Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Star Wars Agent of the Empire: Iron Eclipse #1 of 5
Dark Horse Entertainment
Ostrander, Roux & Hugonnard-Bert
The Star Wars Expanded Universe is a term that gets thrown around a lot and generally refers to the stories that occur outside of the films. However, to me, a general Star Wars buff, I think of the Expanded Universe to literally be the expansion of the known universe within the films. This series is centered exactly within those parameters, particularly in the age leading up to the original film. The hook is that this series is about an agent, not unlike James Bond, that operates for the Empire but will track down whatever he needs to, wherever he needs to. This is a terrific start to a series that is fairly unique that explores an excellent time period. If you have any interest at all in Star Wars and something different within Star Wars then give this one a shot.
This isn’t a story that involves Jedi or TIE-Fighters and Ewoks. This is a story that drops a character named, Jahan Cross, who works for the Empire in a couple of roles, into situations that demands subtle policing. In this issue Jahan uncovers an Imperial Agent that is using his position of power in some shady ways including the use and sale of weapons. This issue is the confrontation resulting from Jahan’s research that leads him on a further adventure trying to get to the bottom of the plot.
Like the best Star Wars stories, including the original films, this story is at its best when the lead character is thrown the unexpected. Jahan is not alone in his quest as he is accompanied by a female-looking droid named IN-GA. IN-GA allows for the familiar territory of having a sidekick in the Star Wars stories. The comic reminds so much of one of the Han Solo or Lando Calrissian novels that gets back to basics in terms of adventure.
The book is heavy on the mimicking of pop-culture characters. Beyond the obvious James Bond, we’ve got a Dick Tracy like cop and a scientist duo named Pew and Bleeker in an obvious nod to the Muppet pair. It doesn’t take the seriousness away from the story but it feels a little hokey.
The artwork is stellar. Roux has clean pencils that capture everything amazing about the original trilogy. Roux is in great command of the characters and overall look to the Star Wars vision from the films. The action scenes are incredibly fluid and the characterization of the familiar characters at the end are terrific.
Don’t let the James Bond hook scare you off because this is definitely a Star Wars story. If you like adventure and excitement then this is worth checking out. Star Wars is supposed to be fun and that’s what this book is.
3.5 out of 5 Geek Goggles
