[COMIC] EnsViews: Dark Force Rising #5
Paul Ens
No spoilers...
TITLE: Star Wars: Dark Force Rising #5 of 6
WRITER: Mike Baron (adapted from Timothy Zahn)
PENCILS: Terry Dodson
INKS: Kevin Nowlan
COLOR: Pamela Rambo
I'll first note that I was naturally pleased twice over with this issue.
First, my EnsViews review of issue #2 got printed (as has been noted here
already). Second... Ian Roney's printed letter made reference to a previous
review of mine. Cool. (This doesn't color my opinions... honest!)
STORY:
As I've mentioned before, compressing someone else's novel into a comic is
much harder than writing a new story for the medium. Even with six issues, a
lot has to be left out in order to fit in the allotted space.
To me, this issue felt a little choppy/less natural than the previous issues.
Don't get me wrong... it's still good, it's just not as extraordinary as we've
come to expect. (It's like comparing Gretzky today with Gretzky in 1987.)
I also suspect that because this is the point in the novel where the many
varied subplots begin to merge that DH can't focus the issue as it had the
freedom to do in the past. I guess this isn't a bad thing.
ART:
My same general opinions of the art in this series remain unchanged from issue
#1... good technology, acceptable people, acceptable coloring, nice overall
look and effect.
Since I've got only seven issues left of Mara Jade, (have I mentioned recently
that I desperately want a Jade series from DH?) I'll choose to comment on her
rendering in issue #5...
Most of Mara's appearances in this issue hide her face or show only the back
of her head. Normally I'd say that this is an injustice... but Dodson's
backslidden and has Mara looking just wrong in a new way in each of her facial
shots, so I'm just as happy that the opportunities were kept to a minimum.
Please return Mara to her European look from HTTE. She was PERFECT there!!
My over-all impression of the pencils in this issue is that this one was done
in an abnormal hurry. Attention to detail seems to be lost... from just basic
leg/body proportions to Leia looking more like Kirsty Alley than Carrie
Fisher. This wouldn't surprise me considering the tight schedule for this book
as compared to HTTE.
SUMMARY:
This issue is lesser only in the light of #1-#4. It's still a great read with
truly SW-worthy visuals.
7.5/10. Recommended.
Comments? (Rich....)
=====================================================
"EnsViews" Star Wars comics reviews are posted to
rec.arts.sf.starwars.misc and emailed to Dark Horse comics.
Permission is granted for any credited reuse in whole or in
part that you see fit. (If you do, please let me know at
"paul...@sk.sympatico.ca".)
Rich Handley
Paul...@sk.sympatico.ca (Paul Ens) wrote:
>Comments? (Rich....)
Hi, Paul,
Nice job! Unfortunately, I can't really add much yet, since I haven't
read any of the issues of this series. You see, I tend to wait until
a series has ended before reading any of it, so that I don't have to
wait in between issues. It takes tremendous will-power not to read
them, but in the end it pays off. :)
Sincerely,
Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Rich Handley
Paul...@sk.sympatico.ca (Paul Ens) wrote:
>Are you having as much trouble as I am keeping prequel-spoiler-free? (And
>coming soon... diet-prequel-spioler-free.)
Yes, a lot of trouble -- mainly because I'm one of the people
spreadin' 'em. :)
>Rich, I hope you don't let my reviews taint your opinions when you finally do
>read them.
Oh, don't worry about me -- I'll definitely read 'em all and judge 'em
myself, regardless of what I see others say. You're talking to a guy
who, literally, owns every single comic ever made about Star Wars,
including all of the Droids/Ewoks crap, Star Wars 3-D, and a bunch of
little-known rarities from the 80's. :) Anyway, I enjoy reading your
reviews, even when I haven't read the stories yet, because at least
then I'm aware of what's going on currently in the SW universe, even
when I'm six months behind in my reading.
Sincerely,
Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Ian Roney
Paul Ens wrote:
> I'll first note that I was naturally pleased twice over with this issue.
> First, my EnsViews review of issue #2 got printed (as has been noted here
> already). Second... Ian Roney's printed letter made reference to a previous
> review of mine. Cool. (This doesn't color my opinions... honest!)
I was well chuffed when I got my letter printed - one now in each of the
three SW letters pages...
>
> STORY:
> As I've mentioned before, compressing someone else's novel into a comic is
> much harder than writing a new story for the medium. Even with six issues, a
> lot has to be left out in order to fit in the allotted space.
It *is* a shame that so much is left out. While I do enjoy the
adaptations of the novels, I always have a nagging doubt that the
resources would be better spent on new material. Thrawn seems less of a
genius in the comic series as a lot of his 'thought process' is left
out.
> To me, this issue felt a little choppy/less natural than the previous issues.
> Don't get me wrong... it's still good, it's just not as extraordinary as we've
> come to expect. (It's like comparing Gretzky today with Gretzky in 1987.)
I was actually really looking forward to this issue (I've got a thing
for Star Destroyers) and came away pretty satisfied.
> I also suspect that because this is the point in the novel where the many
> varied subplots begin to merge that DH can't focus the issue as it had the
> freedom to do in the past. I guess this isn't a bad thing.
>
> ART:
> My same general opinions of the art in this series remain unchanged from issue
> #1... good technology, acceptable people, acceptable coloring, nice overall
> look and effect.
Ditto. With Vatine and Blanchard in HTTE and Edvin Buikovic in TLC, I am
quite happy with the standard of art.
> Since I've got only seven issues left of Mara Jade, (have I mentioned recently
> that I desperately want a Jade series from DH?) I'll choose to comment on her
> rendering in issue #5...
I love reading short stories on minor/new characters, which is why I buy
the Star Wars Adventure Journal. A Jade series could be interesting.
Looking forward to Crimson Empire, and desparately hoping it is much
better than Empire's End.
> Please return Mara to her European look from HTTE. She was PERFECT there!!
Absolutely. She had that hard-bitten look about her, though I think
Dodsons still done a reasonable job.
>
> SUMMARY:
> This issue is lesser only in the light of #1-#4. It's still a great read with
> truly SW-worthy visuals.
Yeah, overall, pretty good.
> 7.5/10. Recommended.
8/10.
Regards,
Ian
Gerthein Boersma
Ian Roney of power the By.
>I love reading short stories on minor/new characters, which is why I buy
>the Star Wars Adventure Journal. A Jade series could be interesting.
>Looking forward to Crimson Empire, and desparately hoping it is much
>better than Empire's End.
I'm looking forward to it as well (did I just make a me too post?).
BTW, my toilet-paper is better than Empire's End.
- Gerthein (-o-)
-----------------------
gert...@worldaccess.nl
-----------------------
Ian Roney
Rich Handley wrote:
(snip)
> You're talking to a guy
> who, literally, owns every single comic ever made about Star Wars,
> including all of the Droids/Ewoks crap, Star Wars 3-D, and a bunch of
> little-known rarities from the 80's. :) .
I bought a Battletech comic at a comic sale the other day, published in
1988 (iirc) by Blackthorne Publishing. On the inside cover was an ad for
SW 3-D, with a really rubbish looking Vader. Was the comic actually any
good?
(snippety snip)
> Sincerely,
>
> Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Regards,
Ian
Scott Tice
>I read in a recent XW:RS comic that they are adapting most of the
>Marvel SW run - do you know if they are reprinting this to make it
>fit in terms of continuity? (And hence make the timeline between the
>movies even more screwy in the process). And does 'most of' include
>the god-awful parts?
Uh, god awful parts? You mean to tell me you don't like green rabbits?
Seriously though, the series is scheduled to run as it did from Marvel,
except for the movie adaptations which might or might not
be included. (We've already printed them in too many formats
as it is.)
Be on the lookout for SW: The Last Command, issue #1 cover with a
special metallic ink.
-Scott
Ian Roney
Gerthein Boersma wrote:
>
> Ian Roney of power the By.
>
> >I love reading short stories on minor/new characters, which is why I buy
> >the Star Wars Adventure Journal. A Jade series could be interesting.
> >Looking forward to Crimson Empire, and desparately hoping it is much
> >better than Empire's End.
>
> I'm looking forward to it as well (did I just make a me too post?).
Yup.
> BTW, my toilet-paper is better than Empire's End.
I believe you.
Although I don't like dumping on a creators work, Empire's End should
never have been released. It was plain embarrassing. Uggh.
Regards,
Ian
Ian Roney
Rich Handley wrote:
> TRIVIA: Believe it or not, Mike Stackpole actually references issue 1
> in the first X-wing book! At one point early in the book, it is said
> that an alien named Throgg bought the Lars homestead -- that's from
> issue 1.
Cool. Aah, science fiction. Only that genre could come up with the name
'Throgg'. And isn't Mike choosing some pretty obscure material to
include in his books? :)
>
> Issue 2, as I said, is decent, but it completely ignores all
> continuity from the Marvel series and newspaper strips, which I loved,
> so I tend to discount it.
I read in a recent XW:RS comic that they are adapting most of the Marvel
SW run - do you know if they are reprinting this to make it fit in terms
of continuity? (And hence make the timeline between the movies even more
screwy in the process). And does 'most of' include the god-awful parts?
> Issue 3 is just plain embarrassing -- a bunch of floating Jawa-looking
> characters try to seduce Luke to the Dark Side. It's ridiculous, and
> when you add the truly headache-causing 3-D effect, it's unbearable.
Damn. Now I want to see it.
> Issues 4 and 5 were never completed, and so only the first three were
> done. That's not necessarily a bad thing -- though for completist
> collectors (like me), they're a cool find nonetheless.
Sounds like the 'Empire's End' of the earlier SW comics. :) And even
though it was atrocious, I bought EE because I hate leaving a series
unfinished. I still can't work up the strength to buy 'The Early
Adventures', however.
BTW, at my local bookstore they have a new list of released and upcoming
SW novels, and amongst them is X-Wing: Wraith Squadron by (iirc) Aaron
Allston. First reaction: Who is this masked man? Second reaction: More
X-Wing novels? WOO HOO!
Regards,
Ian
Rich Handley
Ian Roney <mmv...@echidna.stu.cowan.edu.au> wrote:
>I bought a Battletech comic at a comic sale the other day, published in
>1988 (iirc) by Blackthorne Publishing. On the inside cover was an ad for
>SW 3-D, with a really rubbish looking Vader. Was the comic actually any
>good?
Wellllll..... issue 1 was great, issue 2 was average, and issue 3 was
ridiculous. It's lucky for us they stopped when they did, because
they got worse as they went along. :)
TRIVIA: Believe it or not, Mike Stackpole actually references issue 1
in the first X-wing book! At one point early in the book, it is said
that an alien named Throgg bought the Lars homestead -- that's from
issue 1.
Issue 2, as I said, is decent, but it completely ignores all
continuity from the Marvel series and newspaper strips, which I loved,
so I tend to discount it.
Issue 3 is just plain embarrassing -- a bunch of floating Jawa-looking
characters try to seduce Luke to the Dark Side. It's ridiculous, and
when you add the truly headache-causing 3-D effect, it's unbearable.
Issues 4 and 5 were never completed, and so only the first three were
done. That's not necessarily a bad thing -- though for completist
collectors (like me), they're a cool find nonetheless.
Sincerely,
Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Mark F. Hudson
In article <343AE2...@teleport.com>, Scott Tice <scot...@teleport.com>
wrote:
>>I read in a recent XW:RS comic that they are adapting most of the
>>Marvel SW run - do you know if they are reprinting this to make it
>>fit in terms of continuity? (And hence make the timeline between the
>>movies even more screwy in the process). And does 'most of' include
>>the god-awful parts?
>
>Uh, god awful parts? You mean to tell me you don't like green rabbits?
Hey, there was only one green rabbit and I love him like a brother! In fact
I think Dark Horse should devote a series to ole Jaxxon, call it "Emerald
Empire"! And make sure Plif plays a major role too. Between the two of them
they'd kick some bunny ass. I suppose the bad guys would have to be the
Toffs.
>Seriously though, the series is scheduled to run as it did from Marvel,
>except for the movie adaptations which might or might not
>be included. (We've already printed them in too many formats
>as it is.)
Woo hoo! What are you gonna do about coloring? I actually wouldn't mind the
original colors. I thought the original colors in Star Wars 0 gave it an
appropriately retro look.
>Be on the lookout for SW: The Last Command, issue #1 cover with a
>special metallic ink.
Egad, I thought the days of cover enhancements were over. Edvin Biukovic's
art is all the enhancement I need.
Mark H
--
Check out the fully illustrated, wildly unofficial
Marvel Comics Star Wars Roleplaying Game Page at:
Rich Handley
Ian Roney <mmv...@echidna.stu.cowan.edu.au> wrote:
>Although I don't like dumping on a creators work, Empire's End should
>never have been released. It was plain embarrassing. Uggh.
Empire's End definitely had some problems, yes. It's much weaker than
the previous two, and that's mainly due to two things...
1) Terrible art that doesn't measure up to Can Kennedy's work, and
2) Rushed pacing that results in some strange characterizations.
However, the thing to remember is that this isn't entirely Tom
Veitch's fault. Tom faced a LOT of problems with imposed length
shortening and that sort of thing. Originally, DE II was to be twelve
issues and published after a graphic story album called Lightsider,
and Empire's End was then to be a six-issue wrap-up. After Lightsider
was scrapped, however, (and a shame that is, believe me -- it's
wonderfully written) and the remaining two parts of the story were
forcibly shortened, Tom was faced with squeezing eighteen issues of
material into only eight issues, AND to do this without publishing the
intervening second part of the story (Lightsider), which resulted in
the unsatisfying final product that hit the stands.
It's unfortunate that this happened -- I've loved the vast majority of
Tom's SW work, especially the first Dark Empire, the first Tales of
the Jedi, and Greedo's Tale from Tales From the Mos Eisley Cantina.
Tom's a very cool guy who really gives a damn about SW -- he's as into
it as the rest of us on RASSM -- so it's frustrating to think that his
swan-song in the SW universe was Empire's End. It's the same with the
Marvel series -- the first storyline by Roy Thomas had a big green
bunny and the last storyline by Jo Duffy had a bunch of telepathic
bunnies, but the intervening 70 issues by Archie Goodwin and David
Michelinie were high-quality stories that rival much of what's been
published in recent years... and, yet, ask most people what they
remember about the Marvel series and they'll say, "Uggh -- that was
the series with all those stupid bunnies. It sucked!" Well, that's
what's happened with Tom Veitch -- mention his name, and people say,
"Eeeuuwww. He wrote Empire's End!", completely forgetting that he is
very much a part of the reason the resurgence of SW was so successful
-- along with Tim Zahn, Veitch helped usher in the new SW era with DE
and TOTJ.
Sincerely,
Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Rich Handley
Hi, Ian,
Ian Roney <mmv...@echidna.stu.cowan.edu.au> wrote:
>Cool. Aah, science fiction. Only that genre could come up with the name
>'Throgg'. And isn't Mike choosing some pretty obscure material to
>include in his books? :)
Heh heh heh -- it's funny you say that, because I've always laughed at
that name. On the other hand, is it really any more ridiculous than
Sy Snootles, Droopy McCool, Kyp Durron, Trioculus, Triclops, Mon
Calamari, or Wampa? Or, hell... the names Luke Skywalker, Camie,
Fixer, and Biggs Darklighter are kind of silly, too, when you think
about them. :)
>I read in a recent XW:RS comic that they are adapting most of the Marvel
>SW run - do you know if they are reprinting this to make it fit in terms
>of continuity? (And hence make the timeline between the movies even more
>screwy in the process). And does 'most of' include the god-awful parts?
What they're planning to do first is release all of the Archie Goodwin
era, since his material (along with David Michelinie's) is the creme
of the crop, and because very little of his work has been negated by
more current stuff. My friend Mike Beidler is helping them figure out
where the gaffes are that need to be fixed, and I'm helping him out
with that. In addition, I just finished helping Ann Crispin work "Way
of the Wookiee" and the first annual issue (both Marvel tales by
Goodwin) into the third Han Solo novel. Woo-hooooooo! :)
>> Issue 3 is just plain embarrassing -- a bunch of floating Jawa-looking
>> characters try to seduce Luke to the Dark Side. It's ridiculous, and
>> when you add the truly headache-causing 3-D effect, it's unbearable.
>Damn. Now I want to see it.
Heh heh heh -- the funny thing is that I completely understand that
sentiment. :) When I first heard about the "Glove of Darth Vader"
books, I HAD to read them, even though I'd heard from a ton of people
how completely awful they were. It turns out everyone was right --
but I still HAD to finish all six books, mainly because I got a kick
out of how inept those books were. :)
>Sounds like the 'Empire's End' of the earlier SW comics. :) And even
>though it was atrocious, I bought EE because I hate leaving a series
>unfinished. I still can't work up the strength to buy 'The Early
>Adventures', however.
Hey, then you're missing out on some good stories! In fact, some of
Manning's tales ("The Second Kessel Run" and "The Frozen World of
Ota," for example) are actually quite entertaining. Some of them suck
-- no doubt. In fact, "Bring Me the Children" (a story about... get
this... Vader kidnapping a school full of children to lure the
Rebels... <<yawn>>) is just plain awful, and "Princess Leia, Imperial
Servant" (a tale about Tarkin's widow) is hysterically stupid.
However, let me tell you, if you're the type who would enjoy reading a
story just because a bunch of floating Jawas try to seduce Luke to the
Dark Side (as am I), then some of the tales in The Early Adventures
are for you! LOL The irony is that Manning's work -- two
Sunday-only tales focusing on Han and Chewie -- have yet to be
reprinted by Dark Horse. It's too bad -- they're excellent.
>BTW, at my local bookstore they have a new list of released and upcoming
>SW novels, and amongst them is X-Wing: Wraith Squadron by (iirc) Aaron
>Allston. First reaction: Who is this masked man? Second reaction: More
>X-Wing novels? WOO HOO!
Allston is a good friend of Mike's, and Mike hand-picked him to
continue the series for him. There will be four more books, with
Allston writing #5-7 and Mike writing #8. The only titles that have
been released to date are #5: Wraith Squadron and #6: Iron Fist. Mike
is overseeing Allston's work on his books, and the advance word I got
from someone I know who has read the first Allston books is that it's
excellent and indistinguishable from a Stackpole novel. Looks like
we're in for a cool ride, ladies and gents!
Sincerely,
Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Rich Handley
Hi, Scott,
Welcome back to the world of the living, my friend! :)
Scott Tice <scot...@teleport.com> wrote:
>Uh, god awful parts? You mean to tell me you don't like green rabbits?
>Seriously though, the series is scheduled to run as it did from Marvel,
>except for the movie adaptations which might or might not
>be included. (We've already printed them in too many formats
>as it is.)
Really? Cool! I stand corrected, then! I'm surprised, though -- Bob
Cooper told Mike Beidler the other day that they won't allow any of
the "green rabbit" stories.
>Be on the lookout for SW: The Last Command, issue #1 cover with a
>special metallic ink.
Hey, pretty cool! Looking forward to it...
Sincerely,
Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Ian Roney
Rich Handley wrote:
>
> Empire's End definitely had some problems, yes. It's much weaker than
> the previous two, and that's mainly due to two things...
> 1) Terrible art that doesn't measure up to Can Kennedy's work, and
> 2) Rushed pacing that results in some strange characterizations.
In another comic I may have appreciated Jim Baikie's art more, but it
was unsuited to Star Wars. I like my SW tech accurate and reasonably
detailed (which is why I like Rogue Squadron's art so much), and Baikies
art didn't do it for me. It was clearly supposed to imitate Cam
Kennedy's work, but didn't measure up.
And two issues was *far* too little to wrap up the series. We still
haven't seen how Okko (?) and the Ysanna are released - perhaps in
Crimson Empire? DE Palpatine was quite similiar to ROtJ Palpatine, but
by EE he's a raving loony. It can be partially blamed on his clones
genetic instability, but I'm still not comfortable with it.
> However, the thing to remember is that this isn't entirely Tom
> Veitch's fault. Tom faced a LOT of problems with imposed length
> shortening and that sort of thing. Originally, DE II was to be twelve
> issues and published after a graphic story album called Lightsider,
> and Empire's End was then to be a six-issue wrap-up.
Wow. I can see why Tom would have had severe problems with the script.
> After Lightsider
> was scrapped, however, (and a shame that is, believe me -- it's
> wonderfully written) and the remaining two parts of the story were
> forcibly shortened, Tom was faced with squeezing eighteen issues of
> material into only eight issues, AND to do this without publishing the
> intervening second part of the story (Lightsider), which resulted in
> the unsatisfying final product that hit the stands.
What exactly happened here? Was there some sort of falling out between
Tom and DH? It's surprising as both Dark Empire and TotJ recieved
financial and critical success.
> It's unfortunate that this happened -- I've loved the vast majority of
> Tom's SW work, especially the first Dark Empire, the first Tales of
> the Jedi, and Greedo's Tale from Tales From the Mos Eisley Cantina.
Dark Empire ranks up there with my favorite SW comics. Cams moody art
and Tom's great script really worked. Granted it was a bit clunky in
bits and some of Hans dialogue made him look a bit stupid, but overall
it was magnificent. My only real complaint was the ending was a bit
abrupt.
I liked Tales of the Jedi - I think Chris Gossett's art is excellent -
and Dark Lords of the Sith, but the other series haven't done as much
for me. KJA's writing style isn't as sophisticated, and I prefer
Gossett's art over Carrasco's. Greedo's Tale was pretty good.
> Tom's a very cool guy who really gives a damn about SW -- he's as into
> it as the rest of us on RASSM -- so it's frustrating to think that his
> swan-song in the SW universe was Empire's End.
Now that I know that DE II and EE were so truncated because of
circumstances because of Tom's control, I have a lot more respect for
his abilities. Obviously given the opportunity and time he could have
written a much better script. A lot of people (myself included) thought
the DE sequels were a lazy attempt at a cash-in on the success of the
originals, and suffered severely in quality for this reason. Thanks for
setting me straight on this matter.
(cut)
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Regards,
Ian Roney
Rich Handley
Ian Roney <mmv...@echidna.stu.cowan.edu.au> wrote:
>In another comic I may have appreciated Jim Baikie's art more, but it
>was unsuited to Star Wars. I like my SW tech accurate and reasonably
>detailed (which is why I like Rogue Squadron's art so much), and Baikies
>art didn't do it for me. It was clearly supposed to imitate Cam
>Kennedy's work, but didn't measure up.
Exactly my feeling on the subject. The artists who do the X-wing
series do wonderful work, particularly Edvin Biukovic. By the way,
for those unfamiliar with my website, there's a picture there of
Chewie as a midget, which Biukovic drew for me. It's a great picture,
and I use it as one of my logos. (My site is down for repairs right
now, but you'll be able to see it in a couple of weeks.)
>And two issues was *far* too little to wrap up the series. We still
>haven't seen how Okko (?) and the Ysanna are released - perhaps in
>Crimson Empire? DE Palpatine was quite similiar to ROtJ Palpatine, but
>by EE he's a raving loony. It can be partially blamed on his clones
>genetic instability, but I'm still not comfortable with it.
Yeah, I've always wondered what happened to Okko and the Ysanna. I
think I'll ask Tom if I can post what would have happened to them had
the series been the original length. Hold that thought!
>Wow. I can see why Tom would have had severe problems with the script.
Yep, and he was none too happy about it. I think even he recognizes
that DE II and EE were not what they could have been.
>What exactly happened here? Was there some sort of falling out between
>Tom and DH? It's surprising as both Dark Empire and TotJ recieved
>financial and critical success.
Um, actually, I hate to say this -- but I can't really get into that.
Sorry, man -- it's out of respect for both Tom and DH, neither of
which would I want to stir up trouble for by spreading gossip. I kind
of made a promise not to, you see.
>Dark Empire ranks up there with my favorite SW comics. Cams moody art
>and Tom's great script really worked. Granted it was a bit clunky in bits and
>some of Hans dialogue made him look a bit stupid, but overall it was
>magnificent. My only real complaint was the ending was a bit abrupt.
Agreed -- with the exceptions of X-wing: Phantom Affair, Tales From
Mos Eisley, and Archie Goodwins work for Marvel and the L.A. Times,
Dark Empire is my favorite SW comic story to date. I know some people
knock the artwork and the mood, but I think they really enhance the
beauty of the story. I think DE perfectly captures what Return of
the Jedi SHOULD have been-- a dark tale about Luke's daliance with the
Dark Side, one which makes you ponder the nature of power.
>I liked Tales of the Jedi - I think Chris Gossett's art is excellent -
>and Dark Lords of the Sith, but the other series haven't done as much
>for me. KJA's writing style isn't as sophisticated, and I prefer
>Gossett's art over Carrasco's. Greedo's Tale was pretty good.
Although I like KJA (I know that's not a popular opinion here), I have
to agree with you on the later TOTJ storylines. After Dark Lords of
the Sith, there was a noticable difference in the writing. A shame,
really -- TOTJ started out as one of Dark Horse's strongest titles.
>Now that I know that DE II and EE were so truncated because of
>circumstances beyond Tom's control, I have a lot more respect for
>his abilities. Obviously given the opportunity and time he could have
>written a much better script. A lot of people (myself included) thought
>the DE sequels were a lazy attempt at a cash-in on the success of the
>originals, and suffered severely in quality for this reason. Thanks for
>setting me straight on this matter.
Hey, you're welcome -- I'm always happy to sing Tom's praises, not
only because he's a friend of mine, but also because I feel he's
gotten a bad rep among fans that he doesn't deserve.
Sincerely,
Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Paul Ens
In article <EHqKJ...@nonexistent.com>, Card...@unix.asb.com (Rich Handley)
writes:
> Hey, you're welcome -- I'm always happy to sing Tom's praises, not
> only because he's a friend of mine, but also because I feel he's gotten
> a bad rep among fans that he doesn't deserve.
If you don't mind me asking... How did you come to know Tom?
=====================================================
"Apple is about people who think 'outside the box', people
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Amara
Rich Handley wrote:
>
> Paul...@sk.sympatico.ca (Paul Ens) wrote:
> >If you don't mind me asking... How did you come to know Tom?
>
>
> A mutual friend of ours, Mike Beidler (whose name you'll see listed in
> the credits of Empire's End #2, since he helped Tom iron out much of
> the dialog for that issue), introduced us a few years ago. Through
> them, I've gotten to know a few other SW authors (Charlene Newcomb,
> Dan Wallace, Patty Jackson, KJA, Ann Crispin, and John Whitman).
> Since then, it's just sort of snow-balled, and so I've been lucky
> enough to get to know Mike Stackpole, Darko Macan, L. Neil Smith,
> Pablo Hidalgo, Craig Carey, Scott Tice, and several others as well. A
> nice group of people, all around -- I've yet to meet anyone associated
> with Star Wars who wasn't nice, in fact. I'm sure Brendon Wahlberg,
> who also frequents RASSM, would agree with me on this, because he's
> gotten to know many of the people listed in this post as well.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Rich Handley (Card...@unix.asb.com)
Hey rich, when I get down to NY you have to introduce me to a few of
these people too.
I should get to meet Alan Dean Foster, because he's the writer on one of
the toons I should be working in (Assuming I get down there, of course).
:)
Amy- Will say ADF is writing something but for reasons of copyright,
can't say anything else :)
--
"We count 30 rebel ships, Lord Vader, but our men are so pissed they
couldn't hit a bull's butt with a bass fiddle."
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-
Amy 'Amara' Pronovost: Anthro/Star Wars Artist, RASSM Cool Person,
Psychovixen, Fox-Shark, Still crazy after all these years.
am...@vision.nais.com <*> http://rat.org/amara <*>
James A. Martin
Rich Handley wrote:
> >What exactly happened here? Was there some sort of falling out between
> >Tom and DH? It's surprising as both Dark Empire and TotJ recieved
> >financial and critical success.
>
> Um, actually, I hate to say this -- but I can't really get into that.
> Sorry, man -- it's out of respect for both Tom and DH, neither of
> which would I want to stir up trouble for by spreading gossip. I kind
> of made a promise not to, you see.
So I take it then that the likelihood of seeing Lightsider published in any form
is relatively slim. That would be a pity as what I've heard about it (rumors
mostly) sounds a damn side better than a lot of SW stuff appearing today. And if
Tom and DH are not really on 'speaking' terms, is anything stopping him
approaching Bantam to publish the story in novel form? He's already shown that he
can write a 'novel-style' story well with Greedo's tale (at least I enjoyed it).
James A