Review – Star Wars Dark Times – A Spark Remains #2
Review by Paul Fiander
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Script – Randy Stradley
Art – Douglas Wheatley Colours – Dan Jackson Lettering – Michael Heisler Cover Art – Benjamin Carre |
The second issue of a spark remains was released on the 21st August. It features the continuing story of Dass Jenir and a plot to remove the newly established Darth Vader from Emperor Palapatine’s side.
I say newly established as the setting for this story is only months after the events of Revenge of the Sith. It seems to me that Anakin’s fall into a supreme Badass was pretty quick, gone is the whiny character we saw in the films and now we are faced with a strong confident powerful Sith lord. This is the character I wish the third film concentrated on but thankfully we are getting to know him here. You also get the sense that the desire to wipe out the Jedi is coming more from Vader than the Emperor. This comes from the opening scene in the comic where the Emperor is questioning Lieutenant Gregg. If Vader is the catalyst for the hunt for Jedi this then feeds into the whole idea of the main plot being about revenge.
This issue however has another theme that of betrayal. Nearly every sub plot has a certain amount of back stabbing towards the main focused character. What Stradley (the Writer) does well is that he mixes the point of view you see the betrayal from. At times you see something that a character is oblivious to and at others you are filled in on the information you need at the end of the story arch. It helps to keep you on your toes as your reading through and I think it’s needed as the main thrust of the story seems to be trying to put all the players in place instead of truly progressing the story. This can be a problem in multi part stories as you need to fill a set amount if issues to fulfil your run.
One small thread within the issue is the relationship between Dass and his partner Ember. For a former Jedi it seems obvious that he would be slightly lacking in his knowledge of the opposite sex. The fact the writer takes time to pint this out shows someone who wants to develop a character and his relationship within the plot. Unfortunately the section has a weird ending that I found unfulfilling but the intent was noticeable.
This series hangs on a knife edge for me the pieces have been moved and the final line is one that I hope plays out in the next issue. However the creative team needs to deliver on the assets it possess and move the story on.
The Comic is available in both print and digital from Dark Horse comics. Follow this link for more details.
I say newly established as the setting for this story is only months after the events of Revenge of the Sith. It seems to me that Anakin’s fall into a supreme Badass was pretty quick, gone is the whiny character we saw in the films and now we are faced with a strong confident powerful Sith lord. This is the character I wish the third film concentrated on but thankfully we are getting to know him here. You also get the sense that the desire to wipe out the Jedi is coming more from Vader than the Emperor. This comes from the opening scene in the comic where the Emperor is questioning Lieutenant Gregg. If Vader is the catalyst for the hunt for Jedi this then feeds into the whole idea of the main plot being about revenge.
This issue however has another theme that of betrayal. Nearly every sub plot has a certain amount of back stabbing towards the main focused character. What Stradley (the Writer) does well is that he mixes the point of view you see the betrayal from. At times you see something that a character is oblivious to and at others you are filled in on the information you need at the end of the story arch. It helps to keep you on your toes as your reading through and I think it’s needed as the main thrust of the story seems to be trying to put all the players in place instead of truly progressing the story. This can be a problem in multi part stories as you need to fill a set amount if issues to fulfil your run.
One small thread within the issue is the relationship between Dass and his partner Ember. For a former Jedi it seems obvious that he would be slightly lacking in his knowledge of the opposite sex. The fact the writer takes time to pint this out shows someone who wants to develop a character and his relationship within the plot. Unfortunately the section has a weird ending that I found unfulfilling but the intent was noticeable.
This series hangs on a knife edge for me the pieces have been moved and the final line is one that I hope plays out in the next issue. However the creative team needs to deliver on the assets it possess and move the story on.
The Comic is available in both print and digital from Dark Horse comics. Follow this link for more details.
Wrap Up
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The Good – Mixed storylines all created around one central theme.
THe Bad – Slow pace |
3.5/5 |
