Star Wars Adventures 1: Heroes of the Galaxy (IDW)

Star Wars Adventures 1: Heroes of the Galaxy (IDW) 

     This new comic series brought to us by IDW is spectacular in how it connects all aspects of canon!! I was absolutely floored by the ingenuity put into this piece of writing. We get one main story about Rey and Unkar Plutt and two shorter stories from Emil, Milo's grandson (from Adventures in Wild Space)! Each story was action packed and unique, I definitely didn't feel like I was reading anything old and familiar. I can't wait to check out the rest of the series!

"Better the Devil You Know" written by Cavan Scott, illustrated by Derek Charm

     Unkar Plutt has been kidnapped by a gang of treasure hunters led by a man named Zool Zendiot. His crew includes Kanna (a member of the aquatic Patrolian species), Ramakak (a Talz), and Tryki (a Zabrak). Zool is looking for the head of a droid Unkar had received as salvage, but little does either know that Rey's the one with her hands on the valuable item.

     In Unkar's absence, Krynodd, a Gabdorin (like Sidon Ithano's first mate Quiggold), takes over Niima Outpost much to the chagrin of its inhabitants. Rey wonders if Krynodd will just make their lives even worse than Unkar did and so she sets off to rescue the Crolute. While in Niima, we get a glimpse of Crusher, Bobbajo, and Constable Zuvio and one of his cousins. Yay for repeating character appearances!!

     We learn about several predatory species on Jakku including ripper raptors, bloggins, and gnaw jaws.

     Rey expertly finagles her way out of a tight spot and saves Unkar in the process, defeating Zool and his cronies. Unkar even provides her with a generous thank you, bless his cold, cold heart.

Tales from Wild Space: "Stop, Thief!" written by Cavan Scott, illustrated by Jon Sommariva, Sean Parsons, and Charlie Kirchoff

     Here we find ourselves back on the Star Herald from Adventures in Wild Space and we even get to see old CR-8R (Crater) again! Emil, the main story teller here, turns out to be Milo's grandson and Lina's great nephew! He even has his own Kowakian Monkey-Lizard just like his grandfather. We also have the addition of a new BB-8 like droid named Boo. I can't believe they took such an obscure series and tied it into this comic book collection. I was too excited for words when I saw this! Emil's storytelling MO is to relay a lesson to Crater through recalling stories from before the sequel trilogy.

     This particular one tells of Obi-Wan catching a thief from Dex's Diner as Crater is trying to figure out how to get his laser welder back from Noni, Emil's Monkey-Lizard.

     So here we get prequel trilogy characters mixed with Wild Space characters--the canon connections are just too good to be true.

Tales from Wild Space: "The Flat Mountain of Yavin" written by Elsa Charretier and Pierrick Colinet, illustrated by Elsa Charretier and Sarah Stern

     This time Crater and Boo are fighting over the current malfunction of the Star Herald and Emil tells a story about Evaan Verlaine saving Yavin from a Star Destroyer. Evaan is a character from the Marvel Leia short run comic series! Another obscure character they've connected within this Star Wars Adventures issue. Ahhh!! I can't get enough of this.

     I was a little confused by this one because I don't remember Star Destroyers being an issue when the Rebels were evacuating Yavin, I thought the only threat was the Death Star. Perhaps I need to go back and rewatch A New Hope...

     The issue ends with a number of beautiful illustrations of Rey doing Rey-ish things on Jakku. 

     This was such a fantastic show of connecting obscure characters to not-so-obscure characters and making canon truly the interconnected thing that Disney has been talking about. I just couldn't believe my eyes when taking it all in. I truly cannot wait to read the next issue!!