Star Wars Adventures: TPB #5: Mechanical Mayhem by various
Star Wars Adventures: TPB #5: "Mechanical Mayhem" written and illustrated by various (see below)
As I have come to expect, this was a great TPB full of fun and intriguing stories that provided some interesting canon connections! I do so love the "Star Wars Adventures" line and this did not disappoint.
First, we have "Trouble Again" written by John Barber, illustrated by Chad Thomas and Matt Herms. This was the only story out of all 5 that I wasn't sold on. It was super short and felt like a story we've heard time and again but it wasn't necessarily told in a new and different way. C-3PO has just had his memory wiped by Senator Organa (super sad and this must mean that the story takes place directly after Revenge of the Sith) and he doesn't remember ever being best buddies with R2!! *tear* Instead, he has a new counterpart--PTZ-1K (see below)--who is a probe droid with a mission...a mission R2 tries everything in his power to thwart. 3PO doesn't believe his new friend is up to no good and it takes a lot of shenanigans and hijinks before he comes around to trusting in his old buddie. Okay, fine...maybe it is pretty cute. I guess I just feel that this plot is played out, but it was an interesting twist having it take place right after 3PO's mind had been wiped thus providing a solid canon connection to a line from the prequels!
Second, we have "Intermission" written by Elsa Charretier and Pierrick Colinet, illustrated by Elsa Charretier and Sarah Stern which is a much longer tale. I LOVED this story!! It features Anakin and Padme on what they believe to be an innocuous vacation in the midst of the Clone Wars (sometime after the Senate Hostage Crisis) but all goes to heck as the situations they find themselves in typically do. Apparently Anakin is a huge fan of an actress named Madam Risha Synata (I'm not sure what species she is--see her picture below--and super funny that Anakin is obsessed with an actress). The actress feels slighted and overshadowed by Padme and will not let this rest as she essentially forces the two lovebirds to visit her personal museum full of murderous droids!! Turns out, Madam Synata is working for Dooku!! Her plan is insidious, but I won't spell it out here. I will say that R2 is of course the hero of the day! The only thing I didn't like about this story was the on-the-nose Vader outfit that Anakin dons toward the end of the story (see below). Makes me wonder if the Vader suit was inspired by a specific culture or species group before Palpatine co-opted its design for Anakin's use. Otherwise, how would Madam Synata have a costume that was so similar to what Anakin eventually becomes? I have to say, it was quite disconcerting seeing Anakin during the Clone Wars fight while wearing such a suit...
Then we get 3 Tales from Wild Space stories. Yay!!! My favorite!
First, there is "IG-88 vs. The Gatto Gang" written and illustrated by Nick Brokenshire. This was a cute story (surprisingly) that detailed how IG-88 took down the criminal trio known as The Gatto Gang (unsure of their species but they have purple skin and tentacled faces--see below). He captures them one by one by outsmarting them and having patience...a lesson that CR-8R wishes to teach to Emil in regards to capturing a bunch of mynocks that have overtaken the ship.
Second, there is "A Small Push" written by Scott Peterson and illustrated by Mauricet and Valentina Pinto. This was another story that didn't necessarily grab me at first blush. But it does have a good message for all. It was also strange that this "Tales from Wild Space" didn't start with a set up to the moral courtesy of Emil or CR-8R. Instead, we don't get to the moral until the end of the story. A little Twi'lek girl has been abandoned by her family and everyone treats her like garbage. She's called "guttersnipe," "street trash," "stinkweed," and "cast-off." The poor girl is adorable but no one will give her a second look except to call her a nasty name and shoo her away. She ends up wandering off and falling down a cliff only to be saved by no other than...Mace Windu!! Definitely did not see that coming. He teaches her that no matter what, you should help when the opportunity arises if you are capable of helping and that everyone has worth. A great lesson for everyone to take to heart.
Finally, there is "The Blue Brothers" written and illustrated by Nick Brokenshire. First off, I was super disturbed by the fact that Ortolans don't have arms (see Max Rebo running below)!! I thought they just used their legs for everything because that's how they evolved. I had no idea they didn't even have arms! That was a little weird. So the Blue Brothers are of course Max Rebo and his brother Azool. Azool has been keeping busy by swindling the locals and Max is worried that Jabba isn't going to be too happy about someone encroaching on his turf. He just might be right about that... I loved that in this story Chalmun's Cantina is called by its actual name!! Super awesome trivia tidbit to include. There's also a stomtrooper who 3 times says "Ow! My knees!" which was quite hilarious. The ending was also pretty darn funny in regards to the repercussions Azool must face. In fact, this whole story was fun...despite the disturbing armless Ortolans.
So overall, a great addition to this line of comics!! I haven't been let down yet by these awesome stories no matter who is the author or artist. There were great images in these tales and they all told a pretty bang up story! I'm excited for this series to continue!
First, we have "Trouble Again" written by John Barber, illustrated by Chad Thomas and Matt Herms. This was the only story out of all 5 that I wasn't sold on. It was super short and felt like a story we've heard time and again but it wasn't necessarily told in a new and different way. C-3PO has just had his memory wiped by Senator Organa (super sad and this must mean that the story takes place directly after Revenge of the Sith) and he doesn't remember ever being best buddies with R2!! *tear* Instead, he has a new counterpart--PTZ-1K (see below)--who is a probe droid with a mission...a mission R2 tries everything in his power to thwart. 3PO doesn't believe his new friend is up to no good and it takes a lot of shenanigans and hijinks before he comes around to trusting in his old buddie. Okay, fine...maybe it is pretty cute. I guess I just feel that this plot is played out, but it was an interesting twist having it take place right after 3PO's mind had been wiped thus providing a solid canon connection to a line from the prequels!
First, there is "IG-88 vs. The Gatto Gang" written and illustrated by Nick Brokenshire. This was a cute story (surprisingly) that detailed how IG-88 took down the criminal trio known as The Gatto Gang (unsure of their species but they have purple skin and tentacled faces--see below). He captures them one by one by outsmarting them and having patience...a lesson that CR-8R wishes to teach to Emil in regards to capturing a bunch of mynocks that have overtaken the ship.
Finally, there is "The Blue Brothers" written and illustrated by Nick Brokenshire. First off, I was super disturbed by the fact that Ortolans don't have arms (see Max Rebo running below)!! I thought they just used their legs for everything because that's how they evolved. I had no idea they didn't even have arms! That was a little weird. So the Blue Brothers are of course Max Rebo and his brother Azool. Azool has been keeping busy by swindling the locals and Max is worried that Jabba isn't going to be too happy about someone encroaching on his turf. He just might be right about that... I loved that in this story Chalmun's Cantina is called by its actual name!! Super awesome trivia tidbit to include. There's also a stomtrooper who 3 times says "Ow! My knees!" which was quite hilarious. The ending was also pretty darn funny in regards to the repercussions Azool must face. In fact, this whole story was fun...despite the disturbing armless Ortolans.
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