Star Wars #28 Review

Marvel Comics has had their fair share of fantastic Star Wars comics, and why shouldn’t they? They put some of their best artists and writers on these books. Jason Aaron has been fostering the Star Wars main title for 28 issues this week and while I wasn’t a huge fan of issue #27, I’m giving him the benefit of the doubt to see if he can turn this Yoda story around. Is it good?

Star Wars #28 (Marvel Comics)

So what’s it about? The summary reads:

The Animals thought, spoke and took revenge. The dust has settled and the blood has dried, but a new force is rising in the West, ready to help Animal-kind seize power in the dark new world to come…”

Why does this book matter?

These stories are canon, people! This one involves Luke Skywalker reading a lost story all about Yoda in Obi-Wan’s journal. How does that not get you pumped? Add in the fact that it reveals a mystery directly tied to the power of the Force, and…giddyup!

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

I imagine suicide is pretty low for Jedi.

This issue shakes out quite nicely giving Yoda’s journey more focus, but also tying into Obi-Wan’s as well. With the main details concerning the mysterious planet Yoda is trapped on out of the way, Yoda can embark on a personal journey as he quests to understand the power inside a mountain. A blue stone that seems to have Force power is bewildering and Aaron begins to peel back the mystery. Aaron writes some very thought provoking captions in this issue which help add weight to Yoda’s journey. It’s sort of like a vision quest for him and there are a few surprises in store for the reader. Prepare for your expectations of Yoda to be thrown for a loop.

Yoda himself is quite interesting in this issue. It’s clear he’s incredibly kind and good natured, though not funny like he was in Empire Strikes Back. This version of Yoda is a bit tired, but hungry to learn and help others. The script does well to prove this character could use a film of his own.

Larroca’s art isn’t quite as jarring in this issue when it comes to Yoda’s skin, although there are still a few panels where the pencils are almost like tattoos on his face. Light is used quite well in this issue, from blue glows to the oranges of a fire. Good on Edgar Delgado for his colors! Yoda’s size is drawn well too as a reminder of how small this Jedi master is, which helps convey his fish out of water feel in this story.

It can’t be perfect can it?

It’s somewhat obvious this issue came out only a week after the last because it takes both issues to drive up your interest and make you want more. It’s another month until we get more answers, though the answers in this issue continue to be lacking. The final cliffhanger splash page, for instance, doesn’t quite convey what we’re seeing. I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be vague, or if Larroca’s art is just unclear, but I had no idea what I was looking at and therefore no idea how to set my expectations. This issue does well to flesh out the purpose of Yoda’s journey, but you’re still very much in the dark when it comes to the blue stones and why the people there are acting the way they do. I have faith Aaron and Larroca can pull this off, but storywise I’m so in the dark I’m having trouble caring.

Yoda enters…the cave!

Is It Good?

This makes up for the lackluster last issue as it brings important meaning to core characters of the Star Wars universe. Yoda’s journey is intriguing and it’s interesting to see him at this stage of his life and how he acts with other characters. Star Wars continues to prove saga mainstays like Yoda and Obi-wan could use a film of their own.