Star Wars – Obi-Wan #3: Peacekeeper At War

Obi-Wan Kenobi continues to be a hot item recently from all over Star Wars media. He had a successful TV series on Disney+ named Kenobi. Tales of his time during the Clone Wars with Anakin Skywalker were told in the novel “Brotherhood.” Even the day before this issue came out the YA novel “Padawan” was released, which tells a story about Kenobi around the time of The Phantom Menace. This series tells stories from all over his life with the narrative framework of old Ben Kenobi writing his journal near the events of A New Hope, a time when Obi-Wan is starting to feel the familiar pull of adventure on the horizon as he can sense the upcoming journey that will ultimately bring him to the Death Star. This issue has him revisiting a younger version of himself at the time he fought in the Clone Wars. He ponders his role as the military leader he was never trained to be.

In many ways the CGI Clone Wars shows from 2008 really set the tone for this issue, but it also draws from other sources. Not only does this chapter reference that landmark series, but events before it. Battles from that show, the theatrical animated film that spawned it, and the 2003 Clone Wars series that was more traditionally animated are all mentioned. This issue offers up a mashup of all three, and because it is a comic book itself it evokes the Clone Wars comics that Dark Horse was putting out around the time between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. This issue was so good at blending in all versions of Kenobi during this particular time period that is seems a shame this era is only represented in one issue. Kenobi could easily lead a whole series like this one. Not only does this chapter connect to the time of the Clone Wars, but there is a brief mentioning of Luke and his family to completely anchor this issue to A New Hope as well.

This issue uses a somber set of colors, although it can’t be called gloomy. The color, like the art, is bright and alive. The whites of the clones’ armor  and their ships under the pale green sky make the whole issue seem almost overcast. This is a nice parallel to the actual sandstorm Kenobi is experiencing while writing this story. That overwhelming feeling is reflected in the thoughts of Obi-Wan a well. He reflects on how he never quite knew the role of the Jedi, who were meant to be peacekeepers, during wartime. He was able to succeed and lead his troops, but he never felt like it was his fight. This adds a great depth to the overall character of Obi-Wan. He does not like war, but is compelled to act. Similarly in the present, he is almost ready to go back into the fight after so long and the whispers of impending galactic civil war reach even his isolated ears.