Review: “Star Wars 97 – Yoda/Darth Vader”

Issue 97 of our monthly review series.

Contents (fuss)

A new chapter in the comic series about one of the most famous Star Wars characters: Jedi Master Yoda. And: Continuing the current story of Darth Vader, as Padmé Amidala’s former servant, Sabe, increasingly falls under the Empire’s influence.

criticism

Issue 97 is out now and we’re quickly approaching 100. Since it’s a continuation of the stories we started (who would have thought with those titles?), there’s of course nothing to complain about in the graphics. Regardless of whether it’s Yoda or Vader, the panels are very bright, the level of detail is high and no detail is lost in the fight scenes. Even the maids in Vader’s story are all different in subtleties and express their emotions in their faces.

A second Yoda story is now being started, after the High Republic story has ended. Coincidentally, his flashback time is also the time of Vader’s story, roughly shortly before Episode VI. But that’s just a waste anyway, because remembering the ancient Jedi was already common practice with Obi-Wan. But this is not really necessary.

The flashback takes place before the first episode (around 40 BBY) and brings back Dooku, who has been convinced by Yoda to teach some younglings. On the one hand, how different peoples work together is well emphasized here, and on the other hand, the duel from Episode 2 is almost predictable here – and yes, it’s no less impressive in comedic form, so it’s not. The surprising thing is that young people have been talking about it for a long time.

When Dooku Krsish, a Wookiee Padawan, approaches, there is excitement. Will it lure him to the dark side? However, much of Dooku’s later career is shown or laid out here, and yes, the story is certainly more interesting than the three-part story was in the High Republic’s time.

But it’s Vader’s part that stands out again, and not because he finally manages to free Sabé. This was to be expected anyway. Over the course of the story, Vader proves to be as adept at seduction as Palpatine. Of course, you can argue about whether he really wants to kill her or transform her, but either way it brings a new dynamic to the Vader/Handmaid relationship.

So you can always believe the Dark Lord when he talks about how to make the universe better. There is no need to talk about the fact that his actions are terrible, but even the maids begin to think and you can understand why they struggle with themselves for not being by Vader’s side. This is simply executed perfectly.

If they hadn’t intervened, who knows… maybe Jules’ plan would have worked. But maybe we’ll find out in the follow-up volume, even if it’s clear to us that Vader can’t die.