Star Wars: A New Legacy #1: Return Of The Jedi Master Writers

Star Wars: A New Legacy #1 celebrates 10 years of stories set in a galaxy far, far away (at Marvel) as scribes Jason Aaron, Kieron Gillen, and long stalwart and architect of the larger Star Wars saga Charles Soule present a trilogy of vignettes set during the time of their initial series runs on their respective titles.

The  Grand Jubilee

• Writer: Charles Soule
• Artist: Ramón Rosanas
• Colorist: Neejah Menon

Set four years before the Battle of Yavin the Empire’s most powerful gather on Alderaan to honor Emperor Palpatine. Seeing this as a perfect opportunity for a payday Doctor Aphra and Sana Starros stage a daring heist, not knowing that bounty hunter Valance is hot on their trail! If that wasn’t enough for a fun story, throw in a curious Stormtrooper possessed by a Sith artifact which when combined together threatens to spoil the party for everyone!

While Soule is playing with multiple subplots, he is able to deftly weave them all together giving each of these characters a chance to shine and have a place and a fair share of panel throughout the story.

Along with the stars of the story Soule includes some worthy cameos comics of characters such Darth Momin, Chanath Cha, Rik Duel, Commander Zahra, the Tagges, and more who appear in the later issues of his run on the main Star Wars flagship title.

Rosanas art is tight throughout the story and is complemented by Menon’s colorwork

For The Love Of The Empire

• Writer: Jason Aaron
• Artist: Leonard Kirk
• Colorist: Jay Davis Ramos

Jason Aaron returns to answer the question “What ever happened to Scar Squadron aka Task Force 99?” This elite group of stormtroopers led by Sergeant Kreel that gave the Rebels much difficulty during the first series telling the story between A New Hope and Empire has their fate finally revealed.

Aaron doesn’t miss a step in returning to this characters now stationed on the Outer Rim and dealing with Rebel cells, possibly as punishment for failing Vader, although it is never stated as such. This is an interesting and deep look into these characters, specifically Sargent Kreel, the groups lightsaber wielding leader.

Leonard Kirk’s art here is some of his best and most consistent St work and a huge improvement over his Battle of Jakku issues. Ramos’ colorwork also stands out in a story full of Stormtrooper armor.

Rogue’s Gambit

• Writer: Kieron Gillen
• Artist: Salvador Espin
• Colorist: Israel Silva

Kieron Gillen returns to the dark side with a story set during Darth Vader run starring his breakout character Doctor Aphra, the two murder droids 0-0-0, BT-1 and the wookie Krrsantan. This story captures the fun and lighter tone that these characters brought to the Dark Lord of the Sith’s first series. Aphra takes a backseat to the other three as Gillen puts a new spin on the holo-chess game between a wookie and astromech droid. While Vader appears at the end, it’s always a fun time when these four characters interact in between doing Vader’s bidding.

Salva Espin and Israel Silva work well together, in drawing the droids and walking carpet that is Krrsantan.

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The only thing this issue feels like it is missing is sneak peaks of the new series that are scheduled to begin in the months ahead.