The Clone Wars

Clone Wars 2.14 & Novel Review Posted

by Paul Talon on Feb.18, 2010, under Expanded Universe, Literature, The Clone Wars

The Satine Saga continues and is once again a stellar example of why the Clone Wars has risen above it’s shaky start with the animated film to become a great entry into the Star Wars universe as a whole. Far from being childish, it instead is a very mature look at a serious situation which includes allegories with our own current situation with Iraq as well as a intriguing look at the relationship of Anakin and Padme when compared to a similar situation with Obi-Wan and Satine.

Episode I Adventures Volume 1: Search For the Lost Jedi

Written by: Ryder Windham

Yawn. Adventures aimed at the younger audience are a mixed bag generally. There are times when they transcend age, like in most of the Jedi Apprentice series, where even an adult can get something out of watching Obi-Wan Kenobi grow from apprentice to Jedi under Qui-Gon Jinn’s tutelage.

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Clone Wars 2.13 & Novels & Short Story Reviews

by Paul Talon on Feb.13, 2010, under Expanded Universe, Literature, The Clone Wars

“Voyage of Temptation”

A continuation of the Mandalore Plot we see Obi-Wan and Anakin in charge of bringing Dutchess Satine to Coruscant so that she can testify before the Senate. Immediately we get a role reversal of Episode II in which Anakin is questioning Obi-Wan’s state of mind before dealing with a beautiful, political female.

The Life and Legend of Obi-Wan Kenobi & The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader & A New Hope: The Life of Luke Skywalker

2008-2009

All written by: Ryder Windham

Although I have yet to read the third book in this series, I feel pretty comfortable reviewing it as I can review the first two at exactly the same time just substituting characters. If I am wrong and the Luke book is something majorly different, I will break it off from this review.

The Monster

Written by Daniel Wallace

Originally appeared in: Star Wars Gamer #2

A short story depicting one of the earliest appearances of then Lieutenant Panaka. It shows Panaka as an innovative head of security on Naboo who has little in the way of a personal life, dedicating himself to his job.

The Starfighter Trap

Written by: Steve Miller

Originally appeared in: Star Wars Gamer #1

Written around the time of the game, Starfighter it features Essara Till, a pilot who had left Naboo to see the universe and winded up happily back home where she headed up Bravo Squadron with her lover a Dren Melne.

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Clone Wars Review & Jedi Apprentice Novel Reviews Posted

by Paul Talon on Jan.31, 2010, under Expanded Universe, Literature, The Clone Wars

The Mandalore Plot”

“An episode intriguing on several different levels. First and probably most important for EU fans is the introduction of the planet of Mandalore and it’s warriors. Secondly we get to see Obi-Wan Kenobi meeting with a beautiful female that he has somewhat of a history with – as we are told. The Dutchess.

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Jedi Apprentice Volume 12: The Evil Experiment

The second part of the in series trilogy involving a crazy scientist and her mad schemes. Qui-Gon has been captured along with another unspecified Jedi to be used in experiments designed so that Jenna Zan Arbor could learn what she could about the Force.

Meanwhile Obi-Wan Kenobi is left behind with Astri to find both Qui-Gon as well as find an antidote to the poison given to Astrid’s father, Didi by the bounty hunter.

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Jedi Apprentice Volume 13: The Dangerous Rescue

Written by: Jude Watson

Another mixed bag. After twelve volumes, there just isn’t a lot of new territory to cover and I can’t shake the feeling that we’re hitting filler mode now. Just a few more adventures until we get til Episode I. It might not be quite that bad, but I would like to see a bit more development at this stage.

Qui-Gon is rescued, but Master Noor R’aya is still in Zan Arbor’s clutches. Who is R’aya? A venerated master but I have no idea why. There is little about him that is said, even as they eventually rescue him. For someone so venerated, I expected a bit more about him by the end of the day. Especially due to the set up, where we are led to believe he is truly important.

The plot thickens throughout as Zan Arbor releases a dangerous disease on a planet as per her usual, where she has an antidote she will “discover” at the last moment.

The twist comes with the duplicity of Uta S’orn, a senator who had recently retired. Her son was a Force Sensitive whom Zan Arbor had experimented on and later killed. Despite this S’orn still works with Arbor to make her fortune, putting her own planet at risk.

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Clone Wars 2.09 & 2.10 Reviews Posted

by Paul Talon on Jan.19, 2010, under The Clone Wars

“Grievous Intrigue”

Another shining reason why Clone Wars can be placed up there as the best action-oriented show on television today. In a nearly episode long battle that could rival any of the films watching Grievous take on all the Jedi at different points is well worth the price of admission. In fact everytime Grievous fights Obi-Wan to some kind of stand still should in theory make their final battle in Episode III more potent.
“The Deserter”

Hands down one of the better explorations about the clones that we have seen. We get to see some of the hints of the tales involving Clones individualism thrown almost full out in this tale. I only wish honestly that this was a separate tale than the overall Hunt For Grievous tale started last episode.

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Clone Wars: 2.08 Review Posted!

by Paul Talon on Dec.05, 2009, under The Clone Wars

“Brain Invaders”

Building on the PG horror theme from last week, Brain Invaders is an homage to Invasion of the Body Snatchers and Alien all in one. One of the Geonosis’ Queen’s brain worms gets itself into one of the clone troopers, it forces the trooper to bring more on board a transport being led by Ahsoka and Bariss to get medical supplies for Dantooine while Anakin, Obi-Wan, Ki-Adi, and Luminara flew Poggle back towards Coruscant to debrief him.

The build up is slow and a bit lumbering but it leads to some great action and drama. The Clones take over the ship sending Ahsoka and Barriss off running. As they try to retake the ship and get messages out to Anakin and Kit Fisto, Barriss gets taken leaving only Ahsoka evoking the horror of being alone amongst the monsters.

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Clones Wars 2.06 Review Posted

by Paul Talon on Nov.20, 2009, under The Clone Wars

“Weapons Factory”
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“Weapons Factoy” is a great example of why Clone Wars is much more than a kiddie cartoon show. In fact it is at times more in depth and better at character development than the films are. It takes the relationships they have and analyze and compare and put them through the ringer to show us how they develop.

Take for example Anakin and Ahsoka. What started out as a real detriment to the series, has begun to really come around and actually become a valued part. Ahsoka is still a bit kidlike in demeanor as is appropriate and certainly will still attract a kiddie audience. But for the more mature audience, Ahsoka is the key to helping us see Anakin’s faults and beginnings of his descent.

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