Episode I: Queen Amidala [Also available in photo cover.] Writing: Mark Schultz Pencilling: Galen Showman Inking: P. Craig Russell Color Rendering: Lisa Stamp Lettering: Vickie Williams Cover: Timothy Bradstreet Released: 07/07/1999 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (11/11/2009) SUMMARY: Right before the Boonta Eve Podrace, Jar Jar notices a trooshti stealing a battery from Anakin?s Pod. He warns Padm? and together they follow the thief across the desert aboard a landspeeder to an abandoned moisture farm. There they find a colony of trooshtis lair. In need of activating an old water pump, and Padm? helps them start it. Once this is done, the trooshtis fly the battery back to the Podracer with Jar Jar and Padm? following them once again. They arrive just in time as the Podrace is about to begin.

[art cover] [photo cover]

THE STORY

Another nice little story, but this one has a couple of flaws. This story introduces a new species of animal native to Tatooine (although they might be common to other planets as Padm? recognizes them right away). But they seem pretty intelligent to be able to recognize Padm?'s specific words ("keep the Gamorreans away from the battery"). Also how can they keep such a large amount of water, enough of a pool for Jar Jar to swim in, without it evaporating? And they don't seem to be short of liquid so why do they need more? The "threat" in this issue is a couple of Gamorrean slavers who first capture the trooshti thief but are hampered by Padm? and Jar Jar. Somehow they followed them to the moisture farm where they are so easily defeated that it's comical. Again, there is an abondance of water to create a tidal wave and send the Gamorreans flowing down a waterfall. All that well-intended, light-hearted fun doesn't make too much sense to me. And although it's a good story, with Padm? reflecting on how much she missed her home planet, it's not needed as far as the events of The Phantom Menace are concerned.

THE ART

This issue features two legendary talents in the comic book industry. While unfamiliar with the Star Wars universe, Showman and Russell create a visual delight that is fun to read. This issue's rating gets most of its points for the art alone. And I love the little Aurra Sing cameo on the last panel. And I cannot forget to mention Bradstreet's amazing cover artwork.

CONCLUSIONS

A litte side-trek before the Boonta Eve Podrace.

Rating: 7 / 10 Recommended