Republic #65 Show of Force Part 1 (of 2) Story: John Ostrander Art: Jan Duursema Inks: Dan Parsons Coloring: Brad Anderson Lettering: Michael David Thomas Cover: Jan Duursema, Brad Anderson Released: 06/02/2004 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (03/03/2005) SUMMARY: During a battle of the planet Null, Bariss Offee and T'ra Saa are atttacked by a group of bounty hunters. From past reports, Mace Windu reveals that someone put a bounty on Jedi and the contract is being carried by the Crimson Nova chapter of the Bounty Hunters' Guild. So he decides to pay a visit to Mika, the current leader of the Crimson Nova, at their headquarters on a space station called The Rig. With the help of Masters Kit Fisto, Agen Kolar and Saesee Tiin, Mace Windu infiltrates the Rig and puts himself in a position to convince Mika that she should not mess with the Jedi.

[final cover] [preview cover]

THE STORY

After seeing a lot of Jedi getting killed during the battles of the Clone Wars, it's a nice change to see them back to being kicking ass. We haven't seen many bounty hunters during the war, but it's only logical that Count Dooku would someheow involve them eventually. They are clearly not used to dealing with Jedi, although Mace came well-prepared. The way Ostrander has the other Jedi arrive on the station as smugglers, bounty hunters and bounties, while Mika is keeping an eye only on Windu, is very convincing and effective.

The nature of this kind of story, unfortunately, has Ostrander needing to do some blatant exposition at one point to reveal a bit about Mika's background. Her converstation with her mentor/friend, a bounty hunter named Stroth, explains all in two or three sentences, and Mika replies "you lost your nerve when you lost that arm!" Thanks for pointing it out :)

There is a nice interlude on New Holstice, where Master Tholme reveals his more compassionate side when he stays at T'ra Saa's side, after she'd been injured severly on Null. Then Tholme reveals to Aayla Secura his plans to have Quinlan Vos infiltrate the Confederacy, but now he believes Vos is also gone to the Dark Side. This will all lead somewhere some day.

THE ART

More Duursema. More aliens. If her depictions of Rodians and Trandoshans may be a little weak, and I have a problem with a tree alien Jedi having lips and eyelashes, Duursema is truly a great artist and obviously very familiar with the Star Wars universe at this point. I don't see why we would need any other artist to draw this series, except of course that Mrs. Duursema must need a break now and then.

CONCLUSIONS

A great set-up for the Jedi butt-kickin' that is sure to happen next issue. A must-read.

Rating: 8.5 / 10 Highly Recommended