SPOILER REVIEW: Marvel's Star Wars: Kanan - The Last Padawan #1

I liked Depa Billaba’s reaction to the Kallerans, it’s a shame she probably won’t be around for much longer. However if young Kanan turns out to be a better character than old Kanan, which he seems to be at the moment, that won’t be a problem. Overall I felt this issue was lacking a little something at first but by the banter around the campfire I was already looking forward to the second issue.

 

I haven't read it yet but it's a Clone Wars Novel about Mace Windu.
http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Shatterpoint_(novel)

 

So Mace Windu is Kanan's "grandfather/master" so to speak

 

I haven't yet read this comic, I usually wait for trade paperbacks to be released so I can read a story in its entirety, but I am quite familiar with Shatterpoint. From what I can infer, the only connection between the two is that they share Deba Billaba. Her fate at the end of the novel doesn't seem to gel with her new canon position as Kanan's Master, so I wouldn't worry about any connections between the two if you're only into this new canon.

If however, you are inclined to indulge in some "Legends", I highly recommend Shatterpoint; it is a very in-depth look into the mind of Mace Windu, written by the wonderful Matthew Stover. For those who never read the old EU, Stover delivered excellently personal narratives from a wide collection of characters: Jacen Solo in The New Jedi Order: Traitor, Luke in Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor, Anakin/Darth Vader in the novelization of Revenge of the Sith, and of course Mace Windu in Shatterpoint.

 

Great post Luuke22, I haven't read any of Matthew Stover's work but you inspired me to check it out.

Also I just uploaded Kanan #1 for those that are interested

 

I liked the different perspectives we got on the war... The Kallerans couldn’t tell the difference between the Republic and the separatists - either way the common people suffer. Kanan has found his place in the universe. Depa disagrees with some of the Jedi Order’s decisions... It adds depth to the setting, so it’s not just a shallow good vs evil story.

 

I'm a little disappointed to see how quickly they are going to take Billaba out of the story. I would have liked to see more of Caleb's training under her. It almost seems like they were just getting to know each other, and we were just getting to know them and then Order 66 comes right in. But I am looking forward to the next issue, even though I anticipated going in this wouldn't be my favorite series.

 

This was actually one of my favorite books so far. I'm still enjoying Darth Vader the most, but I have hope Kanan will do some of the deep character work that is so far somewhat lacking in all of the new books. I just feel it could really add so much to Rebels as that show progresses, and also allow fans of the Clone Wars era have new material.
The art was uniformly awesome.
The scripting was tight.
I'm giving it an 8.

 

This might become my favorite book. The script was great and the art absolutely floored me. I didn't know what to expect going into it, but so far it's looking like a sleeper hit. I agree with stormtrooperfinn, i really want to see and know more about Billaba. I'm betting she'll get plenty of panel time as Kanan reflects on her teachings to survive throughout the series.

 

Yeah, since this book seems like it'll be told in a pretty non-linear fashion, I bet we'll be seeing more of his time at the Temple, and maybe some of those earlier interactions with her as well.

Read it again. It's solid. I've subscribed.

 

"Shatterpoint" essentially was "Apocalypse Now" in the Clone Wars, with Mace in the Martin Sheen role and Depa in that of Brando. This issue alludes to the idea that at least some elements of what happened in that Legends tale remain true, as Depa has apparently returned from some episode that is not openly shared.
I enjoyed this comic, but it certainly feels most like stage-setting. It is a great new addition (not edition, mind) to the new, cohesive canon.

 

For those of you who also feel that Shatterpoint is being brought into canon in some way (I do!), here are probably the two biggest quotes that signify that -

"Then a few months ago, Master Depa Bilaba emerged from - well, whatever it is she emerged from"

"We were told that she was unstable... Obviously that intelligence is now suspect"

 

I can't help but harken back to something John Jackson Miller said when the new canon was just starting out. He said (paraphrasing here) that the thing about legends is ... some of them are true.

It woukd be cool to see Shatterpoint fully canonized. However, I think it will be left vague as to which parts of it actually happened and those that won't be directly confirmed.

I think there will be many cases coming up where this kind of thing will be hinted at, yet left to the fans to interpret how much is true.