Star Wars #1 Review

The Info Bit

Title: Star Wars

Genre/s: Science Fiction / Fantasy

Writer: Jason Aaron (Wolverine, Avengers Vs X-Men)

Penciler: John Cassaday (Astonishing X-Men, Daredevil)

Colorist: Laura Martin (Astonishing Thor, 52)

Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos (Action Comics, Amazing Spider-Man)

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Number of Issues: #1 of ongoing

Page Count: 48 (10 pages are previews of other SW titles)

Price: $4.99

The Review Bit

The Dark Horse era of Star Wars comics is now over. It was an amazing run with some incredible stories as well as the creation of a multitude of fan favorite characters, but now the property returns home to Marvel Comics. It is once again time for the “House of Ideas” to dazzle us with tales from a galaxy far far away. Not only was Marvel’s Star Wars #1 arguably the most anticipated single issue comic release in years, but with upwards of 70 different covers is also the highest selling comic in 20 years, selling over 1 million copies.

Being the massive fan that I am, I couldn’t wait. When I received a preview copy of the issue I eagerly tore through the issue, reading every word and taking in every panel. It was a glorious moment. I can’t say enough good things about this book. It FELT like watching Star Wars. The issue even opens with a “STAR WARS” 2 page splash, and then the iconic “scrawl.” This was written and drawn with love, that much is completely obvious. Jason Aaron is a fan and it shows. This was a dream gig for him and he took it and ran with it and did an amazing job. I felt that he knew exactly how to write these characters we all love so well and do it with such a fanboys passion and attention that we would mentally fall right back into our childhood.

The story takes place a couple of months after Episode IV, the heroes of the Rebellion are arriving on Tatooine and preparing to bluff their way into a weapons factory, I’m sure you can guess the reasons why. With Han acting as an Envoy from Jabba the Hutt (looking to purchase weapons), and 2 Skiff guards in tow (Luke and Leia in disguise) our heroes make it into the facility. Once inside they overtake their “tour guides” and split up into the facility. Through the force Luke can sense a large grouping of life hidden in the facility and fines a large number of slaves locked in cages. Soon after a shuttle arrives at the weapons factory with none other than the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader on board. How can our favorite rebels escape and get back to C-3PO and the Millennium Falcon? Hurry up issue #2!!!

One thing to me that really stands out is how great it is that Aaron truly wrote Han as the badass we were introduced to. Han is awesome in this book, I don’t want to get into too much detail for fear of spoiling awesome moments, but Han Solo is perfectly represented by this creative team. John Cassaday’s art was so fantastic, which isn’t unusual, but having a full issue of his art in the Star Wars Universe is just awesome. I felt that Laura Martin’s colors overall were very good, I have some issue with some of the overuse of shadowing, but overall I think her colors paired well with Cassaday’s art.

Between Cassaday’s interiors and Aaron’s words I felt less like I was reading a comic and more like I was watching a new chapter in the Star Wars Saga. Now it is time for me to prepare to hunt down all the special shop covers that I can’t get in my LCS on release day.

The Rating Bit

I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait for issue #s 2-infinity. This is Star Wars fans have been waiting for. I give this a 9 out of 10. As much as I love it, I had to deduct a point for a couple small reasons that kept it from being perfect. Feel free to argue with me on this one, but I wasn’t thrilled that their first mission involves Tatooine. Sometimes I think I can be too loyal of a fan for things, but to me it took away from Return of the Jedi. In Episode VI you got this sense (well at least I did) that this was the first time that Luke had been back to Tatooine. The entire “There’s nothing to see. I used to live here you know,” dialog now feels different. I know it isn’t important to most people, but it just sort of irked me. The main issue for the point reduction has to do with Marvel. Are you REALLY going to charge me $5 and NOT give me card stock, come on now.

Star Wars #1 hits shelves January 14th