I knew my work schedule would explode this week and it did! Figures it would happen when I attempt to do my daily "Empire Strikes" updates! Oh well.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Delay!
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Labels: star wars from the web
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Star Wars issue 19 "The Ultimate Gamble"

R2 gets no love on that cover. Everyone has a "floating head of guilt" but him. I love the addition of the red skull (pun by Marvel?) in the middle. Chewie is starting to look a bit more like Chewie and less like the shaggy carpet from issue 11.
To borrow a line from Wedge, "Look at the size of that thing". You can clearly see the tiny Star Destroyers orbiting the massive Wheel. Great cover. I believe this made a "best of" list for Marvel Star Wars covers somewhere.
That's our creative team this issue, the same guys we've come to know on and off since issue 11. So let's continue with the story. As usual, clicking on the image will make it appear full sized if you have trouble reading the comic text.
We pick up right where we left off with R2, Threepio and the unconscious Luke. They are cornered by Stormtroopers who are ready to open fire. Luckily, Artoo activates a door in time and the troopers are bad shots.
Two things.
1) I know Stormtroopers can't shoot to save their lives but this is ridiculous.
2) Once again, this isn't a radio drama. We don't need every detail narrated. IT'S A VISUAL MEDIUM! WE COULD SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING.
Senator Greyshade and his robot buddy Master-Com are still monitoring each of the Rebels through the Wheel's security system.
What makes Master-Com so special? Don't all Star Wars droids have personalities anyway? And he's using his as an excuse not to do work?
Once again, great Han/Leia banter, even if it is just one sided here. Han takes this opportunity to recap the events of the previous issue for the readers in case they have short memories or didn't get issue 18.
Just then, Wheel official point their guns at the Stormtroopers and tell them they are taking over under orders of Senator Greyshade. Leia isn't too happy to hear that name. She remembers him as a creeper during her senate days. That's funny, I speculated the same thing during my podcast for issue 18. The Wheel officials take Han and Leia into custody. Han is optimistic about the situation thinking it'll keep them alive longer, until the officers separate him from Leia informing him that he'll be helping them search the Falcon.
In the meantime, Chewie has hidden the body of the dead Rebel from last issue. He's evaded the Stormtroopers and made his way to the casino where he arouses some attention.
Love the narration box!
What follows is an extended brawl between Chewie and some casino men. Ever the compulsive gamblers, people start betting on the outcome of the brawl. Unfortunately Chewie is outnumbered and outgunned and he's eventually hit with a stun ray.
Never seen a Wookiee before? Really?
Han is being held at gun-point by Wheel officials who are searching the Falcon for the money the Rebels stole from the House of Tagge. Those who read last issue know that the money won't be found, because the Rebels were framed and Greyshade is being duped by Commander Strom.
If you click on the image above and enlarge it, you'll see something funky is going on with Han Solo's chin in that first panel. Notice Leia once again being evasive regarding her feelings for Han Solo. I love this version of Leia. She's snarky, holding her own against her captor (like on the Death Star) and lays out the whole plan to Greyshade!
Is Master-Com dead? I hope so. This whole "Droid with FEELINGS" thing was annoying and I was dreading where they might go with it.
Strom isn't happy to find Greyshade harboring the Rebels. He threatens the both of them when his hand gets blasted from one of the wall panels.
Drat! We'll have to deal with Master-Com a bit longer. I don't like him. I just don't like him.
Strom and Greyshade cut a deal. Greyshade will go along with this "takeover" plot if Strom lets him keep Leia.
Yeah.
What.
Ok.
Greyshade further promises Strom that the others won't be able to leave the Wheel alive.
Speaking of leaving alive, how is Luke doing?
I love how nurses in the Star Wars universe look just like nurses in our world. Right down to the Red Cross symbol! Does the Star Wars universe have the Red Cross? Remember, this is before "The Empire Strikes Back" so medical droids didn't exist yet except for in the mind of George Lucas.
As you can guess,, it was R2 who tapped into the system so Luke could be treated. Unfortunately, Wheel officers take the droids away with some odd news. Han Solo has pawned them off to the Wheel so he could gamble.
Yeah.
Han Solo you big fat jerk.
I am confused though...when we last saw Han he was searching the Falcon with Wheel officials.
Chewbacca isn't doing so will making friends in the waiting gladiator pit. The Wheel officials lay it all out for him though...
Looking at the cover, I was talking about how much Infantino has improved with his Chewie illustrations. I take it back.
Let's check in with Han.
At least this answers my question of how Han got from being a prisoner to a gambler. When he lays it all out here, the fact that he pawned the droids doesn't actually seem like such a scumbag thing to do.
Then again it was pretty sleazy.
Han is frustrated and is about to take off in anger when the banker droid informs him of another option...
Let me get this straight....a casino run by a crooked former Imperial Senator has rigged games! GASP!
At first glance I question Han risking his life in this gladiator game (we all know what is being set up here...come on). Especially given his characterization in "Star Wars" where he was reluctant to march into the Death Star Detention Center or participate in the Battle of Yavin. Then I realize he isn't doing it for himself, but it's a selfless act to save his friends. Its' actually some good character development for Han Solo that doesn't come off as hooky like the "Aduba" arc did.
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Labels: issue lookbacks, podcast
Monday, February 22, 2010
Star Wars issue 18 "The Empire Strikes"
Can Threepio's arms really support Luke's weight?
Unfortunately for the others, this is where the recording ends. They decide that they are going to have to leave hyperspace early and find medical help for Luke. Leia isn't so optimistic.

The find a wounded man in a spacesuit floating in the wreckage. They bring him aboard the Falcon.


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Labels: issue lookbacks, podcast
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
New Podcast
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Labels: podcast
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Two Podcasts
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Two episodes of the podcast were released today! One of them was actually suppose to be released two days ago but apparently the podcast server made a mistake. I noticed it today while preparing the next episode and decided it would help "catch up" to release them both today.
For those who don't know, the "catch up" project is referring the fact that the podcast is a few issues behind the blog. I hope to close the gap this weekend with a few (hopefully) daily updates.
I hope it doesn't burn you out. Good thing they are short. I also added a link to the podcast in the sidebar to help you all find the episodes. Thanks!
I have big plans for next week! I hope I'll be able to see them through.
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Labels: podcast
Friday, February 12, 2010
Star Wars issue 17 "The Crucible"
Hey! What's going on! I thought we were getting the promised "Empire Strikes" story this issue!

Don't forget, clicking on the images will make them bigger if you can't read them.

Holy heck! Did Luke just murder that womp rat! As Threepio said in "Blue Harvest", "You murder small animals for fun?! That's the first indication of a serial killer!".
I get it, the ten minutes we saw him in the movie he was a jerk, but are we going to base all characterizations on that fact. Maybe he just had a bad day (which got worse when the troopers scorched him).
And Beru! What is going on with you! Owen looks drawn right, but Beru....um what??!?!

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Labels: issue lookbacks
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Star Wars issue 16 "The Hunter"

This issue opens up in the middle of an action sequence. The narration boxes introduce us to a man called Valance. Valance is a bounty hunter who is leading a raid on a medical station. He is not doing this for a particular bounty, this is a personal mission for himself that he is financing. He orders there to be no survivors.
That's a funny reason for regret. I wonder if Han had a similar sense of regret when he fried Greedo.
In case the above picture didn't clue you in, Valance hates droids. The narration box reminds us that while this is very common among the galaxy, Valance's hatred rivals the average person.
Valance and his men destroy the computer record system while two of the bounty hunters run into somebody us readers have seen before...
Don-Wan is back......and dead again! This is the second death he's had this series! Those chin whiskers and Scroogeish chin really creep me out! By the way, is that bounty hunter in the last panel a droid? If so, why would Valance let him on the team?
Valance takes an interest when they tell him what Don-Wan said before passing on. He and bounty hunters set some charges, take off and the medical station blows up. Apparently this was done to hide something in Valance's past. Hmmm..
They are now going to hunt the people Don-Wan spoke about and Valance orders Jaxxon to be be their first target. He assumes that a giant green rabbit will be the easiest to find. Can't argue with that logic.
According to Wookiepedia, this unnamed planet was later retconned to be the first appearance of Nar Shaddaa.
Jaxxon did some flirting with Amaiza during that "Aduba" arc. Towards the end she had seemed to go from annoyance to tolerance. Now they are traveling together. Is there more going on here? Are they together now? Is the thought too sick to even think about?
Jaxxon is ambushed by the bounty hunters. Two of them are named "Dafi" and "Fud". Get it? Get it? Get it?
They hang him upside down and begin to torture him. They are demanding that he reveals the planet where he and the rest of the Star-Hoppers had their adventure.
Planets are very big. Why is it that in STAR WARS people usually only need the name of a planet to find someone located on it? What if they search the wrong hemisphere?
Amaiza shows up. She apparently changed her mind and decided to spend the night out on the town with Jaxxon after all. She threatens the bounty hunters to drop their weapons.
What kind of a gun is it that she has? It's firing rays in all different directions at once! The second to last panel above definitely hints at some intimacy between Jaxxon and Amaiza. Oh boy the stares they must get!
We know Jaxxon is a giant green rabbit. Do they need to remind us with every panel he is on? His ship is called the Rabbit's Foot? COME ON! Speaking of Jaxxon, he seems incredibly off scale in the panel where he reunites with Jimm.
You'll note that since this is still the late 70's, Hutt is splled H - U -T.
Jimm and Merri are already married and expecting a baby? That was quick! Perhaps a little too quick. Maybe it was a shotgun wedding. Old farmer??? Are you even old enough to drink on Earth yet? For someone who wanted action and adventure and leaving the planet, he sure seems content with life as a farmer. Go figure.
We then get the origin story of Valance.
That medical station he destroyed was apparently the one that healed him after the Rebel attack. Obviously there are still some pieces of the story missing but they aren't that hard to guess at this point. It will all make sense come the final page.
He pops in the bootleg tape he is in possession off which gives us another excuse for a splash page tribute to the movie.
It seems like we are getting a "REMEMBER THE MOVIE WASN'T THAT COOL" splash page almost every issue. I'm enjoying them but it's gimmicky. I love Vader's green lightsaber. Is this the first time we've seen a green one?
For those who haven't been keeping score, Valance is on this mission because he thinks that the heroes of Aduba are actually the Death Star heroes. He thought Don-Wan was Obi-Wan, Jimm was Luke...etc.
The reason he's hunting Luke? Because he's friends with robots. Yes. He doesn't just resent Luke for it. He's HUNTING HIM. That's his motivation. "THIS KID IS FRIENDS WITH HIS ROBOTS! KILL HIM".
It is interesting that Valance knows about the identity of Luke Skywalker before Imperial Intelligence officially does.
Valance's ship enters Aduba's orbit. They are tracking the heat signature of a recently landed ship, assuming that it's Jaxxon warning his friends.
That answers my previous grip about finding someone on a huge planet but raises another question. Why assume it was Jaxxon's ship that landed? We established in issue 7 that Aduba has a Mos Eisley-like spaceport! Wouldn't there be ships going in and out constantly?
Before they could go any further, the Rabbit's Foot (GET IT GET IT GET IT) attacks Valance's ship. Valance eventually shoots down the Rabbit's Foot. It crashes into the surface on Aduba.
Valance sends his hunters to check the wreckage. Turns out it's an ambush. Amaiza and Jaxxon survived and start the shoot at the hunters. Meanwhile, Jimm has been waiting in the grass to follow through is end of the plan.
Stampeding Banthas has to be one of the oddest visuals in the Star Wars Universe I've ever seen. Those who argue that the Marvel Comics were just silly could use that panel to make a very strong case.
The Banthas crush the bounty hunters and Amaiza shots off the survivors. This leaves Valance who confronts them.
Goodness, I'd forgotten all about Jimm's bare legs.
So you mistook him for Skywalker eh Valance? You really can't blame him. They could be cousins or brothers. The writers didn't even shy away from the differences when they introduced Jimm back in issue 8.
Valence quickly blasts them with something coming from his hand and gets away, vowing to find Solo and his "droid loving young companion".
Take a good look at Jaxxon, Amaiza and Jimm. This is the last time you will ever see them in a Marvel Star Wars comic. For all the fussing people did about Jaxxon, I thought he was a regular supporting character but it's really only these four issues he appears in. Yet he seems to be one of the first things people bring up when talking about these comics.
Jaxxon and the others will appear again in expanded Star Wars material though. A quick look at Wookiepedia says some articles and sourcebooks later reused the characters and expanded on their backgrounds.
The revelation of Valance? I suppose some people might find it deep. Not me. Oh the guy who hates robots is half robot. Doesn't really do it for me.
Why did he rip his skin off anyway? I know us readers needed a visual but what as the in the story reason?
Writing: This was an easy and fun read by Goodwin. I enjoyed finally having a "done in one" story. I enjoyed seeing the old characters again but could have done without the new additions of "Dafi" and "Fud" (GET IT GET IT). No movie characters appeared in this issue expect for the splash page when Valance was looking at the bootleg. It's never easy to do a story without the main characters and keep me interested. Other comics and novels in the Expanded Universe rarely hold my interest unless the core movie characters appear. Goodwin pulled it off.
Interestingly enough, there are whispers that Jaxxon was so hated by George Lucas that it's the reason Roy Thomas left the series. Until I hear it from an official source I'm remaining skeptical.
Art: Jaxxon seemed freakishly tall and Don-Wan seemed very...yucky. Otherwise I enjoyed the art. Walt Simonson's reputation precedes him and he brought it this issue. The movie splash page was pretty good too.
Yay! I did my three issues in one week goal! I'll go back to doing one a week, I just wanted to catch up since I had a few skip weeks. In the future I may try this again. The fact that I enjoyed these issues made it easy.
Join us next week for...
No, this isn't the "Empire Strikes Back" movie adaptation. We still have some ways to go. Actually that isn't even the next story either, this next issue blurb is a lie. We will be getting another "done in one" issue though.
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