Comic for FCBD have to strike a balance - either between being a nice entry point to a comic series or being purely a bonus for fans who are already rComic for FCBD have to strike a balance - either between being a nice entry point to a comic series or being purely a bonus for fans who are already reading something.
This one straddles both side with 2 stories.
The first one is just a fun little story of our heroes returning to Hoth base - nice story, great art work of course, fully self contained.
The second one really requires knowledge of the ongoing Vader comics - most of it went over my head because it's been an age since I read those and I haven't kept up with them.
I'll read any game book. And I like Star Wars. And I like Lego. What's not to love?
Well it's ooooookayyyyyy....
It's an interesting exercise they set tI'll read any game book. And I like Star Wars. And I like Lego. What's not to love?
Well it's ooooookayyyyyy....
It's an interesting exercise they set themselves. "Here's a list of all our Star Wars Lego sets. Go make a cyoa around them!" They somewhat pulled it off. Basically by not worrying too much about any sort of continuity or much of any plot.
Really, they do a fairly admirable job, giving information about the ships and sets, and in a few cases it looked like they actually created stuff just for the book and suggest you do the same.
So the 3 stars is just because it's ho-hum to me....more
I'm giving this 4 stars purely for the feels. I almost got choked up at the end.
I can't imagine that anyone who hasn't seen the film would read this. I'm giving this 4 stars purely for the feels. I almost got choked up at the end.
I can't imagine that anyone who hasn't seen the film would read this. If they did, I think they'd be a bit confused in parts - it's pretty short on character building.
Having said that, I actually found it helpful to clarify some things. I've only seen the movie once(!) and it was nice to be able to fit the pieces together.
And that ending - wow - the comic does very well in raising the adrenaline and pulling on the heart strings as everyone starts dying and we're shown how things happen in the nick of time and sacrifices are made....more
So-so. I mean, for the age group it's aimed at, it's reasonable fare. The writing is decent, the plot straightforward and there's some nice moral choiSo-so. I mean, for the age group it's aimed at, it's reasonable fare. The writing is decent, the plot straightforward and there's some nice moral choices at the end.
As a gamebook, it's interesting. The start is very binary - either choose the right path or meet an untimely 'end', whereby 'end' they mean you're not dead or anything, it's just they don't want to continue the story down that path - eg Han and Chewie are captured and will eventually escape, but that's another story. Go back and pick the 'right' path.
Later on, the paths get just slightly more..., I hesitate to use the word complicated. Let's just say they're not simple but only barely so. And finally at the end there's a moral choice which is fairly easy to get 'right' and even gives you multiple opportunities to get it right. It's very appropriate.
Oh and one other thing, in some cases, the choices are along the lines of "Han tries to do X. Does it work (turn to page x) or not (turn to page y)". Which are kind of odd choices.
I'm a sucker for gamebooks so I'll read anything because of my interest in the mechanics. Otherwise, the story was very forgettable....more
Definitely just a taster. Fairly short and mostly self-contained but leaves you hanging on a cliff-hanger wanting to continue reading. The other half Definitely just a taster. Fairly short and mostly self-contained but leaves you hanging on a cliff-hanger wanting to continue reading. The other half of the magazine is *all* ads....more
You can read my full reviews for the trade paperbacks. Enjoyed reading these again. Love, love love those massive panels.
And if you've already read thYou can read my full reviews for the trade paperbacks. Enjoyed reading these again. Love, love love those massive panels.
And if you've already read these in trade paperback version, have a look at these in a book store so you can read Gillen's notes in the back. Some interesting little extras in there....more
You can read my full reviews on the two trade paperbacks. Enjoyed this just as much reading it again. Also, if you can, get a hold of the second volumeYou can read my full reviews on the two trade paperbacks. Enjoyed this just as much reading it again. Also, if you can, get a hold of the second volume to read notes on the arcs by Gillen....more
I wasn't expecting much except for the type of thing you get in kids books telling you exactly what you already know froThis was actually pretty good.
I wasn't expecting much except for the type of thing you get in kids books telling you exactly what you already know from having watched the films.
Instead, for each character/ship/planet it goes into the making-of type of background, for example how a character developed through the various original drafts. Probably old news if you've read one of the more detailed making-of books but a nice level of detail nonetheless. My son enjoyed it....more
The first story arc in this (consisting of the first 4 issues), concerning Jocasta Nu, was fantastic. Just really great story telling that adds to theThe first story arc in this (consisting of the first 4 issues), concerning Jocasta Nu, was fantastic. Just really great story telling that adds to the mythos.
I was all set to give this volume 5 stars, but the last 2 issues brought it back down. They were pretty average....more
The first issue is really promising. Great art - amazing detail and nice stylWell that was disappointing.
It starts well and just gets worse and worse.
The first issue is really promising. Great art - amazing detail and nice style. And the story looks like it will be good.
And then it goes into the photo-reference style art - yuk. And then it flip flops to a more basic art style.
But worst of all is the story - it's sci-fi schlock in every sense - a recycled idea without even an explanation of how the alien parasite thingies are attached/burrowed/extricated. And some very disjointed story-telling.
Towards the final issue I just found myself being annoyed.
I was going to give this 3 stars but it just doesn't deserve it.
And now having read this, the next comic in the series Star Wars 33 Rebels in the Wild doesn't even make sense - Luke and Leia being stranded doesn't lead on in any way from the end of this comic.
I didn't think the art was up to snuff - the depiction of Aphra made her sometimes look like a 15 year old (and I'mA little conflicted about this one.
I didn't think the art was up to snuff - the depiction of Aphra made her sometimes look like a 15 year old (and I'm not talking about the college flashbacks). Also regarding the art, sometimes I felt a bit confused about what was going on - like how in some movies they go up really close on a fight scene and it just becomes a mess to make up for the action actually not being any good. And that's coupled with the text sometimes not being clear about what's going on either.
On the positive side, it's nice that there's ancient star wars lore and the story is fairly decent. The droids are as fun as ever. Nice Indiana Jones ending.
So yeah, almost 4 stars but not quite. Although I would definitely read it again......more
Interesting bunch of stories. Fun enough for me to give it 4 stars - would read again.
But that art - yeesh - copying/tracing from film stills always lInteresting bunch of stories. Fun enough for me to give it 4 stars - would read again.
But that art - yeesh - copying/tracing from film stills always looks kind of cheesy and feels like a cop-out.
So, the stories: - Luke and Leia go wild! See Leia take down an AT-AT with a bow and arrow! Yeah - this one was a bit out there - Lando and Sana - the 13 crates - this was a fun one - very clever - The Hutt Run - another fun, clever story - R2D2 rescuing 3PO - this felt a bit too much like an Infinities or Lego comic done just for the laughs - Imperial Pride - I liked this one purely for how real Sergeant Kreel was at times - The Sand will Provide - meh, wahetever - The Annual was decent
So, yeah 4 stars.
One note, I was a bit surprised at the start with the crawl when it talked about stuff I didn't remember. Turns out I haven't read the Doctor Aphra comics yet so I've missed a few issues in the middle - one of the problems with how crossovers are done and published as Trade Paperbacks in different series....more