Status Updates From Star Wars: Clone Wars, Volu...

"I wonder what it is that we do, Plo. We fight for the Republic and its ideals, but on Brentaal IV we have imposed a government on its people that is not of their choice. I wonder what this war does to us, as Jedi, as the Republic. What it does to me. All wars change all those who fight them—in ways we cannot foresee." At least the Jedi here are self-aware, unlike TCW. Barriss, for her faults, saw the war change Jedi

I like that subtle hint of the formation of the Empire with the comment that Chancellor Palpatine will be the one in charge to see who takes control of the planet. Already his war powers are growing.

Shaak Ti is the ideal Jedi; she doesn't seek revenge for the murder of her padawan, but she will bring those who did wrong to justice.

Do sociopaths usually have a reason for killing?

Shaak Ti is incredible. Effortlessly avoiding a laser trap with only her loose robes taking the beams.

This is one murderously sociopathic Zeltron lady. Subtly goading Shaak Ti by threatening to kill more of her padawans.

Not only do we get a little bit of background information on Shaak Ti, but Quinlan Vos is in another volume! That makes 2 for 2 now.

A mention of Separatist armies tied up in Muunilist, which is a reference to the '03 Clone Wars miniseries. Again, I love the cross-media references, and where in the timeline this is taking place.

Once again, we are graced with a two-page panel of an epic battle with Shaak Ti in the middle of it.

Nice of them to let the Jedi get out all of the needed information before he was shot out of the sky.

The next and final story in this volume is a Shaak Ti-centered one.

If Master Fay lived for many hundreds of years, and probably would've lived for many hundreds more, how would you compare her to Yoda? Or even Maz Kanata? Would she still be ageless like an elf? Or would she age?

Within moments, Jedi are dying left and right by these two: Durge and Ventress. Although this is probably the most brutal kill I've seen Durge make: flipping the Jedi off of this back and holding him into lava! I'm trying to remember, but I don't think General Grievous was ever that brutal.

I like the setup and pay off of the information on Skakoans and their methane breath suits. Of course, Durge, being the psychotic murderer he is, uses it to his advantage to shoot them and cause explosions in front of the Jedi's faces.

It was a little hard to tell in the previous panel, but Master Fay also has pointy elf ears too! That is a rarity among the comics. I think it only happened twice before in the Knights of the Old Republic and Tales of the Jedi comics, both which took place thousands of years before events here. However, from what I remember, the context of those instances don't match with Master Fay. It's too bad we didn't have more.

Also Master Fay is a little on the nose with her being described as ageless and beautiful...much like a Fey or fairy.

In one panel, we get so much information. 1) wookies can be bad and become bandits to even other species, though those types tend to stand out. 2) We have a reference to the Dark Woman, who appeared in earlier comics. Very nice. 3) We are given information that Jedi do work outside of Republic space and free slaves. It just wasn't Qui-Gon's mission in The Phantom Menace, but he did it anyway.

This is why I prefer the Dark Horse Star Wars comics than the Disney-fied, Marvel ones. Not only is the material and themes darker and more adult, but the level of detail is *chef's kiss*.

The "bounty hunter competition" that Durge is referring to is the story in the Jango Fett: Bounty Hunter game that came out around this time. I love cross-media references. It shows that the writers are paying attention.

Anakin giving a clone a name and encouraging it to accept it is quite like him at this stage.

Lol! What in the zombie is this? Ventress has never shown a power to raise or control the dead anywhere (although I do find it hilarious that this predicted Ventress's change to Nightsisters and their dead-raising magiks). And she will probably never show this power again, methinks.

This is the first time that Obi-Wan has fought Ventress.

"'May the Force be with you, meatbag.'" That's an HK-47 reference! Thought we didn't notice, but we did.

"'I'm a walking nerve cluster...I can feel your heartbeat from two hundred meters away. You can't sneak up on me!'" I don't think there's ever been a creature like Durge before or since this comic.

Whatever this biological agent is, it's quite deadly even to Jedi.
Also, if this reminds you of anything, season 1 of The Clone Wars '08 show had a similar couple of episodes too. And they were on Naboo as well (this story is on one of Naboo's moons).

I don't think Kenobi bare-fisted Durge. I like this Viking Jedi's style, but not his tact.

I love how Viking Jedi is terrified of Durge, and it's only been a few seconds since he started wrecking shop.

This is it. This is Durge in all his glory. Not only did he take out Obi-Wan in seconds through speed, surprise, and strength, he is holding a repeating cannon in ONE hand, bolas on his other hand, and one of his eyes is glaring red from behind his helmet! Being covered in armor plating head-to-toe, on his chest is the Mandalorian symbol. Honestly, I'm glad he never appeared in TCW or they would've reduced his image.

This carnage covers two full pages! A scene of gungans in various stages of decay and damage.

A little bit of misjudging on the random Jedi's part regarding the clone. She doesn't seem to regard clones to be able to plan and speak openly, but this is an ARC trooper she is speaking to.