Dark Horse vs. Marvel

So far with Marvel IMO -
Star Wars - hit and miss - Smugglers moon was great
Darth Vader mostly great.
Vader Down - Darth Vader/Star Wars Crossover - Absolutely epic
C-3PO - terrible
Chewbacca - Didn't read but I believe it was awful
Princess Leia - very mediocre. Shame her higness didn't get better treatment - her story in the last Star Wars annual was so much better.
Lando - Brilliant really enjoyed that.
Han Solo - ditto, great story
Poe Dameron - Hit and miss. The first story with the egg in the asteroid was kind of crumby but it has improved since then. The last run have been really good.
Darth Maul - so far so good.
Doctor Aphra - good story line but the conclusion could have been executed better.

 

So far Marve's run is very underwhelming (excluding the awesome Kanan series, and Lando, haven't read Maul yet). The art is very boring and the stories don't feel anything like SW. Vader in particular. From places he visits, villains and the conflicts he's involved in don't jive with the film universe at all.

I felt Dark Horse was a lot bolder with the franchise. They allowed different series to experiment with the art styles. Dark Times, Legacy, Clone Wars, Knights Of The Old Republic - all of those book had fantastic ink work, coloring, detailed backgrounds, and more importantly stories that I could easily picture taking place in SW world.

 

Hello Darth Malkovich

I have something new for you. I have a collection of Dark Horse Comics. You can read it online at Fandemonium Network.

 

For me it feels like Marvel is playing safe by focussing on the well known (movie) characters. I'd really like it if they created some new characters with new stories. Also (like many), I'd wish if they stop with the Star Wars comic in the "OT" timeline and start focussing on pre-ANH/post-ROTJ stories. But maybe that will come when Episode 8 has been in theatres.

The Marvel comics I really liked so far are Lando (with a lovely bittersweet ending) and Doctor Aphra (for me she feels like a breath of fresh air). The main Star Wars comic I also enjoy but are a little hit and miss (with Yoda's secret war as a low point for me).

From Darkhorse I really like the Dark Times series, great characters and storylines.

 

This is what happens when one Disney owned corporation makes stuff for another Disney owned corporation. nice, safe, clean, family-friendly uncontroverial, boring dull stuff that pleases disconnected shareholders who are only interested in risk free profit, but not the comic fans.

Bring back Dark Horse!

 

Oohohoo, the Dark Horse Bobba Fett compilation "Death, Lies and Treachery"*don't quote me, google* was fantasticals. Would watch that as a movie
Is Dark Empire canon ? I'm guessing not ?

 

Nope, thankfully(I always hated the Clone Emperor). The only Canon Dark Horse series is Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir.

 

I haven't really hated any of the Marvel comics yet (some have been disappointing). Here are my thoughts on the ones I have read.

Obi Wan/Anakin:
While the story itself was a bit weird I really enjoyed Obi Wan and Anakin especially seeing how far Obi Wan will go to keep his promise to Qui Gonn.

Kanan The Last Padawan Vol 1
I really liked seeing young Kanan and his early days following Order 66, really helped flesh out his character even more so.
Kanan The Last Padawan Vol 2
It was really cool to see an unimportant jedi like Depa Bilaba getting some love, I really enjoyed her and Kanan's interaction and the development of their relationship.

Princess Leia
I liked the ideas behind it but the execution could have been better. I do like Evian Verlaine (and that she has since returned in Aftermath) and I also like Nien Nunb getting some cool moments.

Chewbacca
Mostly forgettable but I did like that they showed Chewie did get a medal.

Lando
Absolutely fantastic, amazing character moments for Lando and the best "origin" for Lobot. This comic alone makes me want Lobot in the Han Solo movie.

Han Solo
I really enjoyed Han's solo (pun unintended) adventure. It felt like the best parts of Firefly but in the Star Wars universe and while the story didn't really have any major impact it was still a really cool story. the Art was also one of the best of the canon comics.

Star Wars Vol 1-2
I enjoyed this a lot, some badass moments and I really like the introduction to Grakkus the Hutt as well as Sgt. Kreel. Sana is very hit or miss but for the most part I don't mind her and would like to see her in the Han Solo movie.

Darth Vader Vol 1-2
I liked this for the most part but something about the Emperor's other "Vaders" were weird and didn't really feel very "Star Wars" I didn't mind Aphra but 000 and BT usually eclipsed her and stole the show. I also liked that they brought back Tagge, especially because it didn't;t feel forced and his survival of the Death Star made sense. Thanoth was also a pretty cool new character.

Vader Down
Badass. All the various character interactions were great and we finally saw a wookie tear the arms off a droid.

Star Wars Vol 3
Pretty decent, I don't remember hating it but I also don't remember much that was amazing.

Darth Vader Vol 3
While I didn't hate this I was getting really sick of the other cyborg warriors. Also as Vader went on I began to really get sick of Aphra.

Star Wars vol 4
Sgt Kreel and Co are pretty badass villains, pretty good story.

Darth vader Vol 4
A good ending to the series but as I said before I just didn't care much about the cyborg warriors. I liked seeing Ozzel, helped sell the idea that we are inching our way to ESB. I feel like the end twist really hurts Vader as a character.

Star Wars vol 5
Eh.

DR. Aphra Vol 1
Very meh. I lost all interest in her as the Vader series went along. She is not a good lead character because she is really hard to root for. The supporting characters (000, BT and Black Krrristan) keep this series afloat. I did find the ancient Jedi splinter group to be an interesting addition to the mythology.

Shattered Empire
I was just happy to get something post-RotJ. I liked seeing Poe's parents as well as Lando trying to flirt with a married woman. Art was phenomenal and the story was pretty good.

Poe Vol 1
Was really weird with the egg story but I was glad to see Poe getting the spotlight as well as Snap and Jess. Agent Terrex is a cool new character as well. I liked the 2nd story more and I liked that they brought back Grakkus (noticeably less ripped)

Poe Vol 2
Much better than the first arc. Art is a bit weird but not terrible. Terrex continues to be good and I really loved a certain Aftermath connection.

 

Great review of all the marvel SW books. I remember when I could not afford all the Dark Horse SW books. I was in financial disarray back then but I collected as much as I could especially Star Wars Tales which I looked forward to every month. Now that my financial situation is much better i get them all. i don't listen to the critics when it comes to the books I form my own opinions. I've been collecting comics for a long time... critics hate comics sometime for whatever reason, I especially love the the Leia series they did a rather good job and Chewbacca which everyone puts down was good to me as well, Phil Noto art stole the show for me, anyway enjoying the ride!

We need a Finn series! A Rey series as well. i can't stand Aphra but I have a feeling she'll pop up in a SW film soon because of her popularity. Love SW Dark horse comics, nevertheless; Marvel is doing a good job.

 

I never allow critics to sway me, in my mind even subpar Star Wars is still something because even a bad story can have cool implications or ripples to the grander universe. Generally if it is Star Wars I will get it regardless to what people say. I think it won't be until after the ST is through that we get any comics starring Finn or Rey. Unless there is a big time jump between TLJ and Ep. 9 (which I hope there is).

 

Here's what i red so far complete.

Anikin & Obi-Wan

Not bad. Great art but confusing 2 follow at times. 3/5.

Chewbacca

I can get y so many dislike it. But it's perfect for a kid 8-12. Art very colorful. Yet very simple story. The old tech who needs a droid 2 c was a funny plot. 2/5

Kanan The Last Padawan

Awsome! Great story! Art pannels wonderful! Much better then the Rebels show & not as childish. Current on Vol 2. 5/5

Darth Vader Vol 1&2

Outstanding! Funny & dark. Dr. Aphra is cool. BeeTee & Tripple 0 do steal the show as pointed out by @Finn is a Jedi. Good art. Also Vader is Vader. 4/5.

Star Wars Vol 1&2

Good. Art not as good as Vader but ok. I mean its the big 3 we all know & love so its hard 2 say bad things. 3/5.

Princess Leia

Now unlike Chewbacca i don't get y this is disliked. Ok the art is not great. Probably worse than Poe but i did like the story. 3/5

Poe Dameron Vol 1&2

Great story. Like others pointed out the egg story was Wonky. Noto's art took a dive since Chewbacca. Lord Terrex was an interesting foe w/ a sence of humor i liked. An Anti-Poe so 2 say.
Let's hope Terrex returns.

Han Solo.

Solo goes solo. Pun intended. A non essential story but good none the less. Beautifully drawn.
5/5

Darth Maul.

All I'll saay is #### YEAH!

BUY IT! 6/5!!!!!

Reviews coming soon on Lando, Aphra, SW Vol 3, Vader Vol 4 & Vader down soon!

 

I like most of the Marvel comics, so far anyway. I haven't read all of 'em, but here are my thoughts on the series that I have read:

Darth Maul: It was pretty good. Darth Maul and TCW bounty hunters were great in this. We also got some great characterization and backstory for Maul. Solid 9/10.

Obi-Wan and Anakin: It was good. Reminded me of an arc from TCW. Speaking of which, Obi-Wan is not yet the quipping Jedi Master and Anakin is not yet the confident and cocky hero that we see in the show. Also, it basically gave us our only canon appearance of Revan. (Not confirmed, but come on- look at his helmet). The main plot was unique and interesting, but the best parts were the flashbacks. Palpatine's still got it! 8/10.


Darth Vader (2017): Excellent series so far. Superb characterization of Anakin/Vader. Gives a lot of insight into his early days as a Sith Lord, the Inquisitors, the making of a dark side lightsaber, the clone troopers post-Order 66, and more. 9.5/10

Kanan: Another good one. Great insight into Kanan/Caleb's character. Potential foreshadowing with Ezra perhaps? Nice character inclusion from the A New Dawn novel. More stories set in the Clone War? Count me in! All in all, while it does drag a bit here and there, I give it an 8/10.

Cassian and K-2SO: Eh, it was alright. Cassian seemed a little out of character. K-2SO is great as usual. Did get a little repetitive and confusing here and there. Kaytoo and Cassian's friendship was handled a little clunkily. All in all, probably a 6 or 7 out of 10.

Star Wars: I like how it feels like a direct sequel to the original Star Wars movie. Most of the artwork is pretty good. The character development is pretty good. The Obi-One-Offs are superb. However, the arcs can sometimes be hit or miss. The first two were pretty good, but I didn't like the third one. The fourth one had stuff I liked and stuff I didn't. The fifth one I have yet to read, but people seem to be mixed on. The sixth one looks pretty good. It's kinda all over the place. Essentially, all my babbling equates to: it's hit or miss with this series, but still a must-read. 8/10

Darth Vader (2015): Excellent. It's dark, it's engaging, it makes you think, it can actually make you laugh, it answers questions, so on, so forth. Again, great development for Anakin/Darth Vader. Has nice tie-ins with the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy, even TCW. You get to set Vader's mindset and Anakin's last attempt to overcome his alter ego. Another must-read. 9/10.

Vader Down: Nice crossover between Star Wars and Darth Vader (2015). Vader slaughters some Rebel scum. We get to see Luke being reckless, like Yoda said in Empire Strikes Back. Overall, pretty darn good. 9/10.

Lando: Pretty good. Though when it's Lando Calrissian, of course it is! We get to learn much more about Lobot and his friendship with Lando. It made me laugh a couple times! It did drag a little bit though, so I give it an 8/10.

Shattered Empire: Pretty good. So far, it's only our only look at Luke post-ROTJ. All of it was pretty good and it showed us how the Empire responded to the loss of the Emperor. There was also a pretty cool moment of Leia where the duel between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon against Darth Maul took place. There's also a neat tie-in with TCW. Pretty good, so I give it a 9/10.

C-3PO: These one-offs really are kinda "off". This one showed us how Threepio got the red arm, but other than that, the only note-worthy thing is that Threepio sometimes can briefly see images from his erased memory of the events from the prequels, including Theed, Naboo and the Duel on Mustafar.

Poe Dameron: Good, so far. We get to see our favorite Resitance pilot and BB-8 go on more adventures. It's important in that it seems to be setting up Poe's role in the sequel trilogy, especially after the loss of Carrie Fisher. Also gives us our best look at the state of the galaxy right around TFA, particularily the conflict between the Resistance and the First Order. I'd say it's a necessary reading, just because of it's connection to the new movies. 8/10.


I have a question to anybody who has read the Dark Horse comics: are there any must-reads? I don't particularily care to delve too far into Legends, especially the comics, but what are the best ones? I also really like The Clone War era, so if there are any really good comics from there, let me know.

 

Ok time 4 mo reviews!

Lando

Ok, So how 2 make a comic series intreststing that mostly takes place in 1 spot. Bring in a cool cucumber like Lando! The Cat Clone Couple was "odd" but intresting. Lobot & Lando clearly had a bromance, and it was great! While the colors were muted they did fit the setting/feeling.

A great buy! 4/5

Vader Down!


Breathe......just breathe!



Superb! A great X-over! Do me a favour! Just by it! 5/5!

Shattered Empire

Great! Wonderful! Superb! Gorgeous art! Best colored print so far in SW comics. Starts w/ the battle of Endor. Goes in2 the details & actions of Op. Cinder.

This 1 ain't for the kids cuz of 1 "certain panel". It's w/ Poe's parents. Let's just say, wut happens in Brite Tree Village stays in Brite Tree Village .

A great overall series & a must by. 6/5!!!!

 

Recently I’ve been getting into the early marvel stuff — the issues that came out at the same time as the original movies (I’ve been reading them all together in the Epic collection). At first sight the art doesn’t look as good as today, but I think I prefer it. It’s proper comic art, hand drawn, whereas today’s art looks too computery.
And you also get a nice nostalgic feeling reading it, about how much you loved star Wars when you were a kid, which you don’t get with today’s issues.

 

Yes, as an artist myself I appreciate the silver age Marvel art over today. The recent SW books are persistent on keeping a "cinematic" look while not a lot of artists behind the projects are particularly talented, or understand fundamental comic book drawing principles. Naturally they resort to cheap tricks. A lot of the effects are lazy photoshop techniques anyone can pull of in minutes. Perspective is often out of wack across the board. But mostly the writing completely turned me off.

Who thought of these outlandish ideas? Twin cyborg Jedi, assassin droids that look and move like R2, C3PO, Yoda in search of greater wisdom from talking mountains, vampire feasts, none of those sound much like the SW universe we fell in love with.

The first MARVEL books and Dark Horse are far beyond anything we currently have.

 

Anyone ever read the Biggs Darklighter Dark Horse series?

Probably my favourite contained comic-book story in Star Wars. Fleshes out the character so well, and shows the intricacies of life on tattooine, life in the Empire and the Alliance. Definitely part of my head-canon

 

Personally I liked the assassin droids and vampire feasts. The twin cyborg Jedi and talking mountain not so much.

I have to agree with you on this point. Just finished Star Wars issue 38 and was pulled out of the comic due to the "realistic" faces, which in my opinion look awfull sometimes

 

I enjoy the old Marvel comics, they're silly but they're fun. I particularly like the period between ANH and TESB.

 

It's hard for me to judge this objectively, because the Marvel comics have a lot more restrictions now that we're making movies again and everything is canon.

In the Dark Horse days, with the movies finished and all, they could get into really deep crazy stuff that makes my fan heart rejoice--exploring the origins of the Jedi, going into the far future, etc etc. They could go to these wild places and have big consequences.

With Marvel, the comics have less ability to create real consequences--not because they're poorly conceived, but because the new canon is primarily film-led. For the most part it hasn't blown my mind, except for Vader Down and the new Vader run.

Actually, the new Vader run is possibly my all time fav Star Wars comic. So well written. Beautifully drawn. Connecting cool canon dots I didn't expect. My jaw drops almost every issue.

 

I had hoped to be a Dark Horse writer for Star Wars, but Disney then f***ing had to take the license from them and give it to Marvel.