STAR WARS: TALES OF THE JEDI – THE FALL OF THE SITH EMPIRE.
May 25th 2008 22:44
Category: Graphic Novels/Comics
“The glory of the Sith Empire will endure forever. It is our destiny anyone can see that”
Naga Sadow, Dark Lord of the Sith to Gav Daragon.
“…but if we should confront the fabled Sith Empire, we will experience a war so great, so devastating that it can cross the fabric of hyperspace, a conflagration spanning the galaxy”
Jedi Master Ooroo to his padawan Odan-urr.
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics.
Production Team: Kevin J Anderson – writer, Dario Carrasco Jr – penciller, Mark G Heike, Bill Black & David Jacob Beckett – inkers, Ray Murtaugh – colourist, Duncan Fergedo – cover artist, Willie Schubert – letterer, Judi T Hann, Daniel Jackson, Jon Fell & Jason Hvam – colour separators.
Cost: AU$ 22.95/US $14.95.
Originally released back in 97/98 this particular chapter of the Star Wars universe focuses on a period that would later become known as the Great Hyperspace War, it would also be one of the many conflicts that would occur between the Jedi and the Sith as well as the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic. It was not the first such conflict however, that occurred many many years before this war when the Jedi Order underwent a schism within its ranks, the rebels eventually leaving known space and fleeing to some new world to pursue their own teachings and their own mastery of the force. These renegades were the core of the nascent Sith Order and it would be millennia before they would once again pose a threat and danger to the worlds that they had abandoned oh so long ago…
The events depicted in this graphic novel occur five thousand years ago before the Battle of Yavin, a time when the Republic is no where near as big as it is in the prequel films and much of the galaxy is unexplored and unknown to the people and systems of the Republic. Still there are those who are willing to brave the unknown deeps of the void and boldly forge new paths through hyperspace as well as discover new worlds for settlement as well as new species interested in trade and contact. Two such courageous explorers of the unknown are Gav and Jori Daragon, a brother and sister duo who in their vessel Starbreaker 12 who have left behind their homeworld of Koros and opted to make their fortune charting new hyperspace routes. Sometimes though such bold career decisions can lead to the decision makers biting off more than they can chew.
Starbreaker 12 and its crew end up making a discovery that will have severe repercussions for not only the current era but the distant future as well. Like a stone tossed into a pond the ripples of its journey’s through hyperspace will affect the galaxy for the next five thousand years, you see Gav and Jori end up finding the fabled Sith Empire on one of their many exploration jaunts charting new routes and systems. The system that they emerge into real space in is that of Korriban, the literal heart of darkness of the galaxy as well as the primary world of the Sith Empire. Naturally the locals are a bit suspicious of these two sudden interlopers. Some amongst the leaders of the empire feel that they are the precursors to an invasion whilst others just feel that they should be disposed of before they can escape and let the galaxy at large know the Sith Empire exists. There is one amongst the various Sith Lords though who sees the opportunity that the two present for his own schemes and agendas, Naga Sadow the recently anointed Dark Lord of the Sith feels that brother and sister can suit his purpose admirably.
Now this is the era when the Sith were not only an order of dark side users but also a species whose culture and society had expanded across numerous systems in the regions of the galaxy untouched by the Republic. Under the leadership of Marka Ragnos (whose spirit would plague the galaxy numerous times in the future) the Sith people, its Lords and its empire had reached the pinnacle of its power. But they could effectively go no further and often their own energies were consumed with power struggles amongst the various Sith Lords all of whom sought the mantle of Dark Lord for themselves. Thus in reaching the heights they immediately began to decline, only Ragnos recognised this fact and knew that as long as he was alive and a target for the ambition of his fellows the empire would remain relatively stable and enjoy some vibrancy. Even though he managed to reign for a hundred or so years he did eventually die and thus a struggle for ascendancy amongst the various Sith Lords began.
It was during this brutal and often terminal pre selection contest that the Daragon’s dropped out of hyperspace and into the Korriban system. Bad enough that they had ended up in the heart of the Sith Empire but their timing was just atrocious, still their appearance is a godsend to the ambitious Naga Sadow who takes the two under his ‘protection’ only to use them as pawns for his schemes. He desires not only the mantle of Dark Lord which he has recently claimed but also to expand the Empire, to increase its wealth, its power and its influence. Gav and Jori are the means to that end. Jori manages to escape the clutches of the Sith and taking back the Starbreaker 12 she leaves the empire and her brother behind in a desperate bid to try and warn the Republic, little does she know that this is all part of Sadow’s scheme. He has concealed a tracking beacon on board the Starbreaker 12 which will allow the Sith to find the routes into the Republic and its key systems.
Darth Vader must have read the teachings of Naga Sadow when he put the beacon on board the Millennium Falcon in its hectic getaway from the Death Star; it seems that concealed tracking devices are a favourite tactic of Sith Lords in furthering their evil schemes. Although it can also backfire catastrophically – to wit Darth Vader’s efforts allow him to find the hidden Rebel base but it also means that they can easily attack and possibly destroy the Death Star, not a good situation to be in. The same situation occurs here with the Starbreaker 12, Naga Sadow now has the means by which his fleet can attack the Republic, the only problem is that this also means that the Republic if they stand firm can deal with him here and now rather than at some point in the future.
The factor that the newly anointed Dark Lord has not taken into his plans, no doubt due to hubris (pride always goeth before a fall is the old saying), is the Jedi Order. Even though to the multitude of ordinary citizens of the Galactic Republic the Sith Empire is something of a fable, kind of like Atlantis is to the contemporary world, the Jedi know that out there are those who are masters in the dark arts, their ancient enemies, and for some time some of their number have been receiving dreams and visions. Amongst those who have been picking up these clues are Jedi Master Ooroo and his padwan learner, Odan-Urr, these two are assigned to the court of Empress Teta, ruler of the Koros system which is still recovering from the recent unification wars. Yet even though her domain is in the midst of rebuilding and repairing Empress Teta has not been complacent, she knows the misgivings of her Jedi advisors and has taken steps to plan for the worst.
The stage thus is set, the players have taken up their places all that needs to be done is, as the Bard once wrote, to “Cry Havoc and let loose the Dogs of War”. Tales of the Jedi: The Fall of the Sith Empire is an interesting story, one that has repercussions for the future eras of the Star Wars universe that unfolds both on the big screen and in the printed medium. It visual look is certainly something very interesting in contrast with other efforts, the look is very much like a nineteen thirties science fiction film, the old episodes of Flash Gordon spring to mind. And it’s also curious to note that the Jedi lightsabers of this area are attached by a cable to a power pack worn around the waist of the wielder. In contrast the Sith are all using actual blades with spikes and other pointy bits to emphasise their warlike and vicious nature no doubt. The numerous star ships and fighters in this work also have a very organic look to them with wings and sails or a general shape that seems more like the vessel was grown than actually built. It’s certainly an interesting take on the ‘distant’ past of the Star Wars universe.
Naga Sadow, Dark Lord of the Sith to Gav Daragon.
“…but if we should confront the fabled Sith Empire, we will experience a war so great, so devastating that it can cross the fabric of hyperspace, a conflagration spanning the galaxy”
Jedi Master Ooroo to his padawan Odan-urr.
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics.
Production Team: Kevin J Anderson – writer, Dario Carrasco Jr – penciller, Mark G Heike, Bill Black & David Jacob Beckett – inkers, Ray Murtaugh – colourist, Duncan Fergedo – cover artist, Willie Schubert – letterer, Judi T Hann, Daniel Jackson, Jon Fell & Jason Hvam – colour separators.
Originally released back in 97/98 this particular chapter of the Star Wars universe focuses on a period that would later become known as the Great Hyperspace War, it would also be one of the many conflicts that would occur between the Jedi and the Sith as well as the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic. It was not the first such conflict however, that occurred many many years before this war when the Jedi Order underwent a schism within its ranks, the rebels eventually leaving known space and fleeing to some new world to pursue their own teachings and their own mastery of the force. These renegades were the core of the nascent Sith Order and it would be millennia before they would once again pose a threat and danger to the worlds that they had abandoned oh so long ago…
The events depicted in this graphic novel occur five thousand years ago before the Battle of Yavin, a time when the Republic is no where near as big as it is in the prequel films and much of the galaxy is unexplored and unknown to the people and systems of the Republic. Still there are those who are willing to brave the unknown deeps of the void and boldly forge new paths through hyperspace as well as discover new worlds for settlement as well as new species interested in trade and contact. Two such courageous explorers of the unknown are Gav and Jori Daragon, a brother and sister duo who in their vessel Starbreaker 12 who have left behind their homeworld of Koros and opted to make their fortune charting new hyperspace routes. Sometimes though such bold career decisions can lead to the decision makers biting off more than they can chew.
Now this is the era when the Sith were not only an order of dark side users but also a species whose culture and society had expanded across numerous systems in the regions of the galaxy untouched by the Republic. Under the leadership of Marka Ragnos (whose spirit would plague the galaxy numerous times in the future) the Sith people, its Lords and its empire had reached the pinnacle of its power. But they could effectively go no further and often their own energies were consumed with power struggles amongst the various Sith Lords all of whom sought the mantle of Dark Lord for themselves. Thus in reaching the heights they immediately began to decline, only Ragnos recognised this fact and knew that as long as he was alive and a target for the ambition of his fellows the empire would remain relatively stable and enjoy some vibrancy. Even though he managed to reign for a hundred or so years he did eventually die and thus a struggle for ascendancy amongst the various Sith Lords began.
It was during this brutal and often terminal pre selection contest that the Daragon’s dropped out of hyperspace and into the Korriban system. Bad enough that they had ended up in the heart of the Sith Empire but their timing was just atrocious, still their appearance is a godsend to the ambitious Naga Sadow who takes the two under his ‘protection’ only to use them as pawns for his schemes. He desires not only the mantle of Dark Lord which he has recently claimed but also to expand the Empire, to increase its wealth, its power and its influence. Gav and Jori are the means to that end. Jori manages to escape the clutches of the Sith and taking back the Starbreaker 12 she leaves the empire and her brother behind in a desperate bid to try and warn the Republic, little does she know that this is all part of Sadow’s scheme. He has concealed a tracking beacon on board the Starbreaker 12 which will allow the Sith to find the routes into the Republic and its key systems.
Darth Vader must have read the teachings of Naga Sadow when he put the beacon on board the Millennium Falcon in its hectic getaway from the Death Star; it seems that concealed tracking devices are a favourite tactic of Sith Lords in furthering their evil schemes. Although it can also backfire catastrophically – to wit Darth Vader’s efforts allow him to find the hidden Rebel base but it also means that they can easily attack and possibly destroy the Death Star, not a good situation to be in. The same situation occurs here with the Starbreaker 12, Naga Sadow now has the means by which his fleet can attack the Republic, the only problem is that this also means that the Republic if they stand firm can deal with him here and now rather than at some point in the future.
The factor that the newly anointed Dark Lord has not taken into his plans, no doubt due to hubris (pride always goeth before a fall is the old saying), is the Jedi Order. Even though to the multitude of ordinary citizens of the Galactic Republic the Sith Empire is something of a fable, kind of like Atlantis is to the contemporary world, the Jedi know that out there are those who are masters in the dark arts, their ancient enemies, and for some time some of their number have been receiving dreams and visions. Amongst those who have been picking up these clues are Jedi Master Ooroo and his padwan learner, Odan-Urr, these two are assigned to the court of Empress Teta, ruler of the Koros system which is still recovering from the recent unification wars. Yet even though her domain is in the midst of rebuilding and repairing Empress Teta has not been complacent, she knows the misgivings of her Jedi advisors and has taken steps to plan for the worst.
The stage thus is set, the players have taken up their places all that needs to be done is, as the Bard once wrote, to “Cry Havoc and let loose the Dogs of War”. Tales of the Jedi: The Fall of the Sith Empire is an interesting story, one that has repercussions for the future eras of the Star Wars universe that unfolds both on the big screen and in the printed medium. It visual look is certainly something very interesting in contrast with other efforts, the look is very much like a nineteen thirties science fiction film, the old episodes of Flash Gordon spring to mind. And it’s also curious to note that the Jedi lightsabers of this area are attached by a cable to a power pack worn around the waist of the wielder. In contrast the Sith are all using actual blades with spikes and other pointy bits to emphasise their warlike and vicious nature no doubt. The numerous star ships and fighters in this work also have a very organic look to them with wings and sails or a general shape that seems more like the vessel was grown than actually built. It’s certainly an interesting take on the ‘distant’ past of the Star Wars universe.
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