STAR WARS 1: A LA SOMBRA DE YAVIN nuevo libro primer capitulo gratis/ star wars 1 Shadows of Yavin

La saga galáctica de Star Wars ha ido fichando en los últimos años a talentosos guionistas para realzar las diferentes serie en cómic que la editorial americana Dark Horse posee ahora mismo en su catálogo. El fantástico John Ostrander es uno de ellos, un guionista que se ha ganado un podio de honor en el universo de La guerra de la galaxias gracias a unas historias que, junto a los lápices de Jan Duursema, ilustran lo que tiene que ser una buena historia de ejemplifique lo que la saga significa más allá de las películas.

Continuando con la tradición, uno de los más recientes fichajes de la editorial americana ha sido el escritor e ilustrador Brian Wood, aclamado guionista del sello Vertigo por trabajos como "Northlanders" o "DMZ", aunque en Dark Horse le conocemos por publicaciones como "Conan el Bárbaro", la nueva reinterpretación del personaje de Robert E. Howard (que publica Planeta DeAgostini en castellano) o "The Massive". Pero también ha aportado su grano de arena a la vasta mitología que es el universo creado por George Lucas, con una nueva serie basada en la trilogía original de películas que servirá tanto para los nuevos lectores que quieran engancharse a la space opera desde cero, como para los veteranos ávidos de nuevas historias.

Han Solo, Chewbacca, Obi-Wan Kenobi y unos stormtroopers, 

en la portada de Alex Ross para Star Wars #5.

La editorial española Planeta DeAgostini publicará en septiembre el primer volumen recopilatorio de esta serie que se conoce simplemente como Star Wars, y donde, aparte del guión de Brian Wood, contaremos con el dibujo de Carlos D'Anda, Ryan Odagawa y Gabe Eltaeb, además de la portada de Alex Ross. El primer recopilatorio de la serie, que la editorial americana Dark Horse también lanza en septiembre en el mundo anglosajón junto a la publicación del noveno número de la serie regular, se titulará En la sombra de Yavin y estará protagonizado por los héroes clásicos de las películas, esto es, Han Solo, la Princesa Leia,Luke Skywalker, Chewbacca, C-3PO y R2-D2, contando, por supuesto, con los villanos que no podían faltar en la historia como Darth Vader o el Emperador Palpatine. De momento, toda la serie se sitúa cronológicamente entre Una Nueva Esperanza y El Imperio Contraataca.

Los seis primeros números de la serie original, además del número especial para el "Free Comic Book Day 2013" –Star Wars: The Assassination of Darth Vader–, será lo que podamos encontrar en el primer volumen de la serie, que será editado en formato rústica, con 152 páginas y un precio de 15,95 doblones, pudiéndose encontrar en las librerías a partir del 3 de septiembre. A continuación os dejamos con unas páginas de muestra del interior del volumen en su versión original:

Desde ya que no es ninguna novedad el abordaje de la etapa entre dichas películas, pero sí lo es la particularidad de que sea tan poco tiempo después de la importante batalla mencionada, trabajando sobre un breve período de tiempo antes no abordado, y mucho más particular por la forma como lo hace el guionista…

De allí lo grande del desafío y la importancia de Wood para resolverlo, ya que tanto en las viejas series de Marvel como, en menor medida, las de Dark Horse de los años recientes (se situaría no mucho tiempo antes de los integrales de Guerra contra el Imperio, para lo cual los refiero al gran artículo de mi compañero Enrique) se ambientan entre los Episodios IV y V del cine, y hay que respetar tanto como se pueda la continuidad y los sentimientos de los lectores por las obras guardadas en su recuerdo.

Evitando todos esos problemas el autor tomó otro enfoque, diferente en estilo narrativo y en la historia que cuenta, realizando una obra muy distinta a lo común para Star Wars. Este cómic no contiene aventuras a lo grande, ni narra una historia a gran escala cósmica, no se ocupa demasiado del contexto del universo (que, precisamente, aquí sólo es un contexto), ni presta especial atención a las batallas de naves y demás, aunque también están presentes y son un elemento importante. De hecho, la esencia de todo Star Wars está incluida en este cómic, tanto en la emocionante sensación que transmite en su lectura de volver a las películas originales (una vez más), como en vernos envueltos en una trama de intriga política, guerras, aventura y acción en el obvio escenario cósmico.

 

Pero por encima de todo ello, el énfasis de esta Star Wars está en los personajes, en su profundidad, en sus emociones, analizadas de modo introspectivo por cada uno, así como las relaciones entre ellos. En efecto, esto esStar Wars visto a través del punto de vista de Brian Wood, un autor que bien sabe trabajar con personajes ricos en cualidades y problemáticas a explorar, brindando a los lectores (sean fanáticos de la franquicia o conocedores promedio de este universo) un acercamiento a los protagonistas de siempre poco o nada visto.

Por ejemplo, por citar sin arruinar nada, vemos a un Luke Skywalker tratado más como lo que es, un joven de 18 años que repentinamente es un héroe para los Rebeldes, con lo que pueden imaginar que ello trae aparejado. O, mucho más interesante, el caso de Leia, haciéndole justicia en estas épocas donde la igualdad de género se hace presente progresivamente, poniéndose al mando de un X-Wing, luego empuñando un arma y finalmente liderando un grupo de vital importancia para la Alianza Rebelde; y al mismo tiempo, explorando sus sensaciones por la pérdida del planeta Alderaan a manos del Imperio.

En cuanto a la premisa en torno a la cual se realiza este trabajo sobre los personajes, tenemos tres líneas de narración que pueden o no cruzarse en algún momento: por un lado, y en estos primeros tres números la principal, tenemos a Leia, Luke y Wedge buscando una ubicación para la nueva base de los Rebeldes, libre de las amenazas reales y potenciales del Imperio; por el otro, un Darth Vader dolido por su derrota en Yavin desbancado por el Emperador; y finalmente, Han y Chewie haciendo de las suyas (realmente no hay mucha diferencia en ellos).

Entremedio de eso, además de lo ya mencionado sobre los personajes, otro punto importante es la constante mención a consecuencias de la Batalla de Yavin en términos políticos y militares, tanto para los Rebeldes como para el Imperio, lo cual también tiene mucho que ver con los asuntos emocionales de los protagonistas, afectando en especial a Leia y Vader.

 

Para darle más originalidad y novedad a la serie, Wood se ocupa también de introducir algunos personajes nuevos, también de ambos lados de este universo en guerra, pero destacando en particular uno en el bando imperial: el coronel Bircher, introducido paulatina y rápidamente desde el #1 al #3¸ llevándolo de una pequeña muestra de militar engreído a una figura ambiciosa y fiel al Emperador, siendo candidato a convertirse en importante personaje, al menos para el Universo Expandido de Star Wars.

Hasta aquí mucho dijimos sobre el trabajo del guionista pero nada de la otra parte esencial del cómic; claro, hablamos del dibujo. El artista de esta serie es Carlos D’Anda, con cierta experiencia en adaptar personajes de otros medios al cómic, la cual exhibe en estas páginas presentando a los actores que conocemos de siempre pero bajo su propio estilo, asemejándose mucho a su imagen pero sin ser calcados ni referencias fotográficas; son los actores dibujados con una apariencia por momentos caricaturescas, y por otros con similitudes del dibujo de cómic de superhéroes clásico.

A esto se le suma el trabajo de color de Gabe Eltaeb, que le da vida con su iluminación a las páginas, en especial con los rayos disparados y las explosiones siempre tan importantes para el mundo de Star Wars.

Antes de terminar, un párrafo aparte merecen las portadas de Alex Ross, todas ellas dignas de imprimrir ampliadas y enmarcar. Sobran las palabras:

  
Resumiendo, esta nueva serie regular se trata de un nuevo acercamiento a esta importante etapa de la historia deStar Wars, tanto con notables diferencias como imprescindibles similitudes, que en conjunto pueden ser disfrutadas por los aficionados a la licencia de toda la vida y por consumidores ocasionales de la Guerra de las Galaxias. Todo está debidamente explicado para que sea perfectamente accesible, lo que puede resultar reiterativo para los fans, pero esto se retribuye ofreciéndole guiños, chistes, comentarios, que sólo los conocedores de la saga pueden entender.

En conclusión, Star Wars no viene a reproducir nada ya hecho en películas y otros cómics; por el contrario, es una serie en la que los autores, tanto Wood como D’Anda, vienen a hacer lo suyo, desde su punto de vista, con estos personajes y este mundo llevándolos a lugares y mostrándolos de maneras que resultan novedosas, a la vez que mantienen intacta la esencia y en consecuencia ofrecen una lectura fresca; lo cual es mucho decir, considerando que conocemos a este grupo desde hace varias décadas.

Synlah:  It’s a step into the past we go with this comic, and it’s a good step with effective touches that pull us right back into the OT era: Obi-Wan as Ben or General Kenobi; reflection on recent events: Yavin, the destruction of Alderaan and the Death Star.

We first encounter our heroes as they’re about to check out a new location for the Rebel Alliance.  Luke and Leia are discussing all the death they’ve seen — very personal death.  We’re reminded that these losses are very real to them, and they’ve had scarcely any time to process all the loss.  And then the Empire makes an abrupt, surprise appearance, and it’s back to business as usual.  Or as Han would say, “That bad, huh.”  Our heroes — Luke, Leia and Wedge — shift gears and go into action.  Of course, they succeed in escaping with the assistance of a ghostly Ben voice telling Luke to, once again, trust his instincts.  And it’s back to the Rebel Alliance for our heroes — a Rebel Alliance that, despite its victory at Yavin, is very much struggling and on the brink of failure.

Flash over to Han and Chewie departing for somewhere, and Mon Mothma ordering Han to check in at the the designated times and keep to the schedule.  Evidently Mon Mothma and the Rebel Alliance don’t know Han like we and the writers know him.  Han’s going to do what Han decides to do.  We also get a partial motivation for why Han sticks it out with the Rebels.  His assistance at Yavin has earned him a death mark on all Imperial Worlds, including the ones with thriving black markets.  He’s also apparently, by virtue of his reward money, turned into the Alliance’s credit union.

There’s also a bit of exposition where the Emperor goads Vader over his failure at Yavin.  Palpatine even takes Vader’s star destroyer away from him and hands it off to one Colonel Bircher, who clearly has some kind of death wish since no one in their right mind would accept that assignment.  As you can imagine, Vader isn’t pleased (bit of an understatement), but his anger has the effect Palpatine is seeking.  It wipea away Vader’s shame over Yavin, but Yavin raises the ghost of fear in Darth Vader.  He knows the name of the young, hotshot rebel who blew up the Death Star, but he doesn’t yet understand what it means*.

*I don’t know why it would take Vader longer than 2 seconds to figure out: one in a million shot by hot shot pilot > last seen with Obi-Wan (who was last seen with pregnant Padme) > named Skywalker > Son!

Anyway, long story short, issue #1 of In the Shadow of Yavin sets up a spy hunt and a hunt for a new base.

Skuldren: At Star Wars Celebration VI, writer Brian Wood indicated he was a fan of the X-Wing novels. Star Wars #1 makes that evident. In fact this could almost be the first issue in a brand new X-Wing comic series. The issue kicks off with Luke, Leia, and Wedge flying X-wings as they look for a new rebel base. There’s space action, a dogfight, and some beautiful artwork of the ships in space, including a great two page spread of a Star Destroyer and TIE fighters in pursuit. It’s also worth noting that one of the biggest stars of this issue is none other than Leia. Most noteworthy of all, she’s not playing senator or princess but starfighter pilot.

Brian Wood does a great job of making Leia a credible pilot and giving her some good action scenes. Where some writers would have given Luke or Wedge another dogfight scene, Wood hands it off to Leia.  There aren’t any punches pulled with her character either. In one startling scene, Leia takes the battle to a TIE pilot up close and personal. While there isn’t any narration exploring the thoughts going through Leia’s head during that moment, it leaves plenty for the reader to imagine. Is Leia just tying up loose ends to prevent detection? Or might she be working out a little aggression from the destruction of her entire planet? Regardless, it’s a nice change of pace and hopefully we’ll get to see a lot more Leia as the series progresses.

All in all, the story is great. There’s a perfect mix of all the iconic characters, a bit of action, a bit of plot setup, and some nice character focus. The interior art is pretty good, too. While there is a little artistic leeway with the likeness of the characters, some of the space shots are almost breathtaking. The coloring stands out to tremendous effect. This is most evident with the lighting effects. Whether it’s the depiction of the engines or the glow of a nearby star or planet, it adds a level of detail that makes the art pop.

Synlah: I couldn’t agree more with Skuldren.  No false notes here; these are the Star Wars characters we know.  With this first issue, I’m already happily caught up in this story. We give it a five out of five metal bikinis.

This ongoing series is set immediately following the battle of Yavin Four between Star Wars IV: A New Hope and Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back, and it follows three storylines: Luke and Leia, Hand and Chewie, and Darth Vader.  Although Luke is present throughout the story, it is Leia who commands the spotlight in this first issue, and Wood aims to shed light on the strength and leadership behind this character who is all too often remembered most for her metallic bikini in Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi, than she is for her military capabilities.  That she is shown on the first page piloting an X-Wing fighter on her own alongside Skywalker and noted pilot, Wedge Antilles, speaks to her aptitude as not only a leader but a skilled fighter as well.

The storyline with Han and Chewbacca is brief as it is takes place over just two pages consisting of expository dialogue between Han and Chewie.  It serves the purpose of telling the reader of Han’s intention to remain a part of the Rebel Alliance, and it set the context for future conflict with his past underworld connections; however, there isn’t much to this scene that visually engages the reader nor does it show Han or Chewbacca in a situation that helps us better understand their motivations for leaving behind their underworld lives.  As a point of comparison, Luke tells a fellow pilot that Leia is “not like us.  She’s better.  Tougher.”  And we’ve already seen this from her earlier in the story and believe Luke when he says this.  It’s the difference between being told and being shown something.  Considering this passage consists of only two pages of twenty-four pages, however, it is hardly worth raising any sort of red flags over.

The final storyline that Wood introduces is that of Darth Vader and how his failure to protect the Death Star precipitated his fall from grace with Emperor Palpatine.  Although this is only about four pages in length, it is arguably just as engaging — if not more so — than the storyline he spends developing with Leia and Luke.  In this, we see him brought low and his position challenged by an upstart imperial officer whom Palpatine personally selected to replace Vader.  For fans who continue to look for more about Vader’s backstory and how he earned his reputation as an intergalactic force to be reckoned with, Wood will whet their appetites with this storyline.

Finally, one cannot overlook the artwork in Star Wars #1, as the artistic team has produced a comic that possesses both the polish and visual appeal one might expect from a group of veteran collaborators long used to working with one another.  Each character is depicted in such a way that they are easily recognizable but in no way does D’Anda merely attempt to provide readers with exact replications of Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, or Harrison Ford.  Vader is unmistakable, and yet, there is a certain air and stature D’Anda imbues him with that enhances the awe and power characteristic of the Sith Lord.  Finally, Gabe Eltaeb’s work on colors should not go overlooked.  His tie-fighters in particular looked as though they might fly right off the page altogether.  And with Alex Ross on cover art, what else could a fan look for?

Overall, it is clear Dark Horse has another smash hit on their hands with Brian Woods’ take on filling the gaps between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.  For fans of the original films, this series sets a tone that will no doubt remind one of how good the Star Wars franchise really was, and Wood’s series is a welcoming re-introduction to a familiar world without the painful and awkwardness experienced in Episodes I-III.

The Good

This was a great first start to a brand new series! Writer Brian Wood does a great job at this first issue by providing action and classic fan favorite characters. The issue starts the series off with the premise and the state of the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire. Wood does a terrific job with this because he doesn't automatically start with an action packed issue, instead he focuses on the state of the two sides and the bond between the main characters. All ready things are interesting with a spy among the Rebel ranks!

One of the great parts in this series is how quick Brain Wood placed this series within the original trilogy's timeline. Without wasting any time, Wood placed this series after the events of episode 4 and before the events of episode 5. The dialogue between Luke and Leia to get readers acquainted to the timeline of this Star Wars series was not forced and got straight to the point. Speaking of dialogue that was great as well.

The script and dialogue of this series does justice to the Star Wars franchise. Many times writers force dialogue into Star Wars' titles and it does not fit nor seem like it would even be in the Star Wars Universe. However, Brian Wood does a great job at the pacing of events and the dialogue that follows it.

Another of the many great things of this series is that Wood focuses on the economic side of the Star Wars Universe. Having to fight a war from both sides, Empire and Rebels, is really great to see. However, most times we forget that someone is supplying them funds, ammunition, and soldiers to wage this war. I never thought that I would hear about all the economic situations presented in this issue. I believe Wood did a great job at incorporating these issues.

Carlos D'Anda does a good job with the artwork. I've always enjoyed D'Anda's artwork ever since his concept art on Batman Arkham Asylum and now in Star Wars. The colors by Gabe Eltaeb works perfect with D'Anda's artwork and makes his work look more inviting for newer Star Wars fans while doing the characters enough justice for the hardcore original trilogy fans. Finally, Alex Ross' cover for this issue is great. Nothing else needs to be said about Ross' work it is just breathtaking.

The Bad

What would have been better for the start of this issue, and series, is if it was dedicated towards the hardcore fans of the original trilogy. Brian Wood has enough material to please the original trilogy fans, but the constant references of who main characters are in this series only serves the purpose of accustoming new readers/fans. If Brian Wood focused more on the fans of the original trilogy, comic sales for this series would be through the roof. Finally, the characters don't look like their respective actors. I did enjoy D'Anda's artwork, however I'm not sure if it was intentional to make the characters not look like Mark Hamil, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, etc. I would've liked to see a resemblance to the actors.

The Verdict

Fans, both old and new, will enjoy this series. It is very inviting for new readers and has enough original trilogy mentions, and characters, that will keep them interested. The artwork, both interior and cover, are highlights of this issue and Brian Wood does a great job at the script for this issue. Overall 4 out of 5.

Han Solo and Chewbacca start off the issue on a mission for Mon Mothma, only theMillennium Falcon draws the attention of Boba Fett in Slave I, hiding in some debris. As they jump to their next secret rendezvous point, they catch a glimpse of an arriving Star Destroyer. Meanwhile, back at the Rebel Fleet, Leia takes a break from selecting team members for her mission by watching a tourism ad for Alderaan, her destroyed homeworld. Luke and Wedge find themselves against stiff odds in a dogfight simulator against a wave of TIE Fighters, but Luke's torpedo tactics help him rack up more kills - but Wedge points out that the practice had a different goal: gauging how the pilot responds, and cockiness isn't a necessarily a plus. At Kuat, Colonel Bircher takes command of Vader's Star Destroyer, and decides to improve upon Vader's command of the Devastator, while putting his new assigned ensign onto monitoring Vader's departure.

Leia pulls her new pilot/commando team together and briefs them on their goal to find a new home for the Rebellion while ferreting out any Imperial spies in their midst. After introductions, she also shows them their shiny new X-Wings and let them know they are now officially off the grid. Luke checks in with the stressed Leia, and is reassured that while Wedge is her second in command, she needs Luke as a friend. And Han and Chewie finally reach their destination to find Mon Mothma's contact: a place not too welcome for members of the Rebel Alliance.

Han Solo and Chewbacca start off the issue on a mission for Mon Mothma, only theMillennium Falcon draws the attention of Boba Fett in Slave I, hiding in some debris. As they jump to their next secret rendezvous point, they catch a glimpse of an arriving Star Destroyer. Meanwhile, back at the Rebel Fleet, Leia takes a break from selecting team members for her mission by watching a tourism ad for Alderaan, her destroyed homeworld. Luke and Wedge find themselves against stiff odds in a dogfight simulator against a wave of TIE Fighters, but Luke's torpedo tactics help him rack up more kills - but Wedge points out that the practice had a different goal: gauging how the pilot responds, and cockiness isn't a necessarily a plus. At Kuat, Colonel Bircher takes command of Vader's Star Destroyer, and decides to improve upon Vader's command of the Devastator, while putting his new assigned ensign onto monitoring Vader's departure.

Leia pulls her new pilot/commando team together and briefs them on their goal to find a new home for the Rebellion while ferreting out any Imperial spies in their midst. After introductions, she also shows them their shiny new X-Wings and let them know they are now officially off the grid. Luke checks in with the stressed Leia, and is reassured that while Wedge is her second in command, she needs Luke as a friend. And Han and Chewie finally reach their destination to find Mon Mothma's contact: a place not too welcome for members of the Rebel Alliance.

Review: The first issue treated us to a little taste of the story, with getting into the heads of the main movie characters, and a little action. This second issue seems more the proper start of the main story, by introducing all the key pieces on the field. There's not really much action here, but a lot of introductions - we get to see the Imperial colonel Bircher on his own, ready to step things up, and his new red-haired ensign, Llona; and then also a whole squadron of Rebel pilots. And we get Han and Chewie a bit more (since they didn't get much space in the first issue), and the menace of Slave I. But no Vader - I'm sure we'll catch up with him later.

The pace in this issue seems pretty rapid fire with the scene changes, with so many players, so while not much is happening action wise, there's a lot of people to keep track of. While this issue is just putting the players into their positions for the start of the game, Wood spends some time with our main characters - showing a bit of Han and Chewie's relationship when they are on their own, Leia trying to find some time to mourn her lost world after work, and Wedge hoping to nudge Luke in the direction away from hotshot fighter pilot cockiness (and the death that usually comes with it), and a little bit of a look at Colonel Bircher without Vader around. An intriguing opponent, and it is noted that he's also a top TIE Interceptor wing commander, so I'm sure that will come into play soon enough. Despite all the hopping around from character to character, I felt that perhaps a little more needed to happen. I liked the simulator battle, but maybe the message of it was a bit too subtle - like there was an extra panel cut out at the end.Han Solo and Chewbacca start off the issue on a mission for Mon Mothma, only theMillennium Falcon draws the attention of Boba Fett in Slave I, hiding in some debris. As they jump to their next secret rendezvous point, they catch a glimpse of an arriving Star Destroyer. Meanwhile, back at the Rebel Fleet, Leia takes a break from selecting team members for her mission by watching a tourism ad for Alderaan, her destroyed homeworld. Luke and Wedge find themselves against stiff odds in a dogfight simulator against a wave of TIE Fighters, but Luke's torpedo tactics help him rack up more kills - but Wedge points out that the practice had a different goal: gauging how the pilot responds, and cockiness isn't a necessarily a plus. At Kuat, Colonel Bircher takes command of Vader's Star Destroyer, and decides to improve upon Vader's command of the Devastator, while putting his new assigned ensign onto monitoring Vader's departure.

Leia pulls her new pilot/commando team together and briefs them on their goal to find a new home for the Rebellion while ferreting out any Imperial spies in their midst. After introductions, she also shows them their shiny new X-Wings and let them know they are now officially off the grid. Luke checks in with the stressed Leia, and is reassured that while Wedge is her second in command, she needs Luke as a friend. And Han and Chewie finally reach their destination to find Mon Mothma's contact: a place not too welcome for members of the Rebel Alliance.

Review: The first issue treated us to a little taste of the story, with getting into the heads of the main movie characters, and a little action. This second issue seems more the proper start of the main story, by introducing all the key pieces on the field. There's not really much action here, but a lot of introductions - we get to see the Imperial colonel Bircher on his own, ready to step things up, and his new red-haired ensign, Llona; and then also a whole squadron of Rebel pilots. And we get Han and Chewie a bit more (since they didn't get much space in the first issue), and the menace of Slave I. But no Vader - I'm sure we'll catch up with him later.

The pace in this issue seems pretty rapid fire with the scene changes, with so many players, so while not much is happening action wise, there's a lot of people to keep track of. While this issue is just putting the players into their positions for the start of the game, Wood spends some time with our main characters - showing a bit of Han and Chewie's relationship when they are on their own, Leia trying to find some time to mourn her lost world after work, and Wedge hoping to nudge Luke in the direction away from hotshot fighter pilot cockiness (and the death that usually comes with it), and a little bit of a look at Colonel Bircher without Vader around. An intriguing opponent, and it is noted that he's also a top TIE Interceptor wing commander, so I'm sure that will come into play soon enough. Despite all the hopping around from character to character, I felt that perhaps a little more needed to happen. I liked the simulator battle, but maybe the message of it was a bit too subtle - like there was an extra panel cut out at the end.

Review: The first issue treated us to a little taste of the story, with getting into the heads of the main movie characters, and a little action. This second issue seems more the proper start of the main story, by introducing all the key pieces on the field. There's not really much action here, but a lot of introductions - we get to see the Imperial colonel Bircher on his own, ready to step things up, and his new red-haired ensign, Llona; and then also a whole squadron of Rebel pilots. And we get Han and Chewie a bit more (since they didn't get much space in the first issue), and the menace of Slave I. But no Vader - I'm sure we'll catch up with him later.

The pace in this issue seems pretty rapid fire with the scene changes, with so many players, so while not much is happening action wise, there's a lot of people to keep track of. While this issue is just putting the players into their positions for the start of the game, Wood spends some time with our main characters - showing a bit of Han and Chewie's relationship when they are on their own, Leia trying to find some time to mourn her lost world after work, and Wedge hoping to nudge Luke in the direction away from hotshot fighter pilot cockiness (and the death that usually comes with it), and a little bit of a look at Colonel Bircher without Vader around. An intriguing opponent, and it is noted that he's also a top TIE Interceptor wing commander, so I'm sure that will come into play soon enough. Despite all the hopping around from character to character, I felt that perhaps a little more needed to happen. I liked the simulator battle, but maybe the message of it was a bit too subtle - like there was an extra panel cut out at the end.

STAR WARS (2013) #6
Brian Wood (W), Carlos D’Anda (A), Gabe Eltaeb (C), and Rodolfo Migliari (Cover)