The covers: A trio to track down if you need all the Adventures in your life. Cover A is by Chad Thomas with colors by Jordan Boyd. Thomas is also the artist of the first story, which is what this illustration represents. Artoo-Detoo is attacking a seeker droid named Peeteezee-Onekay. Threepio’s arms are raised as he says, “Oh, dear! Artoo-Deeto has gone mad!” The two smaller droids look great, as does Goldenrod. The colors are also great, with the energy coming out of the pair bright. In the lower left hand corner is an image of IG-88 teasing the Tales From Wild Space story. The B cover is by Nick Brokenshire, who is the artist of the tale. This has the mechanical bounty hunter standing in the center of the image stoically, in a marketplace on a desert world. In the foreground are two of his prey from the Gatto Gang. I like the look of the tiny thugs running away and the characters behind the droid look fantastic. This has me eager to see what Brokenshire does with this story. The RI cover is by Tony Fleecs and has the most famous pair of droids in the galaxy running in fear down the corridor of a CR90 Corvette. Behind them is a seeker droid firing upon them. Smoke is engulfing the floor from the small droid’s blasts. This looks great — very exciting. Down in the lower left hand corner is the same tease from the A cover. Overall grades: All A
The story: “Trouble Again” is by John Barber and opens with Threepio introducing himself and Peeteezee-Onekay to Captain Antilles, who’s too busy checking the loading of supplies to care. He asks where the other droid is that Threepio often runs around with. The protocol droid can’t remember since he’s had his memory wiped by order of Senator Organa. Antilles thanks a Gran for providing the Rebellion with supplies and gets ready to leave. It’s at this point that Artoo notices that the seeker droid is looking for a long time at a screen displaying information on a planet. He rushes the droid with his cutting saw and a tool that delivers an electric shock. Before he can attack the seeker, Threepio intercedes saying they must board the ship now. Once in space, Artoo tries to tell Threepio that the seeker is working for the Empire, but his former friend brushes him off. What follows is a fun and tense attempt by Artoo to convince Threepio of Peeteezee’s intentions. This was great. The Tales From Wild Space is “IG-88 vs. the Gatto Gang” by Nick Brokenshire opens with Emil trying to capture some mynocks that are within his ship. Droid Crater tells a story of the “softly-softly” approach that was used by IG-88 in the “old days”. This story demonstrates on how being slow and steady will always have you win what you want. This is shown by the Gatto Gang’s feeble mistakes as they try to evade capture by the deadly droid. It’s also a fun tale. Both stories in this issue are great. Overall grade: A
The art: The first story is illustrated by Chad Thomas and he does an excellent job in getting the droids to emote. This is a considerable feat given they have faces that don’t move. With a slight change in angles, Thomas makes Threepio frustrated and frightened. Artoo also has a good range of emotions, with his weapons revealed or his walking away conveying smoothly to the reader what he’s feeling. The humans are also fun, with their frustration easy to read. There are also some excellent settings within the Corvette to hold one’s attention. There’s a little more detail in the second story illustrated by its writer, Nick Brokenshire. The first three panels show Emil’s ship and the trouble it’s in. It’s a very thin line used to create these characters and the creatures present. This detail continues on IG-88’s story, with the number of aliens employed as background characters simply stunning. Seriously, this story needs another read simply to look at what’s going on in the background. It’s like looking upon Richard Scarry’s Busytown books. I really like the rooftop chase that has a terrific humorous conclusion that the visuals tell without text. I’m also really liking the first panel on the final page which has an incredible layout done perfectly. Overall grades: Both A
The colors: Matt Herms is the colorist on “Trouble Again”. The first three pages are set on an alien world and use a great combination of sick greens and browns to create a back world tone. Threepio has never been so golden, nor Artoo so white and blue, making each focuses whenever they appear. Sounds are also brightly colored in this tale, brightening up the darker settings that are used for nefarious purposes. Tales From Wild Space is colored by Brokenshire, who shows himself to be a triple threat. The dominant color in the present is violet, giving the story a vivid look, and then going into muted greens to make the crowd scenes blend in to one another, while the gang members are in light violets to have them stand out. Very clever. Overall grade: A
The letters: Tom B. Long is the letterer of both tales. He creates dialogue, sounds, the story title on the second tale, and a scene setting. Usually See-Threepio’s dialogue is placed in italics to show the reader he sounds different from humans. That’s not done here and it’s mildly disconcerting, but since this book is not intended for adults I can understand why it’s not done. The sounds are the real highlight of both stories with there being many varied noises that are just as fun to say aloud as they are to see. Overall grade: A
The final line: Fun for young readers and plenty for older fans to enjoy. The stories are quick and cute, while the visuals are eye catching and bright. Perfect reading for padawans of all ages. Overall grade: A
To order a print copy go to http://www.idwpublishing.com/product/star-wars-adventures-9/
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