Dark Force Rising #3 (of 6)

Story: Mike Baron (adapted from Timothy Zahn)
Pencils: Terry Dodson
Inks: Kevin Nowlan
Color: Pamela Rambo

Han and Lando meet General Bel Iblis. Leia learns of the plight of the Noghri homeworld, but must be hidden from Thrawn. Luke meets Master C'Baoth. Reviewed 08/07/97 Story It seems that the middle part of any trilogy has less action in it. There's a LOT of dialog in this issue (there literally isn't a single panel without words) and it's to DH's credit that it doesn't bog down the pace of the comic. This issue gets to the part of Zahn's trilogy that I didn't care for too much, but the adaptation makes it feel much more a part of the SW universe somehow. Art Unlike the last issue, this one has some really great panels on nearly every page. Some of my favorites... Chewie lifting 3P0, C'Baoth zapping a citizen, and a simply outstanding Vader with hand extended in disguised treachery. The likenesses of the movie characters, while not perfect, are definitely getting better... particularly Leia in this issue. The only art complaint is that I don't care for the rendering of the Nhorgi. The just don't look right to me. We'll see what The Last Command brings. This issue features the first SW vehicle I can remember with WHEELS. Cool! One last note... thanks Terry for including 3 male characters with long hair. The SW universe has been without them for too long. Summary This team is getting better and better. The story suffers because it's a middle act... but isn't that part of the greatness of ESB? 9/10. Highly recommended.
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