Star Wars: Legacy, Vol. 2 #3
Script by Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman
Art by Gabriel Hardman
Colors by Rachelle Rosenberg
Cover by Dave Wilkins
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: May 22, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

While the creative team behind the original Star Wars Legacy concentrate on Dawn Of The Jedi, a new team is carrying the torch for a new Legacy series, focusing on a descendant of Han Solo and Princess Leia named Ania Solo. The new art style with a solid new plot make for captivating reading, and it can be said that the legacy of Legacy is in safe hands.

Set not long after the events of the first series that focused on Cade Skywalker, the collapsed Sith Empire of Darth Krayt is shattered. Rumors of Sith remnants are scattered across the galaxy, though in the place of the dictatorial Empire, former leaders of the Galactic Alliance, the Fel Empire, and Jedi have joined together to form a new government: the Galactic Triumvirate.

There are many goals of the new Triumvirate, but their major goal is in the creation of a colossal new communications array, that will improve contact (and no doubt seedy holonet reception) to the Outer Rim Territories, Wild Space, and other far reaching areas. Led by the Imperial Knights, a considerable undertaking for the array is taking place.

In spite of this, disaster strikes when Imperial Knight Yalta Val stumbles across a hidden planet in a remote nebula – a place that has become a hiding location for a Sith Lord. Ania Solo comes into possession of the comm droid poised with the mission of informing the Triumvirate of the emergency. Solo and her friends cross paths with another Imperial Knight, who determines the serious situation Val may be in”¦ and Ania finds herself flung into an unexpected adventure”¦

The script by Corinna Bechko and Gabriel Hardman in this new series of Legacy is exceptional. It stays true to the original series, to the original ideas of Star Wars, while pushing forward in another chapter of the galaxy.

This later era of the Expanded Star Wars Universe is largely unexplored and has rich potential. There are several connections to the original series, and a lot of cameo appearances from some of the major characters.

The artwork is of high quality – though VERY different from the original series. Gabriel Hardman’s art is freer flowing than the solid-inked approach of Jan Duursema from Legacy I. The inking in Legacy, Vol. 2 flows along the direction brought about by Hardman’s pencils, and accents the shadows greatly in the art.

The attention to the artwork is deliberately aimed at straying into a style very different from Legacy I, though paying STRONG reverence to the classic Star Wars comics. Notably, I’m reminded strongly of the Al Williamson artwork from the Archie Goodwin days – it remains prevalent through all the issues up to this point, though Hardman ensures his own style shines through as well.

The colors by Rachelle Rosenberg likewise reflect the Goodwin/Williamson references as well, though they are mostly of a dimmer and less saturated hue. I suspect this is because the world of Ania Solo is in a dank and dull region of the galaxy; for the colors change dramatically on the Coruscant scenes from previous issues. The Imperial Knights emerge gloriously with their powerfully red/crimson armor, and stand out tremendously. The artwork team of Hardman and Rosenberg on this new series is seriously a winning combination.

So far, I really like where Legacy, Vol. 2 is going. There is a lot for Legacy fans to sink their teeth into, but the story is written in a manner that Star Wars fans new to this era of the galaxy can follow quite easily without getting lost. I suspect that casual comic geeks, particularly those with an interest in classic and nostalgic comics, may find this of interest as well. Give this one a look, you might dig it.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5

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