The Star Wars galaxy is vast, and the opportunities for discovery and adventure are limitless. That’s never more evident than in the comics, which are in canon and allow writers to explore things the films and TV shows cannot. Star Wars #20 is a good example of this as Luke Skywalker searches for ancient Jedi artifacts the Empire has yet to destroy. What he finds goes beyond any old artifact.
Written by Charles Soule with art by Marco Castiello, this issue opens on Luke watching a hologram of Yoda teaching lessons. The hologram lesson frustrates Luke, but soon he realizes a clue is given by Yoda as to the location of a Jedi artifact that the Empire likely never reached. Soule quickly utilizes a rather clever alien world that’s heavily steeped in science fiction ideas to allow Luke to learn a thing or two.
Covered in what looks like mushrooms, Castiello reveals rather quickly the seemingly safe-looking planet is anything but. Soon Luke is whisked off somewhere else and speaking to a mysterious man. The scene plays out in a dreamlike way that reveals a familiar-looking location set in the far future. As if on a vision quest, Castiello draws these men like they are in a real place. It’s as if Soule has used the planet’s abilities to give Luke a quick primer.
The art in general has a harder edge, as if faces are carved from stone. It gives the story an old-school feel. Rachelle Rosenberg’s colors give the world and living creatures earthy tones that make them feel more alive. The hologram of Yoda, meanwhile, has a rather haunting tone with a lack of pupils and an artificial blue glow.
Nice to have a good mushroom to sit on.
Credit: Marvel
Star Wars is certainly known for its MacGuffins, and Soule supplies one by the end. What’s cool to see is a rather far-out science fiction idea used to supply Luke with info and his new direction. It’s an idea that is rather cool from a sci-fi perspective, but one we don’t normally see in Star Wars. It’s the kind of sci-fi that is a bit more explained and requires you to expand your own mind as far as what creatures are capable of in the universe.
Most of this book is exposition, as it leans on the alien world to create a sense of awe and intrigue. Soule steeps the world and Luke’s discoveries in a bit of mystery that draws you in. There’s also the fact that Luke learns about an older time, which should pique the interest of readers who are following along with the High Republic corner of the Star Wars universe.
Fans of the Jedi will enjoy a particular montage of events too. We all know the Jedi aren’t infallible, but here we learn they’ve served different roles. It’s sort of comforting knowing Jedi have always existed, but their role in affecting the galaxy has always changed.
Star Wars #20 is an interesting look at the Jedi on Luke’s quest to discover lost Jedi relics the Empire has yet to find. At its core, it’s a good science fiction tale with the main story revolving around a rather cool planetary concept.
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