There was a great deal of excitement for Star Wars when it was first purchased by Disney, with the prospect of new movies, comics, and games inevitable. While dedicated fans like myself were sad to see the decades of Expanded Universe lore pushed into the non-canonical Legends category, we were also excited to see how new creators would put their spin on the Star Wars mythos. Jason Aaron’s Star Wars title from 2015 was recreating the time between the three original Star Wars films, and while not all of it is memorable, it is highly competent, enjoyable, and worth the read.
Collecting the first 16 issues of the main Marvel Star Wars comic (along with #13-15 of Darth Vader and single Vader one-shot), this series picks up after the Rebel Alliance destroyed the first Death Star in A new Hope. Luke Skywalker continues his quest to become and Jedi Knight, and is forced to confront Darth Vader and Boba Fett during his quest to learn about the Force, while Han Solo and Princess Leia deal with a mysterious figure from Han’s past. The rebels seize an opportunity when Vader crash-lands on a desolate world and use it to push their advantage.
Jason Aaron is a good comic writer, and these first 16 issues are engaging and action-packed. One of Aaron’s strengths is allowing his accompanying artist to tell his script without burdening it with unnecessary exposition. The iconic characters have a life to them and don’t feel out of place next to their cinematic interpretations. I especially enjoyed the incorporation of the bounty hunters and Jabba into this storyline. When Luke is put into a Gladiator like battle to the death with a rancor, the reader watches as this younger Skywalker, not yet a Jedi, must grapple with the situation. Even when fan service is provided in Solo and Leia picking up lightsabers, it’s done effectively and doesn’t feel like gratuitous action plotting.
Marvel Comics
Each 4 to 6 issues has a committed artist, and all do fine Star Wars visuals. I find Stuart Immonen to have the most engaging panel work, with Salvador Larroca being the least enjoyable with his very dark shadows that seem out of place within the tone of this title. On the plus side, Kieron Gillen always does respectable cosmic fantasy, and so these Larroca’s arc reads well. Overall, the interior art is strong, and captured the Star Wars ethos effortlessly. However, I can’t help but feel some nostalgia for the way Dark Horse gave each of their Star Wars comics cinematic covers that looked as good as film posters. The interiors of those Dark Horse issues might have left much to desire, but I wish Marvel’s Star Wars line would put the same effort into the front of each issue.
Marvel Comics
Marvel must have read some of my previous reviews of their Epic Collections, as this trade includes a wealth of supplementals that you rarely see in a trade of this sort. There are sketches, interviews, variant covers, and Jason Aaron’s introduction to the run that was included in the Omnibus. These additions really help situate new readers into this new version of Star Wars and readers will welcome their inclusion.
Regardless of what your favorite Star Wars era is, this trade provides enough to enjoy that all fans will find something to embrace in Skywalker Strikes. It’s written well, looks great, and gives its iconic cast more to do than reenact memorable moments from the films. With the new volume of the Star Wars monthly title about to hit shelves, this book would be a perfect place for new readers to jump into Star Wars comics.
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