By Cameron Kerkau, Staff Reporter.
The “Star Wars” extended universe once consisted of well over a hundred novels, comic books, and video games. Fans were understandably upset in 2014 when it was announced that the “Star Wars” canon would be re-worked to only include the 6 films as well as the T.V. show “Star Wars: The Clone Wars.” Anything released before April 25, 2014 was rebranded under the banner of “Legends,” and everything afterwards is described as being canon. The majority of the new extended universe now consists of comic books which are published by Marvel comics.
Marvel has tasked some their best creators with delivering worthwhile “Star Wars” comics, and they’ve more than delivered. Each comic finds a unique new perspective on the universe and its characters. Such as Mark Waid and Terry Dodson’s “Princess Leia” mini-series which focuses on aspects of the princess that haven’t been explored in the past. Somehow, it’s easily forgotten that Leia is one of the last surviving Alderanians. Alderaan was destroyed by the Death Star in “A New Hope” and then is never really talked about again. Waid takes extreme advantage over this misstep, and builds a story based upon Leia’s desire to gather her remaining people and salvage the Alderanian culture. It’s an interesting change of space for “Star Wars” stories, and it’s a wonder that no one has explored it before.
What Kieron Gillen accomplishes with “Darth Vader” is equally impressive. No one would have blamed Gillen for ignoring the frequently lambasted “Star Wars” prequel films, but that’d be too easy. The lovelorn scenes of Anakin’s youth that are featured in “Attack of the Clones” and “Revenge of the Sith” were denounced across the board as tedious and ineffective, but they somehow seem potent when put into the context of Darth Vader’s flashbacks. Gillen also makes great use of a supporting cast consisting of both new and already established characters. This is especially necessary when the main character is as stoic and expressionless as Vader. Highlights of this cast include two droids named Triple 0 and BT-1, who act as twisted versions of C3P0 and R2-D2. Artist Salvador Larroca gives the book an authentic “Star Wars” feel that is thanks in part to his use of wide panels that give the book a cinematic flair.
The flagship “Star Wars” book is simply titled “Star Wars.” It’s written by Jason Aaron, and like any film in the original trilogy, it focuses on Luke Skywalker, Leia and Han’s relationship and adventure. In that way, it feels less innovative than the rest of Marvels “Star Wars” comics, though we do get to see some of our favorite characters develop in new ways. Particularly Luke, whom of which we find at an interesting moment in his career as a Jedi. He’s more experienced than he was at the end of “A New Hope,” but he still isn’t properly trained in the ways of the force. He’s also at an interesting spot emotionally, as the deaths of his aunt, uncle, and master are fresh wounds. Aaron takes the time to let us in on Luke’s emotions and motivations. For the first time, he feels like his own agent, as contrasted by his role in the original trilogy where he spent most of his time doing what he was told.
Marvel has also published comics focusing on Darth Maul, Lando Calrissian, Chewbacca and Kanan from the Cartoon Network show “Star Wars: Rebels.” Marvel has also published a book centering on the relationship between a young Obi-wan and Anakin. Some fans might still be sour about Disney dismantling the canon that had existed since “A New Hope” hit theaters, but personally I’m grateful for the new, simpler and more focused extended universe. So far, it seems that the comic books are at least in good hands.
