The Star Wars

Drawing on George Lucas’s original notes for Star Wars, Rinzler has concocted a grand interstellar conflict very different from and yet evocative of the events in the film franchise. Aquila is the last remaining independent system, and the final refuge of the Jedui-Bendu, in a galaxy under the boot of the New Empire. As imperial forces gather around Aquila, the safety of the royal family is paramount. As formidable as the family’s Jedi defenders are, the Knights of the Sith are just as impressive—and they are more numerous and backed by the weapons beyond compare of the Empire itself. As Mayhew’s art and Rinzler’s script makes clear, the roots of Stars Wars as we know it were in place at the beginning, but many significant details were transformed during the journey to film. The themes of freedom versus oppression remain, and elements of familiar figures can be seen in prickly Princess Leia and brash, green-skinned Solo. But readers expecting a recapitulation of the familiar tale will be surprised by the many stark differences. Fans of space opera in the tradition of Brackett, Hamilton, and Moore will be intrigued by this tale of interstellar derring-do.[em] (July) [/em]