Obsession #2 (of 5) Story: Haden Blackman Art: Brian Ching Coloring: Sno Cone Studios Lettering: Michael David Thomas Cover: Brian Ching, Brad Anderson Released: 12/29/2004 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (04/21/2005) SUMMARY: After convincing Anakin to reluctantly cut his leave short and leave his wife on Naboo, Obi-Wan brings him to Maramere in the Karthakk Sector. Here is the site of a supposed ambush that might be engineered by Asajj Ventress, who Obi-Wan is convinced is still alive. A damaged starship does indeed enter the system, but the attacker is another old enemy the two Jedi didn't expect. Meanwhile, Mace Windu decides to go assist Senator Bail Organa with attacks on Separatist forces concentrated in the Outer Rim Territories.

[final cover] [preview cover]

THE STORY

Aside from the return of Durge, this issue also includes appearances by two of my faovrite characters, Bail Organa and Palpatine. Also, Padm? has a bigger role here than she ever had since Attack of the Clones, which is no saying much. I wonder why she got such a small role in the Clone Wars. Oh well... here she helps Obi-Wan convince Anakin that going to the help of endangered people is the Jedi thing to do, even though she (correctly) suspects that it might be months before they see each other again. As a side note, since the next time they meet Padm? is pregnant, well guess what they must have done off-panel...

The appearance of and subsequent fight with Durge are well executed. I mean it's no big surprise to the reader, but it definitely is for Anakin and Obi-Wan.They get in the fight of their lives, but we have to wait for next issue to see the outcome as it ends on a cliffhanger. During the fight, Obi-Wan seems to finally start to believe Asajj might be dead after all, as he fell into the trap of being led here. He realizes that his quest has blinded him to other dangers.

The two page sub-plot with Palpatine, Bail Organa and Mace Windu is also a nice setup to what promises to be a major plot next issue as well.

Revenge of the Sith preview: This issue has an appearance by little buzz droids who are attacking the merchant cruiser alongside battle droids. Also we see Anakin's Jedi Interceptor.

THE ART

Again, I am impressed by Ching's depiction of landscapes and backdrops. The Senate building on Coruscant looks very nice, but even better are the first page (a splash of a villa on Naboo at sunrise) and the interior of the doomed merchant vessel. But I also still don't like the characters faces and exagerrated physiques. Obi-Wan seems to always have blotches on his face. I guess they are meant to be bruises. Ching's art reminds me of Thomas Giorello's, who drew most notably the "New Face of War" two-parter in Republic #51-52. Except that Giorello's Durge looks a lot better.

CONCLUSIONS

So far, this series is keeping up the quality level.

Rating: 7.5 / 10 Recommended