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Star Wars (2013)
Star Wars Volume 4: A Shattered Hope Paperback – October 28, 2014
Luke ignore que Dark Vador est son père, que Leia est sa soeur, et Han Solo est encore un bad guy... Nouvelle série autour de Star Wars, nouvelle approche narrative et nouvelle équipe de choc, dont Brian Wood à l'écriture.Dark Vador doit remettre les choses en ordre au sein des forces de l'Empire.D'un bout à l'autre de la galaxie, le Seigneur Noir des Sith et son escadron de Stormtroopers vont faire le ménage. Vador espère ainsi redorer son blason auprès de l'Empereur. L'Alliance n'a qu'à bien se tenir !
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About the author
Brian Wood
1,174 books961 followersBrian Wood's history of published work includes over fifty volumes of genre-spanning original material.
From the 1500-page future war epic DMZ, the ecological disaster series The Massive, the American crime drama Briggs Land, and the groundbreaking lo-fi dystopia Channel Zero he has a 20-year track record of marrying thoughtful world-building and political commentary with compelling and diverse characters.
His YA novels - Demo, Local, The New York Four, and Mara - have made YALSA and New York Public Library best-of lists. His historical fiction - the viking series Northlanders, the American Revolution-centered Rebels, and the norse-samurai mashup Sword Daughter - are benchmarks in the comic book industry.
He's written some of the biggest franchises in pop culture, including Star Wars, Terminator, RoboCop, Conan The Barbarian, Robotech, and Planet Of The Apes. He’s written number-one-selling series for Marvel Comics. And he’s created and written multiple canonical stories for the Aliens universe, including the Zula Hendricks character.
From the 1500-page future war epic DMZ, the ecological disaster series The Massive, the American crime drama Briggs Land, and the groundbreaking lo-fi dystopia Channel Zero he has a 20-year track record of marrying thoughtful world-building and political commentary with compelling and diverse characters.
His YA novels - Demo, Local, The New York Four, and Mara - have made YALSA and New York Public Library best-of lists. His historical fiction - the viking series Northlanders, the American Revolution-centered Rebels, and the norse-samurai mashup Sword Daughter - are benchmarks in the comic book industry.
He's written some of the biggest franchises in pop culture, including Star Wars, Terminator, RoboCop, Conan The Barbarian, Robotech, and Planet Of The Apes. He’s written number-one-selling series for Marvel Comics. And he’s created and written multiple canonical stories for the Aliens universe, including the Zula Hendricks character.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 9, 2025
(3,1 of 5 for the confusingly weak end)
I completely forgot that I had already finished the book. Again, this volume, rather shorter like the private one, was weak and ended like there would be an issue missing. The story about some generic friend of Leia was completely bland and unengaging, and the volume didn't end there, but with the last part of some generic Han and Chewie smuggler story.
I completely forgot that I had already finished the book. Again, this volume, rather shorter like the private one, was weak and ended like there would be an issue missing. The story about some generic friend of Leia was completely bland and unengaging, and the volume didn't end there, but with the last part of some generic Han and Chewie smuggler story.
November 14, 2019
The fourth (and, as far as I know, final) volume in the Dark Horse comics Star Wars series, “A Shattered Hope” is probably the weakest volume in the whole series, if only because it features three separate stand-alone stories that have only the most negligible connection to the main story. Actually, the final story has absolutely no connection to the main story whatsoever.
The best story is the first one, entitled “Five Days of Sith”, told from the perspective of a young Imperial ensign named Nanda, who is assigned the frightening duty of accompanying Darth Vader on various missions. With each mission, Nanda begins to realize how shockingly evil Vader is and how corrupt the Empire---of which she has taken an oath of loyalty---truly is. Unfortunately, she is stuck in her position, unable to escape. The story (written by Brian Wood and drawn beautifully by Facundo Percio) is an excellent examination of how easy it is to succumb to corruption and evil simply out of abject terror.
“Where Droids Go to Die” follows Rebel agent Seren Song, trying to outwit and outrun a bounty hunter droid. Princess Leia, along with Han and Luke, are on an intercept course to bring her in. Decent story by Wood, drawn well by Carlos D’Anda.
The final story, “The Art of the Bad Deal”, is a Han-and-Chewie adventure written by Zack Whedon and drawn by Davide Fabbri. It is so pointless as to be unnecessary.
It's unfortunate that Dark Horse never had a chance to finish this series (the Disney merger with Lucasfilm happened right around this time), although it seems that Dark Horse was running out of ideas anyway.
The best story is the first one, entitled “Five Days of Sith”, told from the perspective of a young Imperial ensign named Nanda, who is assigned the frightening duty of accompanying Darth Vader on various missions. With each mission, Nanda begins to realize how shockingly evil Vader is and how corrupt the Empire---of which she has taken an oath of loyalty---truly is. Unfortunately, she is stuck in her position, unable to escape. The story (written by Brian Wood and drawn beautifully by Facundo Percio) is an excellent examination of how easy it is to succumb to corruption and evil simply out of abject terror.
“Where Droids Go to Die” follows Rebel agent Seren Song, trying to outwit and outrun a bounty hunter droid. Princess Leia, along with Han and Luke, are on an intercept course to bring her in. Decent story by Wood, drawn well by Carlos D’Anda.
The final story, “The Art of the Bad Deal”, is a Han-and-Chewie adventure written by Zack Whedon and drawn by Davide Fabbri. It is so pointless as to be unnecessary.
It's unfortunate that Dark Horse never had a chance to finish this series (the Disney merger with Lucasfilm happened right around this time), although it seems that Dark Horse was running out of ideas anyway.
June 22, 2017
The series managed to redeem itself before the end. This volume contains 3 stories, all of which are pretty good. The first and best of these is Vader's hunt for those responsible for allowing a spy to infiltrate the Empire (see "Shadow of Yavin" and "Ruins of Alderaan"). It's told from the POV of an Imperial ensign who is assigned to help Vader in his mission (which, by the way, is totally not sanctioned by the Emperor.) It was very good, very interesting, and Vader's characterization is better in this story than throughout the rest of the Dark Horse Star Wars comics in this series. 4 stars. The second story is about the rescue of a Rebel operative named Seren Song (any relation to River Song?) who has been deep undercover for years and is now being pursued by an assassin droid. Seren and Leia were childhood friends on Alderaan, and while it isn't quite as good as the previous story, it was still a solid 3 stars. The final story I think takes place before Han and Chewie join the Rebellion, but I can't be sure. It's an amusing one-off, a bit of fluff with less-polished art that makes me wonder how Han ever managed to make a living as a smuggler (even though it turns out all right in the end.) 2.5 stars.
January 24, 2021
I'm returning to finish off this run and vol 4 after 7 years away. I abandoned the series I recall after hearing that Dark Horse had lost the licence and all this stuff was to jettisoned into non-canon "legends". It's curious to return to the Legends after reading a ton of the new Marvel canon and few things stand out 1) Brian Wood has the character's voices down really well*, the opening issues with Vader feel right and feel Rogue One levels of bad ass. 2) The art is really mixed bag, the art in the two opening Vader focused issues was dire and really let story down, awkward body shapes and proportions all wrong. The rest is an improvement but feels like better quality illustrations of the art seen in cartoon part of the Star Wars Holiday Special 3) the series went out in a whimper not a death star bang.
*though Leia does say "Threepio's randomizing a series of light speed jumps" has it ever been established that protocol droids are the best doing this?! Not sure I'd trust old bucket head.
*though Leia does say "Threepio's randomizing a series of light speed jumps" has it ever been established that protocol droids are the best doing this?! Not sure I'd trust old bucket head.
July 3, 2019
The first story follows an Imperial Officer who sees her advancement comes with the cost of going on special assignment to Darth Vader. There she witnesses things that change her forever, and leaves her haunted by Vader's presence. This was well-drawn and showed the Empire from the point of view of a regular officer. There was a certainty that any officer in her position would likely not survive the ordeal. That she does, has given the interesting insight into how the Imperials view their own hierarchy.
The next story about a long-time deep-cover Rebel operative being hunted by IG-88 attempting to re-join the alliance was well plotted out and introduced a new and interesting character - only for the series to end and Disney to take over and ruin everything. I would have liked more.
The Free Comic Book day story was surprisingly fun for what it was, but very light. I enjoyed it, but it's got no staying power.
The next story about a long-time deep-cover Rebel operative being hunted by IG-88 attempting to re-join the alliance was well plotted out and introduced a new and interesting character - only for the series to end and Disney to take over and ruin everything. I would have liked more.
The Free Comic Book day story was surprisingly fun for what it was, but very light. I enjoyed it, but it's got no staying power.
January 24, 2024
Había olvidado lo placentero que me resulta leer cómics de Star Wars y, este en particular, me ha resultado sumamente placentero.
Las tres historias que conforman este volumen de "Star Wars: Una esperanza quebrada" escrita por Brian Wood tienen su encanto particular. Sin embargo, creo sin temor a equivocarme que la mejor de todas es la primera, ya que versa sobre la relación de una alférez con el poderosísimo, temible y despiadado Darth Vader.
La introspección a la que nos somete la alférez a modo de reflexión sobre cada uno de los intercambios con el Lord Sith es realmente desoladora y, por momentos, aterradora.
Los personajes en cada una de las tres historias tienen un muy buen desarrollo y se sintió muy bien volver a ver viejos conocidos como Solo u Organa.
Recomiendo su lectura para fanáticos de Star Wars y fanáticos de los cómics en general.
Las tres historias que conforman este volumen de "Star Wars: Una esperanza quebrada" escrita por Brian Wood tienen su encanto particular. Sin embargo, creo sin temor a equivocarme que la mejor de todas es la primera, ya que versa sobre la relación de una alférez con el poderosísimo, temible y despiadado Darth Vader.
La introspección a la que nos somete la alférez a modo de reflexión sobre cada uno de los intercambios con el Lord Sith es realmente desoladora y, por momentos, aterradora.
Los personajes en cada una de las tres historias tienen un muy buen desarrollo y se sintió muy bien volver a ver viejos conocidos como Solo u Organa.
Recomiendo su lectura para fanáticos de Star Wars y fanáticos de los cómics en general.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2024
"YEAH, WELL, THAT'S WHAT DEFLECTORS DO, CHEWIE -- THEY FAIL."
- Han Solo, always the optimist.
A varied set of stories that add to the richness without negating any pre-existing Star Wars lore (looking at you Marvel):
- Vader takes a squad of "elite" stormtroopers, and one terrified ensign on a personal mission to restore his dignity by means of terror, violence, and gruesome death.
- Unbeknownst to Leia, a childhood friend is now a deep undercover rebel agent who's on the run from a bounty hunter droid.
- Before the destruction of Alderaan, Han and Chewbacca have a brief wacky adventure with some shady characters.
Good times. Four stars.
- Han Solo, always the optimist.
A varied set of stories that add to the richness without negating any pre-existing Star Wars lore (looking at you Marvel):
- Vader takes a squad of "elite" stormtroopers, and one terrified ensign on a personal mission to restore his dignity by means of terror, violence, and gruesome death.
- Unbeknownst to Leia, a childhood friend is now a deep undercover rebel agent who's on the run from a bounty hunter droid.
- Before the destruction of Alderaan, Han and Chewbacca have a brief wacky adventure with some shady characters.
Good times. Four stars.
December 28, 2021
A really mixed bag with a hodgepodge of stories. The first one involves Vader and an Imperial ensign. I have mixed feelings about Ben Kenobi's ghost taunting Vader. Seeing him relive the duel with Ben reeks of how Marvel would later rely on so many flashbacks in the Vader comics. The second story involves the search for Leia's friend Seren Song, which was okay, nothing really special. The last story is a Free Comic Book Day release featuring Han and Chewie before the events of the original trilogy, it seems. Not the most amusing thing.
February 25, 2021
This collection is a mixed bag. The first storyline, involving Vader, is simply fantastic. It truly shows his simple presence installs great fear. Its done well with really nice art also. The second story is decent but was a little disconnected to me. The spy who's being rescued is far too close in character to Leia and her predicament made little sense. The last tale was just filler. Overall, a decent book that's worth the read for the opening story alone.
November 2, 2018
Ugh. Such an abrupt ending! I was liking the new character that was introduced.
December 9, 2020
4 short stories, really like the Darth Vader one. Art is sharp and crisp.
May 31, 2024
A random assortment of 3 stories, none of them long enough to annoy me the way that some of the stories in this series have. The first one was good... the other two were average.
December 31, 2020
Star Wars Legends Project #242
Background: A Shattered Hope, released in October 2014, collects issues 13-14 and 19-20 of Dark Horse's Star Wars run (January-August 2014), plus a one-shot. All 4 issues were written by Brian Wood. The first two were drawn by Facundo Percio, and the other two by Carlos D'Anda. Wood wrote this entire 20-issue series, with art by D'Anda for about half of the issues. This is Percio's only Star Wars credit.
A Shattered Hope is set a few months after the Battle of Yavin. The first few issues take place before (or partially concurrently with?) Rebel Girl and the second two happen after (my review). The main characters are Darth Vader, Leia, Luke, Han, and Chewie. The story takes place at a variety of locations, including Kuat and Corellia.
Summary: Brooding over recent setbacks at the hands of Luke Skywalker and his companions, Darth Vader launches a personal campaign to clean house within the Empire. Meanwhile, one of Leia's childhood friends has been under deep cover as a spy for so long that she was long-since assumed lost or turned. But when she comes back into the open with an explosive claim, Leia knows she has to pursue it, for the sake of her friendship, and for the fate of the Rebellion.
Review: Not a particularly strong ending for Wood's run, and I don't know enough about the circumstance to assign blame. I believe he had planned to take a break at this point regardless, and I expect that the series would have ultimately continued in some form, except that by the time the final volume was published, the old EU was no more. That makes this not only the last story in the series, but one of the last stories of the original Expanded Universe . . . and it doesn't carry that weight very well.
The first couple of issues are the usual "Darth Vader wrecks people" storyline that I've never had any interest in reading, and that puts a lot of weight on the final two issues to quickly tell a satisfying story. And the story is fine, but it can't help but feel a bit rushed compared to the 4-issue arcs we've had to this point. Overall, this feels like a disappointingly abrupt conclusion to a series that had a lot of promise . . . and never quite seemed to realize most of it.
B-
Background: A Shattered Hope, released in October 2014, collects issues 13-14 and 19-20 of Dark Horse's Star Wars run (January-August 2014), plus a one-shot. All 4 issues were written by Brian Wood. The first two were drawn by Facundo Percio, and the other two by Carlos D'Anda. Wood wrote this entire 20-issue series, with art by D'Anda for about half of the issues. This is Percio's only Star Wars credit.
A Shattered Hope is set a few months after the Battle of Yavin. The first few issues take place before (or partially concurrently with?) Rebel Girl and the second two happen after (my review). The main characters are Darth Vader, Leia, Luke, Han, and Chewie. The story takes place at a variety of locations, including Kuat and Corellia.
Summary: Brooding over recent setbacks at the hands of Luke Skywalker and his companions, Darth Vader launches a personal campaign to clean house within the Empire. Meanwhile, one of Leia's childhood friends has been under deep cover as a spy for so long that she was long-since assumed lost or turned. But when she comes back into the open with an explosive claim, Leia knows she has to pursue it, for the sake of her friendship, and for the fate of the Rebellion.
Review: Not a particularly strong ending for Wood's run, and I don't know enough about the circumstance to assign blame. I believe he had planned to take a break at this point regardless, and I expect that the series would have ultimately continued in some form, except that by the time the final volume was published, the old EU was no more. That makes this not only the last story in the series, but one of the last stories of the original Expanded Universe . . . and it doesn't carry that weight very well.
The first couple of issues are the usual "Darth Vader wrecks people" storyline that I've never had any interest in reading, and that puts a lot of weight on the final two issues to quickly tell a satisfying story. And the story is fine, but it can't help but feel a bit rushed compared to the 4-issue arcs we've had to this point. Overall, this feels like a disappointingly abrupt conclusion to a series that had a lot of promise . . . and never quite seemed to realize most of it.
B-
January 12, 2015
Finally as the series reaches its end it is able to deliver. The characterization of the classic trio in this volume is the best this series has been able to do. I still have problems with the portrayal of Vader and his relationship with the Emperor, but overall the author seemed to focus on good storytelling rather than rewriting the main characters. All three story arcs kept me much more engaged than previous stories in the series, with my favorite being, "Five Days of Sith".
I'm curious what Marvel is going to do in 2015 since their main Star Wars title will also be set in this era. The original Marvel comics, Darkhorse's Empire and Rebellion series, and this series were all set in the period between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. With this series almost serving as a reboot for this era, what else can Marvel do that hasn't already been done?
I'm curious what Marvel is going to do in 2015 since their main Star Wars title will also be set in this era. The original Marvel comics, Darkhorse's Empire and Rebellion series, and this series were all set in the period between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. With this series almost serving as a reboot for this era, what else can Marvel do that hasn't already been done?
November 2, 2014
An entertaining volume and much, much better than the awful volume 3 of this series. The Vader storyline is great - up there with the best written about him and the little Han/Chewie story at the end of the volume is a fun little sprint.
Of all of the Dark Horse titles ending, though, this is probably the one I will miss the least, honestly. It has been very uneven and for the most part has tread ground that has been tread many many times before... I can only hope Marvel's new take doesn't follow suit, but the previews aren't promising so far.
Of all of the Dark Horse titles ending, though, this is probably the one I will miss the least, honestly. It has been very uneven and for the most part has tread ground that has been tread many many times before... I can only hope Marvel's new take doesn't follow suit, but the previews aren't promising so far.
November 7, 2014
Brian Wood continues to tell an amazing Star Wars story in this volume. I have always love the original Trilogy of the Star Wars saga. Brian Wood has done an excellent job of fleshing out Luke, Leia and Han. This story reads like a part of the Empire Strikes Back. I especially enjoyed the scenes with Darth Vader and Obi Wan Kenobi. The artwork suits the story well as well. Great Series all the way.
August 1, 2015
Rebellion Era (0-4 years ASW4)
The ending to this series by Brian Wood was cute as I am a sucker for anything Han and Leia. This was one of the last Star Wars comic series done by Dark Horse. I don't care if they aren't canon, I still have a great time reading them.
The ending to this series by Brian Wood was cute as I am a sucker for anything Han and Leia. This was one of the last Star Wars comic series done by Dark Horse. I don't care if they aren't canon, I still have a great time reading them.
March 28, 2015
The last part, "Art of the bad deal", was crappy and just placed there to fill some pages. Other than that it was good, but the main plot had a too abrupt ending. But overall a good solid comic series.
December 21, 2015
A couple of stand alone stories. I'm still not loving this series but Brian Wood's stories are a little better here and the characterization fits more with how they behave in the movies. The art is better in this book as well.
December 7, 2014
Sad to see this one go.
January 16, 2015
That series really went downhill near the end. Glad it ended. Let's see how Marvel's "canon" attempt at the same part of the timeline pans out...
February 13, 2015
Shameful that the series was ended, because it looked like it was heading somewhere great,
January 15, 2016
Five Days saves this, and I do like how they set up Empire Strikes Back, but not as strong as Volumes 1 and 2.
August 16, 2015
A couple of really good stories and great art throughout - can't go wrong.
September 7, 2016
Unconnected short stories, which aren't bad, but unexpected after 3 volumes of storyline.
September 2, 2016
A lot better than the last volume, but feels unfinished. Maybe this series was cancelled before the planned end point?
August 4, 2020
Me encanto para pasar el rato.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews