This story takes place 30 years prior to Star Wars IV: A New Hope

Summary:

The story begins as Jedi Council member Plo Koon is helping Aayla Secura (former apprentice to Quinlan Vos) sift through her returning memories. Then suddenly, the group of Jedi Masters is interrupted by a surprise visit from JACE DALLIN! Don't remember him, huh? That's okay, because for the next four issues we're treated to various Jedi masters, and Jace himself, reminiscing about the … Stark Hyperspace War.

According to Mace Windu, the retelling of these events will honor those who died in the war. (I hope no one tells lame stories about me when I'm dead. Oh wait, this is just the summary.)

Iaco Stark (smuggler, pilot, and a "rogue with vision") formed the Stark Commercial Combine, a collection of ne'er-do-wells from the Outer Rim. They begin to attack ships, hoarding bacta during a terrible shortage. Big surprise, there is an argument in the senate. Nute Gunray, Ranulph Tarkin, and Finis Valorum discuss what should be done about it. The argument is abruptly cut off to introduce a one-time member of the council who believes that the shortage is staged -- Master Tyvokka. Tyvokka is a Wookiee whose last padawan was current Jedi Council member Plo Koon. A team of Jedi, led by Tyvokka, is sent to a meeting with Stark. We find out that Jace was an aid to the militarist senator Ranulph Tarkin, as he tells the story of the secret deal between Tarkin and Gunray.

The meeting with Stark takes place, but guess what … it's a trap. The Jedi are surrounded, and Tarkin's Republic strike force is headed toward their doom. The navcomputers have been infected with a virus (created by Stark) that hinders all hyperspace travel for Republic ships. And finally it's on ...  the Stark Hyperspace War.

As Tyvokka suspected, the bacta shortage was faked, but he was slain in the ambush before he could discover the truth. We also find out later that the reason Plo joins the council is to honor his former master Tyvokka. Our heroes now find themselves in quite a sticky wicket as hyperspace travel is no longer an option and they are being pursued by Stark's forces.

The Jedi become trapped with Gunray, Tarkin, Valorum, and a few soldiers inside a mountain while Stark plans to hold the entire Republic at bay by continuing to cut off bacta supplies and hyperspace travel. The Republic group fights the Stark group while arguing among themselves, and Plo Koon keeps everyone focused.

The Jedi win, with a little help from Stark himself. Apparently Plo made him a telepathic deal. Stark's men continue to fight without him, the virus is cured, help arrives and the day is done.

Nice war.

Light Side:

• Jedi Master Tyvokka - There was a great moment after Tyvokka argues with Plo when he says, "Thank you, Plo for giving me another opportunity to control my temper." I look forward to using that little gem with my own students. Get a glimpse of Tyvokka on the cover of #37 above.

I think that covers it.

Dark Side:

• War? For such an awe-inspiring title, this war was pretty lame. I'd rather see a baby Ewok choke on a caterpillar. Throw in some guest appearances and a lightsaber, there's your four-issue story right there.
• The script. I really liked what John Ostrander did with Martian Manhunter for DC Comics so I was expecting more out of him with this story. I know he can do much better, especially with flashback stories. The whole set-up for this story was just so forced. Also, I'm not a fan of getting my narration from a disembodied head.
• Taking events from the films and re-using them for the purposes of foreshadowing or coincidence. For example, the senate argument, Qui-Gon not being right for the council, the need for a strong military, etc. I know this is common in just about all Star Wars related stories, but it's really getting old. We've all seen the movies, I get it, you're all really good at foreshadowing -- so enough already.
• Good characters, like Tyvokka, getting introduced then killed before they can be fully explored. This practice has plagued Star Wars comics since Kevin J. Anderson began writing them.
• Here's a good one. Young Quinlan Vos teaches a newly apprenticed Obi-Wan the Force Blow. And I quote, "Obi-Wan! FORCE BLOW! LIKE THIS!" Done and done. I only wish teaching were that easy.
• Jace Dallin. What's up with some punk that used to be a gopher for Ranulph Tarkin sneaking up on half the Jedi Council? No wonder they're all dead. He doesn't even tell most of the story and at the end he's practically crying at the feet of Plo Koon telling him how great he is.

And finally, me reading it.

My two cents:

Overall, I'm pretty disappointed in this story arc. I can't help but think that for Aayla Secura this retelling was better off forgotten. So go, look at the covers, thumb through the pages, but don't bother with much else. The artwork was adequate but nothing special.

I'm looking forward to seeing just how close some of these council members behave in relation to what George Lucas has planned for them in the upcoming films. I'm guessing they'll be completely different, and I for one won't be too upset.

Overall Grade: D

Wake me up when A'sharad Hett comes back.

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(Nekhrun is a teacher who should be grading papers, but instead, is complaining about things that in the grand scheme of things don't really matter all that much.