The Star Wars prequels were not well loved by many fans of my generation, but there is a whole cohort of younger enthusiasts who grew up with these movies and continue to advocate for them in the fandom. Thanks to the added lore developed in The Clone Wars animated series, this pre-Imperial era of the Star Wars galaxy has plenty of wonderful characters and storylines to return to. Gratefully, many comic creators also helped give this period a distinct in-universe identity, and the Marvel Epic line of collections has continued to reprint those pivotal storylines. In the first volume of Rise of the Sith, Star Wars fans are treated to a strong assortment of different tales from the years before Palpatine and Darth Vader vanquished the Jedi Order.
Collecting Star Wars: Jedi – the Dark Side #1-5, Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan – The Aurorient Express #1-2, Last Stand on Ord Mantell #1-3, Jedi Council – Acts of War #1-4, and a selection of relevant material from Star Wars and Star Wars Tales, this trade is packed full of adventure related to the end of the Republic Era. For fans of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, this book won’t disappoint, as their relationship and ethos is explored through multiple storylines. I was never that interested in Qui-Gon based on his presentation in The Phantom Menace, but the character present in The Dark Side, an inquisitive figure who questions the Jedi Council’s dictates, is an interesting development and one I found sympathetic to. Written by Scott Allie with art from Mahmud Asrar, this storyline was admirable, building on the established lore and filling in some of the missing gaps in our understanding of the Jedi Order and the elder Jedi’s place within it.
Marvel Comics
The rest of the book is hit and miss, with some wildly divergent artistic styles present. You have cartoony pieces from Chris Eliopoulos and Jon Sommariva play well with the glossy Aurorient Express storyline from Mike Kennedy and Lucas Marangon, both strikingly different from the short by Jim Woodring and Robert Teranishi. I especially liked Jedi Council – Acts of War, which was a tight script from Randy Stradley with detailed cartoon art from Davide Fabbri focusing on Mace Windu’s team of Jedi as they take on the Yinchorri. Nothing here is bad, but the changes in style are noticeable. Having said that, I appreciate seeing so many different approaches to the Star Wars Universe in one place.
Marvel Comics
A few sketches are thrown in, but the best supplemental is the promotional material for The Dark Side published in Wizard Magazine in 1999. These bygone inclusions are a blast for older folks like me who only vaguely recall these comics being published but gives context for newer fans who likely missed the context for these storylines. I would love to see Marvel include more of these old pieces of media in future collections.
Whether you are a fan who felt the prequel films were a missed opportunity, or one who has a strong affinity for its characters and tone, there is something in Rise of the Sith Vol. 1 to enjoy. I was surprised how I found myself invested in these characters and plot lines, even if they only add to the narrative tapestry that is Star Wars.
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