THE REVIEW
This issue of Dark Times completes the
"Parallels" story arc exactly as readers were expecting. Our heroes
move inevitably into the conclusions of their respective dilemmas,
conclusions only violence can achieve. Bomo and K'Kruhk, each
frustrated by irrepressible events, each raging against injustice,
each killing enemies, do indeed parallel each other, as implied in
the heading. But other characters parallel as well; both Crys
Taanzer and Chase Piru must accept and follow the example of their
ferocious mentors, both the castaway crew of the Uhumele and the
castaway Jedi younglings must abide by the methods of their
rescuers. A dark shroud descends upon the galaxy. Good beings are
doing brutal things, not only to survive, but also to release their
anger.
Accordingly, the bad guys get it good. On the planet Mimban, Haka
Hai dies with his mouth agape like a gawping fish. On the dark
jungle moon, Lumbra dies with his arm cut off, par for the Star Wars
course. And the goons who follow them get holes in the chest. The
new era is one of meaningless death. This is the Empire.
However, families are forged. Bomo and the crew are striking out
into an unknown future together. K'Kruhk has a ship and a charge to
keep. Perhaps these starfaring strangers have an important destiny
to fulfill, and a role to play in galactic affairs that will connect
a long vector of secret history. Thus we move into 'Vector' with
places to go and mysteries to solve. Things are heating up.
This is Ross' and Wald's best efforts yet. Ross' close-ups have the
timeless feel of portraiture, as only Doug Wheatley has previously
been able to attain. Wald complements him with balmy colors that
feel more fanatical than cozy. Speaking of fanatics, check out the
look on Bomo's face in Zach Howard's and Brad Anderson's aptly drawn
and colored cover. The art of Dark Times moves it ahead of other
Star Wars comic series otherwise closely competitive and all truly
great.
Scomp
Link:
DARK TIMES #10
Best Line: "In Trying To
Save Something I Cared About, I May Have Lost It... Forever."
Best image
Grade: "That's good. You
have taken your first step into a larger world."
