Up front: this is a totally biased rating. This is not the objectivity you're looking for. Tom Taylor is a personal friend of my husbands from adolescence and in turn is a personal friend of mine. We were at his wedding. There is no way I'm not going to 5-star his work.

Having said that, graphic novels or comics are not my thing. I suck at multi-tasking. I can pay attention to the artwork, or the writing, but not both and neither works as well without the other. But the PopSugar challenge I'm participating in has a prompt for graphic novel and if I'm going to try anyone's work it's going to be Tom's. He'd named a character in this book after my husband so we've had a copy of it in the library since its release.

I found the story rather tragic all the way around, although I loved the bit about the stormtrooper giggling - it was perfectly irreverent. That the tragedy of it was so strongly expressed with so few words is what makes authors in this genre succeed, I'm guessing. The artwork is amazing as well, although one picture of Darth Vader at the beginning confused me at first - he looked old and decrepit but I think this is my lack of experience with the genre.

I'm happy I'm finally able to tell Tom I've read his work, but I have to admit... graphic novels are still not my thing.


[PopSugar 2015 Challenge: A graphic novel.] ( )

SCRIPT: Tom Taylor
PENCILS: Brian Koschak
INKS: Dan Parsons
COLORS: Michael Wiggam
LETTERING: Michael Heisler
COVER ART: Sean Mcnally

DARK HORSE BOOKS

When I started this book which I got on loan from the library I thought the humor and characterization would keep me from enjoying it. I didn't know if I would like the art style either because animated type styles are kind of hit and miss for me.

That didn't happen here and I so love it when you go in thinking I might not enjoy this book but it really surprises you and leaves you happy you picked it up.

I enjoyed the art by Brian Koschak and overall the story really keep me within the Star Wars universe while also adding to it; which is what tie-in stories are suppose to do isn't it?

The story moves along very quickly which suits the younger audience it is directed at but it also has plenty for older readers. Long time Star Wars fans should enjoy this but you can also come into it with only a brief knowledge of the universe and still enjoy it.

A great read by the pool or while out to dinner. Good for a trip in the car with the kids, for the kids, or the co-pilot. Don't read while driving.

3 out of 5 Stars

Review by Brian C. Williams
(c)2011 ( )

Another fun Star Wars Adventure, this one features Darth Vader beating folks up left, right, and center, while paired with a wise-cracking smuggler. This almost works, except that I don't buy quite how many cracks Vader lets the smuggler get away with. Still, the plot shows that no one is more dangerous than the Dark Lord of the Sith, even if the art opts for "rumpled" more often than "regal."