Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Spark of the Resistance

Hardcover | Kindle | Audiobook
Written by Justina Ireland
Narrated by Jessica Almasy
Publisher: Disney Lucasfilm Press | Listening Library
Release date: October 4, 2019

In the aftermath of their defeat at the hands of the First Order on Crait that has left them with enough crew to populate the Millennium Falcon and not much else, the Resistance is scrambling to re-group while simultaneously attempting to shore up their forces through recruitment. Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker – Spark of the Resistance highlights one such mission in which the crew of the Falcon receives a distress call from the planet Minfar. Despite orders to the contrary, they head out and are met by the Zixon, to whom they swear they will protect from the First Order who are also on the planet. Our heroes, however, must balance the importance of keeping their word and protecting the Zixon while also knowing that they are shirking direct orders.

Jupiter’s Legacy #1
Written by Mark Millar
Illustrated by Frank Quitely
Colored by Peter Doherty
Lettered by Peter Doherty
Covers by Frank Quitely, Bryan Hitch, Dave Johnson, Phil Noto, J. Scott Campbell, and Christian Ward
Image Comics
Release Date: April 24, 2013
Cover Price: $2.99

In issue #1 of Image Comics’ new series Jupiter’s Legacy, written by famed comic book creator Mark Millar and illustrated by Frank Quitely, we explore the idea that all nations, no matter how powerful or advanced they may be, will eventually be in need of heroes “” saviors providing inspiration and a way out of poverty and destruction. Still, will this necessity always be enough in order to institute change?

Before the Great Depression, Sheldon was a big shot. He had everything: money, power, and a beautiful fiancée. Once the stock market crashed, he lost it all. One fateful night after that, Sheldon has a dream. An Island that no man has heard of in thousands of years speaks to him. It tells him to gather a specific group of people, find the island, and then bring back whatever they might discover there to serve as a saving grace for America. His dream is so real “” so vivid “” that he is compelled to act upon it.

Freelancers #1
Written by Ian Brill & Matt Gagnon
Art by Joshua Covey & Felipe Smith
Colors by Justin Stewart, Vladimir Popov & Zack Sterling
Letters by Pat Brosseau
Covers by Ibraim Roberson, Felipe Smith, Khary Randolf & Ron Riley, Fan Yang, Phil Noto, Stephane Roux, Reilly Brown & Felipe Sobreiro
Boom! Studios
Release Date: November 7, 2012
Cover Price: $1.00

Freelancers #1 is a lot of fun. It’s not going to change your life or win an Eisner, but you will definitely have a good time with this comic. You’ve got the perfect formula-hot girls, guns, cars, kung-fu, and dogs. What more could any red-blooded American male want?

Ian Brill takes parts of existing pop culture icons and combines them into an action packed comic, that’s a TON of fun to read. Part Charlie’s Angels, part Codename: Knockout, this comic is action from start to finish. You’ve got the two main characters that work for an agent that may or may not be 100% on their side. Brill sets up a good mystery that leaves you wondering if their agent is trying to get them jobs or trying to get them killed. I can’t emphasise enough how much pure fun this book is! It’s a great spy/bounty hunter tale that never takes itself seriously at all. It knows what it is, and never tries to be anything different. Really good for a first issue.

Ghost #1
Written by Kelly Sue DeConnick
Art by Phil Noto
Letters by Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Covers by Phil Noto & Alex Ross
Dark Horse Comics
Release Date: October 24, 2012
Cover Price: $2.99

Kelly Sue DeConnick is, needless to say, a fantastic writer. I just don’t know if Ghost was right for her. You’d think it would be a no-brainer. A woman who’s great at writing strong female leads should be the perfect fit, right? Unfortunately, she doesn’t quite hit the mark with this issue.

First off, for a first issue, it’s not really a great jumping on point. It feels like you’re coming in during the middle of a story. Beyond that, the dialogue is entertaining and the characters are fun. I just wish it was more of an introduction than it is.

Creator-Owned Heroes #2
Written by Steve Niles, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray
Art by Phil Noto, Kevin Mellon
Letters by Bill Tortolini
Image Comics
Release Date: July 4, 2012
Cover Price: $3.99

Creator-Owned Heroes is Image’s new monthly series that highlights the original content of established comic book talent. More than “just a comic,” it’s a feature-packed magazine that celebrates creative independence. How appropriate that the second issue was released on the 4th of July. You definitely get your money’s worth; this book is loaded with content with two ongoing comic series, interviews, editorials, and how-to features.

The comic book portion, which makes up about two-thirds of the book, continues the Triggergirl and American Muscle series that kicked off last month. American Muscle is a post-apocalyptic, zombie-ish story where human immune systems have completely stopped functioning. The comic follows a small group of survivors and their search for a safe, permanent place to start a new life. In the last issue, they made their way to Los Angeles only to discover that it has become a zombie-riddled wasteland that’s falling into the Pacific Ocean.