| In 1998, Dark Horse released a new ongoing monthly
series simply titled Star Wars. This rotating series of mini-series
features multiple creators and characters, all taking place in the
era of the prequel film trilogy. Minor characters from the films would
appear in starring roles, and brand-new characters were also created
in the comic series, who would make appearances in the films. PRELUDE
TO REBELLION
Prelude to Rebellion, this initial storyline served as a preview
to The Phantom Menace, introducing Cerean Jedi Knight Ki-Adi-Mundi,
who gets involved with a murder conspiracy on his homeworld that
involves his own family and brings him into conflict with Ephant
Mon, Jabba the Hutt and the Trade Federation, setting the stage
for the movie. By the end of the story, Ki-Adi-Mundi is offered
a spot on the Jedi High Council.
A backup storyline "Vow of Justice" revealed the early
days of Ki-Adi-Mundi, as he was discovered by the Dark Woman when
he was a child. As a special preview to the series, an internet
exclusive #0 comic strip was created, which showed a young Ki-Adi-Mundi
training with Master Yoda.
Creators for this series include Jan Strnad, Anthony Winn, Robert
Jones, John Nadeau, and Jordi Ensign, with covers by Ken Kelly and
Dan Brereton.
OUTLANDER
In Outlander, writer Tim Truman brings together the most unlikely
characters into one: a Tusken Raider Jedi Knight named Sharad Hett.
Taking place after The Phantom Menace, Sharad is organizing the
Tuskens on Tatooine, and it's up to Ki-Adi-Mundi to bring him back.
This storyline also turns the focus onto Aurra Sing, revealing her
connection to the Jedi order, and showing her prowess as a bounty
hunter and also a Jedi killer. Sharad's son -A'sharad Hett, also
a Jedi- becomes Ki-Adi-Mundi's padawan at the end of this story,
returning to Coruscant. The artists for this series include Tom
Raney, Rod Pereira, Rick Leonardi, Al Rio, Mark Lipka, Stephen Hawthrone,
and Mark Heike. With the differnet art styles, it is somewhat distracting,
but the writing is strong enough to balance this out. Ken Kelly
once again provides the cover paintings.
EMISSARIES TO MALASTARE
In Emissaries to Malastare, Tim Truman is joined by Tom Lyle and
Robert Jones, as the Jedi Council travels to Malastare to negotiate
a peace treaty. Ki-Adi Mundi, A'sharad Hett, Even Piell, Mace Windu,
Plo Koon, Adi Galia, and Yaddle arrive just in time for the pod
races. The first issue also features a training sequence between
A'sharad Hett and the Dark Woman, and a look at a special ceremony
of the Jedi Council. With cameo appearances by Anakin Skywalker,
Sebulba and the pod racers, this remains one of the most fun-filled
stories to date.
The last two issues actually read like a brand-new story altogether,
including a change in the art team. John Nadeau and Jordi Ensign
return as Mace and Depa Billaba travel to Nar Shadda to confront
the Circus Horrificus. Look for cameos by Vilmarh Grahrk, Sebulba,
Malakili, and the introduction of Quinlan Vos. Covers for this series
are by Mark Schultz and Jan Duursema.
TWILIGHT
The series changes completely with Twilight, as Quinlan Vos takes
the spotlight. The trouble is, he has no memory of who he is. John
Ostrander, Jan Duursema, and Rick Magyar take a background character
from The Phantom Menace and turn him into one of the most intriguing
characters in the Expanded Universe. As Vos struggles to regain
his memory, he teams up with Vilmark Grahrk ("Villie")
as the unlikely duo unravel a drug smuggling plot that runs all
the way to the senate. Featuring cameos by Bib Fortuna and Mace
Windu, this storyline is a must-have for EU collectors.
INFINITY'S END
Quinlan Vos once again takes center stage in Infinity's End by Pat
Mills, Ramon F Bachs, and Raul Fernandez, with covers by Andrew
Robinson. This storyline brings to comics the rancor-riding Witches
of Dathomir, as Vos is sent to investigate strange occurances on
the planet. But with Vos still recovering from his brush with the
Dark Side of the Force from the previous story, he might be useful
as an ally than a slave.
STARCRASH
Doug Petrie, Randy Green, and Andy Owens introduce Yoshi Raph-Elan
in this stand-alone issue titled Starcrash. Yoshi is forced down
on the planet below and finds himself taking part in an ancient
prophecy.
THE HUNT FOR AURRA SING
In The Hunt For Aurra Sing, Tim Truman returns to the character
he helped establish, as the Jedi track down Aurra Sing to answer
for her crimes. Ki-Adi-Mundi, A'sharad Hett, Adi Gallia and the
Dark Woman (Aurra's former master) confront the assassin, only to
become involved with a Quarren smuggling operation. A'sharad confronts
the woman who killed his father, but defeats her only by turning
dangerously close to the Dark Side himself. At the end of the story,
A'sharad leaves Ki-Adi-Mundi to train with the Dark Woman, and Aurra
Sing escapes. Artwork for this storyline is by David?Fabbri and
Christian Della Vecchia, with covers by Jon Foster.
DARKNESS
Quinlan Vos returns in Darkness by John Ostrander, Jan Duursema,
and Ray Kryssing. Joined by Villie, Zao, T'ra Saa, and Vos's former
Master Tholme, the group travels to the prison planet Kiffex and
run afoul of the evil Anzati Jedi Volfe Karkko, who has enthralled
Aayla Secura under his power. It was this series that made George
Lucas decide to add Aayla in Attack of the Clones, once he saw the
Jon Foster cover of the second chapter. Good thing she regains her
memories at the end of this story, so she can fight for good.
THE STARK HYPERSPACE WAR
As Aayla begins her re-training with the Jedi Council, they tell
her of The Stark Hyperspace War, a conflict that took place fourteen
years in the past. Iaco Stark's Commercial Combine cornered the
market on the supply of Bacta, and to solidify their power, they
have created a virus that pulls ships out of Hyperspace at random
places, most often with disastrous results. The Jedi enter the battle
with the padawan and master teams of Obi-Wan Kenobi/Qui-Gon Jinn,
Quinlan Vos/Tholme, and Plo Koon /Tyvokka, the Wookiee. The artowrk
for this series was by David?Fabbri and Christian Della Vecchia,
with covers by Jon Foster, Jan Duursema and Dave McCaig.
THE DEVARONIAN VERSION
Vilmarh Grarhk, the scoundrel known as Villie, has been appearing
in many of the comic books in the Dark Horse line, but he always
played a second fiddle role to his lukcy Jedi Quinlan Vos, and most
often in the role as a villain. But this series presents The Devaronian
Version of those events, with his own unique spin on things, recounting
his role in previous issues and also in the Jedi Council - Acts
of War limited series. Complete with flashbacks of the actual events
that occured with cameos by Qui-Gon, Obi-Wan, Darth Maul and Darth
Sidious, this hilarious tale is brought to you by John Ostrander,
David?Fabbri and Christian Della Vecchia, with covers by Kilian
Plunkett.
RITE OF PASSAGE
The final storyline of the series was Rite of Passage, by John Ostrander,
Jan Duursema, and Ray Kryssing, with a cover assist by Dave McCaig.
The openeing flashback tale of a young Quinlan Vos and Aayla Secura
as they face off against a Wampa is just the start of this tale
of deception, politcal assassination, and loyalty by the Jedi. On
Ryloth, a royal heir has been kidnapped, along with Jedi Master
Tholme, who was protecting the boy. A father and son team of Morgukai
assassins stand in the way are are ready to go toe-to-toe with Jedi.
But behind it all are the machinations of the notorious Count Dooku!
At the end of this series, Quinlan is promoted to Jedi Master, and
Aayla is promoted to Jedi Knight, setting the stage for Attack of
the Clones and the Clone Wars.
Collected Editions
Since each storyline is presented as a small "series within
a series", it is the perfect format to be collected into a
series of trade paperbacks. There are still a few stories left to
reprint in this format, but here's a look at all that have been
released thus far.
While the stories were well-recieved by the fans, a growing demand
rose that forced Dark Horse to create a second ongoing monthly series,
this time set in the era of the original trilogy. So, with issue
#46, the series changed titles from Star Wars to Star Wars: Republic,
signifying the differences in the timeline.
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