Star Wars Adventures TPB #8: "Defend the Republic!" by various authors
Star Wars Adventures TPB #8: "Defend the Republic!" written by various, illustrated by various
All of the comics in this TPB volume are centered around the prequels!!! My prequel heart was super happy as I ate up this collection of stories. I definitely had my favorites but all of them were enjoyable. I only had beef with the Jar Jar/Padme opening main story because it didn't put Jar Jar in the best of lights and I dearly love the goofy Gungan. The following two main stories were wonderful comics taking place during the Clone Wars. The first "Tales from Wild Space" comic was super weird but definitely interesting, and the second "Tales from Wild Space" comic was something we've seen before but with a different take. All five had me transfixed as I devoured the prequel content!
"Raiders of the Lost Gundark" written by Delilah S. Dawson, illustrated by Derek Charm
This story takes place while Padme is still Queen of Naboo. Jar Jar has been tasked by Boss Nass to enlist the Queen in hunting down an old Gungan relic--the Soshinyday Blobball… Well, Jar Jar's facial expressions and mannerisms are over-the-top, seemingly vividly making fun of his character, and this did not sit well with me at all. His words and actions were fine, it was just the goofy visuals of his tongue hanging way out of his mouth and his eyestalks going every which a way that threw me off.
Anyway, the two friends venture out to find this Blobball and run into a variety of obstacles along the way--Slitherfish, a rickety bridge, a Gundark!! Check out the amazing panel below of them making their way through the cave wherein the Blobball lies. Things look dire, but the two might just make it out of the danger alive by working together...
"Roger Roger" written by Cavan Scott, illustrated by Mauricet and Charlie Kirchoff
This one was fantastic!! A battle droid, B1-0516 malfunctions after being attacked by Rex and Obi-Wan on the planet of Horain...his short-circuiting programming turns him to the side of the Republic! Rex names him Bats and the droid turns out to be quite the spunky soldier, defending his new found friends at every turn. Check out Bats in action below!
We also are introduced to a new species, the Horian (see image below), a species the clones are trying to protect from the invading Separatist forces.
This story had such a happy ending, and regardless, I dearly love B1 battle droids so this comic was absolutely a win for me!
"Hide and Seek" written by Cavan Scott, illustrated by Derek Charm
This comic was a little odd with some unexplained introductions of new characters and new abilities. It featured Anakin and Yoda as well as a new Separatist general named Flebek (see below). At first I thought she might be a Givin, but her eyes and nose are different so I've no clue what species she is... We also meet Kreeda, an old friend of Yoda's, who is able to psychically camouflage herself and others near her. She's currently protecting a small group of individuals of all species who are trying to escape the horrors of the war. She is a Segredo, the very last of her kind. I'm very curious to know how Yoda is acquainted with her!
Anyway, Flebek and a contingent of droids are on the planet of Retta to discover the secret of invisibility...will Anakin and Yoda steer them elsewhere to protect Kreeda and her friends?? Or will they co-opt Kreeda into becoming a Republic spy??
"Tales from Wild Space: The Big March" written and illustrated by Nick Brokenshire
The story within a story for this comic was about Q5-7070, a battle droid whose restraints didn't hold and so fell out of his cadre's MTT. The poor guy trudges through unspeakable horrors on the planet of Opop Hibbedit (say that ten times fast!) as he tries to make his way back to his squad.
A pair of Audrey II type creatures and Magnetic Rock Chimps are just the first two perils Q5 encounters (see images below). The art for this one is bright, colorful, imaginative, and weird...and I kinda love it. The story itself is just as weird as the art. The moral of the story, as the "Tales from Wild Space" comics always have a moral, is that the journey is more important than the destination.
"Tales from Wild Space: The Journey" written by George Mann, illustrated by Valentina Pinto
This comic essentially has the same moral as the previous with a slight twist--the journey is more important than the goal. Bariss Offee is tasked with recovering an ancient book from a temple filled with perils. She succeeds at every turn until she has the tome in her hands...
Honestly, that's really all there is to say about this one without giving away the entire plot and ending. I will say though that the plot is akin to Choose Your Destiny: An Obi-Wan and Anakin Adventure. It was an inspiring story, reminding us to focus on every step we take to get to our goals rather than the goals themselves. I like that moral a lot! Check out a beautiful panel showcasing Bariss below.
So, frankly a fantastic collection of comics that I will most likely be re-reading in the future, especially the ones with battle droids as the main characters! I love it when Lucasfilm gives us prequel content and this did not disappoint at all.
"Raiders of the Lost Gundark" written by Delilah S. Dawson, illustrated by Derek Charm
This story takes place while Padme is still Queen of Naboo. Jar Jar has been tasked by Boss Nass to enlist the Queen in hunting down an old Gungan relic--the Soshinyday Blobball… Well, Jar Jar's facial expressions and mannerisms are over-the-top, seemingly vividly making fun of his character, and this did not sit well with me at all. His words and actions were fine, it was just the goofy visuals of his tongue hanging way out of his mouth and his eyestalks going every which a way that threw me off.
Anyway, the two friends venture out to find this Blobball and run into a variety of obstacles along the way--Slitherfish, a rickety bridge, a Gundark!! Check out the amazing panel below of them making their way through the cave wherein the Blobball lies. Things look dire, but the two might just make it out of the danger alive by working together...
"Roger Roger" written by Cavan Scott, illustrated by Mauricet and Charlie Kirchoff
This one was fantastic!! A battle droid, B1-0516 malfunctions after being attacked by Rex and Obi-Wan on the planet of Horain...his short-circuiting programming turns him to the side of the Republic! Rex names him Bats and the droid turns out to be quite the spunky soldier, defending his new found friends at every turn. Check out Bats in action below!
"Hide and Seek" written by Cavan Scott, illustrated by Derek Charm
This comic was a little odd with some unexplained introductions of new characters and new abilities. It featured Anakin and Yoda as well as a new Separatist general named Flebek (see below). At first I thought she might be a Givin, but her eyes and nose are different so I've no clue what species she is... We also meet Kreeda, an old friend of Yoda's, who is able to psychically camouflage herself and others near her. She's currently protecting a small group of individuals of all species who are trying to escape the horrors of the war. She is a Segredo, the very last of her kind. I'm very curious to know how Yoda is acquainted with her!
"Tales from Wild Space: The Big March" written and illustrated by Nick Brokenshire
The story within a story for this comic was about Q5-7070, a battle droid whose restraints didn't hold and so fell out of his cadre's MTT. The poor guy trudges through unspeakable horrors on the planet of Opop Hibbedit (say that ten times fast!) as he tries to make his way back to his squad.
A pair of Audrey II type creatures and Magnetic Rock Chimps are just the first two perils Q5 encounters (see images below). The art for this one is bright, colorful, imaginative, and weird...and I kinda love it. The story itself is just as weird as the art. The moral of the story, as the "Tales from Wild Space" comics always have a moral, is that the journey is more important than the destination.
"Tales from Wild Space: The Journey" written by George Mann, illustrated by Valentina Pinto
This comic essentially has the same moral as the previous with a slight twist--the journey is more important than the goal. Bariss Offee is tasked with recovering an ancient book from a temple filled with perils. She succeeds at every turn until she has the tome in her hands...
Honestly, that's really all there is to say about this one without giving away the entire plot and ending. I will say though that the plot is akin to Choose Your Destiny: An Obi-Wan and Anakin Adventure. It was an inspiring story, reminding us to focus on every step we take to get to our goals rather than the goals themselves. I like that moral a lot! Check out a beautiful panel showcasing Bariss below.
So, frankly a fantastic collection of comics that I will most likely be re-reading in the future, especially the ones with battle droids as the main characters! I love it when Lucasfilm gives us prequel content and this did not disappoint at all.
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