Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark Remains #1 Review


The dark times following the end of the Clone Wars continue in earnest, but should you really care?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Dark Horse:

Reunited with the ragtag crew of the Uhumele, Jedi Dass Jennir is surprised to find them plotting with another Jedi to take down the iron fist of the new Galactic Empire—Darth Vader himself! Having only just found love and a reason to live, Jennir is reluctant to join—but their plan may be too good to pass up. . .

If you had one shot to take out an integral part of the Empire, would you take it?  That’s the question that populates this jaunt and to the creative team’s credit they certainly give it some due thought before they rush their characters into the fray.

Randy Stradley prepares the text portion of this affair by allowing a gripping introduction followed by a comic that exists as one single flashback.  In the end the script does its job well, as it sets up this portion while giving solid introspection.  It’s a tough situation for our heroes to be in and despite the forgone conclusion of what will happen to Darth Vader the tension rises.  The reason for that is simple: fanboys and fangirls have become attached to our primary and secondary heroes and when they charge into battle or prepare we stress right along with them.

The art by Douglas Wheatley is just about perfect.  I know that may sound like a bold claim but I can literally find nothing wrong with what I see here.  Whether the talent is asked to illustrate humans, aliens or droids he brings an air of authenticity with a style that echoes the type of hyper realism that dedicated followers of this franchise are more than aware of.  The level of detail that’s brought to bare is simply astonishing, as he offers an intricately designed experience that will draw readers in.

Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark Remains #1 by all accounts is an excellent comic book that exudes the best tropes of this unending intergalactic saga. Highly recommended.

4.5/5

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