Guest Review: Star Wars, Volume 1: In the Shadow of Yavin, Brian Wood & Carlos D'Anda

*Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book on Netgalley from the publisher in return for an honest review*
*Disclaimer: This review has been written by René (the other half in this household) he is a HUGE Star Wars fan and Darth Vader is his role model. When he saw I could request this book he asked if I could do it for him. I told him he had to write a review in return*

In the wake of the Death Star's destruction, the Empire seems to anticipate and thwart all moves by the struggling Rebel Alliance - which smells like a spy among the ranks. Princess Leia forms a stealth squadron of her best pilots - including Luke Skywalker - to expose the spy and find the Alliance a safe home. In another part of the galaxy, Han Solo and Chewbacca are on their own mission for the Rebels, but that, too, has been betrayed to the Empire. And, over all, Darth Vader watches...

The good: Decent story, quality of drawings.
The bad: Faces not always well drawn, Personality of a main character seems unlike we know it from the movies.

The story begins shortly after the ending of the Star Wars movie 'A New hope' but before the start of the 2nd movie 'the Empire Strikes Back. The story features the main characters from the first Star Wars movie. The story is about the aftermath of the Victory of the rebel Alliance over the Galactic Empire's super weapon; the Death Star. The Rebels are being chased by the Empire and are looking for a new base to call their home. Various event are told during the search for this new base.
The story is convincing. It fits well between the two movies. The drawings are well-made, good use is made of colour. Things in the comic like spaceships and clothing look like they belong in Star Wars. What I was not very enthusiastic about, are the characters' faces. The faces are not always in the same style, giving me the idea that in some pictures, I am looking at another person. This occurs only a few times, but it is unfortunate.
The personalities of most characters featured in the comic are convincing. Leia Organa and Han Solo for instance are pictured very well. In heavy contrast to this is the persona of Luke Skywalker. In my opinion, the way he is acts in this story is unlike the Luke Skywalker I have seen in the movies. This was awkward and, in my opinion, not in line with the story that we have already seen in the Star Wars movies.
Weighing the ups and downs I have written in this review, this book scores very average.

Star Wars, Volume 1: In the Shadow of Yavin
Author: Brian Wood
Illustrator: Carlos D'Anda
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Pages: 152
Format: eGalley
ISBN-10: 1616551704 (paperback)
ISBN-13:9781616551704
Series: Star Wars #1
Dark Horse Comics: Paperback

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