Star Wars: The Stark Hyperspace War

Star Wars: Republic #7

by John Ostrander, Davidé Fabbri (Penciler), Christian Dalla Vecchia (Inker)

Before the outbreak of the Clone Wars, the Jedi were involved in another major battle: the Stark Hyperspace War. Smuggler and pirate Iaco Stark's commerical combine has disrupted the production of bacta, the most important healing agent in the galaxy. By cornering the market on bacta, Stark hopes to amass a fortune.

Collects Star Wars #36-39

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

96 pages, Paperback

First published December 8, 2003

About the author

John Ostrander is an American writer of comic books. He is best known for his work on Suicide Squad, Grimjack and Star Wars: Legacy, series he helped create.

Originally an actor in a Chicago theatre company, Ostrander moved into writing comics in 1983. His first published works were stories about the character "Sargon, Mistress of War", who appeared the First Comics series Warp!, based on a series of plays by that same Chicago theatre company. He is co-creator of the character Grimjack with Timothy Truman, who originally appeared in a back up story in the First Comics title, Starslayer, before going on to appear in his own book, again published by First Comics in the mid 1980s. First Comics ceased publication in 1991, by which time Ostrander was already doing work for other comics companies (his first scripts for DC Comics were published in 1986).

Prior to his career in comic books, Ostrander studied theology with the intent of becoming a Catholic priest, but now describes himself as an agnostic. His in-depth explorations of morality were later used in his work writing The Spectre, a DC Comics series about the manifestation of the wrath of God. His focus on the character's human aspect, a dead police detective from the 1930s named Jim Corrigan, and his exploration of moral and theological themes brought new life to a character often thought of as impossible to write. He has also worked on Firestorm, Justice League, Martian Manhunter, Manhunter, Suicide Squad, and Wasteland for DC.

Reviews

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set in 30BBY
The story being told is set around 44BBY

Flashback story told by the Jedi Council to Secura mainly, about the Stark Hyperspace War, a war between Iaco Stark with his army against the republic, but mainly the trade federation which is where they're causing problems and they can make a monopoly out of the situation and blast off the trade federation out of the picture, figuratively and literally.

“Do exactly as I tell you and you may live a little longer,” - Qui-Gon Jinn

So we get to see lots of familiar faces along with young Obi-Wan and young Quinlan Vos, we do get more Plo Koon screen time than any other Jedi from the Council, and we get to see Nute Gunray too, being stupid and attracting as much disgust as he was in the films.

“What we miss is the sound of the voice. The touch of a hand. A laugh. Hearing their wisdom. All the little things. It is good to mourn them.” - Adi Gallia

The story was just an ok story, some nice moments and in general it was going well and interesting up until the end. But it wasn't enough. You've had a couple of panels with action to make up for what? The war wasn't depicted as what it would have been promised from the title or the introduction.

“There are gifts to be found. Even in death and sorrow. We accept this. We learn and we go on.” Plo Koon

Other scenes, such as Obi-Wan and Quinlan Vos as padawans trapped in the caves against some creatures, again, we saw nothing, besides a panel or two of them trying to fight against the monsters, only to have their masters come in to save the day in a single panel, and that was it.

A nice touch was Secura mentioning and giving a reason as to why Quinlan Vos didn't contact Qui-on in Episode I: The Phantom Menace, or even saying anything when we saw them on Tatooine, saying they were on an undercover mission, and of course afterwards Quinlan had his memory wiped off.

“Quinlan and I were on Tatooine the last time Qui-Gon was there. We heard about his death just before we left. Quinlan regretted not contacting him. We were working undercover and he wasn’t aware that Qui-Gon’s need was so desperate.” - Aayla Secura

I mean, the plot was fine, it was the execution that I had a problem with. It wouldn't let you enjoy a scene for a second only to go onto the next one pretty fast. Also, the main villain here is Stark, and he's the least interesting bad guy you've ever read about to be worthy of a war reading about. Bland and stupid.

The artwork was great!

[Graham Barrett · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Read in 2003, review from 2024)
This was one of the first Star Wars comics I read but unlike other Star Wars content I consumed at the time it didn’t do too much for me. It has decent enough action, the first instance of Wookie Jedi I ever saw (a novel concept for a 9-year old fanboy), and I did like the artwork (I know Davidé Fabbri did a lot of artwork for Dark Horse’s various Star Wars comics, including some of my favorites of the era). But the actual story is underwhelming and a repetition of Phantom Menace’s conflict of a trade dispute escalating to war minus the spectacle. I really didn’t like the framing device that the story was recounted, it felt awkwardly unnatural. And the Tarkin relative (no idea of his exact connection to Peter Cushing’s character) was really annoying, lacking any nuance/substance or any of the appeal of Grand Moff Tarkin who I at least respect and love-to-hate.

It has its moments but never had the same appeal of Dark Horses prequel era comics that were set during The Clone Wars.

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, I really love the way John Ostrander writes. His voice is so formative for how I view Star Wars, as the comics were really what peaked my interest.
Loved the campfire storytelling aspect of this book, even though it made it feel very episodic. Which I guess it was, as it was broken into comic issues.
Truly felt like a prequel to the prequels. Lots of name dropping and character appearances, especially with Valorum and Gunray.
Loved the Jedi dynamics throughout, from a younger Plo Koon to the scene with his niece to the comments on Qui Gon’s hygeine. Loved that Qui Gon felt more fleshed our too.
A Wookie Jedi is such a fun addition, so I loved that nod. I also have to say, I really loved the addition of Nute Gunray in this. He was a great comedic relief character.

[Yves · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cette BD se passe quelques années avant la fameuse bataille de Naboo dans l'Épisode 1. Stark, un contrebandier, décide de faire compétition avec la Fédération du Commerce. Ses méthodes sont assez agressive pour que le Sénat envoie une délégation de Jedi et une petite flotte pour négocier un traité. Stark avait prévue cette venue et a saboté les ordinateurs de la flotte Républicaine. Le délégation de Jedi tant qu'à elle est reçue avec les armes.

Cette bande dessinée est plutôt médiocre. L'histoire n'est pas très passionnante. Je l'ai trouvé par moment un peu ennuyante et plutôt prévisible. Ce n'est pas ce qui s'est fait de mieux dans les bandes dessinées de Star Wars.

[Kalle Vilenius · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bacta, a panacea substance used throughout the galaxy in Star Wars for all ills. An extremely handy hand-wave for all advanced medical technology, but what would become of a society grown overly reliant on such a thing if the supply were to be suddenly cut short? Shortages of Spice would cripple mankind in Dune. One might find parallels in our world as well if one were so inclined.

That at any rate is the situation that begins the Stark Hyperspace War. Aayla Secura, the padawan of Quinlan Vos, is having this story from before the events of The Phantom Menace recounted her as her memories, previously lost, are being returned to her. Much like The Phantom Menace, this book is also heavy with deliberation. It seems this era of Star Wars is inescapably bound to ponderous conversations between politicians, bureaucrats and the Jedi, though mercifully it is much quicker to read past those parts than it is to listen to them in the movies.

Iaco Stark, the leader of a pirate armada, has been attacking the Trade Federation’s ships. A delegation is sent to negotiate with him, consisting of senator Valorum (who would go on to be the chancellor before Palpatine) and a number of Jedi masters, Tyvokka (a Wookie), Plo Koon (a red thing with a breathing apparatus), Adi Gallia (a woman who may or may not have something going with Valorum, maybe?) and Qui-Gon Jinn and his padawan Obi-wan Kenobi, two familiar faces.

While all this is happening, Quinlan Vos and his master Tholme are investigating the supposed shortage of Bacta and discover a conspiracy to create artificial scarcity and drive up the prices. That’s a lot of moving parts for a story this short.

Some spoilers to follow.

At the same time as the delegation is negotiating with Stark, there is also a general Tarkin here, a Ranulph rather than the Willhuf from A New Hope, far less competent and far more prone to hubris and bursts of anger, who puts together an unofficial fleet with the intention of attacking the Stark pirates without authorization or warning. In one of the early scenes of senate politicking, Tarkin demands the Republic form new armed forces and the Trade Federation demands permission to construct more droids, it’s clear that the path that would eventually lead to the Clone Wars has already been taken by the Republic even if no one can see it yet.

During this older star(k) war, the villain Iaco Stark uses a computer virus to destroy the navigational computers of the Republic fleet, crippling it and making hyperspace travel impossible. Not only is he manipulating the Bacta supply, but he’s also able to render large military forces arrayed against him harmless. If he wasn’t such a smug bastard, he could be a formidable figure in the annals of Star Wars history.

There’s a neat scene here where Qui-Gon is speaking to Gunray (one of those trade federation frogs) and gives him a list of instructions, his hand held up, and I can’t tell if he’s using the Force to compel the weak-willed Gunray to obey him or if the snivelling toad is sufficiently intimidated at this point to just obey a stern, firm command from anyone.

Speaking of him, the framing narrative takes place after his death, and in one of the asides that return us briefly to that frame where the story is being told to Aayla, a moment of mirth is had when a comment by Master Tholme elicits memories of how ungroomed Qui-Gon was in life. There are a couple discussions here on mortality and the relationship the living should have with the dead within the context of the Jedi code, which touches on religious ideas of the afterlife in general. Aayla asks if it’s acceptable to mourn the dead when the Jedi believe their fallen comrades still live on in the Force, a question that could be asked of anyone who believes their loved ones continue their existence in Heaven. The answer offered by Mace Windu and Adi Gallia is that we would not mourn had we not cared, that the things we miss are those parts of the person that do not continue on with us, and in their remembrance of Qui-Gon Jinn, this philosophy is on full display.

However, not everyone shares the comfort in this. Quinlan Vos finds the idea repugnant. The darkness in him is on display even here, in his younger days. Perhaps foreshadowing things to come? He doesn’t have much time on the page, but in that time his relationship with his master is well established, the two have an easy rapport. Master Tyvokka on the other hand is often exasperated by the extraordinary wholesomeness and uncanny humility found in Plo Koon. You get a good feel for a lot of these people.

All in all, it’s a serviceable story. Ostrander has experience with juggling ensemble casts, so they don’t get bogged down, and the artists are able to make everyone distinct enough to keep everyone unique. And yet, it seems like there’s too much going on, too many concepts and ideas stuffed into too short and small a plot. It’s called The Stark Hyperspace War, but it only contains two space battles and some ground scuffles with ill-defined numbers for the troops involved on either side, with a single page narrating several days’ worth of it.

The Iaco Stark and his family will go on to make another appearance down the line in Ostrander’s Agent of Empire series, and having read that first, I appreciate their appearance in that series more now that I know more of their past. The pieces are coming together.

[Noah Soudrette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent story about a small intergalactic conflict that ties nicely into pre-Phantom Menace continuity. If you like Plo Koon, this focuses mostly on him, with many cameos, including a young Quinlan Vos. Good fun.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good entry--hopefully that means the series as a whole is taking a positive turn? Not getting my hopes up though. This is one of those stories built around an isolated name drop in some sourcebook, and it also ends up trying to expand on some of the aesthetic and material that was marginal in the films. So we get a master and apprentice sneaking around the facility of an industrial conglomerate, dodging battle droids, and Jedi travelling to resolve trade disputes with Neimoidians (of course using the Republic consular ships from Phantom Menace). That also treads in dangerous territory but it ends up being more satisfying than annoying here; I really did want more of that sort of thing apparently.

The narrative framing device doesn't necessarily make much difference in plotting, but it has a huge impact on tone. It makes all the difference, I think, between this arc and the earlier, superficially very similar, Emissaries to Malastare. It's told by Jedi council members to other Jedi, and there's a great sense of camaraderie and purpose. I don't remember Tyvokka from my first read of this or from anything else but I was sad to see him go, which is impressive. I'm a fan of the Council and the narrative device here manages to make it feel like both chill hang-out time and a tense thriller with interesting problems to solve at the same time. It feels much longer than Emissaries to Malastare even though it is actually the same length :o At one point I might have said Tarkin's shtick here feels too overt and direct to be realistic or satisfying but given current politics it seems like a fine piece of foreshadowing.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

31 and 44 BBY.
In the wake of the events of 'Darkness', Aayla Secura is travelling back to Coruscant in the company of several Jedi Masters, who then regale her with the story of the Stark Hyperspace War, fought more than a decade earlier. The conflict sees a group of smugglers and pirates incite a conflict which embroils the Republic, the Trade Federation and the Jedi.

This was one of my favourite arcs from what would eventually become known as the 'Republic' comic book series, taking familiar faces from the post-Episode I comics and some from 'The Phantom Menace' itself and taking them back to an earlier time. This means that we get to see Tholme and Quinlan Vos, the latter still a Padawan, go into action alongside Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, not to mention the likes of Plo Koon and Adi Gallia.
Stories of Jedi on diplomatic missions or criminal investigations are perfectly fine, but here we get to see them in action in a full-scale conflict (and this was released before George Lucas had even begun to bring the Clone Wars into existence in Episode II).

If there's one downside to this book is that it's just a little too earnest and obvious in its efforts to get all of its characters into their Episode I starting position (Qui-Gon the maverick, Plo Koon on the Council, Nute Gunray leading the Trade Federation, Valorum as Supreme Chancellor, etcetera).

But honestly, I just really enjoyed this story.

* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume actually starts as taking place during the Clone Wars, but, the main story about the entitled war is a flashback to 44 BBY, which entails most of the graphic novel. The Stark Hyperspace War is a war that was triggered by a smuggler names Stark, who has taken possession of all the bacta (the healing component that the galaxy uses the most) in hopes of basically monopolizing the resource and gaining a bunch of money from it. When the Republic joins the Trade Federation, they hope that this alliance will prevent a war from breaking out, but some of the Trade Federation leaders seem unable to embrace the severity of the issue, as well as wanting money for themselves too. Obi-wan and Quinlan are dispatched with their Jedi Masters to the bacta-producing planet in hopes that they can quell the war before it starts or escalates!

I actually picked this graphic novel up because Quinlan is my favorite Jedi from the Clone Wars era, so anything involving him usually piques my interest. While the art in this was good and the writing was classic Ostrander style, the story itself felt a bit lacking. The stakes didn't seem high enough to give it the title of a "war," and there was a lot of political conversations and less action than I would have liked from this volume. Other than that, still a nice edition to the Jedi adventures before the Clone Wars era.

[Malcolm Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

The biggest thing that stood out for me was the artwork, which was fine, but a lot more cartoonish than other titles in the series. I didn't hate it, it just grated a little. The other thing that bugged me was the storytelling decision to make this a flashback with floating heads of the Jedi as they tell the story. I didn't care for that at all and would have preferred the whole book just set during the time of the event. It also took some of the intrigue out of it because those telling the story clearly survived their ordeal and those not present did not.
The story itself was enjoyable featuring most of my favourite Jedi. There was nothing particularly new or revealing, though it was nice to see Plo Koon's allocation of his chair on the high council.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

i read way more star wars comics tonight than i'm willing to admit on a hunt for quinlan vos content, but this is the first one i actually felt was worth reading. artwork a breath of fresh air after all the over-lined hyperrealism everyone seems to love -__- anyway. better vibes than shit tons of other sw comics, i liked it, even if i wasn't just here for baby quinlan, i thought it was good. also does qui gon just stink all the time ...like....uh....okey..

[Zachary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining story about the Stark Hyperspace War, which fleshes out how figures like Chancellor Volorum, Nute Gunray, and Plo Koon gained their position. I didn't expect there to be an organized war going on during the Ruusan Reformation but its a welcome surprise. Its also always great to see the Jedi being diplomatic, pragmatic, and smart while remaining the moral center of many of these Prequel-Era comics.

[Chad · Rating 2 out of 5]

A really lackluster story told in flashback by several Jedi masters. The story structure makes this even more boring than it would seem even. Ostrander is typically a very reliable writer. It's about a couple of groups scheming to limit bacta production to raise profits. The art's not very good either. This was just an all around pass.

[Angel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick impressions.

The description may say this was "another major battle" before the Clone Wars, but honestly, this is not that big a deal. The story was OK, a bit convoluted at times. Art was mostly OK too. A quick read but one you just read and move on.

Full review on my blog later.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Most of the actual flashback story itself it only worth 2 stars, but this got bumped up to 3 stars because it features young Quinlan and Obi-Wan, and we get to see plenty of Plo Koon and his wookie master Tyvokka.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun, short read! Plo Koon shines in this one and I am HERE. FOR. IT.

[Roz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love me some frame narratives

[Jonathan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Star Wars Legends Project #78

Background: Republic: The Stark Hyperspace War was released in 4 issues from November 2001 to February 2002. The trade paperback came out in November of 2003. It was written by John Ostrander and drawn by Davide Fabbri. Ostrander, is a frequent sight as we work our way through the Republic series. Fabbri has a few dozen Star Wars comics to his name, as well, including Star Wars: Hunt for Aurra Sing (my review).

The Stark Hyperspace War has a framing story set a few days after Star Wars: Darkness (my review), 30 years before the Battle of Yavin, but most of the story takes place 14 years earlier. Most of the Jedi we've seen in the various Republic storylines at least appear here, along with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan Kenobi, Nute Gunray, and a cousin of Grand Moff Tarkin.

Summary: After the dramatic events of Darkness, a newly-restored Aayla Secura returns to the Jedi Temple from Kiffex with a group of Jedi Masters. As she works to regain her memories and her identity, the other Jedi are reunited with an old friend, a fellow veteran of the Stark Hyperspace War. To pass the time, they recount to Aayla the story of how a coalition of smugglers and pirates nearly got the better of the Republic in open conflict.

Review: The framing device for this story, placing it just after Darkness felt a little weird at first, but I grew to appreciate it. The story plays out like an oral history, with different narrators picking up the story at various points to fill in gaps from their own points-of-view . . . which ends up being pretty cool, actually.

One thing I've finally started to notice about this ongoing series (almost 40 issues in) is how they've gradually been growing their cast of Jedi characters in a very subtle and skillful way. When this series started, I found it a bit tiresome that we keep seeing the same half-dozen members of the Jedi Council pop up over and over again, even though there are supposed to be thousands of Jedi out there. But in groups of one or two, they've expanded that cast of regulars to nearly two dozen at this point, and it's starting to feel pretty substantial as they come and go in various combinations.

This is some of the better character work with the Jedi that I've seen so far this series. They can definitely be a bit one-dimensional and tiresome, and the philosophizing is pretty hit or miss, but here there are some real standouts. I especially liked the Wookiee Jedi, Tyvokka (Plo Koon's former master), and the scenes with the young Quinlan Vos. There's a moment between Quin and his master, Tholme, that plays out beat-for-beat like a scene between Anakin and Obi-Wan in Attack of the Clones, only here the humor works and really sells who they are, how they complement each other, and the depth of their relationship.

The villains are quite a bit less interesting in this, particularly Tarkin who comes across as unnecessarily bnoxious as though in an effort to make the heroes look better. And it's ridiculous for them to have used Nute Gunray in the role they do, and then include a footnote later trying to explain away his claim from The Phantom Menace that he'd had no previous experience with Jedi. Just use a different character. Geez. It was nice, however, to see Qui-Gon in action again. Earlier in the timeline, it seemed like he was overused, but I'd kind of started to miss him. And there is a nice moment of the other Jedi Masters sharing some of their memories of him . . . Gone, but not forgotten.

The reason the conflict was called a "hyperspace war" was interesting and unique, but didn't really seem like it should have worked. Or maybe it just wasn't well explained. Stark was a pretty interesting character as well, though I didn't totally buy where he ended up. Overall, though, this was really enjoyable and worth checking out.

B

[Alex · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of Ostrander's weaker attempts in this series. It's amazing, sometimes, what difference a strong artist can make to the look and feel of a book, Fabbri's art here simply not drawing my attention to any interesting facets this story might have had. It employs a fairly weak flashback structure, with the Jedi council relating to Aayla Secura the events of a mini-war that they were involved with 15 years previously which occurred because one-time rogue and cad Stark, hatched a devious plan to drive up the price of a drug,cleverly anticipated the coming of the Jedi, and attempted to destroy a Republic fleet - which was where it shouldn't have been - with a virus.

Standard stuff but a reasonably strong scenario that fails to really deliver or exploit the potential of any of the characters. Plo Koon gets some airtime here, which is nice as I feel I know his character better now, but there's no really strong drama in the story besides his master dying and us, the reader, getting the usual lesson in the Jedi Code. Big battle scenarios also require great art and stunning splash pages, and not the typical childish feel that Fabbri offers.

After the pyrotechnics of Darkness this feels like a major let-down but it's fair to say that it was entertaining and enjoyable nonetheless.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I apparently read this several years ago, but forgot to review it. I like how this story arc of the Star Wars Republic comics is essentially a flashback, being told by multiple Jedi Masters and a Republic senatorial aide-turned-soldier-turned Judicial Forces officer to Aayla Secura, who had recently had her memory erased. Ranulph Tarkin is a glory-seeking, racist idiot. I can definitely see the resemblance between him and his cousin Wilhuff. This is definitely a great story for Plo Koon. This is actually my introduction to Tholme, Quinlan Vos' master. I like him and his relationships with both Quinlan and Qui-Gon. I liked Tyvokka and hate that this was his only appearance. I also liked Jace Dallin. I enjoyed seeing Obi-Wan and Quinlan meet and become friends. So, this is how Nute Gunray became the leader of the Trade Federation. It is strange that he acts like he has never met Jedi or seen them fight in Episode I, after being rescued by Qui-Gon and the others. Iaco Stark is an interesting character.

[Shawn Fairweather · Rating 4 out of 5]

At long last, the beginning of the Prequel trilogy is in sight, here in the Stark Hyperspace War we start to see the initial foundation being created that leads to the Naboo conflict. Excellent writing with an intriguing plot line with likable as well as hated characters. Excellent entry into the SW Universe.

[Jason · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some cool firsts for the now-Legends universe. This may be Quinlan Vos's first recorded adventure, as well as his first meeting with Obi Wan. Some fun fight scenes and the art was an interesting mix of a realistic penciling style and cartoon-like coloring. But the story itself failed to capture my interest or present any interesting new characters.

[Carlos Chavez · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good read.

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

A bit boring. Not as good as the rest of the series.

[Gabrielle Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good, need to read more star wars book's!

[Florenceg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un bon comics avec le maître Jedi Plo-Koon en vedette.