Twi'lek slaves and politics make for a RITE OF PASSAGE
Written: Jun 08 '08 (Updated Mar 14 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Great writing and art tell a tale of political kidnapping, Warrior's honor and graduation.
Cons: Only four issues in this volume.
The Bottom Line: This graphic novel is a great read. If you want more Star Wars, you can't go wrong with this.
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| talyseon's Full Review: Action Comic Books Star Wars Vol 8 Rite Of Passage... |
Star Wars: Rite of Passage. Written by John Ostrander Pencils by Jan Duursema.
This graphic novel comprises issues 42 through 45. It is a fairly well contained story arc, which makes it a good read, even if you have not read issues 1-41.
Set somewhere between Episode I and Episode II, this issue revolves around the politics of Ryloth, the home world of the Twi’leks. (Bib Fortuna and the dancer fed to the Rancor in Return of the Jedi were Twi’leks) Ryloth is a harsh world, tidal locked, (day and year are the same length, meaning there is a day side and a night side.) with a habitable strip in the twilight of the terminator. The people live in caverns and harness the power of the storms to power their civilization. Ryloth has two major exports, Ryll, a mineral drug with medicinal properties, but more lucrative as a narcotic, and slaves.
The ruling council of Ryloth is composed of the five leaders of the highest ranking clans, this head clan rules until one member dies. The four survivors are cast out into the bright lands to their certain doom, and the new head clan forms to rule.
Years ago, Master Tholme and his Padawan Quinlan Vos were on Ryloth when a Hutt’s pet Wampa got loose. It threatened a slave child, Aalya Secura. Quin saved the child, and sensed that the Force was strong in her. Master Tholme arranged to buy her, and she was taken by the Jedi to be trained. Now, many years later, Aalya Secura is the Padawan to the Jedi Knight, Quinlan Vos, and they are back on Ryloth with Master Tholme to explore the political situation.
Kh’aris Fenn, exiled heir to Clan Fenn has arranged for two mercenaries of the Morgukai Nikto to kidnap Nat Secura, prime (and only) heir of Clan Secura. He intends to use the child’s safety to force Clan Secura to support his bid to become the supreme and sole ruler of Ryloth. This cracked idea was proposed by Count Dooku…so you see where this is headed.
Now, Nat Secura has been kidnapped, and Master Tholme captured. It is up to Quinlin Vos, who is still recovering from amnesia, and the Padawan Aayla to track down and stop two Nikto Mercenaries with Lightsaber resistant armour and weapons before Fenn can throw Ryloth into chaos.
And their best hope of success lies with the help of Villie Ghrahk, a Devaronian smuggler. Unfortunately, like most Devaronians, Villie mostly helps Villie.
This comic is excellent, written and drawn by my favorite team for Star Wars, John Orstrander and Jan Duursema. John is excellent with plotting, pacing and dialogue; Jan’s art brings it to life, being particularly skilled in anatomy and portraiture. It makes for a very dynamic and thoughtful graphic novel.
This is a rich fill in for one of Star Wars more popular background characters; I mean who can not love the hot blue chick with a lightsaber? I particularly like the dynamic between Master and Padawan; he has lost much of their history – she is nervous about where that puts them. He is not; even with amnesia, he teaches her to accept things as they are, and to trust the Force, thereby ending her potentially fatal hesitation. The bonds of Master and Padawan do indeed run deep and perhaps a little towards a forbidden romance? We know how well those work out for Jedi.
If you are looking to expand your Star Wars experience, this is an excellent volume.
This review is Lean-N-Mean, under 666 words, to encourage concise writing. Sleeper54 created the style. This one weighs in at 609 words.
May The Force Be With You.
The New Frontier: Younglings.
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Check out the other completely different Clone Wars cartoons.
Star Wars Clone Wars Volume One. and
Star Wars Clone Wars Volume Two.
Check out these Star Wars Novels:
Tatooine Ghost
Star Wars Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice
Star Wars Legacy of the Force: Invincible
The Cestus Deception.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor
Check out these Star Wars Comics:
Tag and Bink Were Here
Jango Fett: Open Season.
Rites of Passage
Star Wars Rebellion: My Brother, My Enemy.
Check out my reviews on Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic.
Commencement
Flashpoint.
Days of Fear, Nights of Anger.
Check out the Future of Star Wars in Legacy:
Star Wars Legacy: Broken.
Star Wars Legacy: Shards
Star Wars Legacy: Claws of the Dragon
Star Wars Legacy: Alliance
The Star Wars Role Playing Game:
Star Wars Role Playing Game
Star Ships of the Galaxy
Threats of the Galaxy
Knights of the Old Republic Campaign Guide
The Force Unleashed Campaign Guide
Scum and Villainy
The Clone Wars Campaign Guide
Check out all the Star Wars Saga:
Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 12.95
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