Review of
Kanan #2
Published:
May 2015
Reviewer Rating:
Avg User Rating:
(4.18)
One of the greatest moments in Star Wars history has happened, Order 66 has been put into play. And unlike in the Revenge of the Sith, were we get a montage of scenes that show Jedi Masters being killed across the Galaxy, non of them felt as personal as the version of this moment that we see in the second issue of the Kanan solo series from Marvel. After spending the whole first issue getting to know Caleb and his master, and their comradery with the Clone Troopers, this second issue really digs into the emotional side of just one of the assassinations carried out with Order 66. We watch as the Clone Troopers turn on their once masters, and Caleb’s confusion as he tries to accept what is happening. This whole first half of the book is absolutely incredible at how it captures the hopelessness that is happening, and how in one instance the tides have been turned on the Jedi, and we know they have lost. And seeing it all through the eyes of Caleb makes it seem all that much more real.
This book is very fast past, especially since almost half of it is focused on the initial assassination and escape of Caleb, while the second half deals with how a young Padawan, who’s never been on his own in his life, stumbles around making some bad decisions as the reality of his new situation dawns on him. Something tells me that the Jedi never taught “what to do when the chancellor stabs the Jedi Order in the back” classes. Caleb seems to have a bit of Solo luck and Skywalker stupidity in him, though, that are a perfect mix to get him into all sorts of trouble, as our cliffhanger ending can attest to.
The book is very well written and has a nice flow to it that never leaves you feeling like you are slogging through too much exposition, but at the same time the action doesn’t overwhelm to the point where you lose a sense of narrative story. Basically, Weisman knows when to narrate and when to shut up. I feel he has really captured the inner voice of Caleb.
Larraz is doing some incredible work here, and I love the level of detail we are getting. And the feel of this has such a prequel feel from the visuals. And the colors by Curiel are spot on. The art team is really doing an amazing job of making this look incredible.
With such a jam packed, solid second issue, Kanan: The Last Padawan is easily giving Darth Vader a run for it’s money as to top title in the newly formed Marvel Star Wars branded series. Really goes to show that with the right story, any era of Star Wars can feel fresh and new, at this point in the game.
This book is very fast past, especially since almost half of it is focused on the initial assassination and escape of Caleb, while the second half deals with how a young Padawan, who’s never been on his own in his life, stumbles around making some bad decisions as the reality of his new situation dawns on him. Something tells me that the Jedi never taught “what to do when the chancellor stabs the Jedi Order in the back” classes. Caleb seems to have a bit of Solo luck and Skywalker stupidity in him, though, that are a perfect mix to get him into all sorts of trouble, as our cliffhanger ending can attest to.
The book is very well written and has a nice flow to it that never leaves you feeling like you are slogging through too much exposition, but at the same time the action doesn’t overwhelm to the point where you lose a sense of narrative story. Basically, Weisman knows when to narrate and when to shut up. I feel he has really captured the inner voice of Caleb.
Larraz is doing some incredible work here, and I love the level of detail we are getting. And the feel of this has such a prequel feel from the visuals. And the colors by Curiel are spot on. The art team is really doing an amazing job of making this look incredible.
With such a jam packed, solid second issue, Kanan: The Last Padawan is easily giving Darth Vader a run for it’s money as to top title in the newly formed Marvel Star Wars branded series. Really goes to show that with the right story, any era of Star Wars can feel fresh and new, at this point in the game.
