Published: July 5, 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;
WELL, HELLO THERE…
• The MEGADROID is on the march! And only Jedi Master YODA and ANAKIN SKYWALKER can stop it.
• But what is the lesson Yoda is trying to impart on young Skywalker?
• Guest-starring: OBI-WAN KENOBI!
The review;
Fear… we all know where that can lead to, and it was something that I had with a series that was set all around the greatest Jedi Master that ever lived. Yet those fears were quickly expelled when I saw the quality of the story writing and artwork. Then fear came again when realising that the writer and artist would be changing every three comics. Would the next one meet the high expectations of the previous one? How could you possibly follow on from that arc? But again, these fears were quickly put aside, and each writer has created a story arc that is worthy of Master Yoda. Every time the writing has gone to new depths, every time we’ve been shown incredible insights about Master Yoda and the Jedi themselves, every time the artwork has been a thing of pure beauty. So, this issue I really have no fear as I cannot wait for Marc Guggenheim and Alessandro Miracolo’s final issue and the penultimate issue to this series. So, let’s dive straight into it and see how this period of The Clone Wars will resolve.
This issue, as with all others, really homes in on one of Yoda’s most memorable lessons: size matters not. The comic picks up immediately from where we left it, with Anakin and Yoda facing off against the mega droid. Guggenheim makes it really clear that Anakin, like us rewatching The Empire Strikes Back again and again, has had the lesson time and time again from Yoda. However, what is also made clear is, that although Anakin has heard the words, he doesn’t understand them. It is perhaps Anakin’s biggest flaw. He can be taught lesson after lesson, but he rushes to much, thinking he knows the lessons without understanding them. This works particularly well here because it is almost the mirror of Luke on Dagobah, who, like his father, knows the lesson but doesn’t grasp it. When Yoda says “much like his father” you can see here parts that he is referring to. This isn’t Guggenheim creating a physical representation of the lesson, he’s showing the flaws that follow the Skywalker line.
Along with this lesson, Guggenheim provides us with a deeper understanding of that lesson, its true meaning. It’s what this series has done continuously, to provide depth to lessons we have listened to from Yoda for decades. Like Anakin, we think we may know it, but the series really provides understanding. Here, it’s all about perspective, that size is how you approach it (from a certain point of view!). Anakin is worried about the size of the mega droid, yet Yoda realises his size is the advantage and can be used against their opponent. Possibly because of his diminutive size, Yoda sees the world differently, which is then further enhanced by his understanding of the force. Anakin struggles with this lesson all the way through the conclusion of this story.
At one point, it looks like Yoda may die. As the reader, we know this isn’t possible and it allows Guggenheim to show how Yoda takes this on board, how he will react to the situation. Yoda is always at peace, even in the face of death. For him, it is a normal part of life, and he has no need to fear it. The other reason he seems so calm is because he has faith in Anakin. It is very interesting because although Yoda believes completely in Skywalker, Anakin is continually questioning himself and doubting whether he will be able to achieve what is needed from him. Yoda keeps reassuring him, but this just makes Anakin more frustrated. It’s a teaching technique that pushes Anakin closer to the dark side, again, because he is listening to Yoda but not understanding or believing. Guggenheim really presents a very unique perspective to this, and it certainly gets your thinking!
Guggenheim provides us the physical representation of the lesson, yet the highlight of this entire issue is when Yoda is teaching Anakin over the comm. Yes, we can physically see the lesson playing out but Yoda’s words take this comic to a whole different level. There are very few writers who are able to write as Yoda would, to get across the impact we feel when we watch him talking in the movies, but Guggenheim captures this to perfection here. You can almost feel John Williams playing in the background as he explains to Anakin about size. This is fed in just as much as the artwork from Miracolo, who’s choice of angles for the panels is perfect, the expression on Anakin’s face as he is listening really capturing the atmosphere and the intensity of the lesson. It is magnificent and I can’t lie that I had a tear welling up just reading it. It is a moving moment in the comic where the writing, art and colour all come together seamlessly. If you need another ‘Empire’ moment, this is it!
Finally, we return to Dagobah. The whole issue has been gearing up to perspective, to how one views the problem. So naturally, when Yoda begins to talk to his companion, it is so obvious where the conversation is going, until Guggenheim (I imagine laughing as he is writing it) turns around and throws the obvious ending right out that window! Surprised to say the least and makes you really look at Yoda differently. I won’t say too much for those still yet to read, but it is the sort of ending that makes you stand up and shout ‘where is the next issue!?’
What more can be said is that this has a pure, undiluted Yoda moment that feels like it could have been lifted from The Empire Strikes Back? There is a great conclusion here, stunning artwork, Anakin learning (possibly) something. Yet that one moment eclipses all of this as an achievement of the highest order in a Star Wars comic. This is spectacular and somehow, somehow, raises the incredibly high bar that this series has kept on pushing up. I’m in awe of what Guggenheim has been able to write. As I said at the start, this is a series that made me very worried, a series that somehow has to do justice to a character that has meant so much to so many people. This comic really shows the level of understanding the writers in this series have. That this isn’t a series that was ‘fun’ to write but would add deeper understanding to everything we have ever watched. If you are a fan of Star Wars you should be reading this and if you’ve been worried about when the floor is going to buckle under the weight of so many good stories, this is not that time. Guggenheim has risen (again) to new heights; he is certainly at one with the force.
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.
