Simply Star Wars

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Simply Star Wars

12/21/2012 10:00am

Once upon a time, perhaps before many of you reading this were born, there was a movie called, simply, Star Wars that took the world by storm (the “Episode IV” designation and the subtitle A New Hope weren’t added until the 1981 theatrical rerelease). It became a cultural phenomenon, spawning lines of toys, newspaper strips, radio plays, novels, and comic books.

If you didn’t live through those times, it may be difficult to imagine the mindset with which fans entered that galaxy far, far away. All we had was Star Wars, and we wanted more. Lots more. But at the time, we had no expectations—no clue—of where the story would lead, what the future held for the characters, or even if there would ever be another film. Now, of course, we know all about what happens to Luke, Leia, Vader, and the rest. But can you imagine not knowing? Can you picture how that might change your outlook on the future of Star Wars after that first film?

That’s the challenge author Brian Wood set for himself as he embarked on our new ongoing comics series called, simply, Star Wars. His goal is to get into the characters’ heads, to explore the thoughts and feelings they must be experiencing after the events in the film, but to keep the characters’ actions free of any expectation of what we know must happen.

For instance, Luke is the guy who blew up the Death Star—the hero of the Battle of Yavin—but it’s only been a few weeks since he was working on his uncle’s moisture farm on Tatooine. How will he react to his newfound respect and responsibility? And Leia, who witnessed the destruction of her homeworld and the deaths of everyone she loved—has she even had a moment to grieve? What does bottling up that kind of emotion do to a person? Even Vader can’t be having an easy time of it. Sure, the Death Star was Grand Moff Tarkin’s project, but Vader was still present when it was destroyed, and the Emperor can’t be happy about the loss. For all of the characters, the future is in flux, and their fates are a mystery yet to be revealed.

While Brian is scripting a fresh take on a classic tale, artist Carlos D’Anda and colorist Gabe Eltaeb are delivering a vibrant, energetic new look to that original era—an intense level of detail coupled with a very modern storytelling sensibility. Throw in covers by Alex Ross, and I think even the most jaded of fans will perk up.

As you’re probably aware, Dark Horse publishes a whole line of Star Wars comics, covering both ends of the galaxy’s timeline and everything in between. But if you’ve ever hesitated about reading Star Wars comics because you worried about trying to find your way through thirty years of continuity, or if you have only a passing familiarity with the films, this is the book for you. If all you know about Star Wars is what happened in A New Hope, you already know all you need to plunge right into this story. It’s an ageless epic for a new age.

I’m not saying that this series will turn you into a Star Wars fanatic. But if it does, don’t fight it. Let the Force lead you where it will.

Randy Stradley

Dark Horse Comics

Simply Star Wars

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