Jedi Council: Acts of War #2 (of 4) Story: Randy Stradley Art: Davidé Fabbri Inking: Christian Dalla Vecchia Coloring: Dave McCaig Lettering: Steve Dutro Cover: Davidé Fabbri, David Stewart Released: 07/19/2000 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (11/27/2004) SUMMARY: The Jedi defend the Jedi Temple from an assault by Yinchorri warriors, then discover that someone is masterminding the attack. Meanwhile, three groups of Jedi encounter resistance of their own, as they look for the Yinchorri High Command on three different planets.

[final cover] [preview cover]

THE STORY

This issue starts off with a really cool sequence: on Coruscant, Darth Maul informs his master that the attack on the Jedi Temple has started, as we see a group of Yinchorri swoop down on the Jedi. They have a really nice mode of flight, which is a backpack with a pair of insect wings. Then they find out the Jedi are not as easy to kill as they thought. This series is quickly turning into an epic story of galactic intrigue and action, which is exactly what Star Wars is about. The characters are all interesting and memorable, the planets are also varied and all have their own distinct features, and the action is fast-paced.

This issue also features Yoda kicking butt like no tomorrow, but this being pre-Attack of the Clones he doesn't have a lightsaber (although in hindsight, the diminutive Aleena, Tsui Choi, could have very well been Yoda.) The transitions in the story from one setting to the other is seemless, although we don't see Mace Windu's group on the planet Yinchorr in this one. And the way it ends on such a cliffhanger... This is a great little masterpiece so far.

THE ART

The art by Fabbri, and the inks and colors, are still very energetic. This issue has a double-page spread, showing the scope of a floating station. Although it's weird to see a naked Anx swimming in the water, the mix of space and ground battles, devastating displays of Force-use and lightsaber fights, and lots of aliens and Jedi, make this an issue to remember.

CONCLUSIONS

The same quality that was introduced in the first issue still continues, with no sign of stopping. You won't be disappointed.

Rating: 8 / 10 Highly Recommended