The hundredth edition of the Polish edition of Star Wars comics takes us to the period just after the events of the fourth part of the film saga. Rebel Alliance leaders celebrate building a massive fleet. Does the Rebellion, at its height, pose any threat to the Galactic Empire?
Stellar jubilee
Already in the introduction to the next issue of comics from the Star Wars series, we learn that we are holding an unusual volume in our hands. First of all, the previous part of the cycle was announced as the last one on the market. Hope Dies is not only a reincarnation of Star Wars Comics , but also a jubilee volume with a beautiful number hundred! The cover itself and the first pages of the comic promise great entertainment ahead of us. The silhouette of the dark lord of the Sith, Darth Vader, gripping the entire fleet of the Rebel Alliance – fear to be afraid!
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
A huge plus of the comic book is its short introduction, which we can find right after opening the volume. Thanks to a few sentences summarizing the events of the previous parts, we will not feel lost and thrown into the middle of a story without context. I found this volume quite randomly, and a quick summary of the situation in a distant galaxy allowed me to immediately find myself in the prevailing realities. Moreover, this kind of editorial is very much like the famous drifting descriptions that appeared before every part of the Star Wars movie saga .
What is this all about?
The plot of the comic book itself takes place between the part of the fourth film saga, New Hope , and the fifth, The Empire Strikes Back. We are informed about this by a convenient timeline at the very beginning of the release. Of course, I cannot reveal too much about the story created by the screenwriter Kieron Gillen, but I will try to at least slightly outline the comic’s plot to the readers. The story begins with a party organized by the Rebel Alliance. They have a huge fleet from the planet Kalamari that will allow them to become a significant force capable of resisting the Galactic Empire. Queen Trios of Shu-Torun is celebrating with Rebel officials, but playing her own political game. The idyllic fun is finally interrupted by the arrival of huge forces of the Empire, led by Darth Vader himself, which is preceded by a collective failure on all Rebel ships. Could it be even worse?
Very cinematic comic
The cartoonists Salvador Larocca and Giuseppe Camuncoli deserve great recognition. Their works not only add great depth and realism to the whole comic book, but also bring to life the characters of the actors known from the original, quite old films from the original Star Wars trilogy. From the windows Hope DiesCarrie Fisher’s face is peeking at us alive! The artists also managed to convey the dynamics of space combat very well. Wide frames show readers the complex maneuvers of fighters in such a skilful way that you can almost see their movement. I was also impressed with the scenes with Darth Vader himself. Darkness and terror even pour out of the comic book windows. The rebels themselves decide among themselves how to use the “procedure to fight Vader.” But they themselves know that it doesn’t make any sense … Can you give any disadvantages of this release? In my opinion, the lack of a stiffened cover is a very weak solution. Paper cover pages do not differ from the content of the volume. Unfortunately, it makes the comic book very durable and easily damaged.
General Veers’ wisdom
Hope Dies is a great story in a very attractive package. The way of drawing and building the script make the reader feel as if he was watching another spin-off of the Star Wars saga . It also doesn’t happen often that this kind of science fiction textit conveyed some kind of wisdom to the audience, especially in the form of a quotation. One imperial officer briefing Darth Vader states: “Rebellion is not vermin, it is weeds. Unfortunately, we are the storm. The weeds bend under the storm. After all, they remain untouched. If the Rebellion were a tree it would be otherwise, but before it becomes a tree, it will slip out of our hands. ” Very true words. They appealed to me so much that I wrote them down in a collection of quotations next to the thoughts of the greatest classics of world literature! Returning to the comic book, has the Rebellion already become a tree that can be torn by an imperial storm? I recommend you see for yourself in the hundredth volume of Star Wars Comics . It’s worth it!
