Star Wars @ Dark Horse

by Brandon

It’s Star Wars weeks here at BG! Not only do fans have some lovely movies to choose from, there are also novels, video games, and comic books to tickle the fancy of any Hutt. Dark Horse has been doing bang-up job with the property since the early 1990s. They offer a wide variety of titles for fans of all ages. If you haven’t tried one of their titles, why not give them a shot? Dark Horse has some great comic book offerings from the galaxy far, far away. Here is a list of my favorite books offered by Dark Horse.





Clone Wars Adventures Volumes 1-10 ($6.95 each)
These handy little volumes from Dark Horse complimented the original Cartoon Network Clone Wars series. Featuring a whole plethora of characters from the prequel trilogy, these adventures are great for fans of all ages.




Crimson Empire ($17.95)
A fan favorite, this story focuses on the illusive Red Guard for Emperor Palpatine. Kir Kanos is one of the more dynamic characters to come from the Expanded Universe (EU) in the 1990s. Featuring characters such as Darth Vader and Wedge Antilles, this is a great introductory title for those wanting to dip their toes in to the Expanded Universe during the original trilogy era. The second volume is less exciting, but still a fun read if you like the first volume.



Tales of the Jedi Omnibus Volumes 1 & 2 (24.95 each)
The various Tales of the Jedi miniseries were the first ventures into the Knights of the Old Republic Era. This era is unlike the Prequel or Original trilogy eras because Jedi and Sith are both running amuck during this time. Set approximately 4,000 years before the Battle of Yavin (BBY, in Star Wars speak).




Dark Empire Volumes 1 & 2 ($17.95 each)
The three books in the Dark Empire cycle are the closest thing comic book fans can get to a sequel trilogy in comic book format. Of these three titles, the first two volumes are excellent additions to the Star Wars mythos. Featuring a resurrected Palpatine and Luke dabbling in the Dark Side, this title has the look and feel of the Original trilogy. Also, Boba Fett returns! Empire’s End, the third and final volume, is largely forgettable due to the inconsistent storytelling.



Clone Wars Volume 7, When They Were Brothers ($17.95)
The Clone Wars collections bring together the Republic series along with the various Clone Wars issues and miniseries published by Dark Horse. Volume 7 collects the 2005 Free Comic Book Day selection and the Obsession miniseries. This series focuses on the ongoing battle between Asajj Ventress, the bounty hunter Durge, and Jedi Knights Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Meant to be an ending to their fight, this volume features bombastic battles and more Jedi than you can shake a lightsaber at. Look for more from Asajj this week as Clone Wars hits theaters.



Star Wars Volume 4, Twilight ($12.95)
Introducing the immensely enjoyable Quinlan Vos and Aayla Secura, these issues set the tone for the remainder of the Star Wars ongoing that would later become Republic. This volume begins with Vos losing his memory and his quest in finding his lost Padawan Aayla.



Knights of the Old Republic Volume 3, Days of Fear/Nights of Anger ($18.95)
The year long “Days/Nights” arc was a powerful addition to this great, if uneven at times, title. Fugitive Jedi Zayne Carrick is on the run from his former Jedi masters who slaughtered his fellow apprentices. During this year long arc, we see Zayne grow as a Jedi. These first two stories in this arc are an excellent jumping on point for new readers.




Dark Times Volume 1, The Path to Nowhere ($17.99)
Dark Times is a frustrating title. It’s one of the best titles Dark horse is currently publishing, but it has had some issues with lateness. Couple that with the recently announced hiatus the title is taking while DH focuses on the new Clone Wars book, this title is aggravatingly good. Case in point, the first volume of the book is an excellent look at a Jedi on the run after Order 66. The shocking violence that ends this trade truly earns the title “Dark Times” for the series.