KNIGHTS OF THE OLD REPUBLIC: THE FINAL BATTLE (ISSUE 50)
February 28th 2010 18:14
Category: Graphic Novels/Comics
Publisher: Dark Horse
Production Team: John Jackson Miller – script, Brian Ching – art, Michael Atiyeh – colours, Michael Heisler – lettering & Benjamin Carre – cover art
Cost: AU $4.95/US$ 2.99
And so as Darth Vader would be wont to say “at last the circle is complete” with this the final issue in the superlative series of comics that has comprised Knights of the Old Republic. In fact as I sat in the hospital awaiting to have my operation for a cataract and oil removal on my right eye I’m sure I faintly heard the strains of the classic Star Wars theme music done by John Williams and the London Philharmonic Orchestra faintly playing in the background as I read the intro to this particular issue. Be interesting to see though if this is the total end of this particular series, granted there are no plans for a continuation in the foreseeable future although Dark Horse is not saying they will never print any KOTOR material again. Hmmm hard to see the future is, always in motion, as a wise old green, height challenged Jedi master is fond of saying…
Once upon a time there was a Zeltron scientist and scholar by the name of Antos Wyrick, he started a special school on the world of Osadia for special project, one that had a seemingly benevolent cast to it but was in actual fact of quite a sinister nature. You see Master Wyrick was in actual fact a Mandalorian, and not just any old Mandalorian but the infamous mad scientist Mandalorian known as Demagol. As Master Wyrick he intended to create a cadre of force sensitive Mandalorian Knights who would aid the crusade in its battles against the Republic and the Jedi Order, should that latter group become involved in the conflict. As Demagol he ruthlessly conducted experiments and tests on captured Jedi in order to determine best how he could create this cadre of elite force sensitive warriors, it all came to nothing though when the organisation known as the Crucible attacked his school and carried off his prized students, including the one know as Edessa.
What Master Wyrick failed to realise was that when he sold his own daughter into slavery, to the Crucible, the group who would later attack his academy, he had effectively set in motion the chain of events that would lead to the climax between not only himself and his daughter but also his former prized pupil, Edessa and her friends Zayne and Rohlan Dyre. In some ways this closing chapter of the KOTOR saga is as much about family reunions as it is about bringing an end to the activities of one of the galaxies most sinister slaving outfits and the machinations of one of the most horrendous scientists ever to come to the attention of the galaxy.
And it’s interesting to note that Chantique, Magister Impressor of the Crucible and Demagol, mad Mandalorian scientist extraordinaire, suffer the precise same flaw that prevails in many of the other major villains within the entire Star Wars saga. Namely that character flaw that makes them believe with utmost confidence that regardless of all evidence to the contrary they are completely in control; of both themselves and events. Such is not the case, not by a long shot, rather they have succumbed to their own publicity as it were and when push comes to shove they soon discover that all is not as it seems. Exar Kun discovered that when he found the Jedi Order and the Republic assaulting his fortress on Yavin Four, Count Dooku discovers it aboard the Invisible Hand when he confronts Anakin Skywalker and Obi Wan Kenobi and the Emperor only realises it as he falls down the shaft of an incomplete, but fully armed and operation battle station in the closing moments of Return of the Jedi. And Chantique and her father Demagol swiftly discover this when they finally confront each other, along with a rather unusual secret about themselves that neither had ever suspected.
When the dust finally settles on the confrontation on Osadia there is the finally wrap up to tie up any remaining loose ends that cry out for resolution. The various protagonists have ended this particular chapter in their respective lies and now the future lies open before them, as Zayne says to his long time ally and friend Marn there is so many choices, so many options. And even though it is the end of the current run of KOTOR I just cannot help feeling that at some stage down the track we may yet again see this series return…or perhaps it may be wishful thinking on my behalf, but you never can tell. Many and varied are the ways of the Force…
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