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By Various (Dark Horse Books)
ISBN 1-84023-646-9
The initial outing for the sub-franchise based on the events of the new Star Wars movies – in this specific case Attack of the Clones – reprints issues #49 and 50 of the monthly comic Star Wars: Republic, plus the one-shot Star Wars Jedi: Mace Windu.
Veteran collaborators John Ostrander and Jan Duursema create a tense and gritty slice of space opera in ‘Sacrifice’, as undercover Jedi Quinlan Vos finds himself drawing further and further from the path of Force to protect his imposture as a renegade and disciple of the Separatist leader Count Dooku. The plot concerns the retrieval of some plans that could threaten both sides of the conflict, but is there another agenda? One that would benefit simply by prolonging the war?
Dark and foreboding, this tense thriller serves as an excellent appetiser for the three short tales that follow. ‘Brothers in Arms’ is a rip-roaring war story as Master Ben Kenobi and Anakin lead a spirited rear-guard action that is actually a cunning feint to destroy the forces threatening the strategic world of Kamino. Of course nothing ever really goes to plan in combat, as ably demonstrated by Ostrander and Duursema, assisted by Dan Parsons on inks.
‘Jango’s Legacy’ by writer Haden Blackman and Stephen Thompson and Ray Kryssing is another combat tale as the separatist forces storm the citadel where the Republic’s clone warriors are grown. All hope depends on the untested special batch of clones designated ARC Troopers. Will they live up to expectations or will the undisciplined streak that couldn’t be eradicated from the Jango gene template bring disaster upon them all?
The final short, ‘No End in Sight’, is by Scott Allie, Tomás Giorello and Kryssing; a monumental space battle seen from the side of the Mon Calimari attackers attempting to take Kamino for Count Dooku, which demonstrates that heroism and self-sacrifice are never the exclusive preserve of one side in a war. And all the time the shadowy manipulations of the soon-to-be Emperor Palpatine progress just beyond the notice of the desperately worried Jedi Masters…
The book concludes with Mace Windu on a mission to the planet Lianna to prevent the assassination of an old friend and Jedi Sabre Master, Sora Bulq. En route he rendezvous with Quinlan Vos and among the intelligences shared is the revelation that many Jedi are losing focus, their spirituality increasingly clashing with their new role as soldiers. Brooding and introspective, this drama from Ostrander, Duursema and Parsons is not short on spectacular action even if some of the plot twists aren’t that surprising.
Space Opera buffs and franchise fans alike should be encouraged by the consistent high quality of these comic adventures. These read well with the minimum need for back-story and that’s always a good start for an entertaining time.
© 2003 Lucasfilm Ltd. & ™. All Rights Reserved.