This four-issue comic series parallels the story told in the Jedi Quest novel, which is the first book in a new series for young readers by Jude Watson. The next installment of Jedi Quest is due out in April. Check our Jedi Quest page for updates.

This story is set 28 years prior to Star Wars IV: A New Hope, and it has two main parts. First, Anakin must undertake a sort of vision quest in which he builds his lightsaber. Second, he must face an old enemy from his childhood, the evil slave trader Krayn. I have already reviewed the Jedi Quest novel here, but I'd like to take a look at the comic on its own merits as well as make some comparisons.

The Story

#1 - The novel opens with a powerful scene from Anakin's childhood as the pirate Krayn raids the Mos Espa slave quarters. The comics instead open with a new scene not found in the book: Krayn and his minions attacking an un-named ship and stealing the cargo. It's implied they also plan to sell the crew into slavery. Visually, the scene does little other than establish who Krayn is. I can't imagine why Windham didn't use the scene from the book instead. Next we follow Anakin and Obi-Wan to the planet Ilum where they must scale an ice cliff to a cave so that Anakin can gather crystals to construct his lightsaber. The cave causes visions of one's greatest fears. In Anakin's case, he sees his mother captured by Krayn, then is tempted to the Dark Side during a duel with an illusory Darth Maul, who gives him his completed lightsaber. This is a powerful scene rendered in dynamic detail. Unfortunately, Obi-Wan's visions of a dying Qui-Gon Jinn trying to warn him of something have been completely left out, probably due to space constraints. Back on Coruscant, the pair are given a mission to protect a Colicoid diplomatic ship travelling through Krayn's territory. Obi-Wan worries that the mission might be too much for young Anakin, but accepts it because he doesn't want Anakin or the Council to think he lacks confidence in his apprentice. As they prepare to leave, we find out that Obi-Wan's old friend and age-mate, Siri, has left the Jedi and is now working for Krayn. So far so good. It's astounding how much was packed into the first issue of this series.

#2 - The Jedi board the Republic cruiser carrying the insectoid Colicoids (who I believe manufacture Droidekas). It is here that we finally flash back to Tatooine and Anakin's memory of Krayn's slave raid, but Anakin deliberately avoids telling Obi-Wan of his past encounter with Krayn. The Colicoid ship exits hyperspace prematurely due to a rigged hyperdrive, and Krayn attacks. The Jedi, with Anakin displaying incredible piloting skill, take a transport and fly it into the engine vents of Krayn's ship in order to infiltrate and disable the ship's weapons. They complete their task, but then Anakin abandons the mission to seek Krayn for a little personal vengeance. He doesn't find Krayn, but he does witness Obi-Wan telling a group of slaves that he can't help free them (reminiscent of Qui-Gon on Tatooine). The two Jedi argue, then flee to their ship, but before Anakin can board he is captured by Krayn's henchwoman, Zora. She opens the vents, and Obi-Wan is forced to abandon Anakin and return to the Colicoid ship alone.

#3 - Krayn takes Anakin to Nar Shadda to work in the spice factories which he controls. Obi-Wan investigates and finds out the Colicoids are in league with Krayn in the spice trade. He also makes the Council admit that Siri / Zora is still a Jedi, deep undercover on a mission. With the help of his old friend from the Jedi Apprentice series, Didi Oddo, Obi-Wan goes undercover to expose the operation on Nar Shadda and rescue Anakin. Meanwhile in the factory, Anakin befriends a Twi'lek slave, Mazie, who also used to live on Tatooine. In a secret meeting on Rorak 5, Krayn "apologizes" for attacking the Colicoid ship. The Colicoids insist that Krayn allow their representative, Bakleeda (who is Obi-Wan in disguise), to inspect the Nar Shadda factories. During his inspection, Bakleeda/Obi-Wan is attacked on a turbolift by Krayn's right-hand Wookiee, Rashtah. This was one of my favorites scenes in the book, and I thought it deserved more panels in the comic. Oh, well. (The scene is also on the cover, although I guess Mhan somehow "forgot" Obi-Wan was supposed to be in disguise.)

#4 - Obi-Wan defeats Rashtah and resumes his disguise. Krayn overhears Anakin berate Zora/Siri for leaving the Jedi, and locks them both up in preparation for execution. They hatch a plan to get the slaves to rebel, thus convincing the Colicoids that Krayn does not have good control. With the help of Mazie's daughter they retrieve their lightsabers and escape. Anakin convinces the slaves to rebel, and Siri convinces the local guards to cooperate. As it all winds down, Anakin confronts Krayn and kills him, with Obi-Wan looking on helplessly. Was Anakin's action of the Dark Side? or was it only self defense? The final image of Palpatine walking onto the ship with Anakin "under his wing" is chilling.

One of the great things about this story is the complicated plot. I thought the novel was far to short to cover everything without skimping. The comics, by leaving out a few details, actually tell the story in a more interesting way. The novel wasn't all that well written, but it did have a lot more detail, plus of course characters' thoughts and other stuff you can't show in a comic. I can't say at this point which version I favor.

The Art

I enjoyed the art in this series, especially the skillful use of light and shadow. A good example are the pictographs in the cave, which really appear to glow, and the light reflections from the 'sabers. There are a lot of fun details -- check out the little "stingray" Jedi Starship. I liked the use of sepia tones to indicate Anakin's flashback to Tatooine. In fact, I liked the use of color throughout. The dark spice factory is well rendered (although Zora is not wearing goggles, so how can she see?) The fight at the end in the rain is especially good -- Anakin's face as he kills Krayn is blacked out into shadow, almost as if he's wearing a black mask. Creepy. The best thing about the art was the rendering of Krayn -- somehow from reading the book I hadn't got a clear mental picture of him, but here his blue skin, demonic face, multiple red eyes, and muscular body make for a truly chilling villain. Mhan isn't all that great with faces, though. The characters don't necessarily look the same from panel to panel, and he doesn't even try to make Anakin and Obi-Wan look like the actors from the films. Overall, I thought the art was very well done and contributed a lot to the understanding and flow of the story.

The covers were interesting and dynamic. #1 - I liked the feeling of being almost underwater in the crystal cave during Anakin's vision. #2 - This one gives us a good look at the bad guys, but why is Zora's face so lopsided? #3 - I think I mentioned that Obi-Wan was supposed to be in disguise. Again, a cool use of light. #4 - Ooh, Anakin versus Krayn. Is he one mean-looking bad guy, or what? But where's Anakin's braid?

In summary, I enjoyed the series. It gives us a peek at Anakin's tortured mental state, even at age 13. If you want the complete story, the novel is a better choice, but the comic version definitely has charms of its own. I'll give this series an overall A-.

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