Review by Frank Plowright

Acts of War is set in the timeline prior to the days of the Phantom Menace, at least in the original comics continuity, and features Mace Windu leading a team of Jedi Knights attempting to sort out the problem of a society who were long isolated before joining the Senate. The Yinchorri have since used new contacts to upgrade their technology and begun to conquer neighbouring areas. In order that Windu’s task isn’t too easy, writer Randy Stradley establishes early on that the Yinchorri are immune to mind manipulation via the Force, and their technology can also repel light sabres.

Star Wars: The Phantom Menace had been released just before Acts of War was originally serialised, so Stradley features several others with parts in the film. As well as having to produce likenesses of actor Samuel L. Jackson throughout, artist Davidé Fabbri’s cartoon realism adapts well to illustrating Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson.

What seems a relatively straightforward plot is given a good early twist by Stradley, ensuring battles in more than one location. Stradley also resists the temptation to prioritise the film cast above all others, as the mission to Yinchorri requires the Jedi to split into smaller teams.

Fabbri’s contribution is immensely detailed, and he brings an individual sense of design to Acts of War, as seen on the work needed for the craft on the sample spread. He applies the same complexity to the Yinchorri, drawn as fearsomely solid and lumpy reptilian beings, and the same detail to battle scenes. Those between people feature dozens of characters, and craft are equally plentiful during space combat.

Stradley lets readers in on an aspect of the Yinchorri’s strategy puzzling the Jedi by occasionally cutting away and showing Darth Sidious and Darth Maul’s contact with an agent provocateur. The result is a stirring adventure featuring tragedy and loss in the service of heroism, and all the excitement you want from the Star Wars brand.