Star Wars: Clone Wars, Volume 7: When They Were Brothers

Star Wars: Obsession #1-5

by W. Haden Blackman, Miles Lane, Brian Ching (Artist)

Many on both sides of the Clone Wars have been wounded or killed. But the war has taken its toll on the survivors, too.

Consumed by the belief that the Dark Jedi Asajj Ventress still lives, Obi-Wan Kenobi has temporarily forsaken his duties and recruited Anakin Skywalker in his desperate hunt for Ventress.

But Anakin believes that Obi-Wan is chasing a ghost-because he himself killed Ventress. And Anakin's doubts about his former Master's quest are not assuaged when, following the trail of the rumors of Ventress' existence, they walk into a trap set by their old enemies, the bounty hunter Durge and Count Dooku!

A tale that tests the strengths of the bonds of brotherhood!

• Collects Obsession #1-5 and the 2005 Free Comic Book Day comic.

Genres: Star Wars, Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Fiction

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

W. Haden Blackman is a writer who has long worked in the Star Wars universe. He is also the project lead on the MMO Star Wars: Galaxies and the video game Star Wars: The Force Unleashed.

Reviews

[Iset · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just one story in this volume, occasionally broken up, titled Obsession, and focusing on Obi-Wan’s obsession that Asajj Ventress is still around somewhere and his determination to track her down.

This is a bit of a last gasp, as the Star Wars timeline hurtles towards Revenge of the Sith, and so the series which has often distinguished itself by taking us away from the main movie characters and giving us the interesting adventures of others, now spends an entire volume on the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan. To be fair, the volume does have its moments where it really tries, and succeeds, in showing us a good relationship that we can empathise with and root for, but one has to wonder if it’s too little too late. And that’s when the dynamic works. In most media, Obi-Wan and Anakin’s pre-Episode III relationship hardly seems friendly. Characters such as Padme, caught in the uncomfortable middle, will do as they do in this very volume and paint Anakin’s complaining about Obi-Wan dragging him away on a mission as a species of curmudgeonly affection. But I’ve never seen that. Anakin is always very clear about how irritated and furious he is with Obi-Wan’s decisions, particularly in this case where he has ten days leave with his wife away from the war for the first time in ages, and Obi-Wan shows up to insist he cut short his one break. It’s almost like characters such as Padme are more trying to convince themselves that Anakin’s dislike of his former master is a mask for a kind of grumpy fondness, rather than accept that Anakin has become aggressively angry worryingly as almost his default attitude over the years, and resentful of his ex-boss. Anyway, the volume does its best to convince us, too, that these two men actually love each other, deep down, and occasionally there’s a flash or a hint that I actually bought in to, so credit for that.

It’s a bit weird seeing Asajj Ventress’ story tied up in this way. First, because they could’ve just left it as it was at the end of the previous volume, and there was no need to extend it here, aside from to give Obi-Wan and Anakin something to do together and a chance to bond. Second, it takes me back to the days where major story arcs were dealt with entirely and tied up in the comics, leaving pure novel-readers of the Expanded Universe very confused (curse you, Dark Empire! That threw me through a real loop back in the day, and it was so very hard to source copies of Dark Empire back then where I was). I’m still mostly a novel reader today with just an occasional graphic series thrown in, so I can see how if you’re a novel purist you’ll leave Asajj Ventress in Dark Rendezvous only for her to drop off the face of the galaxy, which must be frustrating.

It’s not a bad volume, I think it’s better than the series’ low points of Volume 2 and 3, but I wouldn’t call this one of the better ones either. Not sure if I’m going to include it in my personal canon cut.

6 out of 10

[DiscoSpacePanther · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Wars: Clone Wars, Volume 7: When They Were Brothers feels a little bit more lightweight than the previous volume - there are fewer degenerate pirates or bounty hunters, and there is no further development of the Quinlan Vos arc.

Instead we have a series of stories that highlight Obi-Wan and Anakin's friendship (with plenty of lightsaber combat in the mix as well).

There are a couple of returning characters - ARC Trooper Alpha makes a welcome reappearance, as does the bounty hunter Durge, but they all play second fiddle to Anakin and Obi-Wan. Even the Asajj Ventress elements, important to her development as they are, take a back seat when compared to the relationship between the two Jedi.

The artwork is still of a high quality, and I think that this is the first time in this comic book series that we see a lot of the hardware that featured in Revenge of the Sith, such as the Eta-2 Actis-class interceptor and the Venator-class star destroyers.

This volume has a sort of calm-before-the-storm feel about it, coming as it does in the closing stages of the Clone Wars.

One thing to note, this sees the demise of a Jedi called "Master Baytes", the silliest named Jedi character until Ima-Gun Di.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

So after this only one more to go - I don't remember the last time i have worked my way through such a long graphic novel series and I must admit i have really enjoy it - I will be looking out for something else to get my teeth in to (and I hope not my wallet)
I will admit though that this books had a number of issues with it that didn't quite bring it up the same level as earlier books. The artwork shifted around a bit with the styles and not all of them were to my liking - however I guess that with the stories originally being serialised you could accept it from issue to the next. The other issue I have is more serious - the storyline appeared to rumble in to a major battle which at the outset appeared to be quite localised and minor. But it rapidly escalated and became one of the defining moments that set the scene for the more family (and show in the films) scenes which defined the key points in the fall of the Jedi and the rise of the Sith. The problem I have is that the emphasis shifts so suddenly you are left wondering if you as the reader have missed something. Don't get me wrong the story is still powerful but as the time counts down to the events in the final film you do get the feeling though that things are being rushed to be ready in time to seamlessly connect with the storyline of them films

[Graham Barrett · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Read in 2005, review from 2025)

This one was fine. I remember it tried to wrap up the fates of a few Dark Horse Clone Wars characters' fates before Revenge of the Sith came out. Some were satisfactory (Anakin dealing with Durge in a dark but satisfying manner) others less so (Alpha being MIA and Ventress never dying no matter the continuity)

[froggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

hey remember that time anakin pushed a part cyborg bounty hunter into a star? man, wasnt that cool!
…
anything is canon if i say it is!


so much anakin and obiwan content in such a tiny little graphic novel. im happy. :)

also my wifey ventress is girlbossing once again

[Logan Harrington · Rating 4 out of 5]

7/10:
Such a solid 6-issue arc showing Obi-Wan and Anakin as they utilize their personal leave in order to track down Asajj Ventress (who is presumed killed by Anakin’s hand). They encounter almost every major player on the Confederacy including Ventress, General Grievous, Durge, and even Count Dooku. Super exciting all around and I’m loving the Legends stories from the Clone Wars era!

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alle meine Lieblingschars in einem Comic (außer Maul)? Mega!
Der Comic ist non-stop action, sehr gut gezeichnet und wie gesagt, es kommen alle meine Liblings-Legends-Chars vor. Ventress, Grievous, Durge und Alpha-17 (*fähnlein wedel*).
Die Story passt super in die Klonkriege, ich liebe die "Vor-CW"-Ventress, wie sie in den Comics dargestellt wird so sehr.
Und das gefühlt jeder von Anakin und Padme weiß, ist in den Comics so viel logischer aufgebaut. Das wird hier nochmal ziemlich eindeutig gezeigt.

Der 2te Kurzcomic mit nur Anakin und Obi-Wan ist auch wieder super, actionlastig und ein schönes beispiel für ihre Bromance (*hustfujoshihust*).

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

A step back in Clone Wars graphic novel terms, but then this one isn't part of the main story-arc written by Ostrander. It's fun enough but mostly straight forward action-oriented adventure with Obi-Wan and Anakin hunting down a thought-to-be-dead Ventress (why is Obi-Wan so sure she's alive, anyway?) and dispatching Durge along the way. Not much to get your teeth into but it zips along at a nice pace.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. Interesting to see Obi-Wan as the obsessed one.

[Marta Duda-Gryc · Rating 4 out of 5]

A second reread: loved it even more. "Every padawan knows where to find you, Anakin.". Oh, Anakin.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finally get to read volume 7!! Anakin and pretty much everyone else assume Asajj Ventress is dead after the events of the previous volume. Obi-Wan Kenobi still thinks she's alive and won't take 'no' for an answer.

The artwork really brings home the physical and mental exhaustion that the ongoing conflict has wreaked on the Jedi - especially Obi-Wan. The attention to detail in that respect is brilliant. Is Obi-Wan's obsession with Ventress blinding him to other things? The Jedi are trying to deal with so much that even their best are overwhelmed.

I like how this series, along with the tie-in novels, really gets into the psychological toll that the conflict is taking on the Jedi. I look forward to reading volume 8.

[Zachary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This omnibus includes several stories, one is a hunt for Asajj Ventress, while the second story is set after the first one.

I think the story is good, but the pacing starts to fall apart in the second act of the story. I also think that the story throws too many Jedi masters into the story and has them do almost nothing. The artstyle is pretty but the designs of characters and environments are very flat in my opinion.

The death of Ventress has a poignient eulogy that I like quite a bit, but then her death is made null by the fact she still lives afterwards.

The second story was a short one about Obi-Wan and Anakin chasing Count Dooku. Its pretty forgettable stuff in my opinion but its not bad either.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

*shrug* This volume was ok. It didn't add that much to Ventress as a character and Anakin wasting his arrogant self as usual. What surprised me was how blatant the whole Anakin/Padmé thing was -pretty hard for Obi-Wan to claim he didn't know.

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much as I enjoy Obi-Wan becoming a bit unhinged in his hunt for Asajj Ventress, it is so irritating when a villain just won't die. One fake death - okay, maybe I can accept that. But two? Seriously lazy writing.

[Ben Kimsal · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the cover art and title would suggest, the relationship between Anakin and Obi-Wan was the focus of this volume and I thought it was highlighted well. But, I took issue with certain writing decisions in one of the stories and the inferior art style of Volume 5 made it's return.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, but short adventure for Anakin and his Master Obi-Wan

[Kathrin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obi-Wan is one of my favorite characters from the Star Wars Universe and I really enjoyed seeing more of his story. It was also very interesting to see more of his and Anakin's relationship.

[R. Archer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got from School Library

Alpha-17 my beloved!!!!

[Garrett Ballendine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the characterization and bonding of Anakin and Obi-Wan but the story was eh.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Wars Legends Project #157

Background: When They Were Brothers, released in November of 2005, collects the 5-issue Obsession storyline (written by W. Haden Blackman and drawn by Brian Ching from November 2004-May 2005) and the 2005 "Free Comic Book Day Special" issue (written by Miles Lane and pencilled by Nicola Scott). All contributed to numerous other issues of Republic, along with a wide variety of other Star Wars comics between them. Blackman and Ching have contributed to several dozen Star Wars issues between them, across several series. Blackman was also project lead on a few Star Wars games for LucasArts, and Ching did the art for around half of the Knights of the Old Republic series. Lane's only other Star Wars work was the comics adaptation of Revenge of the Sith, and Scott has drawn a smattering of miscellaneous issues.

Obsession is set 31 months after the Battle of Geonosis (19 years before the Battle of Yavin). The special issue (originally called Brothers in Arms) is set a few weeks later. Obi-Wan and Anakin are the primary characters throughout.

Summary: In Obsession, Obi-Wan can't shake the certainty that Asajj Ventress is alive, even though Anakin himself watched her plummet to her death in the depths of Coruscant. Everyone, allies and enemies alike, seem convinced that he's wrong, but he will stop at nothing to pursue his intuition, no matter how deadly the danger to himself and his former Padawan.

In Brothers in Arms, Obi-Wan and Anakin attempt to storm a fortress where Dooku may be hiding, but face a variety of unexpected and treacherous complications.

Review: Obsession is . . . fine. The story rarely slows, and the art is good (though I'm not a big fan of the style, particularly how the characters are drawn). There are long-dangling threads that are tied off in a fairly satisfying way. I'm having trouble putting my finger on precisely what I didn't like about it. A major villain from this era who I've always found pretty stupid features heavily in this story, though to reasonably good effect. The story implies at one point that, not only Obi-Wan, but the entire Jedi Order from Padawans on up are fully aware of Anakin's relationship with Padme, which makes no sense. Overall, it's a story that's essential to the sequence of events, but it's not particularly compelling on its own merits.

Brothers in Arms has even less going on. It's one of those one-off stories with a ton of action and no actual story. Literally nothing of any consequence or significance happens, and action for its own sake isn't terribly interesting, leaving this super-skippable.

This is definitely a collection for completists only.

C+

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

20 BBY

This volume contains "Obsession" issues 1-5 and the short "Brothers in Arms." Obsession was an iconic piece in seeing more of Obi-wan and Anakin's relationship. While Anakin claims to have killed Ventress on Coruscant, Obi-wan is positive she is still alive and asks Anakin to help find her. When they do, she is in a bacta tank, fully recovered by Dooku's aid. When she fails yet again to kill Obi-wan, Dooku has one of his droids end her for her failures. Obi-wan finds that he has been able to reach a speck of light within her just before she dies, and aims to take her back to be with other fallen Jedi. "Brothers in Arms" shows the built relationship of Obi-wan and Anakin as two comrades in battle. When they storm Dooku's palace, they find a horde of droids, but they also find that they will always have each others backs, despite Anakin's hard-hardheadedness.

The art in "Obsession" is sharper than some of the previous Clone Wars volumes, the characters looking somewhat more realistic, especially with their facial features. The story was focused on Obi-wan's obsession with Ventress, a correlation between two characters in the Clone Wars that has always been interesting to look upon and analyze. It is also five months before the Jedi purge, which makes me curious as to how the Clone Wars will fall into place just before that iconic event occurs.

[Yves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce volume de Clone Wars se passe 5 mois avant l'Épisode 3. Obi-Wan est obsédé à l'idée de retrouver Asajj Ventress. Tout le monde la croit morte sauf lui. Il réussi à trouver des informations à propos d'une futur assassinat qu'elle serait sur le point de faire. Kenobi va donc chercher l'aide d'Anakin qui est en vacance sur Naboo pour l'aider à sa mission. Skywalker n'est guère enchanter de quitter Padmé pour une des lubies de son ancien maître. Ce qu'il ne sait pas c'est que Obi-Wan pourrait avoit raison.

Ce tome est un des plus solide de toute la série clone Wars avec Last Stand on Jabiim. On peut voir le réel lien d'amitié entre les deux Jedi. C'est aussi spécial de vor Obi-Wan à la place de son ancien élève. C'est lui qui est obsédé par un quête qui l'amène à avoir des sautes d'humeurs. De plus, les dessins de Brian Ching sont vraiment géniaux. C'est une de mes bonnes BD de la Saga de Star Wars.

[M Pereira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story that wraps up the big hitting generals of the Confederacy side: Durge and Ventress. This book works to give a very positive view of the friendship/partnership of Obi wan and Anakin. However one thing that is really notable is that Obi-Wan sees great wisdom in Anakin and a role reversal takes place. Kenobi experiences fear and anger and other aspects that would make any jedi close to the dark side, while in some moments Anakin is an ocean of calm for his former master. This is a great build up to ROTS

[Malcolm Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main story Obsession follows Obi-Wan’s obsession into finding the now-believed dead Ventress. This leads to an epic face-off against Durge, a significant battle that includes General Grevious and a final confrontation with a surprisingly moving conclusion. The artwork as a little odd but the story was first rate.
There’s also an untitled short story that showcases just how Obi-Wan and Anakin trust each other and rely upon one another. It’s a little unnecessary but quite poignant when knowing what is to come.

[Jonas · Rating 3 out of 5]

While good and well drawn, the story doesn't quite mesh with the Republic comics; you can tell the Obsession special has a different writer. Obi-Wan behaves out of character. He had given no indication that he is obsessed with Assaj Ventress in the previous stories. He took pity on her, sure, but nothing that ought to provoke this response. Assaj herself also acquired the perfect Death Scene in Clone Wars Volume 6. I wish they had stick with it.

The scenes between Anakin and Obi-Wan are great though, and the entire story is well told and beautifully rendered.

[Victor Orozco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome! The countdown to Episode III is getting smaller and the action is built up wonderfully. I really love this story from its title to its fantastically beautiful artwork. This story sews up the final threads into the fate of two popular characters in the Clone Wars and from there leads into the attitudes of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi as they prepare for their eventual destiny. A-

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a 3.5, but it is the only book in the Clone Wars series thus far that really sticks out and has that old Star Wars feel for me. Brisk action and some light character moments that aren't people standing around lecturing one another. Brian Ching's artwork is always welcome, especially when it isn't inked.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Obi Wan is convinced that Ventress is still alive and goes after her. Anakin under protest joins him. This is a cute look at their relationship, and how they've grown. The ventress storyline is good too, as you end up feeling sorry for her. A good read.

[Justin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some good action scenes and features some key villains, but it's a step down from the stories that preceded it.

[Chad Hansen-Saunders · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very fast paced, but not much to the story. This basically ties up loose threads from the Republic series at it shifts to the events of Revenge of the Sith and starts to move onto The Dark Times.