Skip to content

Comic Review: THE CLONE WARS – THE SMUGGLER’S CODE (STAR WARS)

Written By:

Ed Fortune
clone-wars-smugglers-code

Review: Star Wars – The Clone Wars — The Smuggler’s Code / Author: Justin Aclin / Artist: Eduardo Ferrera / Publisher: Dark Horse / Release Date: July 12th

The Clone Wars series has been a high point of the recent Star Wars output; not only does the setting seem richer and more upbeat (despite the backdrop of galactic civil war), the various spin-off stories have added a level of depth and engagement to the characters of Obi-Wan and Anakin Skywalker that we simply did not get in the prequel movies.

The Smuggler’s Code is a pretty simple story; Obi-Wan encounters a criminal he failed to bring to justice long ago, and along the way he encounters one of the archetypes of the Star Wars universe; a silver-tongued smuggler who is in more trouble than he can handle, but happens to be very good with a blaster. What follows is a very high speed tour of a fantastical tropical paradise, filled with weird monsters and crooked crime lords. Writer Justin Aclin brings in the sort of joy that makes Star Wars stories really work; he skilfully draws together both action and characterisation to create a highly engaging narrative. He is ably assisted by Eduardo Ferrera’s extremely clean and cartoony artwork. The dialogue flows quickly when it’s needed, and stays quiet when it’s time for the artwork to pick up the pace and deliver the action.

Just when you think it’s all been done before, Aclin digs out one or two great ideas that are completely fresh (but that make so much sense when you see them) to keep the story going, and this alone makes the book rather charming. It isn’t very long and it would have been nice to see a bit more of the tropical paradise the story is set in, (after all, who could resist a Star Wars version of Hawaii Five-O?). It’s exactly the sort of fun that you want from a Star Wars book, and should appeal to both fans and casual acquaintances of the franchise.

Ed Fortune

You May Also Like...

chinese remake of anaconda drops trailer

ANACONDA Trailer Grants First Look At Remake Of 1997 Horror Flick

Three sequels and a spinoff-crossover film wasn’t enough for the 1997 creature feature Anaconda, which not only has a new movie in development, but is getting a Chinese remake! From
Read More
black widow star scarlett johansson in talks to lead new universal jurassic world film

Scarlett Johansson In Talks To Join JURASSIC WORLD Film

Another MCU star appears to be taking up the reins for Universal’s new Jurassic World movie: two-time Oscar nominee Scarlett Johansson is reportedly in talks to lead the franchise that
Read More

Exclusive Reveal! Titan Comics to Deliver Prehistoric Hysterics in First 2 DUMB DINOS Collection

Titan Comics have exclusively revealed to STARBURST that they’re gearing up to publish the first-ever collection of the hilarious cult digital comic strip 2 Dumb Dinos, and we’re not the
Read More

New Dates For Lovecraftian Key of Dreams

Key of Dreams has announced new spaces for its titular immersive luxury horror event. The critically acclaimed company is known for its overnight experiences that dunk you into a strange
Read More

FAB Café to Host Free Film Screening of New Indie Comedy SECRETS OF A WALLABY BOY

We’re well known for our championing of truly independent filmmakers here at STARBURST, so it’s doubly exciting to be writing about one of our own! After joining the crew in
Read More
colin farrell returns as oswald cobblepot in the penguin series trailer

Colin Farrell Returns In THE PENGUIN Trailer

Colin Farrell returns as Gotham City’s answer to Tony Soprano in the first trailer for Max series The Penguin, which spins out of the world of the 2022 DC film
Read More