Published: May 3, 2023
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: Alessandro Miracolo
Colourist: Annalisa Leoni
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Designer: Carlos Lao
Cover Artist: Phil Noto
The synopsis;
YODA VS. GENERAL GRIEVOUS…TO THE DEATH!
• The start of a new arc set during the tumultuous CLONE WARS!
• The Separatists have a powerful new weapon that can change the course of the war!
• Can Yoda and Anakin Skywalker discover the secret of the weapon in time?
The review;
“Do or do not, there is no try.” One of my very favourite quotes from Yoda and one that really sums up this series. The two previous story arcs have shown no mercy, they have known what is at stake with a series that focuses on everyone’s favourite Jedi master. They have been masterpieces, showcasing the small Jedi perfectly. To say expectations are high would be an understatement. And so, enters our new duo: Marc Guggenheim and Alessandro Miracolo. As soon as I saw these names, I realised readers were in safe hands. Guggenheim was the writer behind the Han Solo and Chewbacca series, that paid a huge amount of respect to the fans as well as creating an engaging story. Following on from this, Guggenheim teamed up with Miracolo for the first Return of the Jedi one shot: Jabba’s Palace. This story was beautifully written, beautifully drawn and a delight to read. To know that it’s this duo who are writing the next arc is wonderful and I can’t wait to see which direction they take Yoda to.
As with the other issues, we start on Dagobah. These moments I really enjoy, and Guggenheim really goes into depth, more depth than we’ve seen so far. Yoda is in exile and punishing himself for the mistakes that he has made or deems that he has made. Yet the way he is doing this is to ignore the voice (presumably Qui-Gon Ginn), which in turn means he is ignoring the force. For someone who has always been so in-tune with the force, more than any other Jedi in recent centuries, it feels like such a burden for Yoda to cut himself off so much. He is completely swamped by self-doubt and Guggenheim makes it so easy to see. We keep seeing tale after tale (and I’m sure this one will be no different) of Yoda been patient, of setting things right, of listening to the force. But one mistake makes him question everything, his very ability to listen and respond to the force. Although it is awful to see this so blatantly, I also think it is so important for readers to see Yoda at his weakest. That even those of us who try to do so much right, who listen to the advice and take heed, are still not infallible. We all make mistakes. What is important is what we do after the mistakes. This might be sounding familiar to Yoda’s lesson that he gives Luke in The Last Jedi, Guggenheim is showing us how Yoda learnt this lesson – the hard way. It brings the various trilogies together in this issue.
We then see the flashback, moving to the Ring of Kafrene; again, linking another film from the Star Wars franchise. It seems this is the place for informants, and I like that Guggenheim reinforces that this is the place to find information. Perhaps best of all is the surprise of how Yoda decides to disguise himself. It’s certainly different, yet I think it’s very in keeping with Yoda and his playful style. I mean who would guess he’d use a droid as his ‘legs’?! It also shows the extent that Yoda will go to, to be involved in the action. No one would question him if he just stayed on Coruscant, there is certainly enough to do and Yoda old enough. Yet again and again, we see that Yoda doesn’t want to stay apart from those he wants to help, he wants to be connected. This also helps to compare with the opening scene on Dagobah; to go from wanting to be connected to shutting himself completely off.
As this is during the Clone Wars, we get to see a lot of familiar faces but it is really good to see Obi-Wan and Anakin. Guggenheim uses this as a way to change the dynamics and has Yoda go on a mission with Anakin. It is very interesting seeing this pair interact, as they are so different. Yoda is calm and collecting, Anakin is hectic and impulsive. The patience Yoda shows Anakin continually always amazes me, never does he get angry or impatient with him for the constant questioning. Yoda sees every turn as a learning opportunity. Anakin on the other hand is always questioning Yoda, whether he thinks that is actually the right thing to do. Anakin is always very set on his way of doing things, that he is always right. He can never understand the very different approach that Yoda takes, which I think frustrates Anakin. It certainly explains why he is never very trusting of the Jedi.
The other dynamic we have not seen and is provided for brilliantly here is a duel between General Grievous and Yoda. It is very interesting to see how they interact, the moves they make and the ultimate outcome. Guggenheim really writes this well, true to each character. But what really brings this battle to life is the incredible artwork of Miracolo. There is plenty of space given to him to really show this battle in all its glory. The flow and movement of the battle is captured perfectly. I can’t imagine it’s easy to show a battle with such a stark contrast in height differences, but Miracolo handles it effortlessly and creates a scene that’s worthy of a movie.
A new arc, a new start. This is just the opening for a new arc and as such Guggenheim is having to place the foundations for this new tale. Yet even in the first few pages set on Dagobah, he shows us that he’s got this, that he understands the character and that we can trust wherever this arc maybe heading. The opening scene is worth the price of entry, yet the interesting partnership of Yoda and Anakin make me very excited for what is yet to come. Surely there will be some more lessons for Anakin, lessons learnt by Yoda and a lot of battles with the Separatists. While this arc is still focused on Yoda, it’s coming from a different angle that the previous two arcs have, which is perfect. It is something new, something different and something fresh. It stays true to what has already been established in this series and further cements that this series is one that all fans should be reading.
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.
