
Published: April 9, 2025
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Written by: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: Madibek Musabekov
Colour Artist: Luis Guerroro
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Rahzzah
The synopsis;
YODA AND VETNA MOONCREST FACE THE TYRANNY OF ATHA PRIME!
• The JEDI face a new threat on a strange, fantastic and mysterious world…
• But the planet’s surface ruler has a dark secret he wants hidden from the REPUBLIC!
• The first story featuring a never-released Kenner action figure…ATHA PRIME!
The review;
The opening issue for a new, ongoing series is always a little tense. There are expectations that fans set that may just not be achievable, or the series is intending to go off in a completely different direction. Jedi Knights had a lot to live up to. A series set in the prequel era, focused on some of the coolest characters of the franchise and a period that hadn’t had an ongoing series for quite some time. No pressure! Writer Marc Guggenheim handled the issue with practised ease. The story was not a huge thing, it was a catalyst for introducing readers to the characters, to start setting some small foundations to the rest of the series. What I really liked was that there was a promise that Qui-Gon Jinn would have a focus in this series, one that I hope starts to be delved into in this comic. If the careful writing wasn’t enough, the artwork by artist Madibek Musabekov was incredible. Musabekov hasn’t never failed to impress me in his Star Wars work, but the opening of this series saw him take his artwork to new heights. Impressed would be an understatement. With these two creating such a strong first instalment for the series, I have been very eager to see the path that they will lead us down next.
Let’s start with the obvious, this isn’t a Qui-Gon story. In fact, Qui-Gon is barely in the story, only for the last part – which I’ll come back to later. Instead, this story focuses on Master Yoda and Vetna Mooncrest. It looks as if this story is going to be a single tale with perhaps some repercussions in a future issue. If this is any sign of things, Guggenheim isn’t going to have a huge overarching story that is prevalent in every single issue. Instead, these will be tales with an ongoing continuity smattered within the pages. It reminds me a lot of how the X-Files was. One off mystery with key episodes that were part of the main lore of the series. As someone who loves the Jedi and wants to see more of them during this period, this would seem the perfect recipe for a series. Something new every month with hints of what else might be around the corner.
So, let’s start with the new, or sort of new. Vetna Monncrest. There is a wealth of Jedi that are always wanting attention during this era. Everyone has a favourite one they wish to see on the pages. Trying to introduce a character of your own making is not going to be easy, as readers want to know why you can’t just use an established one. Guggenheim has every right to bring in his own character. Mooncrest was introduced last issue but rather than have her on her own, he partners her up with Master Yoda. Not only does this quieten fans who may want established characters, but we know who Yoda is and how he acts towards other Jedi. We can see how he is with Mooncrest and how he speaks to her. We see her through his eyes. The character herself I really like. Yoda treats her with much respect. The thing I am most intrigued by is her disability. Mooncrest has implants to deal with a congenial condition. What that condition is we are unsure of, but I love the placement of it. To have a disabled Jedi is rather unique. It is also inclusive but not in a huge shout about it way. Guggenheim incorporates it into the story with ease, making the story flow with it, rather than abruptly stop it to announce it. I’m actually really looking forward to learning more about her.
We are also introduced to Atha Prime, a droid surrounded by mystery, creating creatures that are disturbing. If you don’t know, Atha Prime was designed for an unproduced Star Wars story and a figure line in the late eighties before the design was used in Dark Empire from Legends. It’s really entertaining to see Guggenheim pick up that thread and use it here. Atha Prime reminds me a lot of Ash from the Alien franchise, something that is reinforced by the xerexi creatures that really are where Star Wars meets Alien. I don’t mind that the creatures are so similar. There’s enough Star Wars to them that I don’t feel like they are a carbon copy of the xenos from the other set of films. It certainly helps to set the much darker tone this comic takes. With experimental tanks full of creatures in Atha’s throne room and in other rooms around the moon, there is something very creepy about it all.
Which brings me to the artwork of Musabekov. It is still wonderful. Musabekov moves to this dark tone seamlessly from last issue, really homing in on those eerie moments. The design of the throne room is wonderful, really harkening back to those Dark Horse Comic days of Dark Empire. Then there are the full page spreads, one which we are treated to in the very first page. It all just draws you in, and the flow of the story is effortlessly told through them. This series I really think is going to elevate Musabekov to new heights. You can tell he is enjoying this work, its shown panel after panel.
I always like seeing Yoda. While his wisdom is here, he never overshadows the story. Mooncrest and Atha are allowed to shine, all the while Yoda is there in the background. The moments Guggenheim uses Yoda, he really goes to town. We have Yoda commenting about numbers never matter, so close and similar to another phrase we all know from The Empire Strikes Back, and Guggenheim uses it knowing that. He really helps to embody the diminutive master. We also get to see Yoda wounded, to show us just what a threat Atha poses to the galaxy.
While the main story might finish, we do move back at the end of the comic to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan. It is a short moment, with Obi-Wan explaining to Qui-Gon his vision and the person he saw killing his master, Corlis Rath. He is not known to Qui-Gon but the sense of mystery and intrigue around this short discussion has me hooked. I was hooked last issue, I’m hooked now, I want to see more of this story! Yet Guggenheim makes us wait. While the next issue might have Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, I wonder if it’ll deal directly with this story, or this will be running underneath the main tale. Either way, I trust Guggenheim to make it worth the wait.
I was excited after the first issue but now that I’m understanding the format the Guggenheim is going for, I think I’m even more excited. One off tales with select issues focusing on an overall story arc is something a little different to what we’ve had in Marvel Star Wars, and I think it’s the right time for the change. Drawing on old character designs from the eighties and nineties also has me jumping with joy. Add in intriguing new characters and beautiful artwork by Musabekov, and you have a series that has just gotten even better from the previous instalment. It’s a slow build up to an explosive storyline but I think it will be absolutely worth it. A great second comic and I cannot wait for the third to drop.
Availability;
Star Wars: Jedi Knights is an ongoing series published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $4.99 and is available online from Amazon (comiXology) and your local comic book store.
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