Kanos and Jax face off at the squall in a dual to the death.
Reviewed 05/22/98
This one has SPOILERS, folks...
Story
This is the exact showdown that has been unmistakenly telegraphed from the
first panels of issue #0. However, for a sixteen page fight scene it's pretty
well done. Most extended action sequences in comics merely display brute
force, wisecracks and trash talking. This is much more of a display of skill
against equals. The most surprising aspect is not only the amount of dialog,
but the advancement of character and plot that it provided (more than any
other point in the series).
Given that Kanos had made up his mind to kill Jax, it doesn't make much sense
that he wouldn't finish him off on earlier chances. Of course, this shows his
pride and honor and makes the story more interesting... I just have the
feeling this happens more in fiction than it would in real life. (Not a
criticism, per se, just an observation.) Here's hoping that Jax stays dead.
The discussion of the ruling council gives me some hope for CE II. I think the
dismantling of a corrupt council is more interesting than this confrontation
with a man who never convinced me why he should have any power at all. The
vendetta of Sinn has potential for tension in the sequel as well... making her
something other than a Leia-wanna-be.
The brief appearance of Wedge (who looks a lot like Tarkin with hair) turned
out to have absolutely no impact on the story in the end. This makes his
appearance seem even more like a cheap name dropping device. Since he couldn't
completely disappear, it would have been nice to have him do something of
consequence.
Art
While I'm not willing to call it great, this is the best art in the series.
After the first few issues of rigid poses I would have never guessed that
Gulacy would be up to this fight choreography with varying camera angles.
The fact that most panels had faces covered with masks keeping those giant
eyes covered up probably helped my opinion. The faces from page 20 to the end
were all fine, though. Go figure.
Most exciting is the pencil art on the CE II preview page. This is the best
work we've seen the entire series.
Lettercol
Mike Hansen proved me wrong and printed my review of #2. In it, I complained
that Sadeet was green which Mike took to mean that I didn't think Trandoshans
should have varying skin color. I just wanted to clarify that I feel green
makes him look too much like the aliens in "V" or the cheesy lizard Captain
Kirk wrestled with. I would be happy with a different skin color (say, red or
orange or anything), just not green.
Conclusions
My praise for the issue is based mainly on the disappointment of the first
five issues and the promise it gives of something better in CE II. It's an
improvement, but not enough to make it worth picking up if you've already
stopped buying this series. The story and art still fails to live up to other
titles.
6.5/10.
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