Gint's 9-9-15 Pull-List Review

The only thing that interested me enough to buy this week were two Star Wars books. One of them, I took a complete chance on.

Second Place:

Star Wars: Shattered Empire #1

That chance was taken on this book. What happens immediately after Return of the Jedi? Greg Rucka and Marco Checcetto try to tell us. Much like the disappointment of the Aftermath novel being about anyone BUT the main cast of the Original Trilogy, Shattered Empire is close to the same.

We see a little Han and Chewie and a brief glance at Lando. But ultimately, this book is about Poe Dameron's parents, or so it seems initially. Looks like he's conceived on Endor in an Ewok hut. Kinky.

Aside from that, it seems the Empire doesn't just give up after the second Death Star explodes. There are still outposts that aren't giving up, and this is where our new heroes come in.

Rucka does a decent job, and Checcetto's art is pretty slick. Interesting angles and all that. But they have the uphill climb every Star Wars book writer faces: making the audience give a damn about characters that weren't in the movies.

It should also be mentioned that the only reason I gave this book a try is because Phil Noto's cover may be my favorite Star Wars art of all time. Click on it for a larger version.

First Place:

Darth Vader #9

Keiron Gillen and Salvador Larroca's run continues. This is a book that's getting harder and harder to talk about because its just been so consistent. It hasn't lit my world on fire, but each issue has been good.

What the creative team has done masterfully so far is given us a reason to pull for Vader and Aphra. Aphra moreso than Vader since our love for him has already been established. But Aphra and the murder droids are brand spanking new and have our empathy... even though they're bad guys.

So keep on keeping on, boys. This continues to be the most consistently entertaining book of the Marvel Star Wars line.

Panel of the Week:

I really liked this floor-up angle. There's lots of interesting camera choices by Checcetto this issue.

-Gint