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Star Wars: Republic #6
Star Wars: Darkness
Despite his successful mission on Dathomir, the Jedi Council still feels that Quinlan Vos walks dangerously close to the dark side. Kiffex, a prison planet under watch by the Guardians, is suddenly thrust into chaos when an unidentified enemy decimates a security compound. Quinlan Vos is specifically requested to investigate because of his Guardian ancestry, and he soon finds himself on another deadly mission. Developing subplots first introduced in Twilight and Infinity�s End and debuting new Star Wars characters, Darkness is a harrowing tale of horror and adventure.
96 pages, Paperback
First published August 2, 2002
2 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
About the author
John Ostrander
2,082 books172 followersJohn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 25, 2023
Set in 30BBY
It was ok!
“I’m so sorry that you hate. It’s useless. The hate” - Zao
Wether or not you're a Quinlan Vos fan, this one's a continuing adventure from the last couple of issues, were he's in search of his Padawan mostly, and getting into trouble along the way. It's an ok read with nice artwork. Nothing more, nothing less.
“I am but a leaf blown by the winds of the force.” - Zao
It was ok!
“I’m so sorry that you hate. It’s useless. The hate” - Zao
Wether or not you're a Quinlan Vos fan, this one's a continuing adventure from the last couple of issues, were he's in search of his Padawan mostly, and getting into trouble along the way. It's an ok read with nice artwork. Nothing more, nothing less.
“I am but a leaf blown by the winds of the force.” - Zao
August 31, 2014
Embracing the "Darkness"
Aayla Secura, memory wiped Jedi Padawan of Quinlan Vos, arrives on Kiffex to release Volfe Karkko, a Jedi Anzati, from his long slumber. Meanwhile, the Jedi Council send Quinlan Vos to Kiffex for an entirely different matter: apparently, the Guardians on Kiffex were brutally killed by unknown assailants. Vos teams up with his former master, Tholmes; a sprightly Jedi chef (of sorts), Zoa; and Jedi Watchman of the sector, T'ra Saa.
I had just about given up hope that I liked any graphic novels. Seemed like all the ones I got my hands on were mediocre: mediocre to bad art, sloppy plotting, boring story, unremarkable characters. I got so many in fact, that I was thinking it was just me; I just wasn't a graphic novel person.
And then I found this one.
I bought "Darkness" during a Star Wars comic binge, and after a slew of meh graphic novels, I was beginning to regret that purchase. I really didn't expect to like this graphic novel much. Sure it stars Quinlan Vos and Aalya Secura, two characters I really like, but it had the potential to go South really quickly.
Fortunately, it didn't.
The part where I knew I was going to like this graphic novel was during the introduction of Villie, a wily Devaronian (I think I've read something about him before, but I can't remember which comic that was). He is asked why the Jedi should trust him, and his answer is, "I know. Terrible moral dilemma. Trust Villie and maybe live or go by selves and most certainly die! How to choose?" That line made me laugh out loud--something that a lot of novels don't get me to do!
In fact, that very scene showcases a lot of what I liked about this graphic novel:
The story: Quinlan Vos meets up with his former master, Tholmes, on Kiffex, investigates a compound filled with the dead, and meets up with Villie. Then the story takes a new twist--we learn about Vos' tangle with the Dark Side, his hatred for the Anzati, and how he became a Jedi (and no, it didn't involve the Jedi stealing him as a baby! I can't tell you how I wish that horrible bit had never been included into Star Wars canon!). This story, even with its great action, is ultimately a personal story of Quinlan Vos overcoming the Dark Side.
The characters: Villie is the comic relief of this graphic novel--and yet, he doesn't resort to being stupid or slapsticky in the slightest. All of the characters were awesome--Quinlan Vos, Tholmes, Zoa, T'sa (loved the hint at a romance between her and Tholmes!), Aalya, Karkko--each one of these characters were real and important to the story, not thrown in as a special cameo or just because.
The art: Good action scenes. Clear transition between panels. Characters who stay the same in appearance from panel to panel. Not too much verbiage cluttering the panels (the beginning gets a bit crazy with a weird narration that sounds like something you would see in a comic from the 70's, though). Not too overdone with colors, and yet enough colors to see what is happening. Sure, I wasn't fond of the cover art included at the end (there is one that makes it look like Aayla has a runny nose!), but overall, the art was clean and helped tell the story, instead of distracting from it.
This sort of quality ran throughout the novel. It was obvious that a lot of effort and care had been put into this. I had such a good time reading this graphic novel, I was almost upset to reach the end. This graphic novel has restored my faith in graphic novels and I am no longer as scared to open one up.
Aayla Secura, memory wiped Jedi Padawan of Quinlan Vos, arrives on Kiffex to release Volfe Karkko, a Jedi Anzati, from his long slumber. Meanwhile, the Jedi Council send Quinlan Vos to Kiffex for an entirely different matter: apparently, the Guardians on Kiffex were brutally killed by unknown assailants. Vos teams up with his former master, Tholmes; a sprightly Jedi chef (of sorts), Zoa; and Jedi Watchman of the sector, T'ra Saa.
I had just about given up hope that I liked any graphic novels. Seemed like all the ones I got my hands on were mediocre: mediocre to bad art, sloppy plotting, boring story, unremarkable characters. I got so many in fact, that I was thinking it was just me; I just wasn't a graphic novel person.
And then I found this one.
I bought "Darkness" during a Star Wars comic binge, and after a slew of meh graphic novels, I was beginning to regret that purchase. I really didn't expect to like this graphic novel much. Sure it stars Quinlan Vos and Aalya Secura, two characters I really like, but it had the potential to go South really quickly.
Fortunately, it didn't.
The part where I knew I was going to like this graphic novel was during the introduction of Villie, a wily Devaronian (I think I've read something about him before, but I can't remember which comic that was). He is asked why the Jedi should trust him, and his answer is, "I know. Terrible moral dilemma. Trust Villie and maybe live or go by selves and most certainly die! How to choose?" That line made me laugh out loud--something that a lot of novels don't get me to do!
In fact, that very scene showcases a lot of what I liked about this graphic novel:
The story: Quinlan Vos meets up with his former master, Tholmes, on Kiffex, investigates a compound filled with the dead, and meets up with Villie. Then the story takes a new twist--we learn about Vos' tangle with the Dark Side, his hatred for the Anzati, and how he became a Jedi (and no, it didn't involve the Jedi stealing him as a baby! I can't tell you how I wish that horrible bit had never been included into Star Wars canon!). This story, even with its great action, is ultimately a personal story of Quinlan Vos overcoming the Dark Side.
The characters: Villie is the comic relief of this graphic novel--and yet, he doesn't resort to being stupid or slapsticky in the slightest. All of the characters were awesome--Quinlan Vos, Tholmes, Zoa, T'sa (loved the hint at a romance between her and Tholmes!), Aalya, Karkko--each one of these characters were real and important to the story, not thrown in as a special cameo or just because.
The art: Good action scenes. Clear transition between panels. Characters who stay the same in appearance from panel to panel. Not too much verbiage cluttering the panels (the beginning gets a bit crazy with a weird narration that sounds like something you would see in a comic from the 70's, though). Not too overdone with colors, and yet enough colors to see what is happening. Sure, I wasn't fond of the cover art included at the end (there is one that makes it look like Aayla has a runny nose!), but overall, the art was clean and helped tell the story, instead of distracting from it.
This sort of quality ran throughout the novel. It was obvious that a lot of effort and care had been put into this. I had such a good time reading this graphic novel, I was almost upset to reach the end. This graphic novel has restored my faith in graphic novels and I am no longer as scared to open one up.
February 9, 2013
Too tired to write a review. Basically this one was fucking great.
******
As has been proved time and again, filming or writing a really satisfying Star Wars adventure is a tall order. In most people's heads you can give someone a lightsaber or a blaster, throw in a few droids or bad guys or Hutts and the work is done for you. But it's not that simple. In some ways writing good Star Wars - or any genre fiction - is as tough a challenge as writing something psychologically interesting or literary, and that's precisely because you have to take the complex and literary away but still provide the goods that yet another action scene can't always supply.
John Ostrander and Jan Duursema are a killer combination, since Duursema is able to visualise exactly what Ostrander wants and more importantly she can visualise a compelling, exciting and vibrant Star Wars universe that looks fresh and dangerous rather than just making us feel that we're seeing the same old worlds and the same old things for the 1,000th time. Ostrander doesn't push it with Quinlan Vos. He's not out to give the reader everything s/he wants in 2 or 3 comics and just as the character's stories in the original trilogy build slowly, so does Vos'. The central concepts are there and there's plenty of time to play with them. He's the Jedi that everyone wanted Jedi to be, more Han Solo than Mace Windu, always on the edge, acting in ways he shouldn't, risking everything for the big win that he inevitably pulls off. He's always conflicted but pulled back by his moral centre.
Darkness has it all but complexity, but sometimes damn complexity. The ebb and flow of this story is perfect. The setting is brisk, interesting characters are introduced gradually into the fray and the sense of threat and danger keeps increasing. Character building flashbacks, faint hint of politics, former Padawan turned raging maniac menace, fun comic relief, oh and a badass fight with a Sith lord featuring some serious Sith lightning pyrotechnics.
This is Star Wars at its coolest. Having read The Clone Wars saga comics and the end of Vos' story it's great to go back to the early days of the character. This is not as complex as those later Clone Wars comics but boy is it good.
******
As has been proved time and again, filming or writing a really satisfying Star Wars adventure is a tall order. In most people's heads you can give someone a lightsaber or a blaster, throw in a few droids or bad guys or Hutts and the work is done for you. But it's not that simple. In some ways writing good Star Wars - or any genre fiction - is as tough a challenge as writing something psychologically interesting or literary, and that's precisely because you have to take the complex and literary away but still provide the goods that yet another action scene can't always supply.
John Ostrander and Jan Duursema are a killer combination, since Duursema is able to visualise exactly what Ostrander wants and more importantly she can visualise a compelling, exciting and vibrant Star Wars universe that looks fresh and dangerous rather than just making us feel that we're seeing the same old worlds and the same old things for the 1,000th time. Ostrander doesn't push it with Quinlan Vos. He's not out to give the reader everything s/he wants in 2 or 3 comics and just as the character's stories in the original trilogy build slowly, so does Vos'. The central concepts are there and there's plenty of time to play with them. He's the Jedi that everyone wanted Jedi to be, more Han Solo than Mace Windu, always on the edge, acting in ways he shouldn't, risking everything for the big win that he inevitably pulls off. He's always conflicted but pulled back by his moral centre.
Darkness has it all but complexity, but sometimes damn complexity. The ebb and flow of this story is perfect. The setting is brisk, interesting characters are introduced gradually into the fray and the sense of threat and danger keeps increasing. Character building flashbacks, faint hint of politics, former Padawan turned raging maniac menace, fun comic relief, oh and a badass fight with a Sith lord featuring some serious Sith lightning pyrotechnics.
This is Star Wars at its coolest. Having read The Clone Wars saga comics and the end of Vos' story it's great to go back to the early days of the character. This is not as complex as those later Clone Wars comics but boy is it good.
August 23, 2017
Republic has had so many duds so far I was beginning to wonder if I'd just fanboyed my way through it the first time. But things start to come together here, and this is a genuinely enjoyable arc. It largely achieves that ideal 'feels like the movies without reminding you of the movies' balance. There are some things I don't love about it (the Kiffar aren't my favs, the prison planet idea is silly, and I hate Aayla's mind control trope), but it has a lot to like, too. I'm a big Anzati fan, and though they feel almost like Witcher vampires here, I like the idea of the ancient Jedi imprisoning Karkko, etc. There's some neat art here of giant flying manta mounts and Tr'a Saa hiding in the jungle. And the cast introduces some good characters that build nicely on Villie and Quin's existing dynamic. Tr'a Saa is fun, and Tholme, but it's really Zao that makes this.
On my first reading I might have lumped Zao in with the rest of the fun ingredients here, but on this reading it seems clear that he's the secret spice that makes it all hang together. His Yoda-ish Zen Force sayings aren't especially impressive but they're an important part of how the Force should be depicted that the other Jedi in the series often neglect. It brings Tholme's hectoring about the Dark Side into a broader context, makes it feel less like dogmatic scolding. The party feels compelling and complete, with Villie coming into a Han-esque role but maintaining his individuality.
On my first reading I might have lumped Zao in with the rest of the fun ingredients here, but on this reading it seems clear that he's the secret spice that makes it all hang together. His Yoda-ish Zen Force sayings aren't especially impressive but they're an important part of how the Force should be depicted that the other Jedi in the series often neglect. It brings Tholme's hectoring about the Dark Side into a broader context, makes it feel less like dogmatic scolding. The party feels compelling and complete, with Villie coming into a Han-esque role but maintaining his individuality.
May 30, 2017
Another masterpiece from what I consider to be the team-up in the industry: John Ostrander & Jan
Duursema. A deeply compelling story with first-rate artwork. Quinlan Vos is totally bad-ass as always, he's by far the most interesting Jedi character in the 'verse. Despite being a Jedi, he's not adverse to toeing the line close to the dark side. Villie keeps the story getting too dark in the way that only Villie can. Aayla'Secura is also a rich and complex character, something that got her to feature in two of the prequels (only to have them totally ignore any of it).
It was an interesting thought that not all species are suitable for being a Jedi. I loved the Anzati Jedi, there was a definite Dracula vibe going on there.
There were perhaps too many Jedi in this one, certainly some characters were sidelined a fair bit to the point that I wondered why they even include them in the first place.
Duursema. A deeply compelling story with first-rate artwork. Quinlan Vos is totally bad-ass as always, he's by far the most interesting Jedi character in the 'verse. Despite being a Jedi, he's not adverse to toeing the line close to the dark side. Villie keeps the story getting too dark in the way that only Villie can. Aayla'Secura is also a rich and complex character, something that got her to feature in two of the prequels (only to have them totally ignore any of it).
It was an interesting thought that not all species are suitable for being a Jedi. I loved the Anzati Jedi, there was a definite Dracula vibe going on there.
There were perhaps too many Jedi in this one, certainly some characters were sidelined a fair bit to the point that I wondered why they even include them in the first place.
December 26, 2023
After Twilight comes Darkness, and the journeys of Quinlan Vos and his padawan Aayla Secura continue. In the aftermath of their previous encounter, the still memory-wiped Aayla is convinced that Vos is responsible for the death of her uncle, and driven by anger and unaware of the danger such emotions exposure her to she falls victim to the manipulations of a fallen Jedi called Volfe Karkko, a prisoner on the planet Kiffex, twin to Kiffu, the home world of the Guardians of whom Quinlan Vos is one. Volfe is himself an Azanti, an alien race who look mostly human save for the tentacles they spawn from their face to eat the brains of others sapient lifeforms (they call it “the soup”, yum?), with whom Quinlan Vos has a dramatic past. Vos goes to Kiffex to find his padawan, and hilarity ensues.
Some spoilers to follow.
When becoming a fully-fledged Jedi knight, each Jedi must undergo a trial where they face and overcome their greatest fear. Having had his memories wiped, Vos no longer remembers this experience, leaving him once again susceptible to said fear, a trauma stemming from his childhood when the Azanti killed his mother, a death he got to experience from the psychic emanations received from an object that belonged to her. These elements come together to make Vos’ struggle in the book deeply personal and meaningful; to confront Volfe Karkko is to confront both the temptation of the Dark Side and to renew himself as a Jedi by facing his fears. Karkko serves multiple purposes here, with his own past as a Jedi who fell to temptation mirroring the future that awaits Vos should he fail.
Vos is not alone on his quest. He’s joined by his former master Tholme (there to steer his former padawan away from the Dark Side and help him reconnect with Jedi discipline), the rogue Villie (on planet Kiffex on account of his own crimes, jet brought together with Vos once again by fate) Master T’ra Saa (apparently Tholme’s paramour?) and Master Zao, the most entertaining of the Jedi. This little fellow is found in a bar, having prepared food not to the liking of a customer. He’s blind, has his lightsabre built into a staff and cooks food “with the ingredients in perfect balance”, resulting in those who eat it responding to the food according to their own internal balance. Tholme and T’ra Saa find it tasty, Villie spits it out as foul and Quinlan Vos says it has no flavour to him whatsoever. This is probably my favourite scene in the book.
The book progresses at a quick pace from one action sequence to another, adding new characters to the fray and giving each only a little time to talk before more action is required. The enemies the Jedi fight here are mostly non-entities, various criminals who have taken up arms after their jailers fell to the zombie/vampire -like Azanti and Volfe Karkko himself, a figure who while he has a past and an explanation for his fall is still a purely synthetic character, someone who exists to drive the plot along and give Quinlan Vos a boss fight at the end.
At the end of Twilight, Mace Windu got past Vos’ anger by laying down his arms and inviting Vos to strike him down if he truly had it in him to do so. This act required not only great trust in his opponent’s better nature winning out, but also a complete internalization of the Jedi code that death doesn’t exist and that upon the end of physical life, one continues their existence as part of the Force. Clearly an act that left a deep impact on Vos, as he applies the same lesson when faced with the misdirected wrath of his padawan, and just as then, it works again.
And yet, despite this apparent serenity, Vos is also able to wield Force lightning in his battle against Karkko, who points out said move is only available to those pulling on the Dark Side. In a scene drawn very much like a classic samurai film the two combatants strike at the same time, pass one another and wind up standing back-to-back, waiting for one to fall, and of course it is the villain who falls, and Vos accomplished this victory through serenity rather than anger. Still, Vos is straddling the line and his final decision not to return to Coruscant but “go where the wind blows him”, and doing so in the company of Villie, leave it very open as to which side of the line he’s going to fall on in the future.
The main plot here is ultimately inconsequential, what’s important is the personal struggle of Quinlan Vos, him facing elements of his past and how this helps him along his path as a Jedi. He’s also being pushed away from his clan, as we learn here that he was exposed to the psychic emanations of his mother’s death because of his aunt, who now leads the Guardians and is an obstacle to the Jedi as she doesn’t want them on Kiffex.
The reason for this is simple: against treaties (Star Wars prequel era and its treaties and paperwork…) the Guardians have been imprisoning political convicts, something the Republic is highly opposed to. The Republic at this time had already chosen Sheev Palpatine as its chancellor, and there is a cruel stab of irony in it when Mace Windu of all people invokes Palpatine’s name and authority.
Some spoilers to follow.
When becoming a fully-fledged Jedi knight, each Jedi must undergo a trial where they face and overcome their greatest fear. Having had his memories wiped, Vos no longer remembers this experience, leaving him once again susceptible to said fear, a trauma stemming from his childhood when the Azanti killed his mother, a death he got to experience from the psychic emanations received from an object that belonged to her. These elements come together to make Vos’ struggle in the book deeply personal and meaningful; to confront Volfe Karkko is to confront both the temptation of the Dark Side and to renew himself as a Jedi by facing his fears. Karkko serves multiple purposes here, with his own past as a Jedi who fell to temptation mirroring the future that awaits Vos should he fail.
Vos is not alone on his quest. He’s joined by his former master Tholme (there to steer his former padawan away from the Dark Side and help him reconnect with Jedi discipline), the rogue Villie (on planet Kiffex on account of his own crimes, jet brought together with Vos once again by fate) Master T’ra Saa (apparently Tholme’s paramour?) and Master Zao, the most entertaining of the Jedi. This little fellow is found in a bar, having prepared food not to the liking of a customer. He’s blind, has his lightsabre built into a staff and cooks food “with the ingredients in perfect balance”, resulting in those who eat it responding to the food according to their own internal balance. Tholme and T’ra Saa find it tasty, Villie spits it out as foul and Quinlan Vos says it has no flavour to him whatsoever. This is probably my favourite scene in the book.
The book progresses at a quick pace from one action sequence to another, adding new characters to the fray and giving each only a little time to talk before more action is required. The enemies the Jedi fight here are mostly non-entities, various criminals who have taken up arms after their jailers fell to the zombie/vampire -like Azanti and Volfe Karkko himself, a figure who while he has a past and an explanation for his fall is still a purely synthetic character, someone who exists to drive the plot along and give Quinlan Vos a boss fight at the end.
At the end of Twilight, Mace Windu got past Vos’ anger by laying down his arms and inviting Vos to strike him down if he truly had it in him to do so. This act required not only great trust in his opponent’s better nature winning out, but also a complete internalization of the Jedi code that death doesn’t exist and that upon the end of physical life, one continues their existence as part of the Force. Clearly an act that left a deep impact on Vos, as he applies the same lesson when faced with the misdirected wrath of his padawan, and just as then, it works again.
And yet, despite this apparent serenity, Vos is also able to wield Force lightning in his battle against Karkko, who points out said move is only available to those pulling on the Dark Side. In a scene drawn very much like a classic samurai film the two combatants strike at the same time, pass one another and wind up standing back-to-back, waiting for one to fall, and of course it is the villain who falls, and Vos accomplished this victory through serenity rather than anger. Still, Vos is straddling the line and his final decision not to return to Coruscant but “go where the wind blows him”, and doing so in the company of Villie, leave it very open as to which side of the line he’s going to fall on in the future.
The main plot here is ultimately inconsequential, what’s important is the personal struggle of Quinlan Vos, him facing elements of his past and how this helps him along his path as a Jedi. He’s also being pushed away from his clan, as we learn here that he was exposed to the psychic emanations of his mother’s death because of his aunt, who now leads the Guardians and is an obstacle to the Jedi as she doesn’t want them on Kiffex.
The reason for this is simple: against treaties (Star Wars prequel era and its treaties and paperwork…) the Guardians have been imprisoning political convicts, something the Republic is highly opposed to. The Republic at this time had already chosen Sheev Palpatine as its chancellor, and there is a cruel stab of irony in it when Mace Windu of all people invokes Palpatine’s name and authority.
July 13, 2017
30 BBY
This graphic novel consists of issues 32-35 of Star Wars. It features Quinlan Vos and his padawan Aayla Secura after having lost their memories. Quinlan had to be retrained, and when a Guardian from his home planet seeks only him for a mission, the Jedi council is wary, since Quinlan has touched the Dark side and is still very close to darkness. Meanwhile, Aayla hates Quinlan for what he has done in the past, but all Quinlan wants is to find his lost padawan and restore her. When Anzati wreak havoc, and show Quinlan some disturbing memories, he must fight his greatest fear once more, and save his padawan from the darkness!
I was very excited to come across this at a comic book store. I always check the Star Wars selections from the original Dark Horse publications, and I had actually never seen this one before. With the same writer and artists as the Clone Wars, this was a great edition to Quinlan Vos's character, adding even more detail to an already phenomenally interesting Jedi.
March 7, 2024
Story about Jedi against space vampires. I feel it wasn't as strong as the previous comic but it was pretty good.
Favorite Quote: “The Darkness is not greater than the light. That which binds all things to one another binds all Jedi to one another. There is no pain, there is no death, there is only the moment. Strike in the moment.
Remember the truth you were taught. Keep your mind unmoved. Strike without fear. Strike without anger. Strike without regret, without hope, without doubt. There is only now. Strike.”
Favorite Quote: “The Darkness is not greater than the light. That which binds all things to one another binds all Jedi to one another. There is no pain, there is no death, there is only the moment. Strike in the moment.
Remember the truth you were taught. Keep your mind unmoved. Strike without fear. Strike without anger. Strike without regret, without hope, without doubt. There is only now. Strike.”
January 29, 2019
I miss Dark Horse era of Star Wars. I found this gem at the library and decide to give it a read. I haven’t read it since they originally came out is single issues. I love the stories with Quinlan Vos. I love that this Star Wars series didn’t focus on the main characters but different Jedi that we wouldn’t know otherwise. This story is sort of the middle of Vos’ story too. He’s still trying to regain his memories and truly become a Jedi Knight again. It’s fun and I really need more of these stories. Might have to pull out the classic comics.
March 5, 2020
1. I like Quinlan Vos. 2. The artwork in this story was good and also consistent. 3. The story kept my attention, although parts were pretty disturbing (brainsucking Anzati, Quinlan's backstory). 4. Man oh man, do I wish they'd come up with a better term than "soup" to describe what the Anzati are taking out of people. Essence? Force spirit? Anything but creating lines like "I shall sup the soup." *shudder*
March 28, 2019
Came to meet T'ra Saa, ended up with a better knowledge of Vos. Works for me. Compelling story, decent art and interesting cast.
But, oh Vos... So, so angsty you are.
But, oh Vos... So, so angsty you are.
April 10, 2024
Always excited to read more Quinlan Vos! Another great arc for him. His background is so tragic, my god.
July 1, 2016
Star Wars Legends Project #77
Background: Republic: Darkness came out in 4 issues from July to October 2001. The trade paperback was released in August 2002. It was written by John Ostrander and drawn by Jan Duursema. Ostrander and Duursema are frequent collaborators who worked together on dozens and dozens of issues, including Republic, Legacy, and Dawn of the Jedi.
Darkness is set the year after Infinity's End (my review), 30 years before the Battle of Yavin. Quinlan Vos returns, along with Vilmarh Grahrk and Vos's wayward padawan, Aayla Secura.
Summary: Quinlan Vos still hasn't fully recovered from his brushes with darkness after the loss of his memory, and the Jedi Council is cautious about sending him on any further missions. Unfortunately, they are left with very little choice when Quin's great-aunt, the leader of his home planet, demands that the Jedi send Vos to investigate a troubling attack on the surface of the prison planet his people oversee. Still lost and seeking him for revenge, Quinlan's memory-wiped padawan Aayla Secura has found her way to Kiffex and awoken something dark, terrible, and long-dormant that threatens to swallow both Jedi forever.
Review: This story had me worried at first. The last two storylines, particularly Infinity's End, start off in much the same way, with a strong, action-packed opener and some interesting unanswered questions. And then they both kind of devolve into a rushed conclusion that's a bit silly. Plus, within the first few pages, we see Aayla Secura awake what appears to be some kind of long-dormant Dark Jedi, which is a storyline that is almost as done to death at this point as the superweapon plot.
Slowly, though, I got drawn into it largely thanks to some great characters, including the aforementioned villain, who is pretty interesting and also legitimately scary. That said, what the heck, Ancient Jedi? Do not try to imprison the super-evil bad guy forever. Eventually, this is going to happen. Just off him next time. Yeesh.
Mainly, of course, I'm just happy that Villie is back! I also quickly grew to appreciate Quin's old master, Tholme, and the other new Jedi characters, including a Neti! Most of all, though, the events in this story really felt consequential to the lives and journeys of the characters (particularly Quin, obviously), and I really felt like I didn't know what the outcome would be at the end.
This is a solid chapter in the ongoing Quinlan Vos saga. I'm excited for the next one, and just quietly pretending the last one never happened.
B+
Background: Republic: Darkness came out in 4 issues from July to October 2001. The trade paperback was released in August 2002. It was written by John Ostrander and drawn by Jan Duursema. Ostrander and Duursema are frequent collaborators who worked together on dozens and dozens of issues, including Republic, Legacy, and Dawn of the Jedi.
Darkness is set the year after Infinity's End (my review), 30 years before the Battle of Yavin. Quinlan Vos returns, along with Vilmarh Grahrk and Vos's wayward padawan, Aayla Secura.
Summary: Quinlan Vos still hasn't fully recovered from his brushes with darkness after the loss of his memory, and the Jedi Council is cautious about sending him on any further missions. Unfortunately, they are left with very little choice when Quin's great-aunt, the leader of his home planet, demands that the Jedi send Vos to investigate a troubling attack on the surface of the prison planet his people oversee. Still lost and seeking him for revenge, Quinlan's memory-wiped padawan Aayla Secura has found her way to Kiffex and awoken something dark, terrible, and long-dormant that threatens to swallow both Jedi forever.
Review: This story had me worried at first. The last two storylines, particularly Infinity's End, start off in much the same way, with a strong, action-packed opener and some interesting unanswered questions. And then they both kind of devolve into a rushed conclusion that's a bit silly. Plus, within the first few pages, we see Aayla Secura awake what appears to be some kind of long-dormant Dark Jedi, which is a storyline that is almost as done to death at this point as the superweapon plot.
Slowly, though, I got drawn into it largely thanks to some great characters, including the aforementioned villain, who is pretty interesting and also legitimately scary. That said, what the heck, Ancient Jedi? Do not try to imprison the super-evil bad guy forever. Eventually, this is going to happen. Just off him next time. Yeesh.
Mainly, of course, I'm just happy that Villie is back! I also quickly grew to appreciate Quin's old master, Tholme, and the other new Jedi characters, including a Neti! Most of all, though, the events in this story really felt consequential to the lives and journeys of the characters (particularly Quin, obviously), and I really felt like I didn't know what the outcome would be at the end.
This is a solid chapter in the ongoing Quinlan Vos saga. I'm excited for the next one, and just quietly pretending the last one never happened.
B+
July 30, 2012
Quinlan Vos a réussi sa rééducation de Jedi et il reçoit sa première mission. Il doit aller sur la planète jumelle de sa planète natale pour essayer de régler des problèmes. Ce qu'il ne sait pas c'est que sa Padawan qui a elle aussi perdu la mémoire serait peut être la source de ces troubles.
Encore un fois, Ostrander nous offre une très bonne BD avec un bon équilibre entre l'histoire et l'action. J'ai beaucoup aimé la noirceur du personnage de Quinlan Vos et l'apparition d'un nouveau personnage, celui de Master Tholme, l'ancien maître de Vos. Comme à l'habitude, les dessins de Duursema sont parfait.
C'est une très bonne BD dont j'ai envie de lire la suite.
Encore un fois, Ostrander nous offre une très bonne BD avec un bon équilibre entre l'histoire et l'action. J'ai beaucoup aimé la noirceur du personnage de Quinlan Vos et l'apparition d'un nouveau personnage, celui de Master Tholme, l'ancien maître de Vos. Comme à l'habitude, les dessins de Duursema sont parfait.
C'est une très bonne BD dont j'ai envie de lire la suite.
May 16, 2008
This is just a smidge shy of the quality of the Twilight storyline. Still, we get to see Vos reunited with Aayla which is nice and the return of Grarhk! Plus, a cool new Jedi called Tr'a Saa. A good continuation of the Quinlan Vos storyline.
June 18, 2011
very good i had to say it gives pletty of stoey and back story to Quinlan Vos.
March 31, 2015
Terrific Quinlan-centric trade.
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