The Last Command #4 (of 6)

Story: Mike Baron (adapted from Timothy Zahn)
Pencils: Edvin Biukovic
Inks: Eric Shanower
Colors: Pamela Rambo and Dan Brown
Editor: Bob Cooper and Peet Janes

Imperials attack Karrde's smuggler gathering who vow revenge. Luke and Lando break Mara free so that she can show them Wayland... just before Thrawn launches an attack to destroy Coruscant. Reviewed 03/27/97 Story Every time I watch one of the SW films, I wish I could forget everything I know about it and really see it again for the first time. That's the only problem with "Last Command" as we wrap up the trilogy. I wish I didn't know how this was going to end. (Actually, I wish it ended a little differently, but we'll get to that next month...) What more can I ask for? All the characters are smart (there's no greater cop- out than stupid characters), the story is multifaceted and the dialog is sharp. Baron continues to do a wonderful job of compressing a novel into comic form while retaining the richness of the story. This sets a standard that only X-Wing is in the same ballpark with. I'd love to see Dark Horse take on a well-planned multithreaded 24 issue epic of original material as a change of pace from the mini-series format we usually get. Art I never expected to see SW art I liked as much as HTTE, but I think this title is arriving at the same level of beauty. The level of detail relayed by Biukovic/Shanower is astounding. Most artists can make large panels and closeups look good, but smaller figures suffer. Reread this issue and take a look at the small figures... they aren't undefined blobs, but remain detailed characters. While you're looking at that, take another look at the poses (every character feels alive). This round, I noticed how well the hair is done. Chewie examining the dead animal is wonderful... but not easy to achieve. I was also struck by the wonderful ship design and the other pieces of technology (guns, data cards, gardener droids and the like). I thought the Mezzic character was really cool, along with his active toothpick and reflective goggles. Summary I simply have no complaints and am saddened that it will all end in two issues. 9.5/10. Recommended.
"EnsViews" are copyright ? 1997-8 by Paul Ens. They are posted to rec.arts.sf.starwars.misc, emailed to Dark Horse Comics and archived on theForce.net. With the exception of Dark Horse Comics Inc, they may not be reprinted without permission. Titles, Cover images, Dark Horse Comics, and the Dark Horse logo are trademarks of Dark Horse Comics Inc. and its respective Licensors.