Marvel’s Star Wars: Ewoks #1 launches this week, coming right in time as their comics line skips ahead to after Return of the Jedi. It was bound to happen, especially since the Ewoks have had their fair share of comics before. With the new era starting on Endor, writer Steve Orlando and artists Alvaro Lopez and Laura Braga take us to one of the most famous moons in all of fiction.
If you’re in the dark about the deal with Ewoks, fear not, as Orlando fills us in rather quickly. Star Wars: Ewoks #1 opens on Endor in the tree village of the Ewoks. Wicket tells the tale of Leia and the Rebellion countless times as the Ewoks listen on the edge of their seats. People from the stars came and survived, but it also foretold that more would come eventually.
Enter Moff Adelhard, the new big-bad of this era of Marvel Comics. He’s the last man standing for the Empire and needs resources, some of which were left on Endor. Orlando establishes the man to get those resources, General Koyatta, rather efficiently. He’s a bit of a dunce and the type of Empire crony who’s a bully.
Armed with bounty hunters, some very familiar, they set off to complicate the Ewok’s lives, and it’s a logical mission. The only downside is that Koyatta is a bit too goofy and not very scary or formidable. I guess that’s where the bounty hunters come in.
Look at the detail!
Credit: Marvel
Complications are the name of the game in their culture. Orlando stresses the Ewoks’ togetherness in a rousing speech. Their culture is complex yet simple, made more complex by a new Ewok who is a loner. He believes in the Ewok people but refuses to live with them. He’s a bit of a foil to Wicket, who is far less trained and skilled. This sets up a nice dynamic that should put Wicket and Meedro on a path of self-discovery.
The art throughout is pretty spectacular. Lopez draws most of the issue, and Braga draws scenes with Koyatta and the bounty hunters. Lopez brings a high level of detail. The backgrounds are lush and hammer home the thick forest around these characters. The level of detail is also very good, with necklaces and clothing on the Ewoks looking quite realistic.
Braga’s no slouch either, with a slightly more cartoony style. When some duloks show up, they have a Muppet sort of vibe. The colorful bounty hunter crew is also well represented.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from Star Wars: Ewoks #1, but I loved it. The art team works well together, with one style bringing a highly detailed realistic look and the other a more all-ages friendly cartoony vibe. As a fan of Caravan of Courage: An Ewok Adventure growing up, I can’t wait for more. It’s got heart and adventure.
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