Powerful Pages - Star Wars: Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber

Powerful Pages - Star Wars: Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber (2009)

If the idea of a horror novel set within the Star Wars universe intrigues you, there is every reason to think that you would enjoy Death Troopers.  A grisly tale of hapless survivors being hunted by zombies on abandoned vessels in deep space, Schreiber does a good job of marrying two separate worlds together.  Yes, this is most definitely a zombie story, dripping with terror and boasting many of that sub-genre's favorite staples.  Yes, it is a Star Wars tale as well, capturing the feel of that universe and inserting two of the franchise's most beloved characters into the fray.  There are also nods to Alien and other sci-fi horror ventures, so the tale's biggest shortcoming may be it's derivative nature.  Schreiber is a fine writer, and while he doesn't paint any grand pictures with his words, he keeps things moving and proves quite adept at establishing mood and tension.  At the end of the day, one shouldn't expect Death Troopers to use the Star Wars brand and the various horror genre tropes it relies upon to springboard into some fantastic new realm.  It is awesome to experience a gruesome zombie shocker taking place in the same world where the Jedi and the Sith wage war, but as zombie tales go, this one adheres to the formula.  In a way, while most Star Wars ventures aim to be epic sagas overburdened with riches, Death Troopers is totally satisfied with operating on a lesser scale.  If this were a film, it would be a B movie, and while it wouldn't shatter the mold by any means, it would surely be a crowd-pleaser for those who appreciate the concept.

Final Grade: B-

Short Attention Span Review: Rogue One (2016)

Short Attention Span Review: Rogue One (2016)

Rogue One is a different sort of Star Wars movie, and while the somber tone and the valiant sacrifices that punctuate the closing reel may not sit well with some, it cannot be denied this is one hell of a movie.  While the typical Star Wars picture is whimsical and far more gentle, Rogue One opts for an emphasis on grit and the perils of war.  Personally, I found this to be a sound decision, and by the time the film drew to a close, I was more invested in the material than I had been with any Star Wars movie since Luke lost his hand and Han became decor.  I'm not afraid to declare that this is easily the second-best Star Wars movie ever produced, and time may see it come to rival even The Empire Strikes Back.  The entire cast is worthy of praise, and this is due to the script as much as the talent involved.  Not since the original trilogy hit the scene have we witnessed so many rich characters with such captivating stories come together in this universe, and that desperate climax only serves to magnify the strength of the performances and the plot.  The effects are at an all-time high, the scope is clearly epic, and the significance of this standalone tale to the events depicted in the original that started it all cannot be overstated.  I greatly enjoyed Rogue One, and I was also greatly moved by it.  It exists both as a thrilling blockbuster and a thorough meditation on what it means to live and die for a cause.  Bonus points: in a series that has always found a way to give us a lovable droid to cherish, Rogue One gives us a cantankerous droid with a gift for sarcasm, and in doing so they may have topped R2-D2 and BB-8.  Seriously.  Also, there are a handful of cameos, to include Peter Cushing reprising the role of Grand Moff Tarkin thanks to some technical wizardry, and while it's nice to glimpse some familiar faces, it is Darth Vader's more substantial appearance that will have fans jumping out of their seats.  Vader has never been so badass, and Star Wars has seldom (if ever) found such an even blend of thrills and introspection.  Rogue One isn't just the best Star Wars movie to come along in a while, it's a damn good movie in general. 

Final Grade: A+

He may not be on the screen for long in Rogue One, but Vader's rage gives us one of the most impressive Star Wars moments of all time.

Marvel's Darth Vader Comic Series

 

I like to keep you peeps informed when it comes to what I'm reading, watching, and listening to these days.  Comics are frequently part of this discussion, and you probably know that I'm a Marvel fanboy at heart by now.  If DC liked Swamp Thing as much as I do, I might enjoy their line a bit more, but it's hard to keep your more unique titles going when you feel the need to churn out 716 titles featuring Batman each and every month.  All that aside, I felt the need to let everyone know that right now my favorite comic is the Darth Vader series from Marvel.  I was a little skeptical about the Star Wars line when it was originally announced due to the fact that I didn't really enjoy the Star Wars stuff Marvel dropped on me back when I was a chap.  I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it, and I wasn't sure if this current line would be any different. 

Well, either I didn't know a good thing when I saw it thirty years ago or this line is a vast improvement.  I greatly enjoy the actual Star Wars series, but the Darth Vader series is nothing short of awesome.  Darth is no hero, but throw a supreme prick like The Emperor in the mix and it's easy to root for him.  Set shortly after the events of A New Hope, the title finds Darth and Palpatine at odds as the latter blames his protegee for the destruction of the Death Star.  Vader wants to learn more about the pilot who destroyed that infamous vessel of carnage and he must uncover the Emperor's secret plans--which may include efforts to replace the iconic villain who serves him.  The plotting is stellar, the art is great, and the way the series explores unknown elements of the Star Wars universe while meshing perfectly with existing material is both intriguing and exciting.  I highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a cool read--and those who sometimes enjoy rooting for the bad guy in particular.

Current Reading List - Comics

I blogged about the new Star Wars comic from Marvel earlier, so I've definitely got comics on the brain today.  I'm always curious about what you guys are reading, and I'm willing to share my reading list with you as well.  I generally follow anywhere from 5-10 comics a month, and here's what I'm currently rocking:

Star Wars - read the previous blog for more, but the bottom line is this comic rocks

Iron Fist - this is the coolest book on my list and Kaare Kyle Andrews is the most sensational artist in comics today

Black Widow - I'm a big fan of girl power and I absolutely love this title

Swamp Thing - if DC really does end this comic, they're dead to me--seriously, there are 743 Batman books, kill one of those off before you discard your coolest title and character

She-Hulk - another cool comic that is one on the cusp of annihilation

Hawkeye - a theme is forming right before our very eyes, but at least there's a replacement for this stellar venture coming down the pipeline

The Amazing Spider-Man - yeah, this whole Spider-verse thing is totally ridiculous--and it's also lots of fun

Guardians of the Galaxy Team-Up - this one is slated to debut this month and we've already signed up--I'm a sucker for a good team-up

So, that's what I'm reading.  Feel free to share your thoughts on my list and as I said earlier, I'm definitely curious about what you guys are looking at these days.  I'm a Marvel fanboy at heart, but I'm willing to branch out.  Just don't try and recommend anything DC does to me if they really pull the plug on Swampy.  That aggression will not stand.

Star Wars - the new comic series from Marvel

Last night I read the second issue of Marvel's new Star Wars series to the kids.  Yes, I played Star Wars music, just like I did with the first one, and even though Darth Vader's breathing isn't part of the script, I went there.  I went there a lot.  True story: we're having a great time with these comics.  Honestly, they're pretty close to the top of my list now, and that's high praise considering just how new the title is.  The kids would probably love it regardless, but I'm genuinely impressed.  I'm a lifelong fan of comics, and it's not like we haven't had Star Wars comics to enjoy before.  However, I never felt the property translated well to comics--at least not the ones I encountered.  They were okay, but they were never something that I sought out.  This series is dope.  It's set right after the first Star Wars--or should I say the fourth?  I think I would prefer to refer to it as the first, even though it is Part IV, but I digress.  What I'm trying to say is that it's very cool because I get to hang with Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie, and everyone's favorite droids again after all this time.  Bonus points: it is entirely possible that Darth Vader has never been more badass.  That's probably my favorite thing about the series.  Anyway, if you're a fan of comics or Star Wars, you should definitely check this series out.  The story is gripping, the pencils are solid, the colors are incredible, and I think you'll enjoy it just as much as these wacky Waylands are.

May the force be with you.