Star Wars has a few unspoken rules, and one of them is that if a character uses the Dark Side, they’re bound to be scary, cool, or both. Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Qimir from The Acolyte…the list goes on. Star Wars: Inquisitors #1 puts its focus on another group of “scary cool” characters: the Inquisitors, Vader’s squad of Jedi-turned-Jedi-killers. The Inquisitors’ latest mission sends them on the trail of legendary Jedi Knight Tensu Run.
The Inquisitors have been a presence in the modern era of Star Wars since its inception, starting with Star Wars Rebels and bleeding into other projects including Jedi: Fallen Order and Tales of the Jedi. The concept is ripe with potential: take former Jedi and transform them into a shadow of their former selves, then send them to hunt other Jedi? Inquisitors #1 explores that potential by delving into why Tensu Run must die. In Vader’s eyes, the rogue Jedi represents hope that the Empire can be toppled…and that’s not something he’s willing to leave to chance.
The creative team for Inquisitors includes two creators who previously worked on Star Wars comics: Rodney Barnes wrote the comic book adaptations of The Mandalorian‘s first two seasons, while Ramon Rosanas illustrated most of Charles Soule’s current Star Wars run. They mesh together like a well-oiled machine, particularly when it comes to the depiction of the Grand Inquisitor. Barnes underlines every line of dialogue that comes out of his mouth with scorn or rage, while Rosanas etches in every detail from the grooves in his face to his polished armor.
Colorist Guru-eFX works with a wide palette of colors, most notably black. Black is in the vast void of space. It’s in the armor worn by the Inquisitors and their personal guards. It’s also in Darth Vader’s word balloons, which Joe Caramagna gives the necessary gravity. The message is clear: darkness reigns, and you either submit to it or get engulfed by it.
Overall, Star Wars: Inquisitors #1 is a great start to a comic that explores the darker side of the Star Wars universe. The only thing that could have made this better is if Jason Issacs was reading it aloud.
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