Star Wars comics - Where to start?

[Satanist]

As the resident comic geek in my group of friends I'm the one who always gets hit with stupid questions when a film comes out or there's some article in the papers.

But one of them has asked something which is outside of my experience and went something like the following....

Q - Are there any Star Wars comics?
A - Aye there's hundreds
Q - Where would be a good place to start for my kid?
A - Erm don't know.
Q - Can you get them in German?
A - Erm probably.

The German part isn't terribly important but for a 7 year old kid does anyone know a good starting point? Any decent GN's?

Please don't let me down folks as my geek kudos is at risk here.


Cheers!

[Steven Sterlacchini]

Possible start with the stories closer to the films, like 'Empire'? As these are set in an around the events of the trilogy.

Although Colin Wilson (Rogue Trooper, Dredd, Raindogs) and Tom Taylor's 'Invasion' is just about to be published:
//http://www.starwars.com/invasion/

It's set 25 years after the battle of Yavin (Star Wars).

Colin's Star Wars work is great.

[Colin YNWA]

For me you can't go wrong with the Dark Horse collections of the original Marvel Star Wars series. Its old skool but very kid friendly and incredibly good fun. When new they were pretty expensive but last couple of marts I've been to I've seen a couple going pretty cheap and eBay is always an opinion. The series was called 'Star Wars: A long long time ago..) and there are 7 in total. My personal favourite //http://www.amazon.co.uk/Star-Wars-Long-Ago-Screams/dp/1840235470/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243345929&sr=8-3

The other tip from me is the Dark Horse collections of the old Archie Godwin, Al Williamson newspaper strip called 'Star Wars Classics' three of these. Agn very kid friendly and all with the most glorious Al Williamson artwork which is a joy to behold. Again eBay is a great place to find these though again I got 2 really cheap at a comic mart (like 2 or 3 quid each, though this was about 2 years ago now).

//http://www.amazon.co.uk/Classic-Star-Wars-Rebel-Storm/dp/1569711062/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1243346180&sr=1-11

[zombemybabynow]

http://www.darkhorse.com

There's legacy. set i think 100+ years after the battle of yavin* (ie. star wars a new hope).  When their main artist's on this it's pretty good: a decendant of skywalker named cade is the main character, he's a troubled soul, ex-pirate etc..

In this, the sith have new ideas about how to be ie. many sith under one leader.

and there's Knights of the old republic.  Which is set waaay before BBOY*  The art on this goes up and down but, the main protaganist Zane garrick is fantastic; he's a failed padawan who's hooked up with a con-man.
Rather than having full-on jedi powers, he's kind of reminiscent of Longshot from the x-men?  In that he's unbelievabley lucky - fate definately favours him.

[Buttonman]

I bought a Boba Fett one as a book club commitment as it was drawn by Ian Gibson but it was shit. So don't tell them to get that, obviously.

[worldshown]

Other than the Clone Wars stuff that's out at the moment, I don't think there's any comics in production with the regular film characters. KOTOR is set way before the films and Legacy is set many years after them.

As for the comics in German, the only one I know of is a fan translation of the webcomic to promote the "Star Wars: The Old Republic" game.

//http://swtor.onlinewelten.com/articles,id175,0,webcomic.html

[Emperor]

Worth noting that, like other Dark Horse titles, they are doing Star Wars Omnibus volumes which gives you a big slab of comicy goodness.

As mentioned above it is probably best to start close to the films and work out into the Expanded Universe, so for example, with Star Wars Omnibus: Early Victories you get:

Set between "Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope" and "Episode VI: Return of the Jedi", Luke Skywalker is the new hero of the Rebellion after his destruction of the first Death Star. But Luke, Leia and their cohorts find there are more battles to fight against the Empire!This bumper omnibus edition collects long out-of-print stories including "Shadow Stalker", "Tales from Mos Eisley" and "River of Chaos". Also featured is "Splinter of the Mind's Eye", the story written by George Lucas and Alan Dean Foster which spawned the "Star Wars" sequels, as well as "Vader's Quest", where the Sith Lord hunts his own son!Writers and artists including Louise Simonson ("New Mutants") and Dave Gibbons ("Watchmen") make this anthology a must for every "Star Wars" fan!

There is a truly frightening list of where the comics appear on the timeline which could help (or get a bit overwhelming):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_St ... omic_books

I also second Colin's recommendation as I believe the "Star Wars: A Long Time Ago" series collects the Star Wars series that was reprinted by Marvel UK and I absolutely loved them as a kid.

[House of Usher]

There is a truly frightening list of where the comics appear on the timeline which could help (or get a bit overwhelming):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_St ... omic_books

Crivens! How could anyone ever assimilate that lot? That's what happens when you merchandise the hell out of a property.

[ukdane]

I have (I think) about 90+% of the Dark Horse Star Wars comics.

For youngsters, I'd recommend the Clone Wars Digest comics.

I have two boys (7 and 4) they have both seen all the films- a number of times, and are huge fans.
They love the cartoon series on Cartton Network, and where as I have an allegiance to the IV-VI trilogy, they are much more into the I-III trilogy.

Most of the "adult" Dark Horse I've thorougly enjoyed, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend them for young children.

So maybe start here

These digests are also relatively cheap, so it's no great loss, if they don't like them. (The artwork is similar to the initial Cartoon Network series). If you prefer the new cartoon artwork, there are a couple of new collections with that style ("sipyards of doom" and "crash course" etc etc)

Also of note is the Star Wars Adventures series, which has just been released.
here Although I have yet to read this one myself.

If you want a story of quality, then Dark Empire is the one to get.

Also, there is another recent thread on this forum, where various people (including myself) have given more details.

[vzzbux]

You could go for some of the old republic stuff i.e. KOTR, Darth Bane and work your way to the future events of the new jedi order and Legacy. Take some time though.





V

[Satanist]

Cheers for all that, went with the kiddy friendly Clone wars ones so hope his kid likes those.

And might buy them for my son too as none of my stuff is really suitable for bedtime reading.

[Judge Man]

I do think that the Clone Wars is the best way to go for kids.

[vzzbux]

I wouldn't go for some of the clone wars comics for the kids as some of the stories can be pretty dark.




V

[Dandontdare]

I've lately been reading "A Long Time Ago", the second volume of collected reprints of the original 70s Marvel Star Wars comics. They're tremendous fun,and make me gooey with nostalgia but as they're only based on the first movie, there are one or two ...erm ... continuity issues.... such as the appearance of Jabba the Hutt:

and the amount of inappropriate snogging between Luke and his sister!
     

[Colin YNWA]

The funny thing is I think Lucus Film had to approve the stories so either they didn't know Luke and Leia's relationship or didn't mind a bit of inter family fun!

Great fun stories though