Episode I: Obi-Wan Kenobi [Also available in photo cover.] Writing: Henry Gilroy Pencilling: Martin Egeland Inking: Howard M. Shum Color Rendering: Harold MacKinnon Lettering: Vickie Williams Cover: Timothy Bradstreet Released: 06/02/1999 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (11/06/2009) SUMMARY: After his Master Qui-Gon's funeral, Obi-Wan reports the recent events since the blockade of Naboo to Master Yoda. He is then granted the title of Jedi Knight and given permission to train young Anakin Skywalker

[art cover] [photo cover]

THE STORY

Writer Henry Gilroy is the one who scripted the Episode I: The Phantom Menace adaptation so he has intricate knowledge of the story. So much so that given an opportunity to expand on it, like the other Episode I one-shots, he chooses to retell the same story all over again. This time it's retold from Obi-Wan's point of view to Yoda during their meeting after Qui-Gon's funeral on Naboo. Obi-Wan's narration is interrupted by Yoda's musings as he is considering Obi-Wan's worthiness as a Jedi Knight based on the actions he describes. Those inner thoughts are very annoying as they constantly break the flow of the story as it is (ex: Qui-Gon [flashback] "You still have to learn, my young apprentice." Yoda: "Yes, much to learn he does have.")

Being told from his point of view, events he did not witness such as Anakin's discovery and the Podrace are absent, but strangely Queen Amidala is barely mentioned a couple of times and never shown. Another annoying things is that Obi-Wan recounts the whole scene where Qui-Gon defied the Jedi Council about training Anakin. The whole thing lasts two pages, and Yoda was present at the time so he doesn't need to be told! The last page is taken verbatim from the movie screenplay where Yoda announces to Obi-Wan the Council's decision to grant him the level of Jedi Knight and the permission to train Anakin as his Padawan. This goes without saying, this story is totally useless as it brings absolutely no new information and is a very frustrating read.

THE ART

Egeland's art is very cartoony and amateurish, and some panels where he copies stills fromt he movie (such as a closeup of Yoda on page 1) seem very out of place. All the facial expressions are exaggerated and the action poses seem totally unrealistic. The coloring is very good, and the cover by Bradstreet is amazing.

CONCLUSIONS

The story of The Phantom Menace retold, without the good parts.

Rating: 3 / 10 Not Recommended