Welcome (again) to Graphic Novel Sunday, which the more astute of my regular readers* will realize has been happening for a few weeks now. Each Sunday, I take a break from my regular readings, and kick back with a graphic novel (generally, either from Star Wars or Batman), which I then review on Sunday or Monday. Today: volume 2 of the Empire series (volume 1 reviewed here).
Darklighter collects issues 8-12 and 15 of the Empire series, and consists of two stories of Rebellion heroes: Biggs Darklighter and Roons Sewell. They couldn't be more different, but both give their lives for the cause early in the Rebellion.
Biggs Darklighter makes a brief appearance in Episode IV (you first see him in the hangar on Yavin IV, reuniting with Luke Skywalker shortly before the run on the Death Star). You see him talk to Luke there, and shortly thereafter you see him sacrifice himself to save Luke by shielding Skywalker from Vader in the trench run. From these brief scenes, it's implied that Biggs has known Luke from childhood; this story expounds upon that. Biggs and Luke grew up together on Tatooine. Biggs went to the Imperial Academy a year before Luke, who hoped to follow before destiny made other plans for him. At the academy, Biggs is disillusioned with Imperial rule, and becomes involved with a Rebellion effort on board his first Imperial posting, the frigate Rand Ecliptic. Biggs and the Rebels mutiny, take over the ship, and join the Rebellion, leading him to Yavin IV, where he meets up with Luke, as previously mentioned.
Roons Sewell is a new character. A troubled youth, he finds his calling on stage, only to have that taken from him when the Empire declares his choice of performances subversive and tries to arrest the entire cast. He kills a few Imperials after his girlfriend is killed by them, and goes underground until he joins up with the Rebellion. Feisty, impetuous, but loyal, he rises to the rank of general, and frequently partners with Dodonna in the early days of the Rebellion (before the Death Star). He meets his end acting as a decoy in a shipping raid.
The story (and artwork) is better than volume 1 of this series. The time period is similar- just before/during events of Episode IV- and it's nice to see some of the back-story to characters in the movie. Overall, this is a good read.
Rating: A
*if there are any
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