Comics Discussion - There are Spoilers!!

Beltayn · Jedi Knight Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 1712

I just picked up Empire #27 yesterday evening; interesting finish to the story.

The only thing I didn't like about the story was the way the artist drew up the stormtroopers- especially the helmets. I've always been one for more realistic detail as opposed to 'comicy-looking' artwork. Sure, we all know what they are, but that was just lazy and sloppy.

Other then that (something relatively minor), I liked #27. I'm looking forward to future issues Cool

Malo-ha · Recruiting Councillor Joined: Mar 27, 2004 Posts: 786

Quote:

Oh, man, though. That last page has made me so excited to read what's coming next.

I did not even see that coming. I can't decide if Vos has gone to the Dark Side or is still trying to flushout Darth Sidious. Either way I can't wait to see how this will play out.

Quote:

Other then that (something relatively minor), I liked #27. I'm looking forward to future issues

Looking forward to this one. Whenever I can get over to pick it up. Cartoony Stormtroopers aside did they handle the Clone Trooper's story in a believable manner?

Beltayn · Jedi Knight Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 1712

Malo-ha wrote:

Looking forward to this one. Whenever I can get over to pick it up. Cartoony Stormtroopers aside did they handle the Clone Trooper's story in a believable manner?

I'd say they did. He was the last survivor of a unit, probably written off as KIA and survived on his own for 20+ years on a remote planet. However, if you read 'Republic Commando', they address the accelerated aging issue (the clones are technically 10 years old with adult bodies and minds- not to mention years of military training), and a remark made about 'having about ten more years' before they're too old for duty. The comic portrays Abel as being middle-aged, but if they went with the novel, he should have been a lot older (then again, it could be argued by a devils advocate that there are a number of people in their 60s-70s that are still robust and healthy enough to do things that would make guys half their age scoff at for being too strenuous Wink

)

DonC · Senior Councillor Joined: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 950

I agree with Beltayn, they handled the Clone Trooper well. He was, in my opinion, in character with the way the Clones were done in the movie. He followed the orders of his "General," the Jedi. And he fought well, kicking much Stormtrooper butt.

Another thing I liked about this issue was that you had an Imperial officer who wasn't completely incompetent. So, of course, they killed him.

I never really thought about the accelerated aging thing, though. But it doesn't bother me.

On a mildly related note, if you ever had a question for soon-to-be-departing Empire writer Ron Marz, this is the place to ask it:

forums.comicbookresour...y.php?f=46

You need to be a member of the boards, though. But it's free.

And if you're into samurai stuff, you should check out his new comic, Samurai: Heaven and Earth.

Beltayn · Jedi Knight Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 1712

Wednesday evening I picked up Republic #72 and Empire #28. Finally had a chance to look at them last night.

Republic was interesting- the Anzati assassin school scene reminded me of something out of the kung fu-chop sockey genre. I'm also waiting to see the end result of Vos's hunt for the second Sith; I think he's one of the best characters in this comic- a Jedi who's so deep undercover that just about everyone thinks he's gone over to the Dark Side. Though it would be a shame to see her die, I'm waiting for the writers to knock off Khaleen- something that would really push Vos over the edge.

Oh yeah- and Aayla Secura in action- can't go wrong there Cool

Empire... it wasn't too bad, I suppose. Definately away from the norm. I was trying to figure out how long the ship had been derilect before the Imperials decided to destroy the remains, and how long Captain Harncourt had been "retired" before he sent Boba Fett on that little mission.

I'm still waiting for the next issue of Tales Cool

Malo-ha · Recruiting Councillor Joined: Mar 27, 2004 Posts: 786

I finally made it to the comic store to pick up most of December�s comics. Since nothing comes out in January until the end of the month I�m going to take my time commenting on last month�s comics. I enjoyed Empire 27, 26 and 27 were a good story. At first I though there was too much chasing through the jungle and not enough story but when I read the ending it all went together very well.

Since I was looking for it the stormtroopers were a bit too cartoonish. I think at first I put that down as poor drawing but now it seems to be a deliberate choice of the artist. I loved when the trooper tried to download information from Artoo got zapped. �Spare me these amateurs.� Laughing

Many of the stories with Luke seem to involve him discovering more about the Jedi.I can't wait for the Jabiim story

Quote:

Another thing I liked about this issue was that you had an Imperial officer who wasn't completely incompetent. So, of course, they killed him.

Well of course, can't have that can we? Next thing you know the stormtroopers would be insisting on hitting their targets when they shoot. Wink

I didn't have a problem with the aging because even if the clone troopers have a shorter average lifespan it is still an average. Some will live longer spans than others. Besides you never know if the Kaminoans gave his bunch a longer lifespans. I would make sense to want your investment to last as long as possible so they could of been trying to slow the aging process.

DonC · Senior Councillor Joined: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 950

Beltayn wrote:

Empire [#28]... it wasn't too bad, I suppose. Definately away from the norm. I was trying to figure out how long the ship had been derilect before the Imperials decided to destroy the remains, and how long Captain Harncourt had been "retired" before he sent Boba Fett on that little mission.

I didn't care for this issue. Boba Fett searching a ship for something or someone has been done before. And the added twist at the end was ruined because I was too busy scratching my head wondering why "Grand Moff Tarkin" was still alive in a post-Star Wars story.

Beltayn · Jedi Knight Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 1712

DonC wrote:

I was too busy scratching my head wondering why "Grand Moff Tarkin" was still alive in a post-Star Wars story.

It wasn't "Grand Moff Tarkin"- just another Peter Cushing look-alike named "Captain Harncourt" Razz

Since some of these artists like to model thier EU characters off of various actors, maybe we'll get lucky and the next female character will be based off of Jenna Jameson Twisted Evil

Malo-ha · Recruiting Councillor Joined: Mar 27, 2004 Posts: 786

Quote:

I was too busy scratching my head wondering why "Grand Moff Tarkin" was still alive in a post-Star Wars story.

Me too, with all the infinite choices available it was a bad choice for the artist to use Peter Cushing as his model. It was distracting and took away from the story. Which for me was so-so. I didn't feel it added anything new to Boba Fett's character. We all know how good he is already. It wasn't bad but it wasn't great either. More like a filler issue between the more important stories.

Don, Samurai: Heaven and Earth looked interesting. Have you read it? If so how was it?

Republic 72 was great. I was concerned that it would founder without Obi-Wan and Anakin but it didn't. It just gets better and better. I liked the opening flashback with Dooku and Tholme. It was good to see Tholme getting to do so much. The way he interacted with Aaku Seii the Anzati teacher was well done. The Anzati couldn't just tell Tholme what was going on but what he did say and how he said it told a lot. Quinn is just gettting himself in deeper and deeper. I think obsession applies to more than one Jedi right now. Seeing him and Khaleen visit Dex's was a nice tie in. So was Dex calling Obi-Wan a bum for not visiting him. I wonder just what Dex, Obi-Wan, Vos and "the kids" did on the Outer Rim? That would be a good story. I can't seen Khaleen living too much longer. Not with the way Quinn is to focused on the second Sith.

Beltayn · Jedi Knight Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 1712

Samurai: Heaven and Earth...awesome...I'm looking forward to collecting this series Cool

I agree- I don't see Khaleen living much longer either. A real shame, too. She's one of those characters that kinda sticks around as the 'sidekick', but has a bit of potential to play a larger role in things. But, I *do* see her ending up as a casualty

DonC · Senior Councillor Joined: Mar 30, 2004 Posts: 950

Malo-ha wrote:

Quote:

I was too busy scratching my head wondering why "Grand Moff Tarkin" was still alive in a post-Star Wars story.

Me too, with all the infinite choices available it was a bad choice for the artist to use Peter Cushing as his model. It was distracting and took away from the story.

This isn't the first time this has happened to Ron Marz. He used to write a really good (that ended really bad, when the company went belly-up) comic called Sojourn. The artist would use just about any blonde model or actress for reference. You'd be reading the book, looking at the art and all of a sudden Arywn, the lead character, was replaced by Pamela Anderson, or someone like that. It actually got to be a game for fans trying to spot the photo references.

Malo-Ha wrote:

Don, Samurai: Heaven and Earth looked interesting. Have you read it? If so how was it?

The first issue is kind of a quick read; mostly a big battle and set-up of the rest of the series. The story is about a samurai whose lover is kidnapped by the bad guys and taken to, I believe, France. Issue #1 wasn't the best first issue ever, but I've read enough of Ron's work to know he'll (hopefully) get going soon.

Absolutely beautiful art, too.

Beltayn wrote:

Samurai: Heaven and Earth...awesome...I'm looking forward to collecting this series Cool

Are you waiting for the trade paperback or did you get #1 already?

Beltayn · Jedi Knight Joined: Apr 18, 2004 Posts: 1712

DonC wrote:

Beltayn wrote:

Samurai: Heaven and Earth...awesome...I'm looking forward to collecting this series Cool

Are you waiting for the trade paperback or did you get #1 already?

I picked up issue #1, and I'll probably get the TPB when it comes out as well.

Malo-ha · Recruiting Councillor Joined: Mar 27, 2004 Posts: 786

Obsession #3 came out last week and Republic #73 comes out today. Hopefully I'll make it to the store this weekend.

Lot of new stuff coming out in the next couple of months. The Grevious 4-parter starts March 16th. The third and final Clone Wars Cartoon Comics comes out 03/02. They've even put up a preview for the ROTS comic. Although why they are publishing Empire #31 on 03/02 and Empire #30 on 03/09 I don't know.

Since they are bringing out the ROTS comic in April and the movie doesn't come out until May, when do you want to discuss the comic here? In the bookclub we will be doing the novelization in June.

As for the Republic series, I hate to say it but I keep waiting for Tholm to be killed. He has to die before the movie and this storyline is the best place for it too happen. Not to mentin what it would do to Quinlan.

starwarschick14 · Jedi Knight Joined: Mar 26, 2004 Posts: 644

Yesterday Dark Horse sent out solicitations for their May titles...TFN has the story here. Most interesting to me of course is Empire #33, for one big reason which should be obvious if you click on that link. Wink

They also give a description for Republic #77, which will be the last issue before ROTS, and General Grievous #3.

I'm very behind on the comics. I'm going to try to catch up with all the Clone Wars era fiction before ROTS comes out, including books, comics, and all the Insider stuff. I just hope I have enough time! Razz

Krash · Jedi Knight Joined: Mar 20, 2004 Posts: 3495

Cover for Republic #77....100% bad a** Cool

Quote:

Writer Scott Allie (Star Wars: Betrayal) and Star Wars-fan-favorite artist Joe Corroney team up for “The Price of Power.”

You're frelling right FAN favorite! Especially here in Cleveland Wink