Published: June 7, 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;
MASTER AND APPRENTICE!
• The SEPARATISTS army has a new super-weapon: THE MEGADROID.
• But can YODA and ANAKIN SKYWALKER destroy an entire factory full of them?
• The events of this issue directly overlap with STAR WARS: REVELATIONS! See how IT’S ALL CONNECTED!
The review;
Last issue saw the start of a new duo to the Yoda series: Marc Guggenheim and Alessandro Miracolo. After having two fantastic story arcs by previous writers and artists, I was struggling to see how anyone could come into this series and raise expectations again. Then in strolls Guggenheim with a profound look at Yoda’s life on Dagobah. Forget the actual story, Guggenheim is able to bring huge meaning to the prologue of the issue! The story itself, set in The Clone Wars is equally enthralling, all captured beautifully by the talented Miracolo. For part two of this arc, my expectations are high. I’m not sure what to expect but I’m sure it will have been worth the wait.
What I have enjoyed most about these issues throughout this entire series, is the lessons that come about, even when you’re not expecting it. Guggenheim does this in this issue, with one of my all-time favourite lessons from The Empire Strikes Back: size matters not. Throughout the issue, we see Yoda referring again and again to the seize of the forces that leads to overconfidence. Anakin thinks it’s a slight at him, but it’s Yoda’s way of teaching the young Jedi. Anakin begins to realise that it’s tactics that matter, the mind, the thought, rather than the ‘crude matter’ of simple numbers. The lesson is beautifully, if tragically illustrated in the issue. What I like most though, is that Guggenheim doesn’t hit you over the head with this lesson, it is very subtle until about halfway through the issue and the real lesson reveals itself.
Yoda is very playful in this issue, and you can actually see Anakin warming up to the small Jedi master as the panels continue. Seeing Yoda doing impressions or making sarcastic comments directed at Anakin, it really adds that subtle humour that comes through in the Original Trilogy. And I use that word again, subtle, Guggenheim understands the beats of Star Wars, but he doesn’t overplay them, he doesn’t make a point of them, but weaves them into the story he is writing. It makes the whole story seem natural and not forced.
The artwork by Miracolo is lovely to return to. A more anime style, it’s rather refreshing to see in the pages of Star Wars. What really impressed me this issue was the use of shadow in the panels, particularly with the clones. More than that was the lightsabers, they look fantastic. The use of a tail on them to show their movements through a panel makes understanding the progression of the action so easy and I wish some artists would look to this issue as an example as there’s never any confusion to what is actually happening.
All of these things make for a great Yoda issue but there was something that Guggenheim again weaves into the fabric of this issue that really made it stand out for me. The issue opens with Anakin and Yoda speaking to the council and you can’t help but notice the tension between Mace Windu and Anakin. Almost from the very first panel, Windu is questioning Anakin, bypassing him, and checking with Yoda. You can’t help but feel a bit sorry for Anakin! The real issue then presents itself when Yoda is just trying to ponder the problem and Anakin takes it as criticism directed at him. Logically, it’s so easy to see how Anakin made that leap but from what we know of Yoda, it couldn’t be farther from the truth. It puts Anakin into a defensive position he always feels he’s fighting his way out of.
We know the impact this has on Anakin’s story as a whole, but what is fascinating is how Guggenheim shows us the impact this has on Anakin’s relationship with Yoda. Instead of listening to the guidance that Yoda gives, he is forever questioning him through this comic. Every-time Yoda says something, there is Anakin asking for an explanation. You can understand why Yoda makes so many sarcastic comments because it must be so draining for him. Like a true Jedi, he is able to show such patience with him. Anakin misses so many of the key points that will help his development, all because of how he is treated by Windu. Yoda takes it into his stride and eventually the lesson is usually heard, but you can see Guggenheim is questioning if the relationship had been better, would Anakin not have turned to the dark side? This examination into the different levels of trust between the different Jedi is fundamental to why Anakin eventually falls and like all good writers, Guggenheim leaves you thinking on the events that have transpired.
There’s no Dagobah in this issue but the lessons from Yoda come through loud and clear. I love the interaction between Anakin and Yoda, between Anakin and Mace and how this has such an impact on the relationships that we know sour so quickly. Guggenheim and Miracolo work fantastic together to present an issue that is filled with action, lessons, and humour. It’s exactly what Star Wars is all about!
Availability;
Yoda is a 10-part mini series published by Marvel comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via ComiXology and all good comic book stores.
