Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Adaptation #1-6

by Gary Whitta, Michael Walsh (Illustrator)

The Resistance has found Luke Skywalker! But the First Order is hot on their tail...and they are out for blood. Can Rey coax Luke out of his self-imposed exile in time to save the fading spark of hope from being extinguished forever? Or will Kylo Ren and the First Order crush the Resistance once and for all? Join writer Gary Whitta (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) and artist Michael Walsh (STAR WARS ANNUAL, HAWKEYE, and THE VISION) as they take on the adventures of Force prodigy Rey, ace pilot Poe Dameron, and ex-First Order recruit Finn from the hit blockbuster Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi - including never-before-seen scenes featuring your favorite characters!

COLLECTING: Star Wars: The Last Jedi Adaptation 1-6

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

136 pages, Paperback

First published November 6, 2018

About the author

Gary Whitta is an award-winning screenwriter best known for The Book of Eli starring Denzel Washington. He also co-wrote the Will Smith sci-fi movie After Earth, and was writer and story consultant on Telltale Games’ The Walking Dead. He is co-writer of the upcoming Star Wars movie Rogue One as well as the animated series Star Wars Rebels.

Reviews

[Jesús De la Jara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Este cómic resumen la historia de la película "The Last Jedi" que me sirvió de paso repasarla pues los números de la serie "Poe Dameron" luego del volumen 4 suceden justo después que acaba la película o en este caso este cómic. Luego del escape rebelde.
La película me gustó mucho y aquí básicamente es un resumen aunque hay algunos pensamientos de Luke o de otros personajes que no se revelaron en al película sin embargo no da grandes revelaciones. El arte sí no me gustó mucho hay muchos dibujantes que hubieran podido hacerlo bastante mejor.

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Last Jedi is a story that always seems to be better in any format other than the actual film. I don't care for the film at all, but the novelization was good, as is the graphic novel adaptation. Gary Whitta finds ways to trim the excess from a number of scenes—just slightly shorter, faster paced, with less of the forced humor and unnecessary dialogue—resulting in a tighter, more streamlined version of the story that I find far less tedious than the film. He also adds some new content, some of which—especially Luke's interior dialogue—is really good. I like Michael Walsh's art style much more than the art in Marvel's main Star Wars series. It's less Photoshoppy, more like classic comics.

I hope Episode 9 will be a film that I really like (though my expectations by this point are set pretty low), but if not, then I hope the story at least is told well in other media—as has been the case for Episode 8.

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very close to giving this 5 stars.

I really like the movie. I really enjoyed the novelisation and now I REALLY like the comic book adaptation.

This takes the opportunity to take a few liberties on the film. Thanks to the use of panels in comics, we can get into the heads of what the characters are thinking a bit better. It does this a few times with Luke (like clearly stating why he cut himself off from the Force early on to his final moments).

There's also moments taken straight from the film brilliant adapted into comic book form. Like when Rey and Kylo Ren team up in the throne room to (as mentioned above) Luke's death.

The reason it doesn't get 5 stars is because for a lot this the art is really good but for parts of it it seems a bit rough and rushed, which is a shame.

[Kelly K · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unpopular opinion but the Last Jedi is one of my favorite films in the SW Saga. The rest of y'all are nerfherders.

[Andreas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, I really like the parts with Kylo, Rey and Luke. The rest however is just garbage. Harsh words perhaps, but well... it's the way I feel about this movie.

[Chelsea 🏳️‍🌈 · Rating 1 out of 5]

*sighs*

What can I say about this out of character mess that Jeremy Jahns hasn't already said in his reviews of this film?

I don't like The Last Jedi. I respect those that do but when I saw this film, I couldn't help but see several moments where the characters behaved completely out of character just to instigate some tension and "drama". When you have to twist a character's personality, their beliefs and everything that makes them them to further your plot, that makes you a bad writer, plain and simple. Nobody in this story remotely resembles themselves from the Force Awakens aside from Kylo, who's terrible (sorry. Much love to Adam Driver but this character is every annoying goth kid from high school. Right down to that feeling that makes you reflexively check for nearby exits when they experience the slightest inconvenience).

Poe doesn't behave like Poe in this story. He went from a guy that trusted Leia implicitly to a guy that turns off her ability to communicate with him, disobeys direct orders, refuses to listen to her way of doing things and then gets a bunch of people killed. Why? Why couldn't he follow her orders and things still go wrong? It's a war, those things happen. Why write him out of character as this insubordinate dick?

Leia doesn't behave as I've ever seen her behave. I truly don't believe she would ever slap one of her subordinates. She's had harsh words for people, sure, but the slap will always feel out of character to me.

Holdo is just unnecessarily silent about her plan. Why? I've seen (mostly white) women defend her secretive actions citing that she shouldn't have to explain herself because she's the leader but... you have several people on your ship that have watched their loved ones die and watched one of their beloved commanders get demoted. They don't know her from Eve and here she is in charge and not telling anyone a goddamn thing. It made total sense to at least ask her what the plan was. There was no need for her to be so secretive and no need for her to be outwardly hostile towards Poe when they met.

I don't like Rian Johnson's style, to be honest. I wasn't even a fan of Knives Out (sorry to say, but Chris looked great in that sweater). I think he makes choices just to be "interesting" but doesn't stop to see if those choices actually work. Here's a story that punches down at it's men of color to prop the women up and it comes off looking worse for it.

Another example, the novels explain that Finn wasn't just a janitor. He was demoted because, while he was an execellent fighter and great with weapons and tactical strategy, he lacked the ruthlessness to be a stormtrooper. That's it - plain and simple. Rian leapt headfirst into the fan theory that Finn was just an idiot and all he was good at was mopping floors. It not only reduced Finn to something so incorrect and insulting, this story has Rose explain to Finn that war is bad. Really? Finn who had the conscience to stop in the middle of a massacre, who'd studied several different battles throughout history (from the novel), who was a victim of being forced into being a child soldier... Rian Johnson thought we needed this pointless mission to allow for Rose to tell Finn that war was bad?

I won't get into the Luke that doesn't behave as the Luke I (and Mark Hamill) would believe him to behave. Suffice to say, the moment he threw that lightsaber over his shoulder, I was ready to stop reading this book.

Anyway - there's nothing to love here honestly. The comic doesn't get the effects of John Boyega and Oscar Isaac's charm and charisma trying to uplift a movie that honestly did not deserve their best (and they gave it anyway). The comic doesn't have Carrie Fisher, Kelly Marie Tran and Laura Dern's enthuasiam. The art is fine, the writing suffers from having to adapt a subpar screen play and the story is just... full of so much why. I've said nothing on Rey and Kylo because I don't think Kylo will ever hold a candle to Anakin Skywalker and this story is where I realized Rey was a character I don't like. Post The Force Awakens, I just didn't find anything to love about her. I'm all about loyalty and caring about those who care about you and post The Force Awakens, she didn't seem to care about anyone else. Except maybe the Millenium Falcon.

Let me just say - this story could have worked without punching down at Finn and Poe. This story would've had a shot if Rian Johnson didn't think Finn and Poe were "too similar" and separated them for an entire segment. This story could have worked if there was less focus on Kylo Ren's goth phase and more on the heroes and the light.

I stand by saying this story could have worked if someone else had written the film.

[Vonze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is what I’m talking about! Cuts to the chase, deletes some of the jokes that get old quick, and adds lines that feel important. Best of all, Luke’s perspective. Can’t wait until Volume 2 and the whole graphic novel!

[RG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great recap of the film. The art could have been a little crisper

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

34 ABY

This adaptation follows the events of Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi. For the most part, if you've seen the movie, you know there's some important Skywalker main plot, and some not-so-important side-plot. We follow the story of Rey, who was sent to find Luke Skywalker so that he can help his sister and the Resistance. Through Luke, we learn why he wants the Jedi way to die and where he went wrong in his teachings of Kylo Ren, before known as Ben Solo. Meanwhile, the Resistance fleet is on the last of its fuel and their ships are being plucked off one by one. Finn and his new companion, Rose, head to Canto Bight to find a code-breaker to infiltrate Snoke's Star Destroyer and end their ability to track through hyperspace. Rey still sees conflict within Kylo, and finds that the Force might just be about lifting rocks, while Finn's mission is a failure. At least he get's to fight Phasma!

As far as adaptations go, this one was...okay. I actually really didn't like the art and was very disappointed in the illustrations compared to other Star Wars Marvel Comics installments. The best line wasn't even included in the adaptation: "Can you put on a cowl or something?" Come on! The transitions felt very clipped, but I mean, they are adapting a nearly three hour movie into a limited amount of pages. The Faither chase was two pages (good thing or bad thing?). I actually feel like a number of important lines/scenes were just very clipped. This might have played out better if they did an eight issue set instead, and published it in two volumes of four and four, just to give the extra transitional time and dedication to the scenes that really deserve it.

[Nour Wanace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Considering I wasn't a huge fan of The Last Jedi, I really enjoyed the graphic novel adaptation of the movie. It took the movie and just cut to the chase of it all, omitting the cheesy one-liners and unnecessary scenes or dialogue. The dialogue is much more clipped and direct, without too much repetition. I also really appreciate the style of illustrations, so quirky and rich. What differentiated this with the movie the most though, was Luke Skywalker's internal monologue and thoughts. I really loved reading his thoughts and feelings and clarifying some of the things he said in regards to the Jedi, Ben Solo's past and training Rey.

My favorite quote (of all time - maybe):

"And so it ends as it began. By the light of two suns. Before stepping into a larger world."

[kaitlphere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I art didn't meet the expectations I've come to have regarding the recent Star Wars comics. Also, there were a lot of transitions and details left out that would have been confusing if I wasn't familiar with the movie. I feel like another issue in the arc would have improved the pacing quite a bit.

That being said, I think it was a fairly good compressed adaptation of the movie.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again a pretty straightforward adaptation. I didn't like this one as much as The Force Awakens and the art in this one seemed a little rushed. Not a whole lot new here as the Star Wars adaptations pretty much represent the film note for note in comic form without a whole lot of additional information.

[Sylvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graphic adaptation is really great. Follows the movie plot line. It's a pity that after seven hardback version of the other comics in the Skywalker saga, this one is only available in paperback.Very disappointing.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps the Feeling of TLJ

I can always trust Gary Whitta’s voice to keep the emotional aspect of Star Wars intact. This is a worthy adaptation!

[julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved the art style. It leaves out a lot of details, but I guess I have to read the novelization for that.

[Rachel Newhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very faithful adaptation, no complaints.

Now I want to watch the movie, though…

[web diva marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Os desenhos porcos e feitos na pressa, a primeira HQ tinha mais esmero

[Megara Ryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

No thank you.
First off, I didn't like the drawing style.
Second, on that note, in one of the panels Poe looked like he was holding a cellphone.
Third, in the panel where the ties are escorting Rey's escape pod to the Supremacy, one of them says something along the lines of "We've got her, my Lord." Except there is no way that those tie fighter pilots knew who was in that escape pod. And Kylo Ren doesn't have a title.
Fourth, in the panels depicting the last force bond, the author decided to put in dialogue. So he has Ben say (with an angry evil look on his face) "This isn't over" and then Rey says, "You're right about that." It's just bad. It wrecks the scene. Furthermore, that's not at all the reaction I got from Ben at the end of the movie. He looked sad to me, and Rey looked more upset than angry.
In all, this whole thing was sloppy and disappointing. I love The Last Jedi, and I was looking forward to this.

[Jillian -always aspiring- · Rating 3 out of 5]

2020 Read #12

One thing that consistently makes me scratch my head is how differently Kylo Ren is portrayed depending on the writer and adaptation. I think everyone has trouble pinning him down as a character, and I don’t even know if anyone at Lucasfilm and Disney can ever really agree what kind of person he truly is under all the turmoil. I find that very interesting.

Overall, I liked this adaptation better than the one for The Force Awakens. I’m curious how the comics for The Rise of Skywalker will be...

[Ahdom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this adaptation of the film. Reliving it in this manner really made me appreciate the film even more. I think there are so many seeds planted in TFA and TLJ that once this trilogy wraps up, you will see more of what was done in those films as more brilliant than you realized upon the first viewings. (at least I hope) I certainly fall in the camp of loving everything Star Wars and this was no exception. I love the fight scenes in this and the illustrations. I can't wait to read the Expanded novel adaptation of TLJ.

[Devin Copes · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adaption of Star Wars episode 8, with very little extras put in. A few of the scenes have been expanded but nothing that changes anything in the story. Or sheds light on anything. It's not like when Marvel did the adaptions of episode 4 or episode 5 and it had some scenes that was deleted.
the artwork was not as good in my opinion as in the ongoing Star Wars series or the recently finished Poe Dameron series. Overall I only recommend this for hardcore Star Wars fans, especially those who are fans of The Last Jedi and the sequel trilogy.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful adaptation that at times abridges and on other occasion expands upon the story told in the movie. No need to relitigate the various virtues or failings of the film; whether you liked or disliked the movie this comic probably won't change your mind. The art, however, deserves particular acclaim for managing a simple style that both captures the likenesses of the characters and their emotions without busying each panel - which is important, when there's so much story to tell in such a short space of time. Recommended if you like Star Wars comics or The Last Jedi movie.

[Elizabeth Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot ever get over how awesome these graphic novels are. I really do enjoy them. There are a few parts that have been skipped or left out but that’s usual since there is a lot of information to cover. I do enjoy the parts that they leave in. It always makes me want to read the other stories for the side characters. I do hope they make the last episode of the trilogy otherwise it’s going to be kind of a letdown and super unfinished. Who doesn’t love hope being the spark to a rebellion? Never gets old.

[Greg Kerestan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is there any movie more divisive than the love-it-or-hate-it "The Last Jedi?" Personally, it's my favorite Star Wars film of the Skywalker saga. The graphic novel adaptation does cut back on some of the action and the quippier dialogue, but we get a deeper insight into Luke's mental state on his island in exile, and Finn comes off much better here than he does in the film proper thanks to additional action scenes in his fight with Phasma. It's not a perfect adaptation (the "expanded edition" of the novel probably hits the sweet spot), but for a graphic novel tie-in, it'll do.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Adaptation, by Gary Whitta, Michael Walsh, etc
#1 - Commencing the comic adaptation of the movie.
“That the only thing more difficult than learning to feel the Force, to let it in .. is learning to block it out.”
#2 – “Get to your Fighters! Move, move, move! Don’t wait for me, jump in and fire her up!” – Poe
#3 – “Why is The Force connecting us? You and I?” – Ren to Rey
#4 – “Tell me the truth.” – Rey to Luke
#5 – “I sense much strength in you, young Rey. ..” – Snoke
#6 – “Blow that piece of junk out of the sky!” – Kylo Ren regarding The Falcon

[Kristen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This adaptation leaves out so much that it should have a warning it’s only loosely based on the movie. No Poe asking for General Hugs, hardly any action during any ship-fighting scenes, no Porg-roast, and (thankfully) no milking scene. The story cuts out so many pieces that it would be difficult to follow if you hadn’t seen the movie or it had been a long time. The larger, detailed drawings were excellent, but the normal sized cells were super basic.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

This is a great graphic novel adaptation to a movie that I had a hard to time loving at first (I at least like most of it now). There were bits that were partly "fixed" in this adaptation. I really enjoyed it. Some frames were literally just as beautiful as the film (the film is undeniably beautifully made).

I gave it a 4.5 rather than a 5 star review because sometimes some characters looked a little funky but besides that...a great adaptation.

[grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoyed the movie much more than the comic. the comic was very short, especially for how much happens in the movie. it felt very rushed, and ive seen the movie multiple times and it was still sometimes difficult to follow. other than that it was fine. ive never tabbed so much stuff before, and it’s all jumbled together bc of how thin it is.

[good book detector · Rating 5 out of 5]

Novelizations and adaptations of films are tricky. There’s something about transferring a story into a different medium that can be jarring and disorienting.

That is, unless you hire Michael Walsh to draw it. Then you have an amazing version of this story, with thoughtful and engaging pacing and sequential artwork, that is greater than the sum of its parts.

[WILL U READ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I choose my rating because the art is so cool! Each frame brought a unique angle and showed the brilliance of color and texture! Also, I do have great memories of this movie. The surprise and fun it brought. Also Luke’s point of view was quite interesting. This was a remarkable read, however I skipped some parts more quickly than others. Enjoyed the story in this medium!