The name's Cross. Jahan Cross. Move over, James Bond; there's a new secret agent in the galaxy, and he has the weight of the Empire behind him!
Cross's mission takes him and his assistant IN-GA 44 to the affluent Corporate Sector. There, on the trail of stolen droid technology, they will rub elbows with diplomats and desperadoes, captains of industry and sergeants of the local police--and rub most of them the wrong way!
Writer: John Ostrander
Penciller: Stephane Roux
Inker: Julien Hugonnard-Bert
Cover Artist: Stephane Roux
Throwing a character like Jahan Cross, a character not only described as being like James Bond, but a character who totally delivers in being like James Bond into a Star Wars comic is bound to be great right? Hell yeah its right; now allow me to elaborate on why Star Wars: Agent Of The Empire #1 is one kick-ass book totally worth picking up.
I will start off by saying that Stephane Roux's art both on the cover and in the book is fantastic. Roux has a style that fits the book by bringing the already well known world of Star Wars from the big screen to the printed pages. Roux draws everything from new characters to the good ol' Stormtrooper with a great finesse, while also leaving it to be clearly recognizable. Though most (not myself) favor more diverse art, Roux proves that using simple details will work just as well in standing out. Though known mostly as a cover artist, he shows he knows how to work well with specific scenes, using a good deal of shading to give some mysterious scenes more of an ominous feel.
The story follows a not so boring character that lives up to the hype Dark Horse has been laying on us. He may not be bounty hunter with a jet pack, but Jahan Cross also doesn't die five seconds into the action. On the contrary he is a man who becomes a mole on certain high level commanders to route out any people causing harm, cheating, or secretly betraying the Empire and gets in a fight only a few pages in. The story starts with Cross on his job, a job that allows are antagonist to work to his awesome potential. Along with his equally awesome droid sidekick INGA, John Ostrander proves Jahan Cross can sure as hell hold a story.
Now the only minor flaw in what is still a bad ass story, which takes place between
Revenge Of The Sith &
A New Hope, is the fact that we are presented with one rather lengthy, slow dialogue filled scene that does provide the future story, but also takes up 8 of its 22 page story. Though the full issue was not as truly epic as the beginning was, the story shows so much promise for its second issue as well as the entire arc. As someone who hasn't really jumped into the extended
Star War's universe, I loved this issue and really hope (while assuming) that the next few issues follow suit and tell a fun story.
That is what
Star Wars: Agent Of The Empire #1 is, a fun story. Do you like Star Wars? Then pick this issue up, because the team behind this has proven to be a talented pairing. So I bet your asking, what about other characters? Does Luke, Leia, or Lando show up? Well no, sadly.
Oh, but Han Solo & Chewbacca sort of have a role in this issue, and hints are dropped that they may be showing up again soon enough. So if a James Bond-esque Sith, Han Solo, & Chewy are not enough to convince you to give this series a shot, I honestly don't know what is; except maybe the fact that this book looks and sounds and even reads awesomely. This is more then a satisfying first issue, and a series that shows immense promise. I recommend this be picked up by a person that may even just be a casual fan of Star Wars.
I give this book a 3 1/2 out of 4 Death Stars. Publication Date: December 14, 2011
Format: FC, 40 pages
Price: $3.50