Star Wars #5 Prelude to Rebellion Part 5 (of 6) / Vow of Justice Part 2 (of 3) Writing: Jan Strnad Pencilling: Anthony Winn (Prelude), John Nadeau (Vow) Inking: Robert Jones (Prelude), Jordi Ensign (Vow) Coloring: Dave Nestelle Lettering: Cover: Ken Kelly Released: 04/21/1999 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (10/28/1999) SUMMARY: Prelude: Ki-Adi-Mundi follows the freighter's escape pod to Tatooine. Jabba chains Ki's daughter to a pole during a storm to distract him. Vow: A young Ki goes to the village bully's fortress, only to find out that there is a new chief now and that she can kick butt.

THE STORY

Prelude: This is a big improvement over the last issue, as Ki fights his way through the divviks to the cabin, and Ephant Mon uses a clever ploy to escape aboard a pod.

Although I would be personnally annoyed that the characters go to way-too-overused Tatooine, it is justified here in the fact that Ephant Mon is an associate of Jabba the Hutt's who makes an appearance here. Very smooth story. But I wonder how that ion storm found its way off from Ryloth. Isn't Tatooine supposed to have sand storms? Well, another meteorological oddity.

Vow: Just as I suspected. On Ki's first mission, he will learn a lesson that revenge is not the answer. A classic theme rendered in the Star Wars fashion. Again, very smooth storytelling, and a few surprise twists in the space of a short 6 pages.

THE ART

Prelude: I'll be short again on this one, as I don't want to repeat myself over my opinion on Winn's art (see reviews of previous issues for that.) I can only add that his Jabba is worse than his Yoda. But everything else is just great as usual.

Vow: Still very nice. And Nadeau's Yoda is better than Winn's :)

CONCLUSIONS

Prelude: The series has taken a sharp turn from the first half. But it turns for the better.

Vow: Very well-paced for such a short story.

Rating: 8 / 10 Recommended