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Star Wars: Kanan
Star Wars: Kanan, Vol. 2: First Blood
Continue to explore the early days of Kanan Jarrus, the sensational star of STAR WARS REBELS! You've seen Kanan's last adventure as a Padawan, now witness his first! The boy who was Caleb Dune must find his feet as the Clone Wars rage all around him. When the Jedi Temple comes under attack, what can a mere Padawan do to make a difference? Caleb and his new master, Bilaba, will take command of their own clone troop, and lead them into the furious Battle of Mygeeto. But lying in wait for them there are a pair of Separatist Generals, one of whom is one of the most deadly threats in the entire galaxy! Can Caleb and Bilaba survive Grievous?
COLLECTING: KANAN 7-12
COLLECTING: KANAN 7-12
144 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2016
39 people are currently reading
1026 people want to read
About the author
Greg Weisman
263 books136 followersGreg Weisman (BA Stanford, MPW U.S.C.) has been a storyteller all his life. His first professional work was as an Editor for DC Comics, where he also wrote Captain Atom.
Greg worked at Walt Disney Television Animation from 1989 through 1996. In 1991, Greg created and developed a new series for Disney: GARGOYLES, becoming Supervising Producer and Supervising Story Editor of that series.
In 1998, Greg became a full-time Freelancer. He wrote the new Gargoyles and Gargoyles: Bad Guys comic books for SLG Publishing, while producing, writing, story editing and voice acting for Sony’s The Spectacular Spider-Man. He then moved over to Warner Bros., where he produced, story edited, wrote and voice acted on the new series, Young Justice, as well as writing the companion Young Justice monthly comic book for DC.
Greg was a writer and Executive Producer on the first season of Star Wars Rebels for Lucasfilm and Disney, and he’s also writing the spin-off comic Star Wars Kanan: The Last Padawan. His first novel, Rain of the Ghosts, was published in 2013; its sequel, Spirits of Ash and Foam, arrived in bookstores in 2014.
Greg worked at Walt Disney Television Animation from 1989 through 1996. In 1991, Greg created and developed a new series for Disney: GARGOYLES, becoming Supervising Producer and Supervising Story Editor of that series.
In 1998, Greg became a full-time Freelancer. He wrote the new Gargoyles and Gargoyles: Bad Guys comic books for SLG Publishing, while producing, writing, story editing and voice acting for Sony’s The Spectacular Spider-Man. He then moved over to Warner Bros., where he produced, story edited, wrote and voice acted on the new series, Young Justice, as well as writing the companion Young Justice monthly comic book for DC.
Greg was a writer and Executive Producer on the first season of Star Wars Rebels for Lucasfilm and Disney, and he’s also writing the spin-off comic Star Wars Kanan: The Last Padawan. His first novel, Rain of the Ghosts, was published in 2013; its sequel, Spirits of Ash and Foam, arrived in bookstores in 2014.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
February 2, 2021
So I accidentally read this backwards, but I think it was the Force working through me because that honestly made it a much better read! I have never watched Rebels, so I think this will give me a unique perspective on Kanan's character when I finally start the show. Very interesting character! I can't wait to continue with his story.
June 7, 2016
If you were hoping this one would pick up right after the first book, think again and get your sick bag ready because this one’s an origin story set during... the prequel, Revenge of the Sith (vomits).
While Kanan heals in a bacta tank in the present, we flash back to his training at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant - enter cameos from Yoda, Mace Windu and Obi-Wan. Some baddies are stirring up some shit at the Temple, Kanan (then called Caleb Dume) defends the place, becomes Master Billaba’s padawan, and then the two head to a planet called Mygeeto. That’s basically the unnecessary backstory to the first volume, whatever that’s worth - I didn’t find it that interesting.
If you’re a fan of the prequels then the big draw for you in this one is the fight between Billaba and General Grievous, that weird multi-armed lizard/robot thing from Revenge of the Sith. Here, he’s not defeated as many Jedi so he’s only got the two lightsabers to wield but he’s still a formidable opponent. To me Grievous remains a pertinent symbol of the excess and bad ideas of the prequels.
The final issue brings us back to the present where Kanan is finally healed up and ready to go on a new adventure with his own pseudo-padawan, Ezra. The new villain looks cool and I’d have preferred less origin/prequel crap and more of him and Kanan in the present but there we go.
I won’t say this is a bad comic but nothing that happens in it feels like it needed to be told. We got enough of Kanan’s origin in the first book to do without a book length repetition of it with a few pointless extra details thrown in. It’s competently written and drawn by Greg Weisman and Pepe Larraz and I wasn’t that bored reading it but I also wasn’t that gripped either. A decent read but ultimately unmemorable.
While Kanan heals in a bacta tank in the present, we flash back to his training at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant - enter cameos from Yoda, Mace Windu and Obi-Wan. Some baddies are stirring up some shit at the Temple, Kanan (then called Caleb Dume) defends the place, becomes Master Billaba’s padawan, and then the two head to a planet called Mygeeto. That’s basically the unnecessary backstory to the first volume, whatever that’s worth - I didn’t find it that interesting.
If you’re a fan of the prequels then the big draw for you in this one is the fight between Billaba and General Grievous, that weird multi-armed lizard/robot thing from Revenge of the Sith. Here, he’s not defeated as many Jedi so he’s only got the two lightsabers to wield but he’s still a formidable opponent. To me Grievous remains a pertinent symbol of the excess and bad ideas of the prequels.
The final issue brings us back to the present where Kanan is finally healed up and ready to go on a new adventure with his own pseudo-padawan, Ezra. The new villain looks cool and I’d have preferred less origin/prequel crap and more of him and Kanan in the present but there we go.
I won’t say this is a bad comic but nothing that happens in it feels like it needed to be told. We got enough of Kanan’s origin in the first book to do without a book length repetition of it with a few pointless extra details thrown in. It’s competently written and drawn by Greg Weisman and Pepe Larraz and I wasn’t that bored reading it but I also wasn’t that gripped either. A decent read but ultimately unmemorable.
May 21, 2025
Pretty good!
January 30, 2021
I really wish there were more of these.
Full RTC
Full RTC
June 6, 2016
Not quite as good as the first volume. The thing is, this flashes even further back, to when young Caleb first met Depa Billaba, and their first missions together. I'm not exactly sure why. I wish this is where we'd started in the previous volume, because I don't see a particular need to jump around haphazardly in Kanan's life story. And it kind of makes everything grind to a halt, in a way. This isn't where I'd been hoping to go with his back story. But I did still like it, and I'm still enjoying getting more of Kanan's history.
September 19, 2016
This one was just OK. Not terrible by any stretch of the imagination but nothing about it really grabbed my interest.
Probably one for fans of the Rebels cartoon and hardcore Star Wars completists only.
Probably one for fans of the Rebels cartoon and hardcore Star Wars completists only.
June 8, 2022
A decent read with some awesome artwork that adds much depth to character of Caleb Dume/Kanan Jarrus, and also makes one interested in the character, despite not having seen Star Wars: Rebels.
January 27, 2016
Well, it's good. I liked the 1st volume much more, but... what can you do?
The problem is not the story or the artwork, it's the fact that we got introduced to Kanan as a kid growing up getting away from those who hunted him down and killed his Master. All of that was great, top stuff. And then after he grew up we get a Kanan in some tube being injured, healing and whatnot, and we get a bunch of flashbacks for a story for when his was a kid padawan with his already dead Master Jedi and while meeting his soon to be hired killers, and that's just kills not only the mood to read because we already know what's going to happen.
But also fucks up everything because we were waiting so bad for the story to continue with Kanan as an adult so.... yeah... 3 stars and that's only cuz the story wasn't bad and at least at the end of this volume there's a nice cliffhanger for what happens next.
But the stories still stay in that flashback theme every issue on the way... and I do not like that. Nope. Sorry. Hope this thing gets over soon.
The problem is not the story or the artwork, it's the fact that we got introduced to Kanan as a kid growing up getting away from those who hunted him down and killed his Master. All of that was great, top stuff. And then after he grew up we get a Kanan in some tube being injured, healing and whatnot, and we get a bunch of flashbacks for a story for when his was a kid padawan with his already dead Master Jedi and while meeting his soon to be hired killers, and that's just kills not only the mood to read because we already know what's going to happen.
But also fucks up everything because we were waiting so bad for the story to continue with Kanan as an adult so.... yeah... 3 stars and that's only cuz the story wasn't bad and at least at the end of this volume there's a nice cliffhanger for what happens next.
But the stories still stay in that flashback theme every issue on the way... and I do not like that. Nope. Sorry. Hope this thing gets over soon.
April 11, 2020
Spring 2020 (March);
From Live-read:
Yeessss, continuing my favorite theme of the first trilogy reading set. Billaba talking about she thinks it's a mistake the Jedi ever took on military ranks. || OMG NO. They were so happy in this second right before Order 66. || This baby. || Also, this baby is so cute and his artwork is, too,
OMGOSH. That last splash page, with Baby!Padawn him, SpacePirate!Kid him, and grown up Rebels!Him. That's a lovely crossshot of the three. | I'm so glad #6 slides us back into current time, with reference to first storytime, too. Flashbacks, but, also, MOAR REBELS FAMILY. I love you, JediSmugglerSpaceDad, stop trying to die.
From Live-read:
Yeessss, continuing my favorite theme of the first trilogy reading set. Billaba talking about she thinks it's a mistake the Jedi ever took on military ranks. || OMG NO. They were so happy in this second right before Order 66. || This baby. || Also, this baby is so cute and his artwork is, too,
OMGOSH. That last splash page, with Baby!Padawn him, SpacePirate!Kid him, and grown up Rebels!Him. That's a lovely crossshot of the three. | I'm so glad #6 slides us back into current time, with reference to first storytime, too. Flashbacks, but, also, MOAR REBELS FAMILY. I love you, JediSmugglerSpaceDad, stop trying to die.
July 10, 2016
I don't think this one was quite as good as the first volume, but it wasn't bad at all. Maybe the novelty of seeing Force-users in comic form had worn off, or maybe it just wasn't as strong as the first volume. Still, I would definitely recommend this to anyone interested!
August 11, 2016
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I alternately squeeeeed and cried throughout.
I alternately squeeeeed and cried throughout.
June 4, 2016
Another excellent chapter in the story of Kanan. if you are a fan of Star Wars Rebels this is a great read with excellent art. Now, where is the back story for Zeb?
December 31, 2018
I will also do a video review here at my channel: http://www.youtube.com/magicofbooks
In "Kanan: First Blood," Kanan has been injured and his friends guard him as he heals while enemies are at their gate. Kanan continues to remember his time as a padawan under the apprenticeship of his master, Deba Billaba, and recalls the adventures and villains they faced.
A great conclusion to this two-part series. The story went in a direction I wasn't entirely expecting. With volume 1, we met Kanan when he was Caleb Dume, young padawan to Master Deba Billaba. We saw the events during and following Order 66 and how Caleb becomes Kanan. And that volume ended with adult Kanan getting severely injured. Volume 2 picks up, Kanan is making a recovery, and while he heals, enemies threaten his friends. In the meantime, trapped in his own head he remembers being a padawan in training, how he earns Deba Billaba's favor, and his first mission with her. So things go a bit backwards with telling Kanan's story. Either way, I feel like I learned a lot about him through both volumes. Once again, I enjoyed the story, the new characters, the relationships Kanan forges, and the art continued to be action packed---feeling like something I'd see in a "Star Wars" movie or animated cartoon. And just to throw in some shallow humor, some lovely art for the ladies: Kanan shirtless in a very dramatic fashion. A hand drawn man should not look that sexy....seriously. Overall, definitely a bit of "Star Wars" canon that I would recommend for fans, especially those of you who love Kanan in "Star Wars: Rebels."
In "Kanan: First Blood," Kanan has been injured and his friends guard him as he heals while enemies are at their gate. Kanan continues to remember his time as a padawan under the apprenticeship of his master, Deba Billaba, and recalls the adventures and villains they faced.
A great conclusion to this two-part series. The story went in a direction I wasn't entirely expecting. With volume 1, we met Kanan when he was Caleb Dume, young padawan to Master Deba Billaba. We saw the events during and following Order 66 and how Caleb becomes Kanan. And that volume ended with adult Kanan getting severely injured. Volume 2 picks up, Kanan is making a recovery, and while he heals, enemies threaten his friends. In the meantime, trapped in his own head he remembers being a padawan in training, how he earns Deba Billaba's favor, and his first mission with her. So things go a bit backwards with telling Kanan's story. Either way, I feel like I learned a lot about him through both volumes. Once again, I enjoyed the story, the new characters, the relationships Kanan forges, and the art continued to be action packed---feeling like something I'd see in a "Star Wars" movie or animated cartoon. And just to throw in some shallow humor, some lovely art for the ladies: Kanan shirtless in a very dramatic fashion. A hand drawn man should not look that sexy....seriously. Overall, definitely a bit of "Star Wars" canon that I would recommend for fans, especially those of you who love Kanan in "Star Wars: Rebels."
August 8, 2016
This continues the series that features the character Kanan which we first met in the Rebels cartoon series. The first collection was a prequel to the show and this one is a prequel to that prequel. In this one, we learn how Kanan is chosen by his master and Kanan's first mission with his master.
I didn't think this was as enjoyable as the first collection but it is still worth a read. I think my problem with this one is this being set before the first collection. I think this would have benefited by being the first collection and having all the collections being introduced in a linear timeline. By going back even more it kind of ruined any suspense and looked like a cash grab by extending the series longer than it should. The highlight is the artwork as that remains top notch and I did like how everything came full circle. The ending was perfect and did give me the "feels".
I do like the background information to this character and it is a nice read. I just think the distribution was a little suspect which did affect my rating.
I didn't think this was as enjoyable as the first collection but it is still worth a read. I think my problem with this one is this being set before the first collection. I think this would have benefited by being the first collection and having all the collections being introduced in a linear timeline. By going back even more it kind of ruined any suspense and looked like a cash grab by extending the series longer than it should. The highlight is the artwork as that remains top notch and I did like how everything came full circle. The ending was perfect and did give me the "feels".
I do like the background information to this character and it is a nice read. I just think the distribution was a little suspect which did affect my rating.
April 28, 2024
On the one hand, it's weird to me that Kanan ends up in a bacta tank at a medical center here, given that at no point in the show is this an option anyone pursues (presumably because they're, you know, rebels on the run from the authorities and public hospitals are unsafe for them). On the other hand, given how it works out for the crew in this comic, I . . . guess they do learn that lesson. And we do somewhat inexplicably get a full-page shot of dripping wet and nearly naked Kanan with a lightsaber out of the whole affair, which is probably adequate recompense for some readers.
September 6, 2016
This is the flavor of Star Wars I love. I mean also there's Kanan who is my spirit Jedi but yeah.
November 5, 2016
FIVE STARS IS NOT ENOUGH TO EXPRESS HOW MUCH I LOVED THIS.
November 17, 2023
I LOVE HIM I LOVE THEM can't give an objective review
July 4, 2016
This one wasn't exceptional, wasn't terrible... It just sort of existed in between. The story was okay, but it wasn't as exciting or fresh as Vol. 1 because, instead of focusing on Kanan's life post-Order 66, this one was all about his early days as a padawan, and we already know how that turns out; we saw the clones under his and his master's command trying to murder them in the last volume.
Vol. 2 switches between these glimpses into Kanan's past--he learns that war sucks and people die, etc.--and him healing in a bacta tank in the present while the rest of his companions stand around wondering when he'll wake up/duking it out with stormtroopers. This entire entry in Kanan's backstory just felt rote to me; whereas the first volume was playing with some original material showing us what made the rebellious young padawan into the agent of the Rebellion we see in Star Wars: Rebels, this volume just showed us things we either already knew or could have figured out by using our imagination and knowledge of hero tropes.
The art was pretty standard fare for a Star Wars graphic novel. I could tell who was who and what was going on during the action sequences, which is all you really expect these days from the corporate-mandated EU work. It was solid, but, like the story, nothing to write home about, with the exception of a couple of really dynamic panels showing General Grievous in all his psycho-robotic glory dueling with Depa Billaba.
The epilogue felt off in comparison to the rest of the issue, in both art and storytelling. If the arc of this volume concerned Kanan's flashbacks to his padawan-hood while he healed in the bacta tank, then continuing the story with an epilogue after his emergence and heroics seemed out of place. It didn't flow naturally from the five issues preceding it, which, for all their flaws, were thematically related and told a coherent--if not entirely novel--story.
If you desperately want to experience some more Star Wars EU comics in your life, then you should give First Blood a try. If you can take or leave your Star Wars graphic novels and you like to save your time for the truly exceptional arcs, this is a volume you don't need to sit down with or add to your collection. There's a 99% chance you already know everything that happens in it anyway.
Vol. 2 switches between these glimpses into Kanan's past--he learns that war sucks and people die, etc.--and him healing in a bacta tank in the present while the rest of his companions stand around wondering when he'll wake up/duking it out with stormtroopers. This entire entry in Kanan's backstory just felt rote to me; whereas the first volume was playing with some original material showing us what made the rebellious young padawan into the agent of the Rebellion we see in Star Wars: Rebels, this volume just showed us things we either already knew or could have figured out by using our imagination and knowledge of hero tropes.
The art was pretty standard fare for a Star Wars graphic novel. I could tell who was who and what was going on during the action sequences, which is all you really expect these days from the corporate-mandated EU work. It was solid, but, like the story, nothing to write home about, with the exception of a couple of really dynamic panels showing General Grievous in all his psycho-robotic glory dueling with Depa Billaba.
The epilogue felt off in comparison to the rest of the issue, in both art and storytelling. If the arc of this volume concerned Kanan's flashbacks to his padawan-hood while he healed in the bacta tank, then continuing the story with an epilogue after his emergence and heroics seemed out of place. It didn't flow naturally from the five issues preceding it, which, for all their flaws, were thematically related and told a coherent--if not entirely novel--story.
If you desperately want to experience some more Star Wars EU comics in your life, then you should give First Blood a try. If you can take or leave your Star Wars graphic novels and you like to save your time for the truly exceptional arcs, this is a volume you don't need to sit down with or add to your collection. There's a 99% chance you already know everything that happens in it anyway.
January 6, 2021
3,25 / 5
La segunda -y última- entrega de Kanan vuelven a llevarnos hasta los fantasmas del pasado y un viejo amigo cuando por una misión debe volver a Kaller, el lugar que lo vio nacer como Kanan. Con la excusa de una herida y su estado insconsciente, Weisman trae de vuelta varios recuerdos de juventud del joven Caleb Dun que tratan de empastar lo que sucede en el presente.
Un segundo arco argumental para completar el trasfondo de Kanan, que resulta menos conseguido o planificado que el anterior, pero que se sigue dejando leer con bastante satisfacción. El trabajo de Pepe Larraz sigue estando a la altura y el dibujo de David Curiel funciona de maravilla. Sin embargo en el epilogo, a cargo de Andrea Broccardo, parece dejar un regusto extraño al cerrar el cómic y no encajar con el resto. Peso a todo, una simpática serie de 12 números para conocer un poco más del personaje.
La segunda -y última- entrega de Kanan vuelven a llevarnos hasta los fantasmas del pasado y un viejo amigo cuando por una misión debe volver a Kaller, el lugar que lo vio nacer como Kanan. Con la excusa de una herida y su estado insconsciente, Weisman trae de vuelta varios recuerdos de juventud del joven Caleb Dun que tratan de empastar lo que sucede en el presente.
Un segundo arco argumental para completar el trasfondo de Kanan, que resulta menos conseguido o planificado que el anterior, pero que se sigue dejando leer con bastante satisfacción. El trabajo de Pepe Larraz sigue estando a la altura y el dibujo de David Curiel funciona de maravilla. Sin embargo en el epilogo, a cargo de Andrea Broccardo, parece dejar un regusto extraño al cerrar el cómic y no encajar con el resto. Peso a todo, una simpática serie de 12 números para conocer un poco más del personaje.
November 1, 2016
I love that this comic takes place in the Clone Wars era. My favorite Star Wars comics were the ones that are now Legends that took place during this era. Depa Billaba is featured in this book and its so cool to see her interacting with Kanan. Depa doing the tests blindfolded was really cool.
There is a lot of action in this book. The art style is perfect for it.
Of course, there are references to other Star Wars characters. Rae Sloane!!! And I thought I saw the younglings from the Clone Wars tv show, but I may have been mistaken. The crew of Rebels also appears and they are drawn more realistic.
I give this book a 4/5. I definitely recommend it to Star Wars fans of the tv shows Clone Wars and Rebels.
There is a lot of action in this book. The art style is perfect for it.
Of course, there are references to other Star Wars characters. Rae Sloane!!! And I thought I saw the younglings from the Clone Wars tv show, but I may have been mistaken. The crew of Rebels also appears and they are drawn more realistic.
I give this book a 4/5. I definitely recommend it to Star Wars fans of the tv shows Clone Wars and Rebels.
December 11, 2018
*Book source ~ Library
This picks up where Kanan: The Last Padawan left off. Kanan was injured and his friends find him. They get him medical attention, but they are being pursued. Alternating with the present storyline is Kanan’s past history. How he became Billaba’s apprentice and the battles they were involved in. At times, I was a little confused, but I may have just been tired. I’m sure I’ll get it better when I’ve done a reread. In the meantime, it’s a great story and the artwork is gorgeous. What’s not to love about an addition to the Rebels animated series?
Collecting KANAN #7-12.
This picks up where Kanan: The Last Padawan left off. Kanan was injured and his friends find him. They get him medical attention, but they are being pursued. Alternating with the present storyline is Kanan’s past history. How he became Billaba’s apprentice and the battles they were involved in. At times, I was a little confused, but I may have just been tired. I’m sure I’ll get it better when I’ve done a reread. In the meantime, it’s a great story and the artwork is gorgeous. What’s not to love about an addition to the Rebels animated series?
Collecting KANAN #7-12.
December 9, 2017
Let me try a new approach with these reviews-
this book did not make me very excited. There wasn't anything to add to my knowledge of Star Wars, and there was little suspense, because it didn't focus on characters besides one who I knew was destined to die(The master who trains Kanan), and one who I knew was destined to live (Kanan).
The artwork was solid. It was cartoonish enough to harken back to the Rebels and Clone Wars cartoons, but with more of an edge to it, to give it a mature feel. I enjoyed the book, but I can't say much more than that.
this book did not make me very excited. There wasn't anything to add to my knowledge of Star Wars, and there was little suspense, because it didn't focus on characters besides one who I knew was destined to die(The master who trains Kanan), and one who I knew was destined to live (Kanan).
The artwork was solid. It was cartoonish enough to harken back to the Rebels and Clone Wars cartoons, but with more of an edge to it, to give it a mature feel. I enjoyed the book, but I can't say much more than that.
May 14, 2018
I've been wanting to read Kanan for a long time, and I was not disappointed. This was a nice coming-of-age story of a head-strong kid ready for battle, who discovers the hard way that war isn't as romantic as he had imagined. I liked his master, and the superstition surrounding her. I also like the group of clones and their conversations.
Kanan's attitude reminded me of Anakin in the prequel movies quite a bit, but shows the difference a lifetime of Jedi training can make in the heat of battle. I am definitely ready to read more Kanan books.
Kanan's attitude reminded me of Anakin in the prequel movies quite a bit, but shows the difference a lifetime of Jedi training can make in the heat of battle. I am definitely ready to read more Kanan books.
June 22, 2021
Though not as jaw-dropping as the first volume, the second goes back even further in Kanan’s origins and adds even more depth to the former Jedi. These comics are essential reading for Rebels fans and for those wanting more stories from the Clone Wars but from a padawan’s point of view. With these comics, the story and legacy of Caleb Dume/Kanan Jarrus comes full circle.
May 26, 2019
Kinda picks up at a random point but i still enjoyed elements of this.
April 26, 2020
This review is part of my weekly blog column, Sunday Star Wars. With pictures!
Somehow I managed to miss out on talking about the final issue of the previous volume, The Last Padawan, reviewed last week here. All the more power to me, as it was very open-ended – I’m lucky to be able to read both volumes practically in bulk, I’d have chewed my leg off if I had to wait for months at an end for the resolution of the Rebels side-plot at play.
First Blood reads like two of my favourite types of Star Wars stories – a typical Clone Wars TV series adventure wrapped up in a shorter, Kanan-centric Rebels episode script. The Clone Wars portion of this one is a direct prequel to the events of The Last Padawan, and sees the young Caleb strike a connection with Jedi Master DEPA BILLABA after her recovery from severe injuries at the robotic hands of GENERAL GREVIOUS*.
If this Clone Wars-era story were animated, it would most likely be a two-parter, the first one taking place on the Jedi Temple at Coruscant, the second seeing Caleb and Billaba battle against Separatist forces in the Outer Rim. The culmination here is a battle between Billaba and Grevious happening at the same time as Caleb faces off a Kabe Warrior, one of a race of grey-skinned humanoids encountered over one of Asajj Ventress’ arcs in the Clone Wars series. The Kobe warriors are proficient in the martial arts, and this one makes for an acceptable secondary antagonist.
Looks a bit like a some kind of a fallen Jedi, I thought upon seeing him first.
I continued enjoying every panel that showed Master Billaba – she’s at once vulnerable and resolute, and her connection with Caleb was fun to explore. Caleb himself – the young padawan boy, as opposed to Kanan, wasn’t anywhere near as interesting as in The Last Padawan, but that’s understandable. He goes through such a fascinating transformation
As for the Rebels sections, I enjoyed those well enough – seeing Kanan come to terms with what he went through over that first volume made for several excellent character moments, and I never say no to time spent with that delightful group of rebellious kiddos that is the Rebels cast.
What more is there to say? If you enjoy Star Wars, if you like Rebels and Clone Wars, this is a fun story with characters you already love. If you don’t…this isn’t going to win you over in any way. My score is a hint lower than the previous volume’s, at 3.75/5 stars.
*I don’t know why I suddenly began to mimic the opening crawl of a Star Wars movie but by Jim I like it!
Somehow I managed to miss out on talking about the final issue of the previous volume, The Last Padawan, reviewed last week here. All the more power to me, as it was very open-ended – I’m lucky to be able to read both volumes practically in bulk, I’d have chewed my leg off if I had to wait for months at an end for the resolution of the Rebels side-plot at play.
First Blood reads like two of my favourite types of Star Wars stories – a typical Clone Wars TV series adventure wrapped up in a shorter, Kanan-centric Rebels episode script. The Clone Wars portion of this one is a direct prequel to the events of The Last Padawan, and sees the young Caleb strike a connection with Jedi Master DEPA BILLABA after her recovery from severe injuries at the robotic hands of GENERAL GREVIOUS*.
If this Clone Wars-era story were animated, it would most likely be a two-parter, the first one taking place on the Jedi Temple at Coruscant, the second seeing Caleb and Billaba battle against Separatist forces in the Outer Rim. The culmination here is a battle between Billaba and Grevious happening at the same time as Caleb faces off a Kabe Warrior, one of a race of grey-skinned humanoids encountered over one of Asajj Ventress’ arcs in the Clone Wars series. The Kobe warriors are proficient in the martial arts, and this one makes for an acceptable secondary antagonist.
Looks a bit like a some kind of a fallen Jedi, I thought upon seeing him first.
I continued enjoying every panel that showed Master Billaba – she’s at once vulnerable and resolute, and her connection with Caleb was fun to explore. Caleb himself – the young padawan boy, as opposed to Kanan, wasn’t anywhere near as interesting as in The Last Padawan, but that’s understandable. He goes through such a fascinating transformation
As for the Rebels sections, I enjoyed those well enough – seeing Kanan come to terms with what he went through over that first volume made for several excellent character moments, and I never say no to time spent with that delightful group of rebellious kiddos that is the Rebels cast.
What more is there to say? If you enjoy Star Wars, if you like Rebels and Clone Wars, this is a fun story with characters you already love. If you don’t…this isn’t going to win you over in any way. My score is a hint lower than the previous volume’s, at 3.75/5 stars.
*I don’t know why I suddenly began to mimic the opening crawl of a Star Wars movie but by Jim I like it!
January 3, 2021
*3.5 stars*
A little less compelling than Vol 1, but still a cool read. Throughout, some of the art was hard to track — an issue I had with the first book — and I didn’t care for the art in the epilogue. I really dig the exploration and origins of Kanan — this is someone who had never seen REBELS so this makes me wanna watch it more. I enjoyed seeing Kanan’s gradual progression to becoming a padawan — his first mission was entertaining to read. I liked how we explore deeper into Depa’s arc and her flaws and the pressure and fear she feels of her past mistakes as a General. A little confusion in some of the pages with Kleeve and the other Sear. All in all, there’s a lot of cool stuff and mythology to take in in this book. Not in a bad way, but the KANAN series deserves another read down the line.
List of cool:
• Showcase of Jedi “mind x-ray” abilities via Depa and the explosives. (First time seeing this)
• Fen Rauu rescue. (First time seeing this)
• General Grievous reveal.
• Depa’s lesson in sacrifice to Caleb that mirrors hers later.
A little less compelling than Vol 1, but still a cool read. Throughout, some of the art was hard to track — an issue I had with the first book — and I didn’t care for the art in the epilogue. I really dig the exploration and origins of Kanan — this is someone who had never seen REBELS so this makes me wanna watch it more. I enjoyed seeing Kanan’s gradual progression to becoming a padawan — his first mission was entertaining to read. I liked how we explore deeper into Depa’s arc and her flaws and the pressure and fear she feels of her past mistakes as a General. A little confusion in some of the pages with Kleeve and the other Sear. All in all, there’s a lot of cool stuff and mythology to take in in this book. Not in a bad way, but the KANAN series deserves another read down the line.
List of cool:
• Showcase of Jedi “mind x-ray” abilities via Depa and the explosives. (First time seeing this)
• Fen Rauu rescue. (First time seeing this)
• General Grievous reveal.
• Depa’s lesson in sacrifice to Caleb that mirrors hers later.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2019
"FIRST BLOOD
Part VI
It is a time of discontents. Fourteen years after the defeat of the Jedi Order, Emperor Palpatine now rules the galaxy with an iron fist. Rebels have banded together to fight back. Among them is former Jedi Padawan Caleb Dume, who now goes by the name Kana Jarrus.
On what was supposed to be a simple milk-run of a mission to pick up supplies from the planet Kaller, Kana has faced old ghosts, encountered smugglers, and battles stormtroopers; all while vividly recalling significant events of his former life.
Now physically recovered, Kanan is ready to join his rebel crewmates aboard the Ghost and leave Kaller behind for good. But one last specter from his past remains...."
I preferred volume 1 of this series but this was still OK, wrapped it all up nicely, it was a good call to make this a short run...3🌟
Part VI
It is a time of discontents. Fourteen years after the defeat of the Jedi Order, Emperor Palpatine now rules the galaxy with an iron fist. Rebels have banded together to fight back. Among them is former Jedi Padawan Caleb Dume, who now goes by the name Kana Jarrus.
On what was supposed to be a simple milk-run of a mission to pick up supplies from the planet Kaller, Kana has faced old ghosts, encountered smugglers, and battles stormtroopers; all while vividly recalling significant events of his former life.
Now physically recovered, Kanan is ready to join his rebel crewmates aboard the Ghost and leave Kaller behind for good. But one last specter from his past remains...."
I preferred volume 1 of this series but this was still OK, wrapped it all up nicely, it was a good call to make this a short run...3🌟
June 19, 2020
Not as enjoyable as the first volume, and largely unnecessary. Lots of separate filler sub-stories, not very interesting (only the Coruscant assassination attempt one was actually cool). Grievous's presence seemed forced and accidental, Kanan's friendships with clone troopers and his training with Depa Billaba sketched only in broadest strokes, as if the creators weren't sure what to put there. The present-day events looked liked an unfinished SW: Rebels episode. The art was still solid, and that's a consolation. The moment I've been waiting for since it was teased in The Last Padawan - Kanan's meeting with Janus Kasmir and Kleeve - never happened. All in all, ok, but after the first volume I expected much better.
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