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Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Vol. 1: Commencement
Thousands of years before Luke Skywalker would destroy the Death Star in that fateful battle above Yavin 4, one lone Padawan would become a fugitive hunted by his own Masters, charged with murdering every one of his fellow Jedi-in-training!
From criminals hiding out in the treacherous undercity of the planet Taris, to a burly, mysterious droid recovered from the desolate landscape of a cratered moon, Padawan Zayne Carrick will find unexpected allies in his desperate race to clear his name before the unmerciful authorities enact swift retribution upon him!
Set during the era of the smash-hit video games, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic features all-new characters in an action-packed adventure essential to any serious Star Wars devotee and the perfect introduction for anyone interested in exploring the universe beyond the movies!
Collecting: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 0-6.
From criminals hiding out in the treacherous undercity of the planet Taris, to a burly, mysterious droid recovered from the desolate landscape of a cratered moon, Padawan Zayne Carrick will find unexpected allies in his desperate race to clear his name before the unmerciful authorities enact swift retribution upon him!
Set during the era of the smash-hit video games, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic features all-new characters in an action-packed adventure essential to any serious Star Wars devotee and the perfect introduction for anyone interested in exploring the universe beyond the movies!
Collecting: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 0-6.
152 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
24 people are currently reading
1469 people want to read
About the author
John Jackson Miller
344 books986 followersNew York Times bestselling author John Jackson Miller has spent a lifetime immersed in science fiction. His Star Trek novels include the Discovery – Die Standing, the acclaimed novel Discovery — The Enterprise War, the Prey trilogy, and Takedown. His Star Wars novels include A New Dawn, Kenobi, Knight Errant, Lost Tribe of the Sith, and the Knights of the Old Republic comics, available from Marvel as Legends: The Old Republic.
He’s written comics and prose for Halo, Iron Man, Simpsons, Conan, Planet of the Apes, and Mass Effect, with recent graphic novels for Battlestar Galactica, Dumbo, and The Lion King. Production notes on all his works can be found at his fiction site.
He is also a comics industry historian, specializing in studying comic-book circulation as presented on his website, Comichron.. He also coauthored the Standard Catalog of Comic Books series.
He’s written comics and prose for Halo, Iron Man, Simpsons, Conan, Planet of the Apes, and Mass Effect, with recent graphic novels for Battlestar Galactica, Dumbo, and The Lion King. Production notes on all his works can be found at his fiction site.
He is also a comics industry historian, specializing in studying comic-book circulation as presented on his website, Comichron.. He also coauthored the Standard Catalog of Comic Books series.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
March 30, 2015
Bullet Review:
WHERE IS VOLUME 2?!
(No worries - Volume 2 is being shipped to my library!)
Full review:
Zayne Carrick is by no stretch of the imagination a great Jedi Padawan; but when he stumbles onto a startling scene, suddenly, he is wanted by the law and the Jedi Order. He ends up teaming up with a small-time scoundrel, Marn Hierogryph, and two junk yard dealers, Camper and Jarael, to flee.
I suppose I ought to toss my Star Wars nerd card out the window for my next statement. I think I'm probably one of the only self-proclaimed Star Wars nerds in existence who has never played the Knights of the Old Republic video game. (I have been remedying that by watching a fantastic Let's Play, hosted by a friend, and dayum, what fun!)
And as a Star Wars nerd, comics had never really been my thing. In later years, I've come back and tried them out, but really, a lot of Star Wars comics are meh to awful.
Not so with this comic.
John Jackson Miller and I have had an up-down relationship. Loved his "Lost Tribe of the Sith". Bored stiff with "Knight Errant", both the novel and the comic. So I had no clue what to expect with him and KOTOR. And you will be pleased to hear that he came out on the "Lost Tribe of the Sith" side of awesome.
This comic has all the fun you want in a Star Wars story AND a comic. Great characters. Witty dialogue. Intrigue. Mystery. Chases. Fights. All of it is here, and not tossed together in a salad, where the carrots get stuck all at the bottom of the bowl. No, it's put together with thought and care.
The art was great. To be honest, I tend to like art that almost seems to "disappear", if you will. Art that lets the action speak for itself, to let the narration and dialogue carry the panels, instead of funky lines, weirdly drawn people, or odd color schemes. Sure, it's fun sometimes to read a Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon type book, but when sometimes, I just want to read the story, not get caught up trying to figure out what the names of the 13 men who all look the same are.
In short: this comic was a true joy to read. It's so great, I've bought volumes 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 and have put on request the rest from the library. This is definitely one of the few Star Wars comics that I want to own and that I want to be able to go back and read and reread.
WHERE IS VOLUME 2?!
(No worries - Volume 2 is being shipped to my library!)
Full review:
Zayne Carrick is by no stretch of the imagination a great Jedi Padawan; but when he stumbles onto a startling scene, suddenly, he is wanted by the law and the Jedi Order. He ends up teaming up with a small-time scoundrel, Marn Hierogryph, and two junk yard dealers, Camper and Jarael, to flee.
I suppose I ought to toss my Star Wars nerd card out the window for my next statement. I think I'm probably one of the only self-proclaimed Star Wars nerds in existence who has never played the Knights of the Old Republic video game. (I have been remedying that by watching a fantastic Let's Play, hosted by a friend, and dayum, what fun!)
And as a Star Wars nerd, comics had never really been my thing. In later years, I've come back and tried them out, but really, a lot of Star Wars comics are meh to awful.
Not so with this comic.
John Jackson Miller and I have had an up-down relationship. Loved his "Lost Tribe of the Sith". Bored stiff with "Knight Errant", both the novel and the comic. So I had no clue what to expect with him and KOTOR. And you will be pleased to hear that he came out on the "Lost Tribe of the Sith" side of awesome.
This comic has all the fun you want in a Star Wars story AND a comic. Great characters. Witty dialogue. Intrigue. Mystery. Chases. Fights. All of it is here, and not tossed together in a salad, where the carrots get stuck all at the bottom of the bowl. No, it's put together with thought and care.
The art was great. To be honest, I tend to like art that almost seems to "disappear", if you will. Art that lets the action speak for itself, to let the narration and dialogue carry the panels, instead of funky lines, weirdly drawn people, or odd color schemes. Sure, it's fun sometimes to read a Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life as a Weapon type book, but when sometimes, I just want to read the story, not get caught up trying to figure out what the names of the 13 men who all look the same are.
In short: this comic was a true joy to read. It's so great, I've bought volumes 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10 and have put on request the rest from the library. This is definitely one of the few Star Wars comics that I want to own and that I want to be able to go back and read and reread.
September 3, 2019
A very strong beginning for this series. In this first volume we get action, comedy, betrayal, and even a bit of a murder mystery. A couple of the plot points were a bit rushed or silly, but overall I am very excited to see where this story goes in further volumes.
February 4, 2022
What a volume!
I loved this one!
It takes place 1000s of years ago when the JEDI were at their strongest and well this kid Zayne whose a padawan comes in to discover his friends dead at the hands of his Master Lucien and other teachers of theirs called Consulars and well that leads to his quest of escaping and from there he meets the criminal Marn Hierogryph, Jaraela and Camper and thus we follow their adventures as they try to evade these people chasing them at the cost of their lives and what not and more revelations about what these masters were upto and the prophecy of the rise of the sith and a face off and sacrifices and being captured and the insane rescue and the final commitment in the end!
What a volume, this was so good and anyone reading it will get the same epic vibes from it like when you first watched a new hope and the big wars to come and I love how the writer fleshes out the character of Zayne and crew and the tension underneath but the way they come together in the end was so worth it. Plus the art was good too and its quick to read so thats a plus point. Overall great stuff and anyone reading it will wanna check out the rest of the series immediately which is perfect! A must recommendation from me.
I loved this one!
It takes place 1000s of years ago when the JEDI were at their strongest and well this kid Zayne whose a padawan comes in to discover his friends dead at the hands of his Master Lucien and other teachers of theirs called Consulars and well that leads to his quest of escaping and from there he meets the criminal Marn Hierogryph, Jaraela and Camper and thus we follow their adventures as they try to evade these people chasing them at the cost of their lives and what not and more revelations about what these masters were upto and the prophecy of the rise of the sith and a face off and sacrifices and being captured and the insane rescue and the final commitment in the end!
What a volume, this was so good and anyone reading it will get the same epic vibes from it like when you first watched a new hope and the big wars to come and I love how the writer fleshes out the character of Zayne and crew and the tension underneath but the way they come together in the end was so worth it. Plus the art was good too and its quick to read so thats a plus point. Overall great stuff and anyone reading it will wanna check out the rest of the series immediately which is perfect! A must recommendation from me.
April 10, 2015
This is a much loved series for me. In fact it’s my most loved comic series in the Star Wars universe, set in my favourite Star Wars era. If I had to choose to save one era and sacrifice all the others, I’d choose the KOTOR era. Yes, even over the original trilogy, good as that was. KOTOR fans will be familiar with its nascent beginnings, but for those who aren’t, the KOTOR era, set c. 4000 – 3950 years before the original film, grew out of a truly excellent computer game of the same name from Bioware. True, the graphics looks very dated now, and the point-and-click combat system leaves something to be desired, but RPG masters Bioware created a story of epic proportions, stuffed it with witty banter, and threw in what is possibly the biggest twist in all of Star Wars. The game was followed by KOTOR 2: The Sith Lords, which, under different development, was unfortunately rushed to release leaving the complex storyline somewhat confused and unresolved at the end. A third game to wrap up the story was disappointingly shelved in favour of an MMORPG set a few hundred years later, to mixed reaction amongst KOTOR fans. This comic series is a prequel to KOTOR, set in the few years leading up to the events of the first game. Key characters from KOTOR make cameos throughout (which pleases KOTOR fans like me), and eventually begin to direct the wider events that in turn impact the protagonists of this series. What’s also nice about this series is that you can read it and it won’t spoil KOTOR’s story (useful, since I’m buddy reading this with a friend who is only partway through watching my KOTOR Let’s Play). We’re focused on an entirely different protagonist; hapless Jedi Padawan Zayne Carrick, and his own brush with destiny.
This one has John Jackson Miller on the script and Brian Ching and Travel Foreman on the art work. I love Ching’s art work, I have to say. It’s a neck and neck contest between him and Jan Duursema for my favourite Star Wars comic artist. I love his attention to detail, the smooth lines, the bold colours; for me, every scene has so much going on and seems to come alive in my imagination. That’s the mark of a good artist. I was less keen on Travel Foreman’s section. Foreman chooses to thinly sketch background characters on occasion, sometimes leaving them as faceless shadows, and his sections just felt a little more jagged around the edges and unpolished. My apologies if this is not the case; it may just be that the characters in my mind are so fixed as Ching’s vision of them that alternative versions just don’t sit well with me.
I can’t remember being particularly impressed with any of Miller’s contributions to the novels of the Expanded Universe, though I haven’t read all of them, but boy does he nail it in this graphic series. Miller completely recreates Bioware’s mix of epic plot and shocking twists in KOTOR for the graphic novels. I don’t rate many books that I read 9 or 10 out of ten, even if they’re good. That’s because many stories have a tendency to become formulaic and predictable, even if they’re written competently, they lack a certain imagination in the plot and characters. But once in a while you get stories that break the mould, that surprise and shock you to your core, everything you complacently thought you knew goes out the window, and suddenly you’re completely engrossed in what’s happening and deeply invested in the characters amidst what feels like real tension and danger. Think George R R Martin in the fantasy genre. KOTOR did it, and the KOTOR graphic series does it too. It hits you hard here in this first volume, and it makes no apologies about doing so. Make no bones about it, Zayne Carrick is in a horrible situation, and with his bad luck and lack of skill as a Jedi it looks grim for him. The characters around him are an equally unlikely band of flawed, shady, eccentric, and complex; and I’m not just talking about the motley crew he ends up with. Every character has their own motivations and objectives, and these clash and blend together in a compelling, tangled mix that we would usually refer to as “real life”. That’s important. You can believe that these people are real. You can empathise with their plights, understand their points of view, and you care about what happens to them – whether that be a desire that they make it out alive or that they get their just deserts! All the while, they move in a galaxy where everyone else has their own agency too, and this intersects and collides in unexpected ways, having long-term consequences on the whole of the KOTOR era. Zayne’s story becomes so much bigger than himself and the principle characters involved, being pulled off course by galactic events elsewhere and the actions of our favourite KOTOR characters, whilst Zayne and his group in turn make a wider impact than they originally intended.
This review is a little on the short side from me, but I’ve said what I wanted to say and I think you can tell the love I harbour for this series. This is a much re-read series for me, a definite keeper on my shelves, and one I look forwards to re-reading again many times in future.
10 out of 10
May 18, 2022
Oh, I almost forgot how good this series is.
Welcome back to my (most recent) revisit of John Jackson Miller's Knights of the Old Republic Comics! Here's the re-review of the first 9 volumes!
I don't have much to say when it comes to new stuff, because three years after my first time read, this volume (and by extension, this comic) is still awesome.
THE STORY: Jedi padawan Zayne Carrick continues to screw up with his job of helping keep order on Taris, but somehow he manages to graduate to the next level. But once he finds out why, he sees himself on the run from both the Republic and the Jedi order as he is framed for the massacre of his own fellow padawan friends.
He joins up with Marn Hierogryph, a Snivvian criminal who he has already tried to capture and turn into the authorities more than once. He also meets up with a pair of Arkanians who they encounter in the Lower City: a crazed mechanic named Camper and his protector, Jarael. They all are all forced to work together in order to escape with their lives- and for Zayne to bring the true architects of the "padawan massacre" to justice.
THE BAD: So I do actually have a bit of a bigger flaw to point out this time, and that would be the artwork in issue #5.
I can't believe I didn't point this out in my original review, but Issue #5 (Commencement, Part 5) has a different artist (though it still has colorist Michael Atiyeh). Brian Ching, who is behind most of this volume, was busy working on Star Wars: Crossroads and wasn't available to draw issue #5. So he was replaced with Travel Foreman before coming back to finish off the story arc with issue #6 (Commencement, Part 6).
I have to be honest, I'm really not a fan of the artwork in issue #5. Just about every character looks poorly drawn at best, and in the case of Marn Hierogryph... doesn't even look like Marn Hierogryph. The backgrounds and imagery just lack the clarity and vibrance of Ching's work, and the facial expressions just aren't as emotionally resonant. It takes away from what is otherwise amazing storytelling that doesn't miss a beat from issues #1-4 and issue #6.
THE GOOD: Regardless of the bad artwork from issue #5, "Commencement" was a spectacular opening story arc.
While reading Crossroads beforehand does legitimately make everything in these first 6 issues hit more effectively, you can still start with issue #1 and get a highly compelling introduction to this story and it's characters.
Starting off with protagonist Zayne Carrick, this is one of my favorite characters in the entirety of Star Wars. His lack of skill as a jedi was a brilliant choice on author John Jackson Miller's part- it allows him the freedom to set up some hilarious comedic moments at the beginning, but very quickly shift the tone as he raises the stakes. Miller handles this brilliantly as the tension heightens at a rapid rate. But Zayne has more to define him than just his skill in the force- or lack thereof. He ultimately grows to be one of the most complexed, nuanced characters I've ever seen in this franchise, but all of the building blocks are established here. He is a likeable protagonist who is endlessly easy to root for with all of the great lengths he goes to holding to the ideals of the jedi- even when the masters around him seemingly do not.
Speaking of the jedi masters, they are great characters as well. Miller makes a great connection to the Tales of the Jedi comic series as a way to justify their motivations. I also love the dynamic between them, and it was actually more complex than I realized.
Moving onto Zayne Carrick's companions, they are a joy to be around too. Marn Hierogryph is absolutely hilarious, with one of his lines in particular never failing to make me laugh so hard that I have to put down the comic for a second. But he's also surprisingly complex for being a comic relief. His development in this story arc is a genius take on the criminal with a heart of gold archetype- his character arc from part 1 to part 6 is excellent . Next their's Jarael, and boy howdy am I not afraid to admit I have a crush on her. Ok, yes, Jarael is absolutely gorgeous (and a badass fighter with some sass), but there's so much more to her than that. Jarael gets a ton of development throughout the series especially in the last third or so, but she already gets a strong start in Commencement. Camper and Elbee are nicely set up too. Camper is playing quirky comic relief here, but it's easy to tell he's a smart guy and his arc develops later from a great setup here. And Elbee works great as another riff on the droid with a bad attitude trope- he's not just a murder bot like HK-47 and he's not a joke machine like K-2SO or L3-37... he's a big, fun grouch, and I love him.
I may have complained about the artwork in issue #5, but it's amazing in issues #1-4 and #6. The colors are vibrant, the characters look amazing, and their facial expressions are on point. The action is exciting and the backgrounds are gorgeous. While most of the other artists that rotate in and out for this series are great, none of them really reach the heights of the Brian Ching-Michael Atiyeh combo. Their work is some of the best comic art I have ever seen.
I really love the worldbuilding in this comic. It strikes a great balance between connecting with Tales of the Jedi, setting up various events and settings in the KOTOR games. Not only do we get a compelling setup as to why Taris is the unpleasant place we see it as in the first KOTOR game, Miller also makes Taris a much richer and more fleshed out location with this comic.
Lastly, lets talk about John Jackson Miller's writing. He's easily the most underappreciated author who has ever contributed to Star Wars. While I haven't liked or loved every Star Wars book or comic he has written, when he's at his best... damn. And KOTOR is his magnum opus. I already gushed about how complex the characters are, but the other aspects of his writing are just as good- the plot is intriguing from start to finish, with Commencement being nearly perfect. I can nitpick a thing or too here and there (like why don't the jedi masters just use the force and restrain him?), but even then Miller is cheeky about it and actually makes it an important plot point and character motivation. And the pacing just doesn't let up. I told myself that I would stick to one issue a day on this reread, but that was painful to stick too. Commencement in particular is perfectly paced and left me at the edge of my seat the entire time. The reveals are exciting, and the twists and turns this takes are even more so. The dialogue is also amazing. When it wants to be comedic, it's almost always funny. When the dialogue wants to be dramatic, it's often poignant. When characters need to have a presence, that presence is always felt. The exposition is effective and concise.
THE CONCLUSION: Final rating is 4.5 stars- and is anyone surprised to see me round up?
Commencement still holds up as a masterful opening to the Knights of the Old Republic comic series. It sets up the characters and the wider story in such an effective way that I'm not sure words can describe it. The first story arc for the KOTOR series is perfectly paced with a brilliant blend of emotionally effective drama and hilarious comedy. It's amazing coming back to this arc and seeing how effective and subtle everything is setup, leaving me so excited to relive the amazing reveals and payoffs later on.
I don't know what else to say; aside from the mediocre art in issue #5, "Commencement" is brilliant in almost every way. If you haven't read this comic yet, you're missing out. And if you have read it... well you're missing out by not rereading it.
Welcome back to my (most recent) revisit of John Jackson Miller's Knights of the Old Republic Comics! Here's the re-review of the first 9 volumes!
I don't have much to say when it comes to new stuff, because three years after my first time read, this volume (and by extension, this comic) is still awesome.
THE STORY: Jedi padawan Zayne Carrick continues to screw up with his job of helping keep order on Taris, but somehow he manages to graduate to the next level. But once he finds out why, he sees himself on the run from both the Republic and the Jedi order as he is framed for the massacre of his own fellow padawan friends.
He joins up with Marn Hierogryph, a Snivvian criminal who he has already tried to capture and turn into the authorities more than once. He also meets up with a pair of Arkanians who they encounter in the Lower City: a crazed mechanic named Camper and his protector, Jarael. They all are all forced to work together in order to escape with their lives- and for Zayne to bring the true architects of the "padawan massacre" to justice.
THE BAD: So I do actually have a bit of a bigger flaw to point out this time, and that would be the artwork in issue #5.
I can't believe I didn't point this out in my original review, but Issue #5 (Commencement, Part 5) has a different artist (though it still has colorist Michael Atiyeh). Brian Ching, who is behind most of this volume, was busy working on Star Wars: Crossroads and wasn't available to draw issue #5. So he was replaced with Travel Foreman before coming back to finish off the story arc with issue #6 (Commencement, Part 6).
I have to be honest, I'm really not a fan of the artwork in issue #5. Just about every character looks poorly drawn at best, and in the case of Marn Hierogryph... doesn't even look like Marn Hierogryph. The backgrounds and imagery just lack the clarity and vibrance of Ching's work, and the facial expressions just aren't as emotionally resonant. It takes away from what is otherwise amazing storytelling that doesn't miss a beat from issues #1-4 and issue #6.
THE GOOD: Regardless of the bad artwork from issue #5, "Commencement" was a spectacular opening story arc.
While reading Crossroads beforehand does legitimately make everything in these first 6 issues hit more effectively, you can still start with issue #1 and get a highly compelling introduction to this story and it's characters.
Starting off with protagonist Zayne Carrick, this is one of my favorite characters in the entirety of Star Wars. His lack of skill as a jedi was a brilliant choice on author John Jackson Miller's part- it allows him the freedom to set up some hilarious comedic moments at the beginning, but very quickly shift the tone as he raises the stakes. Miller handles this brilliantly as the tension heightens at a rapid rate. But Zayne has more to define him than just his skill in the force- or lack thereof. He ultimately grows to be one of the most complexed, nuanced characters I've ever seen in this franchise, but all of the building blocks are established here. He is a likeable protagonist who is endlessly easy to root for with all of the great lengths he goes to holding to the ideals of the jedi- even when the masters around him seemingly do not.
Speaking of the jedi masters, they are great characters as well. Miller makes a great connection to the Tales of the Jedi comic series as a way to justify their motivations. I also love the dynamic between them, and it was actually more complex than I realized.
Moving onto Zayne Carrick's companions, they are a joy to be around too. Marn Hierogryph is absolutely hilarious, with one of his lines in particular never failing to make me laugh so hard that I have to put down the comic for a second. But he's also surprisingly complex for being a comic relief. His development in this story arc is a genius take on the criminal with a heart of gold archetype- his character arc from part 1 to part 6 is excellent . Next their's Jarael, and boy howdy am I not afraid to admit I have a crush on her. Ok, yes, Jarael is absolutely gorgeous (and a badass fighter with some sass), but there's so much more to her than that. Jarael gets a ton of development throughout the series especially in the last third or so, but she already gets a strong start in Commencement. Camper and Elbee are nicely set up too. Camper is playing quirky comic relief here, but it's easy to tell he's a smart guy and his arc develops later from a great setup here. And Elbee works great as another riff on the droid with a bad attitude trope- he's not just a murder bot like HK-47 and he's not a joke machine like K-2SO or L3-37... he's a big, fun grouch, and I love him.
I may have complained about the artwork in issue #5, but it's amazing in issues #1-4 and #6. The colors are vibrant, the characters look amazing, and their facial expressions are on point. The action is exciting and the backgrounds are gorgeous. While most of the other artists that rotate in and out for this series are great, none of them really reach the heights of the Brian Ching-Michael Atiyeh combo. Their work is some of the best comic art I have ever seen.
I really love the worldbuilding in this comic. It strikes a great balance between connecting with Tales of the Jedi, setting up various events and settings in the KOTOR games. Not only do we get a compelling setup as to why Taris is the unpleasant place we see it as in the first KOTOR game, Miller also makes Taris a much richer and more fleshed out location with this comic.
Lastly, lets talk about John Jackson Miller's writing. He's easily the most underappreciated author who has ever contributed to Star Wars. While I haven't liked or loved every Star Wars book or comic he has written, when he's at his best... damn. And KOTOR is his magnum opus. I already gushed about how complex the characters are, but the other aspects of his writing are just as good- the plot is intriguing from start to finish, with Commencement being nearly perfect. I can nitpick a thing or too here and there (like why don't the jedi masters just use the force and restrain him?), but even then Miller is cheeky about it and actually makes it an important plot point and character motivation. And the pacing just doesn't let up. I told myself that I would stick to one issue a day on this reread, but that was painful to stick too. Commencement in particular is perfectly paced and left me at the edge of my seat the entire time. The reveals are exciting, and the twists and turns this takes are even more so. The dialogue is also amazing. When it wants to be comedic, it's almost always funny. When the dialogue wants to be dramatic, it's often poignant. When characters need to have a presence, that presence is always felt. The exposition is effective and concise.
THE CONCLUSION: Final rating is 4.5 stars- and is anyone surprised to see me round up?
Commencement still holds up as a masterful opening to the Knights of the Old Republic comic series. It sets up the characters and the wider story in such an effective way that I'm not sure words can describe it. The first story arc for the KOTOR series is perfectly paced with a brilliant blend of emotionally effective drama and hilarious comedy. It's amazing coming back to this arc and seeing how effective and subtle everything is setup, leaving me so excited to relive the amazing reveals and payoffs later on.
I don't know what else to say; aside from the mediocre art in issue #5, "Commencement" is brilliant in almost every way. If you haven't read this comic yet, you're missing out. And if you have read it... well you're missing out by not rereading it.
May 16, 2022
You like Star Wars? You'll love this one.
If you have rated this one less than 3 stars, then you don't like Star Wars, find yourself something else to read. I'm sorry. Good luck!
If you have rated this one less than 3 stars, then you don't like Star Wars, find yourself something else to read. I'm sorry. Good luck!
February 15, 2018
The first of ten installments, Commencement was a quick read. Padawan Zayne Carrick stumbles upon a crime committed by his own Master because of visions of other Jedi Masters. After he flees they blame him for the crime. He forms an alliance with a shady dealing 'entrepreneur' that he'd managed to finally capture. They manage to team up with two others that the shady dealer named Gryph knows and they get off the planet and locate the reason for the initial crime.
It was an enjoyable read and I'm interested to see how Zayne comes along considering he wasn't going to be knighted as his attachment to the force is fairly weak and he's basically a klutz.
It was an enjoyable read and I'm interested to see how Zayne comes along considering he wasn't going to be knighted as his attachment to the force is fairly weak and he's basically a klutz.
June 7, 2024
Świetne intro do serii. Gapowaty, reletable główny bohater, spisek wśród jedi, którego szczegóły odkrywamy wraz z bohaterami no i przede wszystkim przyjemna dla oka kreska. Fajnie zobaczyć też postaci z Kotorka. Nawet się podekscytowałem kolejnymi numerami!
November 7, 2022
I picked up this series a couple of years ago and I didn't realize how amazingly complex all the characters would be by the end of it. I definitely missed a lot of details because I would wait days or weeks between some issues, forgetting what had happened previously. So, I am now rereading my favourite comic run ever to get a better understanding of the story and re-experience its greatness.
Commencement, as the name might imply, is the perfect place to commence John Jackson Miller's masterpiece. What I really appreciate about this volume is how it is a very complex story that thankfully doesn't jump around a lot.
I am trying to keep this spoiler free so pardon my oversimplified summary. Zayne Carrick is a Jedi Padawan stationed on Taris (basically the Coruscant of the Outer Rim) to keep the peace as the planet grew more lawless due to the Old Republic resources being concentrated in fighting in the Mandalorian War (3964 BBY). Zayne is probably the most incompetent Padawan in Star Wars (please correct me if you think I'm wrong). It took him 9 tries to arrest Marn Hierogryph (Gryph), a Snivvian con-artist. It's pretty bad when even your master says things like "You're living proof that the force has a sense of humor". For some reason that no one understood, Zayne was supposed to get promoted to Jedi Knight but before that could happen, something crazy occurred that ended with Zayne on the run with a bounty on his head and Gryph as his unlikely sidekick. The dynamic between Gryph and Zayne is highly entertaining. Gryph isn't only hilarious, but he's very intelligent and a surprisingly complex character. He somewhat remains me of a rodent Han Solo. A type of guy whose heart is sometimes in the right place but whose moral compass allows them to get their hands dirty. Zayne has to trust this guy. As they try to get off planet, they disturb two Arkanians who are just minding their own business: Camper, a fragile old genius man, and his protector Jarael, a fierce, sassy, and absolutely stunning woman. She is the perfect friend for Zayne as she relates to his struggles a lot more than Zayne (or the reader) can fathom at this point. We learn a lot more about her in the later instalments. Camper's skills prove to be very useful. And what is Star Wars without a droid? T1-LB (Elbee) is a loader droid who serves as an excellent plot device and secondary character.
I really enjoyed how the plot was so engaging. Every time I asked myself a question, the answer usually showed up later to help connect the dots. The story was perfectly paced with very satisfying arcs for all the characters involved. It's a jack of all trades. Hilarious, poignant, suspenseful, adventurous, (insert more adjectives here), etc. There was a point where my plot armor senses were tingling but then it later explained how that event wasn't plot armor. If I have to complain about one thing about this series, it's the inconsistent artwork. It's not bad by any means, I'd even call it pretty good, just inconsistent to the point that the main characters are almost unrecognizable between certain issues.
John Jackson Miller, thank you for this story!!!
5 stars!!!
Commencement, as the name might imply, is the perfect place to commence John Jackson Miller's masterpiece. What I really appreciate about this volume is how it is a very complex story that thankfully doesn't jump around a lot.
I am trying to keep this spoiler free so pardon my oversimplified summary. Zayne Carrick is a Jedi Padawan stationed on Taris (basically the Coruscant of the Outer Rim) to keep the peace as the planet grew more lawless due to the Old Republic resources being concentrated in fighting in the Mandalorian War (3964 BBY). Zayne is probably the most incompetent Padawan in Star Wars (please correct me if you think I'm wrong). It took him 9 tries to arrest Marn Hierogryph (Gryph), a Snivvian con-artist. It's pretty bad when even your master says things like "You're living proof that the force has a sense of humor". For some reason that no one understood, Zayne was supposed to get promoted to Jedi Knight but before that could happen, something crazy occurred that ended with Zayne on the run with a bounty on his head and Gryph as his unlikely sidekick. The dynamic between Gryph and Zayne is highly entertaining. Gryph isn't only hilarious, but he's very intelligent and a surprisingly complex character. He somewhat remains me of a rodent Han Solo. A type of guy whose heart is sometimes in the right place but whose moral compass allows them to get their hands dirty. Zayne has to trust this guy. As they try to get off planet, they disturb two Arkanians who are just minding their own business: Camper, a fragile old genius man, and his protector Jarael, a fierce, sassy, and absolutely stunning woman. She is the perfect friend for Zayne as she relates to his struggles a lot more than Zayne (or the reader) can fathom at this point. We learn a lot more about her in the later instalments. Camper's skills prove to be very useful. And what is Star Wars without a droid? T1-LB (Elbee) is a loader droid who serves as an excellent plot device and secondary character.
I really enjoyed how the plot was so engaging. Every time I asked myself a question, the answer usually showed up later to help connect the dots. The story was perfectly paced with very satisfying arcs for all the characters involved. It's a jack of all trades. Hilarious, poignant, suspenseful, adventurous, (insert more adjectives here), etc. There was a point where my plot armor senses were tingling but then it later explained how that event wasn't plot armor. If I have to complain about one thing about this series, it's the inconsistent artwork. It's not bad by any means, I'd even call it pretty good, just inconsistent to the point that the main characters are almost unrecognizable between certain issues.
John Jackson Miller, thank you for this story!!!
5 stars!!!
January 26, 2016
This is a great start for the KOTOR comic book series! It has a mystery that makes the readers question Jedi of this era, and the mystery unfolds with satisfying answers that make their actions make sense. And teaming incompetent Jedi padawan Zayne Carrick with Gryph, the criminal whom he had been trying to catch, is gold. I had already planned on reading the other volumes of this series, but WOW does this make me really excited to read them!
July 26, 2015
Harvat sarjakuvat jaksavat innostaa minua, mutta kun sain tilausuuden saada käsiini kasan star wars lehtiä niin en voinut kieltäytyäkkään. Ja onneksi en kieltäytynyt sillä itse ainakin pidin tästä ensimmäisestä tarinasta paljon ja en nää yhtäkään syytä miksi seuraavat osat eivät voisi olla yhtä hyviä.
January 18, 2018
*finishes my reread*
Me: "BOOM, MIC DROP"
Husband: "Finished the first one?"
Me: "YEAH"
Him: "Isn't it GREAT?"
Me: "YEAH!"
I love everything about this volume.
Me: "BOOM, MIC DROP"
Husband: "Finished the first one?"
Me: "YEAH"
Him: "Isn't it GREAT?"
Me: "YEAH!"
I love everything about this volume.
December 26, 2015
Star Wars Legends Project #12
Background: Knights of the Old Republic: Commencement was released in seven issues from January to June 2006. The trade paperback was released in November of that year. It was written by John Jackson Miller and pencilled and inked by Brian Ching and Travel Foreman. Miller is mostly a comics writer, having been heavily involved in the industry for some 20+ years. He began his professional comic writing career with a "Crimson Dynamo" series for Marvel, before going on to write for "Iron Man" as well. He has also written comics for "Indiana Jones" and "Mass Effect." For Star Wars, in addition to writing the entire "Knights of the Old Republic" series, he has also written the ongoing "Knight Errant" comics series, as well as a "Knight Errant" novel, the "Lost Tribe of the Sith" stories, the novel "Kenobi," and a smattering of other things.
Ching did a couple dozen issues of "Knights of the Old Republic" (about half), along with several issues in a handful of other Star Wars series. He has done a great deal of work for Marvel across various titles (Thor, Iron Man, X-Men, Captain America, etc.) as well as some Batman work for DC, and a few other things, like Tomb Raider and Witchblade. Foreman has done only a couple of Star Wars titles, but he ahs done a great deal of work for DC (Batman, Superman) and Marvel (Ms. Marvel, X-Men, Iron Man, Loki, Black Widow, etc.).
Commencement takes place 22 years after the events of Redemption (my review here), 3,964 years before the Battle of Yavin. It introduces an all-new cast of characters, and is set during the Mandalorian Wars. The leader of the Mandalorians during this conflict, Mandalore the Ultimate, was seen briefly in The Sith War, donning the discarded helmet of his predecessor, Mandalore the Indomitable, who featured heavily in that series. However, he does not appear in Commencement. Dantooine and Coruscant are both referenced, but the action takes place entirely on and around a new planet, Taris.
Summary: Zayne Carrick is the worst Jedi Padawan in his class, maybe even the worst in Jedi history. Clumsy, insecure, and possessing only marginal Force abilities, even his Master regards him as a bit of a joke. Tasked with arresting a small-time Snivvian con-artist named Marn Hierogryph ("Gryph"), Zayne bungles one opportunity after another, but finally gets his man, only to end up late to graduation ceremony where the successful Padawans will finally become full-fledged Jedi Knights. He bursts into the graduation chamber, but his apologies die on his lips when he sees the Jedi Masters standing over the bodies of his fellow apprentices, sabers drawn. Narrowly escaping with his life, Zayne finds himself framed for the murders his Masters committed, a fugitive from the Republic and the entire Jedi Order, and desperate to learn the truth behind the horrifying tragedy he has witnessed.
Review: Well, I tried, but my summary really can't do this story arc proper justice. What a killer hook this is for a series, and how brilliantly executed on almost every level. The art style is eye-popping, a feast for the eyes, and you can almost hear the characters voicing their snappy dialogue. I was already enjoying the humor evident in the opening pages, and the novel concept of a Jedi protagonist who kind of sucks at being a Jedi, but the big reveal at the end of the first issue sucked me in hard. I couldn't put it down. I'm going to blast through this whole series as fast as I can. It took all my will power to come write this review before picking up the next issue.
The story never stops moving, hopping from narrow escape to the next, and always leaving the reader with burning questions as Zayne seeks answers. Central to what really makes this work, though, is Gryph, the good-natured, wise-cracking alien scoundrel who ends up sucked into Zayne's troubles. He had me cracking up several times. Like this exchange: "Maybe your Master's a Bith!" "A Sith?" "Whatever." Or when Gryphy is horrified to see himself listed as an accessory to Zayne's crimes, but not for the reason we might expect: "I'm not an accessory! I am a mastermind!" Classic.
The Jedi Masters are a really cool bunch, as well, particularly Zayne's Master, Lucien. The question of what their motivations are, and just how evil they may be lingers enticingly over the whole comic. A few more new characters round out Zayne's ensemble, but rather than give away any more, I'll just end here with a whole-hearted recommendation and get back to my reading!
A
Background: Knights of the Old Republic: Commencement was released in seven issues from January to June 2006. The trade paperback was released in November of that year. It was written by John Jackson Miller and pencilled and inked by Brian Ching and Travel Foreman. Miller is mostly a comics writer, having been heavily involved in the industry for some 20+ years. He began his professional comic writing career with a "Crimson Dynamo" series for Marvel, before going on to write for "Iron Man" as well. He has also written comics for "Indiana Jones" and "Mass Effect." For Star Wars, in addition to writing the entire "Knights of the Old Republic" series, he has also written the ongoing "Knight Errant" comics series, as well as a "Knight Errant" novel, the "Lost Tribe of the Sith" stories, the novel "Kenobi," and a smattering of other things.
Ching did a couple dozen issues of "Knights of the Old Republic" (about half), along with several issues in a handful of other Star Wars series. He has done a great deal of work for Marvel across various titles (Thor, Iron Man, X-Men, Captain America, etc.) as well as some Batman work for DC, and a few other things, like Tomb Raider and Witchblade. Foreman has done only a couple of Star Wars titles, but he ahs done a great deal of work for DC (Batman, Superman) and Marvel (Ms. Marvel, X-Men, Iron Man, Loki, Black Widow, etc.).
Commencement takes place 22 years after the events of Redemption (my review here), 3,964 years before the Battle of Yavin. It introduces an all-new cast of characters, and is set during the Mandalorian Wars. The leader of the Mandalorians during this conflict, Mandalore the Ultimate, was seen briefly in The Sith War, donning the discarded helmet of his predecessor, Mandalore the Indomitable, who featured heavily in that series. However, he does not appear in Commencement. Dantooine and Coruscant are both referenced, but the action takes place entirely on and around a new planet, Taris.
Summary: Zayne Carrick is the worst Jedi Padawan in his class, maybe even the worst in Jedi history. Clumsy, insecure, and possessing only marginal Force abilities, even his Master regards him as a bit of a joke. Tasked with arresting a small-time Snivvian con-artist named Marn Hierogryph ("Gryph"), Zayne bungles one opportunity after another, but finally gets his man, only to end up late to graduation ceremony where the successful Padawans will finally become full-fledged Jedi Knights. He bursts into the graduation chamber, but his apologies die on his lips when he sees the Jedi Masters standing over the bodies of his fellow apprentices, sabers drawn. Narrowly escaping with his life, Zayne finds himself framed for the murders his Masters committed, a fugitive from the Republic and the entire Jedi Order, and desperate to learn the truth behind the horrifying tragedy he has witnessed.
Review: Well, I tried, but my summary really can't do this story arc proper justice. What a killer hook this is for a series, and how brilliantly executed on almost every level. The art style is eye-popping, a feast for the eyes, and you can almost hear the characters voicing their snappy dialogue. I was already enjoying the humor evident in the opening pages, and the novel concept of a Jedi protagonist who kind of sucks at being a Jedi, but the big reveal at the end of the first issue sucked me in hard. I couldn't put it down. I'm going to blast through this whole series as fast as I can. It took all my will power to come write this review before picking up the next issue.
The story never stops moving, hopping from narrow escape to the next, and always leaving the reader with burning questions as Zayne seeks answers. Central to what really makes this work, though, is Gryph, the good-natured, wise-cracking alien scoundrel who ends up sucked into Zayne's troubles. He had me cracking up several times. Like this exchange: "Maybe your Master's a Bith!" "A Sith?" "Whatever." Or when Gryphy is horrified to see himself listed as an accessory to Zayne's crimes, but not for the reason we might expect: "I'm not an accessory! I am a mastermind!" Classic.
The Jedi Masters are a really cool bunch, as well, particularly Zayne's Master, Lucien. The question of what their motivations are, and just how evil they may be lingers enticingly over the whole comic. A few more new characters round out Zayne's ensemble, but rather than give away any more, I'll just end here with a whole-hearted recommendation and get back to my reading!
A
January 14, 2018
Que manera de empezar este primer tomo. Acción y misterio que abre el debate sobre la actución de Los Jedi. Muchas anotaciones y personajes interesantísimos que se nos presentan aquí. Muchísimas ganas de seguir con el segundo tomo.
January 10, 2011
3,964 years before the Battle of Yavin, the Old Republic was embroiled in a galactic war.
It is a time of upheaval for the galaxy. The Mandalorian Wars have strained the Old Republic’s resources to the breaking point.
With so many forces at the front, systems in the outer rim teeter on the edge of lawlessness – even the city-world of Taris, once a thriving commercial center. Here, as elsewhere, the Republic relies on the Jedi Knights and their students to help maintain order.
But some Knights, frustrated with the conduct of the Wars, argue for a more active Jedi role, appealing to others for support. Even from those Jedi – and their untried students – who are struggling to help maintain order at home…
Thus begins Star Wars-Knights of the Old Republic Volume 1: Commencement
Commencement is a trade paperback / graphic novel that brings together issues 0 through 6 of the Dark Horse comic-book series Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Paperback: 152 pages
Publisher: Dark Horse (November 11, 2006)
When I was heavily collecting comics, the Dark Horse line of Star Wars books was on my list. They were putting out some fantastic stuff. They continued after I was done, of course and with the convenience of the graphic novel, I can pick up a ‘complete’ story from the series in a single book, which rocks.
The Knights of the Old Republic series is great; it gives us a glimpse at the Star Wars universe long before any of the events we know and love have taken place and is chocked full of Jedi and Sith rocking the Force (yes, I just said that. Well, typed it) in ways Luke Skywalker never figured out.
In Commencement, we meet Zayne Carrick, a young Padawan struggling to become a Jedi Knight. Zayne is clumsy, late all the time and seems to leave a trail of debris in his wake wherever he goes. The story begins with his trying to arrest a Snivvian named Marn Hierogryph – Gryph for short, a con man selling everything under the sun to whoever can buy it. Gryph is immune to Jedi mind tricks and, apparently, quite adept at escaping from Zayne whenever he manages to catch up to him.
On the day Zayne is to become a Jedi Knight, he manages to catch and hold Gryph. Eager to show his Master his success, and running late for the Commencement ceremony, Zayne brings Gryph with him, in cuffs, to the Jedi Temple on Taris. Rushing into the temple, an apology already spilling from his lips, he bursts into the ceremony to find…
…the Jedi Masters standing over their slaughtered Padawans.
“You’re late, young one,” says his Master, Lucien.
And if THAT doesn’t make you want to read this book, I don’t know what will.
From that point on, it’s a race as Zayne tries to first escape from the Jedi Masters who killed his friends, then figure out why they killed them in the first place and why they want him dead as well. He and Gryph are thrown together as fugitives on the run with the Jedi, the Civil Authorities and Bounty Hunters all tracking them. Gryph leads them into the Undercity and to the Junk Junction where they inadvertently draw Jarael & Camper, a strange pair with a ship who are hiding from the universe in general, into their adventure.
I have to say, this was an incredibly enjoyable book. It had all the elements of an excellent Star Wars story – heck, of -any- story; mystery, tragedy, adventure – you name it. The artwork is awesome, the story compelling. I also like the twist; The first few pages lead you to believe that you’re going to read a Master/Apprentice story. We are introduced to Zayne who can’t seem to get things right and then to his friends, all Padawan’s who have faced the trials and are soon to be Jedi. They sympathize with Zayne, who doesn’t think he’s going to make the cut and will have to watch them move on without him. The ceremony is set, the cast set and then WHAM! Twist.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic Volume 1: Commencement retails for $20 at your local book store, or you can get it online for $12 or so.
~P
It is a time of upheaval for the galaxy. The Mandalorian Wars have strained the Old Republic’s resources to the breaking point.
With so many forces at the front, systems in the outer rim teeter on the edge of lawlessness – even the city-world of Taris, once a thriving commercial center. Here, as elsewhere, the Republic relies on the Jedi Knights and their students to help maintain order.
But some Knights, frustrated with the conduct of the Wars, argue for a more active Jedi role, appealing to others for support. Even from those Jedi – and their untried students – who are struggling to help maintain order at home…
Thus begins Star Wars-Knights of the Old Republic Volume 1: Commencement
Commencement is a trade paperback / graphic novel that brings together issues 0 through 6 of the Dark Horse comic-book series Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.
Paperback: 152 pages
Publisher: Dark Horse (November 11, 2006)
When I was heavily collecting comics, the Dark Horse line of Star Wars books was on my list. They were putting out some fantastic stuff. They continued after I was done, of course and with the convenience of the graphic novel, I can pick up a ‘complete’ story from the series in a single book, which rocks.
The Knights of the Old Republic series is great; it gives us a glimpse at the Star Wars universe long before any of the events we know and love have taken place and is chocked full of Jedi and Sith rocking the Force (yes, I just said that. Well, typed it) in ways Luke Skywalker never figured out.
In Commencement, we meet Zayne Carrick, a young Padawan struggling to become a Jedi Knight. Zayne is clumsy, late all the time and seems to leave a trail of debris in his wake wherever he goes. The story begins with his trying to arrest a Snivvian named Marn Hierogryph – Gryph for short, a con man selling everything under the sun to whoever can buy it. Gryph is immune to Jedi mind tricks and, apparently, quite adept at escaping from Zayne whenever he manages to catch up to him.
On the day Zayne is to become a Jedi Knight, he manages to catch and hold Gryph. Eager to show his Master his success, and running late for the Commencement ceremony, Zayne brings Gryph with him, in cuffs, to the Jedi Temple on Taris. Rushing into the temple, an apology already spilling from his lips, he bursts into the ceremony to find…
…the Jedi Masters standing over their slaughtered Padawans.
“You’re late, young one,” says his Master, Lucien.
And if THAT doesn’t make you want to read this book, I don’t know what will.
From that point on, it’s a race as Zayne tries to first escape from the Jedi Masters who killed his friends, then figure out why they killed them in the first place and why they want him dead as well. He and Gryph are thrown together as fugitives on the run with the Jedi, the Civil Authorities and Bounty Hunters all tracking them. Gryph leads them into the Undercity and to the Junk Junction where they inadvertently draw Jarael & Camper, a strange pair with a ship who are hiding from the universe in general, into their adventure.
I have to say, this was an incredibly enjoyable book. It had all the elements of an excellent Star Wars story – heck, of -any- story; mystery, tragedy, adventure – you name it. The artwork is awesome, the story compelling. I also like the twist; The first few pages lead you to believe that you’re going to read a Master/Apprentice story. We are introduced to Zayne who can’t seem to get things right and then to his friends, all Padawan’s who have faced the trials and are soon to be Jedi. They sympathize with Zayne, who doesn’t think he’s going to make the cut and will have to watch them move on without him. The ceremony is set, the cast set and then WHAM! Twist.
Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic Volume 1: Commencement retails for $20 at your local book store, or you can get it online for $12 or so.
~P
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 1, 2015
A Computer Game Spin-off
7 July 2012
I am not a big fan of comic books and other than Tintin and Asterix I was never really able to get into them. I have bought a couple of graphic novels, and suspect that I will get some more (such as a couple of the Spiderman ones) but as mentioned I was never really a fan of comic books and would rarely buy any. I did buy some of the Dungeons and Dragons ones that came out a long time ago, but that had more to do with me wanting anything to do with Dungeons and Dragons than any particular love for comic books.
This story takes place 4000 years prior to the Star Wars movies and is set in the same setting as the computer game Knights of the Old Republic. In regards to Star Wars I am not going to use the words cannonical or non-cannonical as I have heard rumours that George Lucas, who holds the rights to the Star Wars universe, will only allow things to be published that he considers to be cannonical. I do like that idea because it creates consistency throughout the stories, however this is not too difficult with Star Wars as the movies are only set during a short period. However, there are gaps between the movies, and they are usually filled up with other stories. We should also note that there is a comic book series set during the clone wars, and there are also two TV series set during this period as well, and I suspect that there will be some conflict between them.
During this period the Old Republic had recently beaten off an assault by the Sith and are currently at war with the Mandalorians (Bobba Fett is a Mandalorian for those who do not know, and yes, they always are seen in their armour). There is a dispute among the Jedi council as to whether they should help with the war with some indicating that it is their duty to do so while others believe that their duty is to maintain order in the Republic and to fight of any renewed Sith offensive.
The story focuses on the young Padawan Zane Carrick who is accused of murdering his fellow Padawans, though his investigations discovered that he was not the murderer but rather his masters who had a vision that one of them would become Sith and kill them all, so they decided to act pre-emptively. I found that to be quite at odds with the Jedi that I know from the movies. I could never picture somebody like Yoda making such a decision based upon a vision, and a vision that needs to be interpreted in one way or another. This comic begins with Zane stumbling on the murder, and ends with him escaping from their clutches (again) and the Jedi being recalled to Coruscant.
One other thing that I noticed was that over the intervening 4000 years there appears to be little change in the galaxy as a whole. In the Star Wars universe there seems to be no scope of technological development. It appears that they have developed the pinnacle of technology, though from also reading the books there does not necessarily seem to be scope for mental advancement either. The Jedi are a religious order that worships an idea called the force, however it is not God and there seems to be no scope for a god. Despite being a great distance from our understanding, it is an indication that even by scrapping God for an impersonal force does not necessarily make the universe a better place to live.
7 July 2012
I am not a big fan of comic books and other than Tintin and Asterix I was never really able to get into them. I have bought a couple of graphic novels, and suspect that I will get some more (such as a couple of the Spiderman ones) but as mentioned I was never really a fan of comic books and would rarely buy any. I did buy some of the Dungeons and Dragons ones that came out a long time ago, but that had more to do with me wanting anything to do with Dungeons and Dragons than any particular love for comic books.
This story takes place 4000 years prior to the Star Wars movies and is set in the same setting as the computer game Knights of the Old Republic. In regards to Star Wars I am not going to use the words cannonical or non-cannonical as I have heard rumours that George Lucas, who holds the rights to the Star Wars universe, will only allow things to be published that he considers to be cannonical. I do like that idea because it creates consistency throughout the stories, however this is not too difficult with Star Wars as the movies are only set during a short period. However, there are gaps between the movies, and they are usually filled up with other stories. We should also note that there is a comic book series set during the clone wars, and there are also two TV series set during this period as well, and I suspect that there will be some conflict between them.
During this period the Old Republic had recently beaten off an assault by the Sith and are currently at war with the Mandalorians (Bobba Fett is a Mandalorian for those who do not know, and yes, they always are seen in their armour). There is a dispute among the Jedi council as to whether they should help with the war with some indicating that it is their duty to do so while others believe that their duty is to maintain order in the Republic and to fight of any renewed Sith offensive.
The story focuses on the young Padawan Zane Carrick who is accused of murdering his fellow Padawans, though his investigations discovered that he was not the murderer but rather his masters who had a vision that one of them would become Sith and kill them all, so they decided to act pre-emptively. I found that to be quite at odds with the Jedi that I know from the movies. I could never picture somebody like Yoda making such a decision based upon a vision, and a vision that needs to be interpreted in one way or another. This comic begins with Zane stumbling on the murder, and ends with him escaping from their clutches (again) and the Jedi being recalled to Coruscant.
One other thing that I noticed was that over the intervening 4000 years there appears to be little change in the galaxy as a whole. In the Star Wars universe there seems to be no scope of technological development. It appears that they have developed the pinnacle of technology, though from also reading the books there does not necessarily seem to be scope for mental advancement either. The Jedi are a religious order that worships an idea called the force, however it is not God and there seems to be no scope for a god. Despite being a great distance from our understanding, it is an indication that even by scrapping God for an impersonal force does not necessarily make the universe a better place to live.
August 6, 2016
[This review represents the entire 50-issue KOTOR series]
KOTOR was the first SW comic I'd ever read. For some reason, I'd expected it to be some childish web-comic type thing with a plot that focused on inconsequential elements and plots tangential to the main story of KOTOR. While this bears a grain of truth, the comic is rather more like a complete prequel to the first game than anything else. The characters are well-developed and resonant, and the plots are suitably earth-shattering.
A few words on the comic book medium: Two of the most important elements of SW were the visuals (exemplified by Ralph McQuarrie's concept art and typified by bottomless chasms everywhere) and John Williams' scores. Novels, of course, lack both of those elements, though they often make up for them in deeper characterizations, more complicated plots, more well-explored background material, and more philosophical explorations than movies. Comics follow the pacing and character development techniques of film, but are able to exploit longer narrative arcs and more tangential character exploration. The aliens were particularly refreshing for me. It is impossible to convey in writing what a Chevin or a Colicoid or a Koorivar looks like. And since every shot gets a background, there is always a lush crowd of aliens seasoning the universe in a comic, while in a novel, such things are easily left out, as the focus is narrowed in on the main characters. I feel like I've finally figured out where Lucas Licensing has been hiding all the truly great content!
I was blown away by KOTOR, my first comics experience. I wasn't quite sure at first if my delight was due to the medium or to the story itself. Having read Legacy and some of Republic by now, I can confidently say that KOTOR is the best of the three, and that it is truly incredible. KOTOR is wrought throughout with cons and deceptions. No character is who they appear/claim to be, and several of the protagonists and antagonists are conbeings for profit or power. This resonates well with the story of Palpatine, the greatest conman in fiction. Zayne Carrick is a character with a naive goodness and luck that instantly endears him to us, and which resonates with Luke Skywalker's character.
KOTOR was the first SW comic I'd ever read. For some reason, I'd expected it to be some childish web-comic type thing with a plot that focused on inconsequential elements and plots tangential to the main story of KOTOR. While this bears a grain of truth, the comic is rather more like a complete prequel to the first game than anything else. The characters are well-developed and resonant, and the plots are suitably earth-shattering.
A few words on the comic book medium: Two of the most important elements of SW were the visuals (exemplified by Ralph McQuarrie's concept art and typified by bottomless chasms everywhere) and John Williams' scores. Novels, of course, lack both of those elements, though they often make up for them in deeper characterizations, more complicated plots, more well-explored background material, and more philosophical explorations than movies. Comics follow the pacing and character development techniques of film, but are able to exploit longer narrative arcs and more tangential character exploration. The aliens were particularly refreshing for me. It is impossible to convey in writing what a Chevin or a Colicoid or a Koorivar looks like. And since every shot gets a background, there is always a lush crowd of aliens seasoning the universe in a comic, while in a novel, such things are easily left out, as the focus is narrowed in on the main characters. I feel like I've finally figured out where Lucas Licensing has been hiding all the truly great content!
I was blown away by KOTOR, my first comics experience. I wasn't quite sure at first if my delight was due to the medium or to the story itself. Having read Legacy and some of Republic by now, I can confidently say that KOTOR is the best of the three, and that it is truly incredible. KOTOR is wrought throughout with cons and deceptions. No character is who they appear/claim to be, and several of the protagonists and antagonists are conbeings for profit or power. This resonates well with the story of Palpatine, the greatest conman in fiction. Zayne Carrick is a character with a naive goodness and luck that instantly endears him to us, and which resonates with Luke Skywalker's character.
January 17, 2016
A very nice part of the Star Wars saga. Taking place after the original "Knights of the Old Republic" video games, and before the upcoming MMO "The Old Republic" this series tells the story of young Padawan Zayne Carrick and his adventures. With wit and humor as well as generous action and drama, this book feels a lot like the "Clone Wars" TV series. A lot of mystery a secrets are set up in this first volume for the author to uncover in later stories. The secretive Covenant has set Zayne up for their attrocities, but what are their true motives and who's behind them? What secret past do Zayne's new friends hide?
The characters are all well-rounded and interesting. I want to see and learn more about the various members of the Jedi Covenant. They make fascinating "villains" of this piece because they truly believe they are doing the right thing. Humor seems to cover a lot of pain in the characters of Camper and Jarael. Pulling the covers back on their stories should be fun as well.
The background story of the Mandalorian War is intriguing as well. Jedi breaking from the order to fight at the front; Taris a point of balance in the conflict; and simply the idea of more about the Mandalorians themselves has me captivated.
There's a lot to like in this multi-faceted story - along with some gorgeous artwork. A highly-recommended read for Star Wars fans!
The characters are all well-rounded and interesting. I want to see and learn more about the various members of the Jedi Covenant. They make fascinating "villains" of this piece because they truly believe they are doing the right thing. Humor seems to cover a lot of pain in the characters of Camper and Jarael. Pulling the covers back on their stories should be fun as well.
The background story of the Mandalorian War is intriguing as well. Jedi breaking from the order to fight at the front; Taris a point of balance in the conflict; and simply the idea of more about the Mandalorians themselves has me captivated.
There's a lot to like in this multi-faceted story - along with some gorgeous artwork. A highly-recommended read for Star Wars fans!
September 1, 2016
Knights of the Old Republic: Commencement is the first volume of compiled issues containing the first six issues of the series. This is many years before the events of the movies and features the Padawan Zayne Carrick. Not quite as skilled as his fellow Padawans, Zayne is a bit of a jumbled mess. When he comes across his master and the other Jedi of the council having slain all the other Padawan learners, Zayne makes a run for it. His master and the other Jedi easily find him with their insight of the Force. Now Zayne must find out why the Jedi killed their own. What caused them to turn? When Zayne finds out what happened, he promises that he may just become the Dark Jedi that his master head feared of their Padawans, but it will be at the fault of the Jedi leaders for instigating the darkness in the first place.
This is a very interesting piece in terms of politics, technology, and societal ethics in the Old Republic. It is a great piece of history that has me digging for more, and if you can get your hands on a copy, do it! I like the original Dark Horse versions, personally, but Marvel is re-releasing everything, so these should be attainable. I am excited to see what happens in volume two!
This is a very interesting piece in terms of politics, technology, and societal ethics in the Old Republic. It is a great piece of history that has me digging for more, and if you can get your hands on a copy, do it! I like the original Dark Horse versions, personally, but Marvel is re-releasing everything, so these should be attainable. I am excited to see what happens in volume two!
November 24, 2010
Being a big fan of the Knights of the Old Republic video games, I was interested to see how the universe would be portrayed in graphic form. I have to say this is an enjoyable first trade that has enough big ideas to make you want to read more. While I would never spoil it, there is an excellent plot twist that changes the whole makeup of the book. Lastly, while the art is very good, I feel the dialogue is better here than most of the other Star Wars graphic novels I've read. It is just a little sharper than in other series. I'm definitely going to continue reading this series and I hope that some familiar characters will show up before I'm all done!
October 18, 2015
Uma arte muito jóia (com cenários muito bem aproveitados para o embasbaque dos sentidos), uma conspiração Jedi (ainda mais suculenta que uma conspiração Sith), um herói improvável e um cúmplice
incrivelmente mitroso e soberbo. Venham daí as próximas trades.
incrivelmente mitroso e soberbo. Venham daí as próximas trades.
June 28, 2025
As someone whose main exposure to the Old Republic era was the original KOTOR game years ago, I went into this series with fairly fresh eyes.
What immediately stands out is John Jackson Miller's talent for character writing and dialogue. The banter feels natural and genuinely witty, bringing life to what could have been standard Star Wars archetypes. The characters have distinct voices and their interactions are easily the comic's strongest asset.
The plot itself is still finding its footing in this first volume. While I'm not completely sold on the direction yet, there's enough intrigue and momentum to keep me curious about where the story goes next. Miller does a good job establishing the setting and conflict without drowning newcomers in Old Republic lore.
Visually, the comic is a mixed bag for me. The softer color palette works beautifully for this era, giving everything an appropriately ancient, lived-in feel that distinguishes it from other Star Wars comics. However, the art style itself feels inconsistent - facial features often lack definition, and action sequences can feel surprisingly static and flat.
The humor is generally well-executed, but I hope the outright slapstick elements get toned down rather than dialing up as the series progresses.
Overall, this is an entertaining introduction and I'm intrigued enough about the characters to see where this goes next.
What immediately stands out is John Jackson Miller's talent for character writing and dialogue. The banter feels natural and genuinely witty, bringing life to what could have been standard Star Wars archetypes. The characters have distinct voices and their interactions are easily the comic's strongest asset.
The plot itself is still finding its footing in this first volume. While I'm not completely sold on the direction yet, there's enough intrigue and momentum to keep me curious about where the story goes next. Miller does a good job establishing the setting and conflict without drowning newcomers in Old Republic lore.
Visually, the comic is a mixed bag for me. The softer color palette works beautifully for this era, giving everything an appropriately ancient, lived-in feel that distinguishes it from other Star Wars comics. However, the art style itself feels inconsistent - facial features often lack definition, and action sequences can feel surprisingly static and flat.
The humor is generally well-executed, but I hope the outright slapstick elements get toned down rather than dialing up as the series progresses.
Overall, this is an entertaining introduction and I'm intrigued enough about the characters to see where this goes next.
January 26, 2021
After the nice Dawn of the Jedi, and the boring Tales of the Jedi, this has been a real eye-opener. In every way, this comic is great. Its drawings are great, its characters are great, the story is actually super-engaging!
Every page smells like Star Wars, looks like Star Wars, feels like Star Wars, and it's able to still be different, unique and memorable. I already have an immense crush on Jarael, even though (or because) she sometimes is pretty edgy.
Man, do I look forward to this.
For reference, my vague rating of so far read SW comics, this being on #1:
1. 8,3: KotOR 1 --- JJ Miller
2. 7,5: Tales of the Jedi 7 --- KJA
3. 7,3: Dawn of the Jedi 1, 2, 3 --- Ostrander
6. 6,3: Lost Tribe of the Sith --- JJ Miller
7. 6,3: Jedi Quest --- Windham
8. 6,0: Jedi Council: Acts of War --- Stradley
9. 6,0: Tales of the Jedi 3, 4 --- Veitch
11. 6,0: Tales of the Jedi 1, 5, 6 --- KJA
14. 6,0: Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan: Ord Mantell --- Windham
15. 5,0: Tales of the Jedi 2 --- KJA
---------
1. 7,3 (= 14,6/2) --- JJ Miller
2. 7,3 (= 21,9/3) --- Ostrander
3. 6,2 (= 12,3/2) --- Windham
4. 6,1 (=30,5/5) --- KJA
4. 6,0 (= 12/2) --- Veitch
5. 6,0 (= 6/1) --- Stradley
Every page smells like Star Wars, looks like Star Wars, feels like Star Wars, and it's able to still be different, unique and memorable. I already have an immense crush on Jarael, even though (or because) she sometimes is pretty edgy.
Man, do I look forward to this.
For reference, my vague rating of so far read SW comics, this being on #1:
1. 8,3: KotOR 1 --- JJ Miller
2. 7,5: Tales of the Jedi 7 --- KJA
3. 7,3: Dawn of the Jedi 1, 2, 3 --- Ostrander
6. 6,3: Lost Tribe of the Sith --- JJ Miller
7. 6,3: Jedi Quest --- Windham
8. 6,0: Jedi Council: Acts of War --- Stradley
9. 6,0: Tales of the Jedi 3, 4 --- Veitch
11. 6,0: Tales of the Jedi 1, 5, 6 --- KJA
14. 6,0: Qui-Gon & Obi-Wan: Ord Mantell --- Windham
15. 5,0: Tales of the Jedi 2 --- KJA
---------
1. 7,3 (= 14,6/2) --- JJ Miller
2. 7,3 (= 21,9/3) --- Ostrander
3. 6,2 (= 12,3/2) --- Windham
4. 6,1 (=30,5/5) --- KJA
4. 6,0 (= 12/2) --- Veitch
5. 6,0 (= 6/1) --- Stradley
July 25, 2020
Une BD se déroulant dans l'univers de l'Ancienne République sur Taris (les joueurs de KOTOR pourront y retrouver certains personnages, l'intrigue se déroulant avant l'ascension de Dark Revan). Zayne Carrick est un padawan peu doué dont la principale activité se limite à échouer dans l'arrestation de l'escroc local... Sa vie bascule lorsque ses quatre camarades sont assassinés par leur maître Jedi. Zayne va alors devoir fuir pour sa vie à l'aide de son ennemi de toujours...
Un premier tome qui pose d'excellentes bases! Fan de KOTOR aussi bien que nouveaux venus pourront aisément adhérer à cette histoire. Le dessin oscille entre certaines cases assez bof et d'autres magnifiques (la double page du meurtre!) ce qui est probablement le fait de la présence de plusieurs dessinateurs. L'humour y est très présent et le duo Zayne/Gryph fonctionne à merveille! L'intrigue prend son temps dans ce tome 1 car tout un contexte se pose mais certains détails vous paraîtront déjà cruciaux lors d'une seconde relecture après avoir fini la série... Soyez donc attentifs !
Un premier tome qui pose d'excellentes bases! Fan de KOTOR aussi bien que nouveaux venus pourront aisément adhérer à cette histoire. Le dessin oscille entre certaines cases assez bof et d'autres magnifiques (la double page du meurtre!) ce qui est probablement le fait de la présence de plusieurs dessinateurs. L'humour y est très présent et le duo Zayne/Gryph fonctionne à merveille! L'intrigue prend son temps dans ce tome 1 car tout un contexte se pose mais certains détails vous paraîtront déjà cruciaux lors d'une seconde relecture après avoir fini la série... Soyez donc attentifs !
October 31, 2019
This book surprised me. I know that John Jackson Miller is a great author, but I didn't expect what this story delivered.
The action in this story was awesome. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I just had to keep reading and figure out what was going to happen. The cliff-hanger is fantastic and I really want to read the next one when I can find it.
The writing is just impeccable. The dialogue had me laughing at the comic reliefs, almost crying for Zayne, and enjoying the story as a whole. John Jackson Miller did a great job of not only telling a good story, but really tying the comic into the Knights of the Old Republic Video Game.
The artwork by Brian Ching and Travel Foreman was fantastic. It is a very different style than I am used to, but it stood out as feeling like the Old Republic should, a stark contrast to the Skywalker Saga of stories.
Overall, fantastic book. Kept me on the edge of my seat and I can't wait to read the next one. 9.2 out of 10!
The action in this story was awesome. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. I just had to keep reading and figure out what was going to happen. The cliff-hanger is fantastic and I really want to read the next one when I can find it.
The writing is just impeccable. The dialogue had me laughing at the comic reliefs, almost crying for Zayne, and enjoying the story as a whole. John Jackson Miller did a great job of not only telling a good story, but really tying the comic into the Knights of the Old Republic Video Game.
The artwork by Brian Ching and Travel Foreman was fantastic. It is a very different style than I am used to, but it stood out as feeling like the Old Republic should, a stark contrast to the Skywalker Saga of stories.
Overall, fantastic book. Kept me on the edge of my seat and I can't wait to read the next one. 9.2 out of 10!
October 20, 2025
Ця серія вже неканонічних коміксім - мабуть, найкраще, що траплялося зі старим варіантом Розширеного всесвіту. По таймлайну - десь паралельно з подіями рольової гри з такою самою назвою. Головний герой - невдаха-джедай. Незграбність - це його зв’язок із силою, основний скіл, який буде рухати сюжет і створювати нові пригоди. І в першому тому його хочуть прибити наставники джедаї, які ще й таємні сектанти, що вірять у прихід Темного Володаря та намагаються цьому завадити. А невдаха якраз запізнюється на власне жертвоприношення.
В друзях у Зейна-невдахи авантюрист та пройдисвіт, а також двійко втікачів від якоїсь Компанії і робот з психологічною травмою. А серед ворогів - всі, хто хоче отримати винагороду за голову юного джедая.
В першому томі джедай проявляє характер і дурість, спочатку тікаючи від вбивць, потім повернувшись до них, аби знову втекти, ще й роздавши купу погроз. Дуже жвавий початок.
В друзях у Зейна-невдахи авантюрист та пройдисвіт, а також двійко втікачів від якоїсь Компанії і робот з психологічною травмою. А серед ворогів - всі, хто хоче отримати винагороду за голову юного джедая.
В першому томі джедай проявляє характер і дурість, спочатку тікаючи від вбивць, потім повернувшись до них, аби знову втекти, ще й роздавши купу погроз. Дуже жвавий початок.
October 10, 2018
Review pour les 9 tomes :
Une série de comics intéressante qui donne vie à l'époque de l'ancienne république. On en apprend plus sur le conflit entre la République et les Mandaloriens au travers d'un groupe de personnages plutôt rafraîchissant, surtout Zayne, un padawan un peu raté qui ne se retrouve pas être ultra puissant, ça change beaucoup de ce qu'on a l'occasion de voir dans l'univers Star Wars.
Une fois l'histoire principale achevée, le comics continue dans sa lancée avec d'autres tomes s'intéressant cette fois aux personnages secondaires, malheureusement ça ne convainc pas du tout. Le comics aurait du s'occuper des personnages secondaires au fil des tomes, pas une fois l'histoire terminée.
Mention spéciale au tome 9 Le dernier combat, qui n'a absolument aucun sens, je ne l'ai même pas terminé.
En bref, lire les 5 premiers tomes et s'arrêter là reste la meilleure expérience possible pour cette série de comics KOTOR.
Une série de comics intéressante qui donne vie à l'époque de l'ancienne république. On en apprend plus sur le conflit entre la République et les Mandaloriens au travers d'un groupe de personnages plutôt rafraîchissant, surtout Zayne, un padawan un peu raté qui ne se retrouve pas être ultra puissant, ça change beaucoup de ce qu'on a l'occasion de voir dans l'univers Star Wars.
Une fois l'histoire principale achevée, le comics continue dans sa lancée avec d'autres tomes s'intéressant cette fois aux personnages secondaires, malheureusement ça ne convainc pas du tout. Le comics aurait du s'occuper des personnages secondaires au fil des tomes, pas une fois l'histoire terminée.
Mention spéciale au tome 9 Le dernier combat, qui n'a absolument aucun sens, je ne l'ai même pas terminé.
En bref, lire les 5 premiers tomes et s'arrêter là reste la meilleure expérience possible pour cette série de comics KOTOR.
November 30, 2018
One of the best Star Wars comics I've read. The deep-past setting finally lets us get away from the characters and settings of the original trilogy, trying to put comics into smaller and smaller slivers of unaccounted-for time. Knights of the Old Republic feels like Star Wars, but actually succeeds in being a different story. The characters are distinct, the supporting characters are funny, and the mystery/suspense aspects are actually gripping. The story really feels full, substantial, and the ethical questions raised for/by the Jedi here are again worthwhile without being just the same stuff.
January 30, 2021
I forgot how much I loved this series back when I first read it as it came out, it might have been because I had tried playing the game that started the Knights of the Old Republic world but either way this first volume brought back fond memories of this series. Something about this story being able to differentiate itself from the main Star Wars saga is so refreshing to me, which is why I loved everything about this time period. I look forward to reading more of the series and would recommend this series to anyone looking for a new start to a Star Wars story that uses an invigorating setting to its advantages.
4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5 stars
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