Star Wars had a big impact on me in 1977 but, perhaps surprisingly, I didn’t read Marvel’s comic book series, originally by Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin. When the new movies were released a couple of years ago, I loosened up a little and began to read the old Marvel comics via Dark Horse’s seven “A Long Time Ago…” collections. Although I considered them good, cheesy fun, I read only midway through the second volume before my purpose cooled. Several weeks ago, though, I got a got a good deal on volumes #3-7 and began the reading project all over again. As I read through them, I plan to post reactions here as long as my purpose holds.
You need to be a member of Captain Comics to add comments!
Replies
ISSUES #1-6: The adaptation of the movie by Roy Thomas and Howard Chaykin. Although this series was hugely successful for Marvel (even going through multiple printings, unheard of at the time), I pretty much turned my nose up at it. As a general rule, I don’t much care for comic books based on movies (or movies based on comic books, for that matter). A black and white pocketbook reprint was even offered to me as a gift, which I refused to accept.
The movie’s dialogue is so familiar to me even today that I can barely stand to read Thomas’ truncation of it. I understand why he made the changes he did (for economy of space on the comic book page), but that can be forgiven because no one knew at the time just how iconic this movie was to become. Although I am a fan of Chaykin’s art, his work here is the worst example I have ever seen (save for his work on Marvel’s licensed Micronauts series). Whether that is attributable to Frank Springer’s inking or Chaykin’s own penciling style I cannot say, but it doesn’t appeal to me.
One advantage this adaptation has over the film is that it was written from a draft of the screenplay which included scenes featuring Luke Skywalker’s chum Biggs Darklighter and Han Solo’s nemesis Jabba the Hutt which were cut out of the film version. Despite this adaptation’s flaws, reading it gives me a feeling of nostalgia, not for the comic book series itself, but for a time when there was only one Star Wars movie and it was called “Star Wars” (not “Chapter IV” or “A New Hope”).
STAR WARS #1 came out about 2 weeks before the movie. I knew nothing about it all... which made the first issue particularly frustrating, as it give NO HINT as to the fun and excitment that's coming not that much later in the story.
I've always felt that a page of a comic-book was about 1 minute of story (I was either a slow reader, or, I just really liked to SAVOR the art and not rush my way through). So, any adaptatin of a movie should have a certain number of pages. A 2-hour movie should take about 120 comic-book pages-- not 40 (or less). Roy got THIS part right here (as he also did on some of his longer CONAN adaptations).
It's interestring that, because they used the film script, before certain scenes got cut, the comic is probably closer to the "Special Editions" than the original releases.
As for the "art"-- and I use that word LOOSELY... you know how Gil Kane infanously used a FLAIR PEN to ink? (Rigid, consistent line with no variations or feeling whatsoever?) On STAR WARS, Chaykin used an EL MARKO. No S***. What did he do, ink the whole thing OVER A WEEKEND, like "George Bell" used to?
I always remember the day i saw Chaykin in Mt. Laurel. He was sitting on a panel with 2 other artists (I really should remember who the other 2 guys were, but for some reason, it escapes me). In the immature stupidity of fanboy youth, I actually said, in front of a crowd of people, "I thought the art on the CRACKED version was better." Imagine my surprise, and delight, when all 3 guys looked at each other, then began shaking their heads IN AGREEMENT-- muttering,, "Oh yeah-- JOHN SEVERIN."
Apparently, Lucasfilm over time became VERY unhappy with the art on Marvel's STAR WARS, and changed their tune when they got Al Williamson to do THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, and then, Walt Simonson & Tom Palmer (ESPECIALLY Tom Palmer, I'm guessing, he stayed thru several pencillers' runs) to do the follow-up stories. I only wished EMPIRE had been all Williamson, to me, Carlos Garzon dragged down the quality.
I heard that bit about the El Marko pen before (now that I read the rest of your anecdote I realize I heard it from you). I don't know if it's true or not (not that I doubt you), but that would certainly explain it.
ISSUE #7: This issue is very much a transition between the movie and the new, upcoming comic book adventures. It must have been quite difficult for Roy Thomas (and later Archie Goodwin) to work under the constraints of this series, not knowing what direction the sequel might take and not being able to truly change the status quo or truly advance the character arc of any of the main characters, working only within the mythos and milieu as established in the film.
Consequently, we see the same alien species over and over (such as Banthas on planets other than Tatooine, as in this issue), and when a group of pirates are introduced in this issue, their ship is an appropriated Imperial Destroyer (which is highly unlikely, to say the least!). Even the look of the main characters must hue to the look established in the film. This is especially grating in the case of Princess Leia, who, after the ceremony at the end of the film/issue #6, immediately changes her hairdo back to that intricate bun style she wore during her mission to steal the Deathstar plans. She’s also back in that white gown, and Luke is back in his moisture farmer togs.
On this other hand, the writers of the comic book adventures demonstrate free reign to do virtually whatever they like with characters they themselves have introduced. In this issue, Crimson Jack provides the reason why Han did not repay his debt to Jabba the Hutt, and Jolli, his second in command, is obviously (although not explicitly) a lesbian. Very progressive, but this is a mainstream title, after all.
Although this story does lead directly into the next story, none of it is essential (issues #8-10 read just as well without it), and it is hands down my least favorite issue of the series of stories which take place between Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back.
Jeff of Earth-J said:
Note, they were very quick to find SOME OTHER INKER to do the other 5 chapters.
I could never STAND Chaykin's solo art, until he started AMERICAN FLAGG. I always remember thinking that, with that book, somehow, he'd finally found a way to make what he did "work".
ISSUES #8-10: Roy Thomas was clearly drawing more upon The Magnificent Seven than Star Wars for the inspiration for three-parter as Han Solo and Chewbacca team up with six other malcontents, mercenaries and guns for hire to form the “8 for Aduba-3” to protect an out-world settlement from Sergi-X Arrogantus (clearly based on cartoonist Sergio Aragones) and his band of outlaws. Years before George Lucas himself would introduce the controversial and unpopular Jar-Jar Binks, Roy Thomas introduced the equally controversial and unpopular (relatively speaking) man-sized rabbit Jaxxon. I wasn’t even reading this series at the time and I was aware of how unpopular the six-foot tall man-rabbit was among fans.
This is the best this series’ artwork has looked since the beginning. Although Howard Chaykin is still doing the pencils, I give credit to inker Tom Palmer and think of these as “the Palmer issues.”
ISSUES #11-15: This story, set on the water world of Drexel, introduces the long-running team of Archie Goodwin and Carmine Infantino, and defined the look and feel of this series during the interrum between the first movie and the second. The previous story featured Han and Chewie, so this one features Luke and the ‘droids, gradually folding in the other main characters as it progresses. Goodwin’s stories may not conform to what George Lucas’ vision would become, but he certainly has a vision of his own.
ISSUE #16: This issue features fill-in artwork by Walter Simonson and introduces a new, recurring character named Valance, a cyborg bounty hunter. Walt Simonson’s bombastic style is perfectly suited for this series, and we will see more of his work here in the future. Also, as I indicated, we’ll see more of Valance in the months to come as well.
Any discussion of this series reminds me of Jim Shooter's claim that Star Wars Saved Marvel: http://is.gd/bJC6wE.
I was 8 years old when Jaxxon hit the scene and I LOVED him. I pretty much would still buy a monthly comic featuring the adventures of Han, Chewie, and Jaxxon. The Marvel Star Wars comics were pretty much the only non-cartoony ( I preferred Disney, Archie, Pink Panther, Looney Tunes) comics I read at that age.
-
1
-
2
-
3
of 3 Next