Star Wars Agent of the Empire Volume one
Written By: JOHN OSTRANDER
Art By: STÉPHANE ROUX & STÉPHANE CRÉTY
About three years before the events of A New Hope the Empire is in the height of its power. While investigating a corrupt Moff, Jahan Cross, agent for the empire discovers a strange connection to the Stark family in the corporate sector. And upon investigation uncovers a plot that would not just threaten the Empire but the whole galaxy.
One thing that is great about the expanded Star Wars universe is how diverse it can be. When you are sick of reading stories about Jedi complaining about the balance of the force there are legions of other stories to take your interest. From comedy to horror there is little you cannot find in the familiar setting of Star Wars. Star Wars Agent of the Empire fills the niche for the spy genre. Jahan Cross is an agent for the Empire and has much in common with current day James Bond. Both are focused solely on the job, have a penchant for destruction and are a big hit with the ladies. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the release of the graphic novel coincides with the release of Skyfall later this week.
You get pretty much everything you’d expect from a spy story in this volume. High society parties, corrupted officials, high tech gadgets, multiple love interests and a plot to destroy the world by a megalomaniac. Add in recurring appearances by two of Star Wars biggest and best characters and you have a story that is a lot of fun. Jahan Cross fills the role nicely as a top level secret agent. You might be left wondering why women are throwing themselves at him, despite minimum effort or even interest on his part, but you never feel that this is a man that cannot handle himself when it comes to high speed chases or shoot outs.
While the art is nothing to write home about it does a good job at conveying what is going on. Everything is clear and precise and at no point did I fell lost or have any trouble following the action. Each character also has a distinct look to them making it easy to keep track of who is who. Despite the book changing artists half way through there is no noticeable change in quality. Both artists do a very competent job.
If you are a fan of spy movies or tired of the usual Jedi stories then you should find a lot to like here. It is stories like this that makes you remember why Star Wars is so popular in the first place. It wasn’t just about Jedi and the force. It was the potential of an entire universe full of possible adventures.
8/10
