Star Wars - Boba Fett: Enemy of the Empire Review

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(More customer reviews)I wasn't really looking forward to reading this after the travesty that was Death, Lies, and Treachery, but I'm one of those die-hard Star Wars fans who reads everything.
Let me start off with the problems inherent in a Boba Fett centered story -- a great Star Wars story requires at least one of two things, cool space battles or cool jedi battles. Fett can provide neither. That was one (of many) of the failings of D,L,&T, as well as the main failing of the Bounty Hunter Wars book series. Another problem is that Fett is a very quiet, withdrawn individual, and that can get boring after a short time.
That all said, this was a nifty comic. While the story was a little silly, the characters were fun if not taken seriously, and the art, though kind of weird and more suited to a cartoon than a comic, was functional if not exactly inspiring.
There just wasn't much lasting value...it's fun once, but not really worth all the money. Also, this book doesn't have the cool preface by a cool author that most of the collected editions do, but it does have the cover gallery which some lack.
The real gem of this collection is Boba Fett #1/2 -- Salvage. A really good story. This and Twin Engines of Destruction really demonstrate that Fett is much better suited to one-shots than miniseries. A fun, excellently drawn, clever little gem of a comic, this book is almost worth buying for this little unrelated story alone.
Almost...

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Trill and Bajor (Worlds of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Vol. 2) Review

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(More customer reviews)In fact, it's probably a wee bit better. When I was reviewing the first volume, I rated the Cardassia story as higher than the Andorian story because of the soap opera feel in that story, and gave that book a 4 star rating. This book is more between a 4 and 4.5 star rating. Before saying anything, i have to give kudos to all of the writers for incorporting the most random episodes from waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in the days of DS9 and TNG and parlaying them into important backstories for these new stories, both in this volume and in Unity and others. I'm impressed :) This version also follows the general thread of the first book, where the first story focuses more on the society than the personal characters (Trill and Cardassia) and the second one focuses on the interactions between the society and the characters (Andor and Bajor).
The Trill story is the better of the two by a nose, because it wraps up completely. It focuses on the upheavals on Trill after the events of Unity, the role of Trill in the parasite evolution and the reasons for the parasite's hatred, and it has a very strong ending with very strong repercussions for all Trill, unjoined and joined, as well as for Ezri and Julian. I liked the way the story was written and the implications of what happens to the symbiotes as they grow older (much older). I look forward to the aftermath of these events, and how it affects Trill and the Federation.
The Bajor story is a paradox. It is more interesting than the Trill story (to me) but is a cliff-hanger, and has about 3 or 4 different story threads, only half of which are resolved in this volume. While it plays a bit like the Andor story in the soap opera vein, Jake is a whole lot more sympathetic than Prynn Tenmei is. Call me biased :) The cliffhanger nature of the story reduced the enjoyment for me, 'cause now I have to wait for a while to find out what some of the loose ends were referring to, and it was a bit hard to follow all the threads, even interesting as each of them were. However, what was given was great, and it is a joy to see Capt. Sisko and his lovely baby girl, and family, and Jake and...read it and see. However, I think that this story should have been used as the basis of a novel a la Unity, rather than as a novella in this series.
All in all, I recommend it to all fans of DS9 Relaunch, and I look forward to the Dominion and Ferengrinar stories. What's after those???


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TRILL. The Trill are a combination of a symbiont and a host. The symbiont lives for hundreds of years in one host after another: each body is different, each personality is different, each life is different -- but all of them are one. The symbiont accumulates experiences, relationships, memories ...Andy Mangels and Michael A. Martin have set their story on this most multi-layered and extraordinary of worlds. When Trill involvement in the assassination of an allied world leader comes to light, the reason lies in the terrifying and tragic origins of the Trill -- and the answers reveal unsuspected links to other regions of the Star Trek universe. BAJOR. Political intrigue and interpersonal conflict in the style of The West Wing dominate on Deep Space Nine's core world of Bajor. The future of Bajor and the new role of long-missing Captain Benjamin Sisko are linked as this tale lays the groundwork for a major new storyline in further Deep Space Nine novels.

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Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (4 Different Cover Set) Review

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(More customer reviews)The storyline is ok, clearly lifted from the film and pressed into service by Brooks' adequate talent. Some insights into character development (completely unaddressed by the film), but I do have to give a single star to the totally unnecessary 4-different cover gimmick. Perhaps soon we'll have chapters and extra covers altered/added/subtracted for the re-release of the Novelization: Special Edition.

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Requiem for a Rogue (Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Volume 5) Review

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(More customer reviews)I enjoyed this book, as it was action packed, while still leading you through an involving plot. You see the true depths of what Bothans are capable of, when influenced by evil. Not only this, but you also see an extension of the theory proposed in "The Last Command": that the Bothans knew all about most of the Imperials secret storage facilities, but never felt like telling anyone else. I'd like to see this explored more deeply in a novel sometime. Anyways, another good Rouge Squadron book/comic.

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It should be an easy mission for Rogue Squadron -- a simple search-and-rescue of a group of castaways forced down to Malrev 4. But when they reach the backwater planet, the Rogues find themselves attacked by the bestial Irrukiine and then by the Bothans themselves. There`s something strange going down on Malrev 4.

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The Warrior Princess (Star Wars: X-Wing Rogue Squadron, Volume 4) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Warrior Princess is one Rogue Squadron comic I'm afraid is just satisfactory, not a must purchase. It is not essential reading in this series, in fact, is ideally bought if a discounted half-price copy is available.
The title, for starters, is painfully cliched. It brings to mind Xena images. Even later comics, like the Leia Organa story in the Empire series has similar titles, showing just how generic it is.
The art is just like Battleground: Tatooine, which I thought of as too light and sketchy. Here, in Eiattu's verdant swamps, it seemed even worse. Most of the new cast were typecast by their personalities: the revolutionary leader was a carbon copy of Earth equivalents, down to the "comrade" reference to his people; the new Rogues not quite as well presented as they are in later comics.
The dialogue was nothing fancy, but at least not the horror Tales of the Jedi was renown for. Plourr here lacks even her hair wig, bringing to mind how long you can look at a bald lady.
Having read Masquerade before this, I wondered what Tavira meant by Tycho's actions lost her control of Eiattu, which made her flee offworld. Unless I'm mistaken, I couldn't see what he did here that would have Tavira making that comment. He angered a pro-Imperial noble and escaped from Tavira's custody . . . but that's it. It wasn't he who liberated the world from Imperial ownership.
Tavira has better screen time in forthcoming comics, but not here. She's young and awfully cute but just doesn't offer more than the stereotypical Imperial governor scheming away. And if you're sharp enough, you might wonder why Plourr's brother looked too much like Hitler in his younger-years frames---something done, perhaps, just to emphasise his vicious villainy.
Only thing really going for The Warrior Princess is Plourr's revelation at the end, what happened behind the curtain of her shattered childhood. Otherwise, this is a comic to be bought for those uninterested in bad art, bland speech, predictable storyline to just complete a collection.

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Rogue X-wing pilot Plourr is requested to return to her home planet . . . as a princess! While attempting to stop an internal rebellion, the planet's government finds that she may have her own way of running things.

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Star Wars - Shadows of the Empire: Evolution Review

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(More customer reviews)For fans of the 'Movie Without The Movie' Event: Shadows of the Empire, this is a great little epilogue. Author Steve Perry takes the opportunity to explore life for Guri without Xizor and the future of Black Sun in this collected series.
The Empire is directionless, yet still dangerous, as the post-Jedi years continue on. Looking for allies, Luke, Leia, and Han get caught up in this tale that is artistically lighter than its predecessor. And also, learn Dash Rendar's true fate!
Recommended for die hard Star Wars nuts, and a nice read for an occasional fan.

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Star Wars: Heir to the Empire (Dark Horse Collection) Review

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(More customer reviews)Although there are a few very trivial flaws in "Heir to the Empire" they are easily overlooked and do not take away from any of the enjoyment contained within. I can say with all honesty and not a little relief that Timothy Zahn did a far better job than any of the low-brow attempts at a worthwhile novel about our beloved Star Wars heroes than such amateurs such as Kevin J. Anderson and Steve Perry. Basically, it takes place five years after "Return of the Jedi" and Luke is just starting to feel comfortable in his role as the galaxy's only known Jedi. Han and Leia are married and expecting twins while struggling to build a new Republic in their home in the Imperial Palace on Coruscant. The Empire is considerably weakened and withering away, but it still holds some surprises for our blossoming New Republic. Strutting upon the stage is a new antagonist almost worthy of being Darth Vader's equal. A blue skinned red eyed member of the Chiss species named Grand Admiral Thrawn, the last of the Empire's Grand Admirals, has taken the Empire into his own hands in an attempt to revive the Empire and bring it back into its former power. He is a brilliant military strategist and super-genius, able to glean merely from a culture's art its military strategies and psychological traits. Although, Zahn never bothers to explain exactly how he does this, I feel that this would certainly qualify one to be an extraordinary genius among geniuses. Okay, Thrawn is quite honestly a much better "bad guy" than the ludicrously ridiculous Hutt (a Hutt that would fit much better in an episode of Looney Tunes) that Kevin J. Anderson dreamed up in "Dark Saber" however, Zahn doesn't quite make him as fascinating as Darth Vader, but after Vader anyone would seem fairly anticlimatic. And an insane dark Jedi by the name of C'baoth is bent on capturing Luke and Leia (with her unborn twins) for his own corrupt reasons. A great plot with all our favorite characters, as well as an interesting trip to Kashyyyk with Chewbacca, even though his child and wife is disappointingly never mentioned, all combine to make a great read replete with space fights, political intrigue, and new characters.

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Star Wars - Jabba the Hutt: Art of the Deal Review

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(More customer reviews)When I first heard of this comic, I was less than thrilled to read it. In fact, I didn't even pick it up until a good five years after it came out. That being said, I was pleasantly surprised.
Writing a series of adventures from Jabba's point of view is no mean feat, but the authors do a superb job. Jabba is presented as true to his movie vision (more so in A New Hope Special Edition than Return of the Jedi, but these are supposed to be his early days), and the adventure and action are very Jabba-ish. More importantly, there are some real sci-fi elements, which are sometimes lacking in other SW adventures.
Basically, this comic series was an excellent recapture of the SW comics that came out back in the days when SW was young, both in theme and artwork. This is a good, short, fun read, and a nice addition to the Star Wras universe.

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Jabba the Hutt lives to negotiate, and the art of the deal is his only discipline. But the goods he trades are the lives of others, and in that line of business you can`t lose your head. These stories hold a valuable lesson: In a deal with the devil, you can always refuse. In a deal with Jabba, it`s not advised. Follow his adventures into the seediest corners of the galaxy as he encounters vile gangsters, hungry princesses, and back-stabbing opportunists. You`ve seen how Jabba handles negotiations -- but how will he handle betrayal?

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Star Wars-Crimson Empire: Council of Blood, Volume 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)While the first Crimson Empire tale was very good and effective, this one fails in many areas.
The main problem with this issues is that they had so many subplots and characters, it was like they were trying to compress a thick novel into a comic book series. There was so much going on they couldn't focus enough on any one theme and develop it.
Also, as much as I didn't like Sinn, heroic rebel commander, being portrayed as a complete slut in the first one, I hate it even worse when they change how a character looks from one comic to another, in the same way that it annoys me when different actors play the same character in different movies.
This book did have pretty good renditions of ships, and it was cool how they introduced mysterious Nom Anor, one of the main baddies in the New Jedi Order series. Unfortunately, although the ship and landscape art was mostly very well done, the people were badly rendered and disproportianate. The Hutt was tiny sometimes, normal sized at others, Sinn's face was a complete disaster, none of the carry-overs from the first issue looked right, and most of the time the faces were just too thick and disgusting.
Another thing, the alien races on the Imp Council! Not only were several of those species known to be sided with the New Republic, plus the fact that the Empire is all anti-aliens, makes this not work. Plus several of those species are so obscure I'm not sure why'd they'd have a member on the council. Oh well.
Still, I am definitely looking forward to CE III, as it is going to tie in pretty heavily to NJO...
If you really love Star Wars, buy this one, but if you're just a moderate fan, I'd recommend skipping it over.

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Fall of the Sith Empire (Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi) Review

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(More customer reviews)Once again, I state that I've never been an Anderson fan. 'Golden Age of the Sith' had some streong points, like a decent plot and beautiful art. Alas, the art quality drops a bit here and the story goes into a nosedive. There's almost no plot, save for a big battle. Granted, it can be pretty visually complex and interesting, drawing back to an old style of combat, but overall its quite lacking.
I've gotten out a fine-toothed comb, but cannot find any cohesive story, unfortunately. Read it only as a conclusion for 'Golden Age', but don't expect a lot.

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Now that the Sith Empire has rallied its forces to crush the Republic, their only threat is Jori Daragon, a mapper of hyperspace who happened to stumble upon the plans of the Sithand a lone woman who may become the savior of the Republic.Original.

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Star Wars: Crimson Empire, Volume 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)Years before Star Wars: Empire, Dark Horse gave us Crimson Empire- a dark story about the elite Imperial guard. Carnor Jax and and Kir Kanos are former members of Palpaltine's Eltite Guard, feared and respected throughout the galaxy. Now, two years after their master's death, they find themselves in very different circumstances. One, Jax, is poised to take over his master's throne, and the other, Kanos is a hunted, hungry fugitive that has sworn revenge on all those who betrayed his beloved emperor.
Flashing between now and the past, this book shows us slices of the past, including how the Imperial Guards were trained. Wow! That's all I can say without offering too many spoilers. :> And this book has more twists and turns in this plot than a Kessel Run.
Though it's a few years old now, this remains one of the best Star Wars stories of all time, and represents Dark Horse Star Wars at it's best. If what you love about the Star Wars Universe is the characterization then stop reading this review and buy yourself this. You won't be disappointed.
This can be enjoyed by newcomers and long term fans as it a clearly defined story not relying heavily on intricate continuity.
Highly recommended.


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