Published: January 25, 2023
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Nico Leon
Colourist: Dono Sánchez-Almara
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Designer: Carlos Lao
Cover Artist: Phil Noto
The synopsis;
YODA HAS FAILED!
• Yoda’s experiment with the Scalvi has ended in disaster, the situation on Turrak worse than ever.
• A new generation has risen up since the Jedi Master first came to the planet, a generation that still hasn’t learned the most important lesson of all.
• Will Yoda abandon those who need him most in their hour of need?
The review;
Elegant. This series so far has been elegant. It has not only looked at Jedi Master Yoda in a playful way, but it has also taken its time to reflect on where the Jedi Order is, its flaws and the seeds of failure that will eventually be exploited by the Sith. Cavan Scott doesn’t do this by shouting it from the rooftop, making sure you see the message, he instead threads all of this throughout the story, much like Yoda himself, waiting for us, the reader, to grasp these lessons as we continue on the path laid before us. With Nico Leon at his side, Scott leads us on a journey that we don’t know where will end, yet the ride is proving very interesting. I’m sure this issue will be the same.
Scott does not disappoint, but where to begin. Time has passed on Turrak, Bree has grown up and become an uncle. Within the Scalvi he has become a legend for the killing we saw last issue. However, he takes no pride in this, instead showing remorse for the actions he took that day that led to Yoda leaving. Yoda was not happy with Bree and we can see from Nico Leon’s work that Yoda is blaming himself for that (I’ll come back to this in a moment). Bree can see what his actions have led to, a community that has glorified the killing of another, that the solution to a situation is through violence rather than peace. It’s the passing of time and hindsight that allows Bree to confront his mistake and acknowledge it.
On the other hand, we have Yoda who has been trying to teach the Scalvi and Bree in particular. Yoda has been giving lessons to others for hundreds of years, but when you are at the top, who is able to question you, to observe you and confront your mistakes. Scott presents us with a very self-evaluating Yoda, the only person who can judge him and say whether he has succeeded or not. Yoda believes he has failed: failed the Scalvi, failed Bree and most importantly failed himself. Yet it is the passing of time that shows Yoda that shows Yoda the importance of patience. The Taratti is such an important symbol in this story arc. It shows us that no matter how old we get, how wise we become, there are always lessons that we still have to learn, including Yoda. Like the Taratti, Bree can’t change overnight, he has to think about his actions, focus on his mistakes and start to make changes. We all make mistakes, and this is one of the greatest teachers we can have. Bree makes a mistake with the Crulkons by killing one of their own, Yoda makes the mistake of not having patience with those that he teaches. It links in very well with the Yoda we see in The Last Jedi. He isn’t angry with Luke; he has patience with him before providing his final lesson to him about mistakes. Scott does this tremendously well, showing that Bree and Yoda both had the same lesson to learn, that both teacher and student can continue to grow.
I mean let’s be honest, this depth into Yoda, how the Jedi Master is still learning all the time would be enough for any author to hang his hat on and say a job well done. But Scott doesn’t stop there. Again, he provides a subtle approach to broaching issues and here he uses the young Tren, Bree’s nephew. Yoda points out to the boy that he only hears what he wants to hear, that he doesn’t listen to that of his elders. One could argue that we ourselves are a lot like that, but here, it feels this is more of a remark towards the Jedi. The Jedi have not listened to Yoda, the reasons he has decided to stay on Turrak, they only heard that he was staying. Much like the young boy, they think that they know better without really understanding. Take this one step further, is this not what the Jedi are doing with the force? Only hearing what they want to hear rather than where the force is guiding them. We know there is division in The Phantom Menace when Qui-Gon starts talking about the living force. This feels like an example of how wrong and how young in some ways the Jedi are in their understanding of the force. Although Yoda can see the flaws that the Jedi have, that they too aren’t listening like they should, through experiences like this, is it rather than try to interfere, he has patience, hoping one day they will realise how best to listen? A day that doesn’t come before Palpatine? It’s these subtle messages that Scott places in these issues that really make you ponder, that make you think on the actions of all the characters.
I’ve touched on ever so briefly the work of Leon this issue but once again, he really creates some beautiful artwork. The landscapes on Turrak are wonderful to see, from the natural feel of the Scalvi to the industrial nature of the Crulkons. However, that last panel is something else. A full page spread but one that I won’t spoil for anyone that has yet to read it, but it really is a wonderful sight to behold.
Scott continually brings lessons and commentary on the Jedi Order in this series. He does it with such grace that I’m awed by the carefully constructed stories that he delivers again and again. This is the final issue focusing on the Scalvi (at least for now), it feels like just the right time, lessons have been learnt yet they haven’t overstayed their welcome. This story arc, while may seeming simple to some, provides a lot of depth which I’m sure shall continue. With a teaser that a young Dooku will be joining us next issue, I can’t wait to see how far Scott will be able to take us, particular of a character that he knows so well from his audio drama.
Availability;
Yoda is a 10-part mini series published by Marvel comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via the Marvel App, ComiXology and all good comic book stores.
