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fan comics |
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originally published as a blog on
starwars.com, we present this
article by
keith ryan kappel
aka nar cranor of
fandom comics,
keith's site, fandom comics is linked at the top of the page, and a darn
good site it is too. all opinions expressed below are those of
keith ryan kappel. |
Cracken's Crew: -
http://www.fandom.swnsu.com
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a page from crackens
crew, art by
steve criado |
Jawa Force: The original Star Wars Fan comic. This is the one that
started it all. While the concept is kind of laughable, basically a bunch of
commando Jawas, the book is actually pretty good. There are 5 issues at the
link above, all in full color. Now saying there are 5 issues is a bit
misleading. Each issue has a different number of pages, ranging from 22 pages
to 43 pages. Still one of the best out there. The story is fairly interesting,
the Jawas actually have some character and you CAN tell them apart. Ties in
nicely to the original movie, just not too believable. The art is also good,
but leaves a bit to be desired. Four out of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/jawaforce/html.asp
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the cover of jawa force
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Bungo & Rusti: Also known as the "Official Fan Comic". This fan comic
was actually published in a few issues of the Star Wars Adventure Journal put
out by West End Games for the RPG game back in the day. These were more or
less humorous stories centred around a Sullustian working for Sorosuub and his
uppity droid and their encounters with sentient BanthaQuik burgers. Wacky
things of that nature. A wacky story with great, though highly stylized and
cartoony, art. Four out of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/bungo&rusti/
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a page from bungo and
rusti |
The Hidden War: A dramatic fan comic following the adventures of a few
rebel miscreants, The Hidden War is one of the other long running Fan Comics
at Six issues with some support materials for the WEG system. While these fan
comics were good, and the art was great and very professional, the entire
series seemed dated somehow. It just had a very 80's feel to it. Very
marvel/WEG ish. You will either love that or hate it, I happen to be on the
side of the coin that hates it, but I do understand and respect it. Three out
of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/thw/
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hidden war issue one |
hidden war issue two |
Fate of the Jedi: This is a sort of retelling, or guessing, of what was
supposed to happen for E2 and E3. This is actually just a series of mini
comics, Four issues that are each 12 or fewer pages. The art is fantastic, but
the story itself is VERY infinities since the release of E2 and E3. Darth Maul
surviving and Aurra Sing and Boba Fett's relationship round out three of the
core players in the story. The art is great though. Three out of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/fate.asp
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the cover of fate of the
jedi |
Warchild: This is a 7 page mini comic by Tom Whalen. Tom creates an
awesome animated style of artwork that could work really well for Star Wars,
but it looks like he is experimenting with panel placement, and his story
doesn't seem to have much place in the Star Wars galaxy. It seems more fit to
an Ender's Game universe or some other sci-fi universe. Mecha have no place in
Star Wars though, IMO. This could have been a better anime-ish type fan comic.
Two out of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/warchild.asp
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a page from warchild by
tom whalen |
Yoda: Padawan: This comic follows Yoda during his padawan years. It is
a single issue that goes on for 64 pages and counting. I haven't actually had
the time to read through this entire book, plus I find the concept of Yoda
with a yellow mohawk very disconcerting. Regardless, the art isn't bad at all.
So while this is an unfair rating, since I haven't read it and can't really
judge it, I give it Three out of Five Stars based on my first impression.
Alright, I took the time to actually read this one. A contrived plot with bad
yoda dialogue compounded by poor character design kind of makes it so that the
good line work is unable to carry the comic. Gotta drop it down to two of out
five stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/yodapadawan.asp
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yoda: padawan, art by
josh diffey |
Dark Evolution: Another 13 page mini comic by Tom Whalen. Again with
the cool stylized art. Again with the experimental panel layout. What saves
him here is a much more "Star Wars" oriented story. A female jedi kicking butt
on a star destroyer. Four out of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/de.asp
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dark evolution by tom
whalen |
Family: A small story about a jedi and his mercenary friend, this comic
has very raw artwork that is still good in it's own way. The story so far is
dreadful though. Also, the presentation is more of a web slideshow than it is
comic book. Two out of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/family.asp
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page art from family, by
darrel miller |
Imperial Jedi: A Simpson's/Star Wars spoof/humor comic, Imperial Jedi
is a pair of mini comics that focuses mostly on humor. Mildly amusing.
Simpson's fans will get an extra kick out of it. Two out of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/impjedi.asp
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the cover to imperial
jedi |
Dimensional Trouble: This is horrible. It is a comic made with simple
computer graphics and movie stills, designed to be funny. It was really awful.
Takes place outside continuity. One out of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/comics/fancomics/dtrouble.asp
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the first page of
dimensional trouble |
Dark Sun Rising: Done by Fan Force Wales, this manga inspired comic
seems really well done on the art end, but I haven't yet had a chance to read
it all the way through yet. It shows a lot of promise though, and has five
chapters, each with about 14 pages. Four out of Five Stars, though the story
could make or break it once I read it. I'll update this post when I do. Well,
the story broke it. This story actually takes place on earth in modern times.
In Australia no less. Drops the entire thing down to 1 out of five stars. The
art in the first two chapters is kind of sub standard from the sketch work I
saw before. Not really worth the read.
http://fanforcecomic.tripod.com/comic/
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a page from dark sun
rising |
Diary of a Crazed Mimbanite: A very humorous comic strip, more so than
fan comic. Still, it is very good. 65 strips are on the site. I would
encourage everyone to read through these at least once. As humor strips I give
them Five out of Five Stars, but they aren't quite fan comic books.
http://www.jediknight.net/3do/strips.htm
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a strip from diary of a
crazed mimbanite by al macdonald |
Kromag Vs. Rictor: A goofy site again going for humor, this comic was
done with Kenner action figures. It is sort of an action comedy, but it is
fairly uninspired, especially when compared to what the wizard staff puts
together with toy fare. Two out of Five Stars.
http://www.geocities.com/rickyriolo/kromagvsrictor.html
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the cover to kromag vs
rictor |
Jaxxon's 11: I think this is one of the best fan comics out there, even
though it is really a humor comic. The Art is great, if cartoony, and the
writing is top notch. So funny, your blue milk will squirt out of your nose!
If you haven't ever read this and were a fan of the old Marvel comics,
definately check this out! Five out of Five Stars.
http://www.theforce.net/humor/jaxxon/
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page one of jaxxon's 11
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The Adventures of Abner Meade: So far this is just a single page, but
apparently focuses on a Duros smuggler. The art is fair and the story is ok
for what we have seen so far. Its just one page, but Three out of Five Stars.
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Corridor/7410/comic.html
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a panel from the
adventures of abner meade |
The Irregular Web Comic: This lego comic strip is humorous, haven't had
a chance to read through it all yet. Rating Pending. Got a chance to read
through these. I chuckled out loud on a few of them. Funny stuff. 3 out of 5
stars.
http://www.irregularwebcomic.net/cast/starwars.html
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two panels from the
irregular web comic |
The Fall: Probably the best fan comic overall. The story covers what
happens to Mace Windu after he is beaten by Anakin and Palpatine. It is really
really really good. Five out of Five Stars.
http://www.saturnite.50megs.com/starwars/index.html
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a page from the fall
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The Adventures of Luke Skywalker: Great little fan comic without much
story posted yet. Great artwork though. Definitely a unique approach to a fan
comic, pretty unique.
http://www.injenn.net/~foximon/Luke/
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page one of the
adventures of luke skywalker |
Seed of Evil: Great short comic that details Dooku's early dealings
with Lord Sidious, shortly after Sidious kills his master. Easily one of the
best fan comics out there.
http://trashcompactorchronicles.co.uk/SEED01.html
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page one of seeds of evil
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The Race: An early Dash Rendar story on Kessel. Some kind of race. Its
somewhat innovative with the mouse-over pop up dialogue/narrative boxes, but
the story doesn't seem to have much point other than exploring the format
concept.
http://trashcompactorchronicles.co.uk/RACE01.html
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a page from the race |
Knight Visions: Same innovative format as before. This time they seem
to be using photography for panels instead of line art. Interesting, but
again, not much actual story.
http://trashcompactorchronicles.co.uk/KNIGHT01.html
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a page from knight
visions |
Prologue: This story is just kicking off, seems somewhat interesting,
but the dialogue is somewhat sub par, and the artwork is only fair.
http://trashcompactorchronicles.co.uk/PRLOG01.html
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a page from prologue |
Shades of Grey: This one makes absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. It
looks pretty cool, I just have no idea what is going on.
http://trashcompactorchronicles.co.uk/GREY01.html
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a page from shades of
grey |
I Don't Like Sand: A great fan comic pitting Darth Vader against
A'Sharad Hett. Same creative team that did Seed of Evil, very well done.
http://trashcompactorchronicles.co.uk/SAND01.html
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a page from i don't like
sand |
Dengar's Tale: I actually enjoyed the unique art style for this one,
but the story didn't seem like one that needed to be told. there actually
wasn't much story there.
http://trashcompactorchronicles.co.uk/DENGAR01.html
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a page from dengar's tale |
Pride's Due: Sweet art style, but only one page is up so far.
http://trashcompactorchronicles.co.uk/PRIDE01.html
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artwork from pride's due |
Creature Cantina: A very funny humor strip that has been running for 4
years. I can't believe I didn't already know about this.
http://www.creaturecantina.com/thecantina/
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a panel from creature
cantina |
Obi-wan Kenobi Doujinshi: This manga star wars is actually really good,
if only a 10 page story. It features a 15 year old Obi Wan. I give it 5 out of
5 stars, very touching. Definitely a great read.
http://www.ztarr.net/sw_doujinshi/archive/manga/part%201/001.html
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page one of obi wan
doujinshi |
Darksiders Syndicate: A pretty solid comic featuring some Order 66
survivors. Looks like it has potential, though there are some minor continuity
errors. Nar Shaddaa being a place of power for sith and jedi alike? Nar
Shaddaa being a hidden planet only one clone senator knows how to reach?
Nonetheless, it is coherent, so that gives it big points IMO. 3 out of 5
stars.
http://www.swsyndicate.com/php-bin/gallery/displayimage.php?album=43&pos=0
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the cover of darksiders
syndicate |
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