Flashpoint

makes the band seem like a family and not just a cult. gives Camper a sense of purpose and examines the relationships of the group.

Very Good! Artwork and story were amazing! I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the video game Knights of the Old Republic.

The first story arc of many comic books tends to be rather lifeless. The authors generally write them not as self-contained stories, but as a writer's guide establishing the major characters, settings, and situations that will carry on for years, if not decades. The first volume of Dark Horse's KOTOR was as origin stories go fairly entertaining. Despite having the aroma and flavor of Lucas left-overs (a Jedi-centric story featuring a white teenage boy set in the midst of a galaxy-wide war populated with the same old species playing the same old roles), writer John Jackson Miller spiced things up with a couple of clever plot twists and great comic timing. In this second volume, though, he hits his stride, delivering what has to be the funniest comic book of 2007, and certainly the funniest Star Wars comic ever. Forget Tag and Bink. Check out Del and Dob, the Ithorian brothers who woke up on the wrong side of the species. Assigned to track a likely contact of padawan fugitive Zayne Carrick, the pair set in motion a 2-chapter comedy of errors when they decide to take the initiative and capture their contact instead. Besides creating characters that are sure to be fan favorites, Miller also finds at last a voice for Gryph, a character that previously played only a role (the problem-solver who knows where to go and who to ask), but who comes into his own as a key player and comic sidekick in both stories of Flashpoint. Miller in addition introduces two Mandalorians that will likely be appearing in future stories. The evil genius Demagol is rather crudely drawn. Outfitted in Mandalorian armor, we never see his face or learn much about him except that he is investigating the source of Jedi force abilities in order to neutralize or replicate such powers. And he enjoys experimenting on live subjects. He's prepared to have his way with Jarael when Zayne and the Mandalorian deserter Rohlan show up on the penal outpost of Flashpoint to launch an expertly crafted jailbreak. Less comic in tone than the story featuring the Ithorian brothers, Miller nevertheless manages to work in some great one-liners, like the farewell between the Jedi known as Squint - "May the Force be with you." - and Zayne - "Yeah, we'll see how that goes..." And if that weren't enough for one volume, Miller also delivers a chapter of back-story on Lucien Draay, the leader and fixer for the murderous cabal of Jedi seers, those who hired the Ithorians and who want Zayne Carrick's head. About the only disappointment in this volume, aside from the anemic villain Demagol, is the rotating stable of artists. I have since the Clone Wars been a fan of Brian Ching and enjoyed his work on Commencement, but in Flashpoint he delivers only two chapters out of six. And compared side-by-side with Dustin Weaver and Harvey Tolibao's pencils, I find Ching's work stiffer, less life-like, less animated. My only other concern has to do with the KOTOR universe as a whole, which is bei

i am really loving this series. its a pretty straightforward storyline without too many mysteries, but with enough intrigue and backstory. the flash-backs are easy to follow--too many times in comics its hard to tell where they start and stop. the art is pretty consistent throughout--both pencils and ink really give the characters, well, more character. rohlan is a great mandalorian, one i hope hasbro considers making. zayne is a very believable jedi--probably alot like most jedi out there, instead of the super-hero jedi we're used to. gryph has to be my favorite. he is just enough comic relief without being over the top (unlike the ithorians, but they're not major players). he has great expressions and is easily likeable, but very shady as well. the best page is where the mandalorians are landing (when gryph exclaims "the mandalorians are attacking...for real). its a gorgeous spread. i highly suggest picking this, as well commencement up (which i agree does start slow), but it can't all be rising action/climax, can it?

Dark Horse continues their tradition of non-Heroes of Yavin stories with another good entry. Zayne is a different breed of Jedi from the typical mold, neither all-powerful or traditional. Great action, great artwork, and a great concept.