Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Star Wars #5
Dark Horse Comics
Wood, D'Anda & Eltaeb
Brian Wood writes a lot of comic books. Some of them are immediately excellent, such as Conan, while others seem to cook a little longer before turning into something great. Star Wars hit the right spot this week and suddenly raised itself above so many of the other Star Wars series that have come before it. This series just became very good.
Wood has been juggling a lot of subplots. The Darth Vader one is moving so slowly I can't possibly see it delivering any kind of payoff in the near future. It's virtually a waste of space. The Han Solo and Chewbacca one has had its moments but this issue jams in the tired set of bounty hunters we've seen so many times. I get that they are popular but it's a little tiring to think that Boba Fett works for Darth Vader and Jabba the Hutt and he keeps running into Han and Chewie (and Lando) at every turn. It's kind of ridiculous.
The Leia plot has been center stage and it's been excellent. Leia trying to find the spy within the ranks, while manning an X-Wing and scolding Luke along the way is all great stuff. The character developments for Leia have been some of the best I've ever read for the character so far.
This issue also made the Luke subplot something to watch. He's been hearing Ben's voice in his head. He's not sure what to make of it. Well, one of his new X-Wing pilot friends not only can hear the voice, but she can see him as well. This idea is a great one and hopefully will be a long running subplot that gets explored deeply.
Wood's character work is terrific regardless of the subplot concepts. He nails the banter between Han and Chewie, which is amazing when you consider one speaks without a translation for the reader. He captures Luke's innocence and, at times, depressing feeling of having lost everything he ever knew and loved very succinctly as well. Wood is really proving to have a great handle on the characters as seen through the lens of the original film.
The artwork is fantastic. Detailed, lively and colorful are the pillars of this comic book and it works on nearly every single level. Chewbacca is the only misstep but the bulk of the characters and their body language are perfect page after page. Star Wars typically gives a dirty and gritty impression and while this book shies away from that it doesn't lose any of the Star Wars feel.
This comic book is taking off in a great way. Star Wars has so many books, comics, video games and stories that tend to bury away the core of the original movie. This comic book is standing out from the pack. If Wood can master the Han Solo subplot and give Darth Vader more of an in depth look he's going to be involved in a true classic.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
