Yoda has a big problem.
In terms of overall execution, "Yoda's Secret War" is the least successful of any of Jason Aaron's Star Wars storylines. It's overly long for what it is, and the art simply doesn't meet the standard set by previous arcs. That being said, at least this arc shows a willingness by the creators to experiment and subvert what readers expect from a Star Wars comic. That risky approach counts for an awful lot.
This issue certainly defies the norm as it continues chronicling Yoda's strange quest. How many Star Wars tales in any medium include feral children wielding magical spears and a mountain that literally comes to life when provoked? If Star Wars is a space fantasy saga, then this story really reinforces the "fantasy" angle.
"Yoda's Secret War" also stands out because of the way the past and present intersect. Even as Luke reads more about Yoda's lost adventure, he finds himself drawn to that remote world as part of his training. That's a welcome shift from the normally straightforward approach to chronology in the Star Wars franchise. And while the arc as a whole hasn't leaned on that element as much as it could, that's definitely changing as the conclusion approaches.
However much the story has improved over the past couple months, "Yoda's Secret War" could do with a leaner, meaner approach to pacing. The plot feels a little too barren and decompressed to justify the five-issue treatment. Here, too, this issue makes some improvements over earlier chapters, but not quite enough to build a proper sense of energy and momentum leading into the finale.
The art continues to suffer from the same, familiar flaws. Salvador Larroca's general storytelling is clean and presentable, but his figure work is frustratingly inconsistent. The thin, spartan line-work often clashes with Edgar Delgado's rich, detailed colors. Delgado is almost singlehandedly responsible for bringing depth to the page, with the result being that it often looks as if Larroca is drawing lines on top of already finished artwork. This issue tends to look its best when the focus shifts away from humanoid characters. The scene of the mountain coming alive is definitely the highlight of the entire story arc so far.
The Verdict
This latest Star Wars storyline continues to frustrate and entertain in equal measure. Jason Aaron and Salvador Larroca should be applauded for taking risks and playing with the familiar Star Wars formula, but there's still the fact that "Yoda's Secret War" doesn't really have the depth to justify a five-issue structure. Nor does the art live up to the series' usual standard.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire