Victor Hugo Kebbe

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I’ve known about The Truce at Bakura for ages but never gave it a shot until now.

Since my foundation in the Expanded Universe was built on Timothy Zahn's work, I was always a bit skeptical of Kathy Tyers' take.

I worried that, as one of the first books to explore the immediate aftermath of Return of the Jedi, it might suffer from the 'pilot episode' effect-feeling inconsistent or experimental.

It brings the classic crew back together for a solid, self-contained adventure. The pacing is great—no loose ends, no filler. Honestly, it’s one of the most well-balanced Star Wars stories I've read.

The plot kicks off immediately after Return of the Jedi. The heroes are totally drained and dealing with the aftermath of the Battle of Endor, but obviously, the fight didn't end with Palpatine and Vader.

When Bakura, an Imperial controlled planet, sends a distress signal meant for the Emperor, the Rebels intercept it, and boom—new mission.

The only thing that didn't work for me were the alien villains. The Ssi-Ruuk feel totally out of place in Star Wars. I guess since dinosaurs were huge in the 90s, they tried to ride that wave, but it feels forced. I honestly had to ignore the whole 'space dinosaur' vibe at times just to keep enjoying the story.

One aspect that really struck me was the uprising on Bakura at the end of the book. Maybe it’s because I was reading this while finishing Season 2 of Andor, but it became painfully clear to me just how much the population was at their breaking point, barely tolerating the Empire's atrocities.

The Imperial Governor is easily one of the most despicable characters in the story, showing absolutely no regard for the people he publicly swore to protect. The revolution in the finale is incredibly impactful; it’s a grassroots movement—a true 'bottom-up' revolt. It illustrates clearly that the Empire can only seize and hold power through fear and oppression, whereas freedom is a pure, abstract idea that sparks to life all across the galaxy.

Other than that, it’s a fun, quick read.

May the Force be with you.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I’ve known about The Truce at Bakura for ages but never gave it a shot until now.

Since my foundation in the Expanded Universe was built on Timothy Zahn's work, I was always a bit skeptical of Kathy Tyers' take.

I worried that, as one of the first books to explore the immediate aftermath of Return of the Jedi, it might suffer from the 'pilot episode' effect-feeling inconsistent or experimental.

It brings the classic crew back together for a solid, self-contained adventure. The pacing is great—no loose ends, no filler. Honestly, it’s one of the most well-balanced Star Wars stories I've read.

The plot kicks off immediately after Return of the Jedi. The heroes are totally drained and dealing with the aftermath of the Battle of Endor, but obviously, the fight didn't end with Palpatine and Vader.

When Bakura, an Imperial planet, sends a distress signal meant for the Emperor, the Rebels intercept it, and boom—new mission.

The only thing that didn't work for me were the villains. The Ssi-Ruuk feel totally out of place in Star Wars. I guess since dinosaurs were huge in the 90s, they tried to ride that wave, but it feels forced. I honestly had to ignore the whole 'space dinosaur' vibe at times just to keep enjoying the story.

Other than that, it’s a fun, quick read. May the Force be with you.

I have mixed feelings about this title, Star Wars - The Hyperspace Stories: Qui-Gon. I really like Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the whole idea is very intriguing.

An ancient Dark Side faction? A secret temple in Jedha? Even Count Dooku is interested? A space archaeology plot with a derelict ship so incredibly old that it's fused with some asteroids?

It all sounds too good to be true. Unfortunately, George Mann can't fully develop everything satisfactorily due to space limitations. Certainly, it could have been much more elaborate. However, what really disheartened me (and heavily influenced my final rating) is Andrea Mutti's artwork, which feels rushed and even generic, not matching the story's scope.

Another excellent volume recounting the story of Kanan Jarrus (from Star Wars Rebels) during his time as the padawan of Jedi Master Depa Billaba. Just like the previous volume, this one maintains a consistent narrative, delivering an engaging and entertaining story.

In this volume, Kanan’s character development takes center stage. We witness his struggles with the responsibilities of being a Jedi apprentice amidst the backdrop of the Clone Wars. His internal conflict between following the Jedi Code and dealing with the harsh realities of war adds depth to his character. Kanan’s evolving relationship with Master Depa Billaba is particularly compelling, showcasing moments of mentorship, trust, and the challenges they face together. This growth lays the foundation for the more mature and battle-hardened persona he exhibits in Star Wars Rebels.

However, the final parts are illustrated in a style that closely resembles the Star Wars Rebels animation, which, in my opinion, is a downside of this work. While some fans might appreciate this visual continuity with the series, I personally find that it detracts from the comic's unique artistic identity.

As I've been quite accustomed to reading Star Wars books for several decades (I’m a notorious fan of the Expanded Universe) and I must confess that I'm rather picky when it comes to the saga's comic books. They are usually disjointed, loosely connected to the movies or the books themselves, and often feature overly exaggerated plots.

However, I came across a comic book that is genuinely fun, nostalgic, and closely aligned with what was presented to us in Star Wars Rebels. Not only is it fascinating to understand the journey of our protagonist, Kanan Jarrus, but it's also great to see this story told in such an engaging and entertaining way.

Needless to say, the opening and closing scenes featuring the Ghost crew are incredibly nostalgic. In this volume, we can grasp the traumas, anxieties, and motivations that drive our protagonist to start his own rebel cell.

I also appreciated how the Republic and the Empire are portrayed in this volume, unafraid to showcase the horrors of war. Order 66 was presented swiftly, effectively, and in an extremely disturbing manner.

I'm excited to continue my reading with volume two. May the Force be with you.