Star Wars Vector Vol. 2

Written by Rob Williams, John Ostrander, and Jan Duursema
Art by Dustin Weaver, Jan Duursema, and Dan Parsons

While I've been enjoying reading John Ostrander's wonderful Star Wars Legacy series, I got a little confused when it came time to find a copy of volume six.  As it turns out, it's because volume six is really volume two of Star Wars Vector, a novel crossover idea that was tried out in all the Star Wars series a couple of years ago, and which is sure to confound new readers.

Vector is about Celeste Morne, a Jedi who has become bonded to a Sith artifact known as the Muur Talisman.  It holds the spirit of an ancient and long-dead Sith named Karness Muur, who is in constant battle for control with Morne, and also gives her the ability to turn any creature into a Rakghul, a mindless monster.  Volume One of this series contains the Knights of the Old Republic and the Dark Times issues, whereas this book covers off the Rebellion and Legacy legs of our tour.  Not being too interested in Star Wars books not written by John Ostrander, I just picked up volume one.

The Rebellion story is okay.  It seems to take place between the first and second Star Wars movies (Episode 4 and 5, for people that want to acknowledge the newer films), and features a still-green Luke Skywalker, and all the rest of our favourite characters.  What is most notable about this story is that the art is by Dustin Weaver, who is currently doing very impressive work on Marvel's oddball SHIELD comic.  Everything else is pretty forgetful.

Then we get to the Legacy part of things, and it all takes a turn for the better.  Ostrander integrates Morne and her story with his ongoing plot perfectly.  We meet up with Cade Skywalker and his crew as they make their way into the Galactic Core to set up their assassination of Darth Krayt, the Sith Lord that has been plaguing the galaxy.  On the way, they come across Morne in a stolen Imperial Destroyer.  They get her on-side in their mission, and lots of stuff happens.

Legacy has to be the best Star Wars comic ever written (and drawn - few artists are as consistently great as Duursema), and I love the attention to detail, both in terms of character and in terms of providing a consistent and interesting setting for these stories that the creators bring to this book.