed STAR WARS: VISIONS episode “THE DUEL,” featuring the Ronin!
With an art style depicted directly from “THE DUEL” – grey tones with exciting color for lightsabers and blasts – the mythology of STAR WARS infused with elements of Feudal Japan makes this issue a MUST READ for STAR WARS and MANGA fans alike!
The review;
Star Wars Visions must be one of the unique ways of showing Star Wars on the screen. Some people absolutely loved it and the different art forms that were shown. If I’m being completely honest, it didn’t strike too much of a chord with me, with the exception of one episode, The Duel. I’m quite a fan of Japanese literature and the history of the country, which to have elements of it brought into the episode and mixed in with Star Wars was interesting and enjoyable. Of course, it was jarring at first, I mean this isn’t something we usually see in Star Wars, at least not in this way. Yet Star Wars has a lot of its routes based on Japanese history and film. This soon became apparent the more of The Duel you watched. Now Takashi Okazaki is back with another tale, featuring The Ronin, a prequel to his adventures. At first when I saw the title of Visions, I almost dismissed it. But then realising what was in this one shot, I couldn’t help but be intrigued.
There is a short story here that is relaxing and though provoking. Yet for me, this is not the main reason to appreciate this issue: it’s the artwork. Okazaki draws his own work and to say it is stunning would be an understatement. The use of colour, or lack thereof, in places is simply wonderful. The blind man with the droids ‘eyes’ been coloured feels like a symbol in and of itself, that the droid is the one that sees for him. The blasters and lightsabers, all coloured as weapons of destruction. It all feels right, not overdone but to a level that you notice when there is colour and the message that Okazaki is trying to convey to his reader. Make no mistake, this story is about the visuals that we see as much as the narrative itself. Although there are words, this story could easily be understood by the imagery alone.
It’s this fact that I really like, because the message at the art of the issue, the warning that is handed to the men, is that appearances can be deceiving. An interesting message to give when Okazaki is using a lot of visuals to explain the story. Whether you realise it or not, but as a reader, you are also being presented with this warning and it is probably one that you do not heed… at leats right away. It is a perfect illustration that the short story presented here has several layers, all building on one another, providing a story like no other.
The story takes the Ronin into battle following by some respite where he meets the blind man. One of my favourite pages (and I say one of – as there are so many pages and panels that are jaw dropping) is the transition from the planet to the skyline, to the settlement. This could ave easily been another episode of Visions. There is a lot of talking between the two, where we learn more, a lot more. The events of the Clone Wars, the history of the man and an encounter with the Father. Now, as soon as this occurred my Star Wars brain went into overdrive. Is this just some metaphoric father or do we actually mean The Father from the Mortis Trilogy? It’s not really answered and I’m so glad it isn’t! Some of the bet’s stories leave a little mystery for readers to solve, to ponder over and eventually decide what they believe. Okazaki poses a few of these! Because although this is Visions, it also fits into the Star Wars lore in a warped way, making the speculation even more fun! Thrown into this is also a montage of the people the Ronin has killed, again another incredible panel that will have you taking a pause to try and absorb everything that can be seen.
Of course, there is a lesson to all of this, appearances can be deceiving, bringing the comic full circle to where is began. It will make you wonder who the intended recipient was of what was shown and spoken at the start of the issue, was it the men, or was it being said to us. For a single one-shot issue, this brings a very satisfying conclusion, at least to that part. Because there are some mysteries, the first and most obvious, to who is the blind man. A purple lightsaber (of sorts) who is blind. Okazaki teases us with the man even quoting Mace Windu and then laughing. Make no mistake that laugh is most definitely meant for us! But is it a laugh at playing with us and our thoughts, or laughing at the obviousness of it all?
This is a comic that is so perfect in its storytelling, in its artwork and in its execution. It adds to the story we were first shown in Visions and expands on it, while viewing of the episode itself is definitely not needed. It is very playful with the reader, in one way creating a wonderfully rounded issue while in another way, leaving far more questions than we could ever hope to answer. It brings clarity but also mysteries. In fact, it is made up of what the very best comics are, layers upon layers which can take many re-readings to try and understand them all. Okazaki has brought a refreshing take to a galaxy far, far away and although I would love there to be more, to be given more information, there is also something so perfect of it being a single issue to tease and keep you thinking about for years to come.
Availability;
Star Wars: Visions is an one-shot published by Marvel Comics. This issue is available via The Marvel App, ComiXology and from all good comic book stores and retails at $4.99.
