Star Wars is famed for its iconic and archetypal heroes. Few are as prestigious, respected, or well-loved as Jedi master Yoda, mentor to many aspiring Jedi warriors. Star Wars: Yoda #1, written by Cavan Scott, with art by Nico Leon, colors by Dono Sánchez-Almana, and letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna, kicks off the new series starring the Jedi mentor, waiting for Luke’s arrival in the desolate swamp planet of Dagobah, as he reflects on his greatest adventures, from the days of the High Republic to the rise of the Empire.
When Sclavi’s island is attacked by raiders, they are hopelessly overpowered and outnumbered. Young Bree Menaren uses a broken ship to make a distress call to the cosmos, begging for help. The Jedi Council of Coruscant is unsure of what to do or who to send. However, Grandmaster Yoda has already volunteered and is determined to go wherever help is needed, even if it means leaving the Jedi Temple forever.
Yoda is beloved by the Star Wars fandom and beyond. He fulfills the role of the archetypal wise elder but with some charming quirks, such as his quirky and instantly recognizable speech patterns, endearing design, his offbeat but sincere brand of wisdom, and his kindness. Yoda’s backstory is shrouded in mystery, which only adds to his appeal. Writer Cavan Scott, who is no stranger to the Star Wars comic canon, walks a fine line between exploring Yoda’s past while keeping his origins mysterious. Scott plays it safe with Yoda’s characterization. Yoda is so beloved that making him look less heroic or successful would be a major disservice, but this limits Scott’s opportunities to develop the character or surprise the audience.
Star Wars: Yoda #1 is a visual treat. Artist Nico Leon’s elegant line art, with its thick yet shapely lines, strikes a nice balance between the fantastical seriousness and whimsical charm of the franchise. His use of extreme angles and creative panel shapes make this issue a cinematic experience. Colorist Dono Sánchez-Almana uses two dominating color palettes, literally different as day and night. Warm, soft brights light up the carefree daytime scenes on the Sclavi homeworld, and much starker, ominous sunset hues, backed by black, set the tone for intense nighttime scenes. This palette is most notable during the fight scenes, framed by darkness and fire, serving as the perfect contrast to Yoda’s green lightsaber. Sánchez-Almana uses a similar color scheme on Coruscant and for the interior of Yoda’s cave in Dagobah. This is a subtle way of reminding the reader that Yoda belongs on the war-torn island just as much as he does in the Jedi Temple. Yoda goes wherever the Force and its rusty hues take him.
While it doesn’t do anything particularly new with the character, Star Wars: Yoda #1 is a solid issue. It’s always a treat to see Yoda in action and at the top of his game. Despite the overarching trend within the current Star Wars releases to deconstruct its heroes, Star Wars: Yoda #1 is content to let this beloved character be himself, much to its benefit.
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