Published: February 17, 1999
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Jan Strnad
Penciler: Anthony Winn
Cover Artist: Ken Kelly
The synopsis;
As Ki-Adi-Mundi gets closer to the truth of who is seeking to destabilize his homeworld, and why, he comes closer and closer to his own doom, and only the dimly remembered teachings of his diminutive Jedi Master can save him!
The review;
The first two issues of this series have shown a huge range in the type of the story that is being told. In the first, it was about setting the foundations for the story that would be told, the second, was more of a detective story. I very eager to see what issue three would have in store, would it be more detective work for Ki-Adi Mundi, or another different take for this story?
Teasing. This whole issue feels like one big tease and Strnad does it annoyingly well. The main story plot of this issue if Ki-Adi finding the hidden enemy, namely Ephant Mon. This should lead to more of a detective style comic again, but it doesn’t. You are left with teasing, teasing of Ki-Adi to find the culprit. But more than that, the teasing I really refer to is that of the lightsaber. When this was first released, there were still three months until The Phantom Menace was released at cinemas and after the trailer with a double bladed lightsaber, I know I certainly wanted more lightsaber action. This is teased all the time throughout this issue. At the beginning, the Elder won’t return the lightsaber to Ki-Adi. We (as the reader) find common ground with Ki-Adi, both frustrated as we want him to have the weapon back as much as he does. We are then teased again with a flashback scene where the jedi is training with his lightsaber and Yoda. This constant teasing, and the reminders that he doesn’t have the lightsaber, make it even more of a surprise when he eventually does get his weapon back. Even then, we only see it for a fleeting moment before the battle is over. It is written beautifully. I have had a glimpse, but nowhere near enough lightsaber action, and I’m sure back in 1999, this feeling would only be magnified.
I always loved the similarity between Ki-Adi and Anakin in the Expanded Universe. I don’t feel you get that sense now from the newer version of the character, but back in his original form, Ki-Adi walked a very thin line, just like Skywalker. Strnad shows us just why attachments are bad for jedi, that they can influence their decisions and walk very closely to the path of the dark side. Here, Mundi’s attachment to his daughter leads him to use the force during interrogation. I ended my last review saying that it was purely coincidence that The Citadel name from this series was also in Clone Wars. Yet, here we have another link to the television series. The interrogation, while not as overly powerful, reminded me so much of the interrogation of Cad Bane…
This series continues to show that even with its age, it is still so relevant to today’s world. The politics in this issue is handled extremely well. It’s not boring and engages you. What it comes down to in this comic is doing the right thing. There is mention of popularity, of staying in power, but all in a small way, that it’s there is you want it to be, but if not, you can quickly glance over it and not effect the story. In the current climate, there is a lot about what people want and actually what is needed to help the medical professions. This is the same debate Ki-Adi has with the Elder. Do you do what people want, keeping you in power, or do you do what us needed and right to do. It is quite shocking just how current this series has so far felt with the current situation.
The artwork in this issue I really like. With each review I do, I’m readjusting to the artwork as it was. It is still done panel by panel and we still have narration doing most of the guiding, but there are pieces in this that really spoke to me. There is one panel where Mundi is talking to the Elder and we have a close up shot of Ki-Adi’s face. The lighting is exquisite as well as the raw emotion on his face. The emotion that is portrayed throughout the entire issue has really been stepped up, Winn has done a fabulous job. There is a lot of action, and Winn uses older techniques to guide us through. When Ki-Adi jumps, we see light blue images of his body moving. Instead of being corny, it brought a smile to my face. Artists wouldn’t typically do this now, but I kind of miss that way of doing things.
This issue has a lot of nostalgia for me flowing through it. We have Ephant Mon, still being the criminal, he has always been. But there are other nods to the universe as it was. A gran prisoner was such a delight to see. Swoop bikes, racing through the streets. These all seem like small things and back then they were, we use to see these sights all the time in the novels, comics and computer games. Yet now, they seem few and far between. Reading this series, it makes you realise what things are missing in our modern versions.
As always, it’s wonderful going back. Even with the time difference, this comic seems as relevant as always. Not only that, but Strnad is able to give us something different with each issue. There is a running story, yet each part has its own unique aspect. As a reader, it is very refreshing and writers would do well to take note of how Strnad seems to do it so flawlessly. The next issue promises yet more change, with us finally going off planet. I would have happily stayed on planet, yet I also understand why Strnad made the decision half way through the arc. I’m sure back in 1999, fans were begging to see the galaxy in its current state. We of course know it, but back then, any clues to what we would find in The Phantom Menace were like gold. Just like those fans, I’m eager to read the next issue and see where Ki-Adi, now reunited with his lightsaber, ends up…
Availability;
Star Wars Republic was an ongoing series originally released by Dark Horse that ran from 1998 till 2006 encompassing 83 issues. Prelude to Rebellion is currently available in digital format from the Marvel Online Comic Store, via the Marvel App, comiXology or by subscribing to Marvel Unlimited. A physical copy can be found in one of the many trade paperback releases from Marvel. Please check with Amazon UK and US or your local comic bookstore for availability.
