Star Wars #2 Prelude to Rebellion Part 2 (of 6) Writing: Jan Strnad Pencilling: Anthony Winn Inking: Robert Jones Coloring: Dave Nestelle Lettering: Cover: Ken Kelly Released: 01/27/1999 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (10/24/1999) SUMMARY: Cerean Jedi Ki-Adi-Mundi goes looking for a teenage revolutionary who accidentally killed someone using Ki's lightsaber. The kid is hiding from justice, and unfortunately, Ki's daughter Sylvn is involved in their group.

THE STORY

While the first issue was an introduction to the Cerean society and offered mostly background story material, this issue gets the plot going along very well. It deals with the choice of using technology for the greater good. It also deals with making sacrifices to bring justice. Ki has to go in the polluted, technology-corrupted Outsider Citadel and find someone who could lead him to the revolutionaries. And he has to rely on his own abilities and wits and not his lightsaber (which was held as evidence after the events in #1.)

After reading this comic a couple of times, it's starting to grow on me. In the space of two issues, Strnad was able to make the character of Ki-Adi-Mundi very likeable and interesting.

There is also a very short (and very appropriate) flashback to when Ki was training under Yoda. It ties in very nicely with #0, and is used here to show where Ki takes some of his inspiration.

I don't think the choice to name the series Prelude to Rebellion is really appropriate. The title rather makes it sound like it's the prelude to Episode IV. Maybe they could have named it simply Prelude...

THE ART

As soon as I saw a preview of the cover at the end of #1, I was worried about seeing a Noghri. I was hoping he would be on the cover only, but he does appear in the story as well. Fortunately, the appearance doesn't reveal much, and some interesting questions about the Noghri come to mind.

The interior art was as good as the first issue. The only qualm I have is probably the seemingly non-moving swoops that Sylvn's friends use when they escape from Ki's house. Their movement is not well-rendered, and they seem to just hover there over the balcony. And Yoda doesn't look much like he does in the movies, but we'll see if this improves in future flashbacks.

But everything else is fine. I like the way the characters each have their distinct features, and they are so well-depicted that they are instantly recognizable. No confusing one character for another here, even the very minor ones.

I can't help but laugh at some of the Coneheads... err... Cereans. They can be a bit silly-looking at times.

CONCLUSIONS

The series looks more and more promising.

Rating: 8.5 / 10 Recommended