Republic #56 The Battle of Jabiim Part 2 (of 4) - Stormchasers Story: Haden Blackman Art: Brian Ching Inks: Victor Llamas Coloring: Joe Wayne Lettering: Sno Cone Studios Cover: Tom?s Giorello Released: 07/30/2003 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (02/19/2005) SUMMARY: It is one month into the Battle of Jabiim. Many clone troopers and eighteen Jedi are dead (or believed dead). The resistance bases need supplies, and a group of Padawan lead a convoy towards Cobalt Station. Separatist sympathizer Alto Stratus personally leads an attack against them, and the Padawans manage to fight them off. Anakin almost comes face-to-face with Stratus, but they are separated by an explosion. Meanwhile, last surviving Jedi General Leska defeats the Separatists at a place named Razor Coast. The convoy continues its way, and Stratus reveals his plans to send all his forces against Cobalt Station.

[final cover] [preview cover]

THE STORY

This issue opens with a grim scene of Stratus decapitating a Jedi, and expressing his hate of them and the Republic. The Jedi is supposedly Norcuna, as the next page mentions his forces have been wiped out. We learn that all the Jedi generals are dead, except for one, a Human female named Leska. We also learn that a bunch of master-less Padawans have survived, and in the next scene we see them fighting an army of super battle droids. It's dificult to keep track of them: there is Anakin, Kass and Aubrie who return from last issue; there is also a Human female with a cybernetic arm named Zule (who first appeared in Republic #51 in which her master, Glaive, died), a Sullustan named Elora, a Human male named Tae Diath (nephew of Nico Diath who died in Republic #53), another Human male named Mak, an Aqualish named Warble Mak and a Gand named Vaabesh. It is very interesting to see an Aqualish and a Gand, and I believe this is the first story to depict Jedi representatives of those species.

Last issue had AT-ATs; this one shows AT-XT walkers, from the Clone Wars video game. A pivotal story and nice handling of a big cast of new characters, which isn't always easy to do, especially when they are destined to be cannon fodder...

THE ART

This is a bit of an improvement over the last issue, as the different species of the Jedi helps differenciating them. Also, the AT-XTs look good. There's lots of rain, explosions, and fighting, and Ching handles all equally well.

CONCLUSIONS

A pivotal event of the Clone Wars, an issue not to be missed.

Rating: 7.5 / 10 Recommended